Rising Stars: Meet Eboni Talley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eboni Talley.

Hi Eboni, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
So, my desire and passion to do hair came a little later than some of my peers. I joke with my family that it all started the day my father attempted to do my hair when I was in elementary school, and although it was his best attempt… It was not the greatest day for me🤦🏾‍♀️ (RIP dad – – – – love your baby girl ❤️) He put a single ponytail in my hair and braided the end… Yes, he ACTUALLY braided my hair… He tried y’all…He really tried! However… I knew THAT day… something had to give!

Fast forward to high school, by this time I started doing the hair of friends and family… I even was even part of a “production” at my church, which had me having a whole salon in the script! It was quite hilarious!

Nevertheless, hair was not as lucrative as it is today, so that was not my path set to travel or the one “laid out” for me. In high school, I was enrolled in the college prep program under the health occupations curriculum.

In February of my senior year, I became pregnant. Any thought of doing hair was far gone at this point. The mindset of needing a “real job, was all that I would hear–which included, an office job, the automotive industry, i.e., “the plant”, or the post office–Cosmetologiy, being a “Hairdresser” or “doing hair” was not one of them… It was more like a hobby; something you did on the side.

After working a few “real jobs” between the ages of 18-20, in early 1996, I decided my son deserved “more” than what I was bringing home, so I chose to FINALLY start my college education. I reapplied, was accepted, and subsequently attended Michigan State University. I graduated within 4 years, obtaining my Bachelor’s of Science Degree, in the area of Social Work. (BASW) and immediately began working within my field upon graduation.

Yet, I still felt there was MORE for me to do. I liked my jobs…I had great coworkers…I had a “REAL” job with REAL benefits… Yet something was still missing…

Fast forward to 2008 where I was introduced to what would be the Cosmetology school I would attend and ultimately graduate from a year and a half later… Regency Beauty institute. What was presented to me as a “fluke”, actually was a “Divine Introduction.” Not only did the school grab my attention, it ignited a drive and focus in me to move forward and possibly… No FINALLY, go to school to obtain my Cosmetology license.

I was working for the State of Michigan Department of Human Services at the time I began my Cosmetology education in November of 2008. In March of 2009, taking the huge risk…I stepped out on FAITH, and I resigned from the State of Michigan to solely focus on completing my Cosmetology education.

In March 2010, I completed 1500 hours of education with the Regency Beauty Institute. I immediately applied, completed, and PASSED my cosmetology state board exam!! After passing my state board exam, I walked into my first salon within 1 week! I was so excited about the journey that I had just begun.

My career in Cosmetology has been an amazing one! I initially started out saying that I was a rookie in the hair industry because I did a complete career change and shift; therefore, I was “late” to the hair game. I quickly learned that I needed to change my verbiage because timing is everything. I shifted my thinking to understanding, I was NOT late… I was NOT a rookie… I came into the hair game at the exact time I was supposed to be there.

I worked as a booth renter, in a salon, for the first two years of my career. After that experience, the desire to have my own salon had resurfaced. In early 2012, my dream to open up a salon came to fruition… And I open up Tri 3 Angels Salon, along with my 2 other business partners. There were many many highs and definitely some lows from the time the salon was open.

In 2019, my father passed away, which was a shock to us all! My family ended up having multiple subsequent deaths following his. On top of that, my business partner suffered an almost fatal fall in August of the same year.

All of this happened within the last 6 months of that 2019. I knew I no longer had the energy to continue the business by myself, as we ended up having a lot of shifts occur in the salon. I also knew I did not have the energy to try to bring in a whole new team to keep the salon afloat.

After another “Divine introduction,” I was introduced to Sola Salons, where I currently have my business, in the winter of 2019. By February 1st, 2020, Tri 3 Angels Salon was closing its doors permanently… And on February 5th, 2020, I stepped out on faith yet again and opened my own individual business inside of Sola Salons. It was on this date that the Talley Chaise Hair Studio saw its first guest! Almost 3 years later, I am still blessed to be flourishing very well and continually seeing new guests in my salon!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely had its struggles… However, I would not change anything that I have gone through.

So, I already gave you the major issues faced in 2019. However, let me back up a few more years– to the beginning. My business partners and I decided to open the doors of Tri 3 Angels Salon in February 2012. Everything seemed to move pretty smoothly– from finding the location to getting all of our equipment and renovations done, to obtaining all licenses, registrations, permits, etc… Everything went so well! Until July 2013…

In July of 2013, my best friend, nail tech, and business partner was diagnosed with breast cancer. She ultimately would leave the salon for an extended period of time so that she could complete the aggressive amounts of chemotherapy that would be necessary in her recovery…

In addition to her having to leave the salon, we also had another shift in the business, which left me in the salon for an extended period of time as the only operator (and owner) working on clients. Let’s just say that I was burning the candles at both ends and it was getting rough!

I will say that was a very stressful and trying season of my career… However, hair was and continues to be my outlet! Even during the most difficult times, I always could lose myself in creating and doing hair… That is what has kept me afloat.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Wow! This is a great question! So, as I previously stated I was the rookie at the time… Or so I thought! I felt as though I needed to be in whatever classes necessary to help me become the best Cosmetologist/Hairdresser/Stylist I could ever be!

So straight out the gate, after passing my state boards and becoming licensed, I started attending classes and conventions by myself. I quickly realized that if I was going to get to these places, I couldn’t wait on anybody to decide to go with me because that is how you will miss opportunities.

I attended my first hair show in 2010 by myself in Chicago… And now the more I think about it, that is what set the pace of my career in the hair industry. I am not a shy individual… so, it was no problem at all for me to go and introduce myself to anyone in the industry. Based on that quality and my ability to just go it “alone” and not wait on anyone, I have met SO MANY influential individuals in the beauty industry, too many to name!! EACH of these individuals have added a piece to the puzzle named Eboni and the person I am today.

I am a LICENSED Cosmetologist who is passionate about my craft and the many individuals whose hair I am blessed to touch. I am also a trained and always learning Hair Colorist. I would NOT have the knowledge about the Science/Khemistry of color nor would I be the “Kritical Thinker” I am today if not for the one individual who has completely changed the trajectory of my career since being connected to them. That would be Kolour Koach, Mentor, LEADER, and Friend, Keya Neal. She is the creator, visionary, founder, and CEO of the Kolour Kulture (KK). She is also all of those roles for the extension of KK; Texture VS. Race.

I am currently a part of the Kolour Kulture/Texture VS Race team, where I have been since 2017. I have been BLESSED to travel all over, assisting my Koach with education throughout the industry.

I am MOST proud of all the accomplishments I’ve been able to achieve in the last 5 years of my career. However, even above that, I am “MOSTEST” proud of the SEVERAL Women, Men, and children I’ve been able to make an impact on since being behind the chair.

What sets me apart from others is my continued desire to be a STUDENT. I will ALWAYS attend a class…I will always learn and implement the healthier, better option to my clients. I will always continue to pour into myself so that I can provide the best and pour into those who decide to come into my salon.

 

I don’t take it lightly that my clients choose me as their stylist. Based on their decision, I will always seek to “fill my cup” because you can never pour anything from an “empty cup” and think you’re going to ignite change within someone else. Change is great… Change is always necessary…I will always remain pliable and willing to change if that means it will be for the betterment of those that come to receive services from me.

I also set myself apart from others because I have not forgotten the fundamentals. My strong foundation was established while I was a student at Regency Beauty institute. I will continue to build on that strong foundation so that I can grow into an impactful major force in the hair industry. I do not look for shortcuts which would cause the detriment of my client. I will only look for opportunities which will benefit them. At the end of the day, trendy is nice, however, foundation is what’s going to keep you relevant. I choose to remain relevant.

What are your plans for the future?
Well, I am happy to say that I just recently began my journey to become a CERTIFIED Trichologist. By definition, Trichology is the study of the hair and scalp. As a CERTIFIED Trichologist, I will be a specialist who focuses on the study of diseases/problems related to the hair and scalp (maladies). I will also work in conjunction with various medical professionals in respects to finding appropriate treatments for any issues presented.

I will be working to obtain my certification through the American Academy of Hair and Scalp Diseases (AAHSD), over the next 18 months. So, keep me in your prayers! I’m EXCITED, NERVOUS, and SCARED… ALL at the same time!!!

The best part of this new journey is that I am going to be able to dive even deeper into something that I love. What trichology is already showing me is that this goes beyond hair… It’s bigger than hair… And that is the thing that I know I was missing years ago. Understanding NOW that it is bigger than hair, is the driving force and motivation I have, as I matriculate through this curriculum. Knowing that I will play a part in helping individuals make major changes in their lives, by way of their hair, to me is Priceless!

As my Trichology Educator, Creator, Visionary, and CEO of AAHSD, Ky Smith says…”Trichology IS the NEW Cosmetology.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ebonichaise.glossgenius.com
• Instagram: @talleychaisehairstudio
• Facebook: Talley Chaise Hair Studio

Image Credits
Montez Miller