From Law to Luxury Hair: Christina Truscello on Building TEAL Hair Studio & Confidence-Driven Beauty

Summary

Episode Summary

Podcast: Next On Scene: The Human Behind The Brand
Host: Jaclyn Zukerman Delory
Guest: Christina Truscello, Owner of TEAL Hair & Makeup Studio
Date: March 24, 2026
Episode Title: From Law to Luxury Hair: Christina Truscello on Building TEAL Hair Studio & Confidence-Driven Beauty

---

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the inspiring journey of Christina Truscello, who transitioned from law to founding TEAL Hair & Makeup Studio. The conversation uncovers Christina's passion for beauty, the personal and professional pivots that shaped her path, and her commitment to building a confidence-driven, community-focused brand. Christina shares insights on hair extensions, the meaning behind her brand, self-care for entrepreneurs, motherhood, and what it really takes to build a legacy from the ground up.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins: From Law to Hair

• Early Passion: Christina’s love for hair started before college, but was initially discouraged by her family, particularly her dad.
  • “Before I went to law school, college, all that. I was like, I want to do hair. My dad was like, no.” (01:47 – Christina)
• Family Influence: She had aunts in the industry but saw herself pursuing it more seriously.
• Transition Moment: After a year in law, Christina realized office life didn’t fit her creativity.
  • “I was a year in and I was like, I can't do this. I am not a desk job person. Like, I need to be creative.” (07:04 – Christina)

2. Finding a Niche: Extensions and Reconstructive Work

• Early Entry into Extensions: Christina learned extensions before they were widely known, thanks to a peer in beauty school and a job with an extension distributorship.
  • “This is before extensions were a well-known thing…it was like, these are things that like celebrities and dancers wear pretty much.” (02:43 – Christina)
• Specialty: Now experienced in blonde balayage, dimensional color, and reconstructive solutions for hair loss, especially for women experiencing postpartum, menopause, or medical hair loss.
  • “It's crushing these women…works on your confidence when you're looking in the mirror and you don't have that beautiful, luscious hair…it can really take a toll.” (03:40 – Christina)

3. Launching a Product Line with a Personal Touch

• Lexwar Product Line: Developed alongside her 11-year-old daughter, Lexi, emphasizing safe, natural, extension-friendly hair products.
  • “My daughter, actually Alexi, she is 11 and she helped create the brand along with my team…just a huge women-owned company group put forward.” (04:26 – Christina)
  • “It's called Lexwar.” (05:02 – Christina)

4. The Story & Values Behind 'TEAL'

• Brand Evolution and Core Values: The name originally stood for something longer but now embodies the studio’s ethos: Truth, Education, Artistry, and Love.
  • “As I rebranded and evolved, it currently stands for truth, education, artistry and love. It's really our core values.” (06:08 – Christina)
• Branding Insight: Jaclyn encourages Christina to share this meaning more as part of their marketing.

5. Entrepreneurship: Breaking Away to Build a Legacy

• Motivation to Open a Studio: Desire to create a collaborative community for stylists and room for growth—prompted by prior experiences without a clear advancement path.
  • “I just always wanted something bigger…a place where stylists could come together and work together collaboratively. And I just said, I'm gonna create it.” (07:44 – Christina)
• Overcoming Challenges: Christina shares building her business without family funding or guidance, learning everything from the ground up.
  • “I did not have, I did not grow up with anything…building from the ground up is, you know, super important.” (10:38 – Christina)

6. Motherhood, Coaching, and Self-Care

• Multi-Tasking Life: Christina balances being a salon owner, hockey mom, assistant coach, product founder, and business coach for other salon owners.
  • “I do coaching on the side for some other salon owners…how to grow their business, how to build their team, how to build their brand. So that's a big part of it.” (09:21 – Christina)
• Self-Care Struggles: Recognizes the common pitfall of neglecting self-care as a service provider and stresses its importance as an example to her daughter and others.
  • “I realized how unhealthy I was…You have to live for today. I don't want to have any regrets at the end of the day and I want to provide a good example for…other women and men.” (10:38 – Christina)

7. Next Steps & Vision

• Upcoming Plans:
  • Expanding the salon’s physical space, increasing service offerings (especially bridal/events), introducing mini sizes for the product line, and growing their freelance and salon teams.
    • “We’re hoping this year to expand the salon…expand our service offering…growing the team.” (12:12, 13:00 – Christina)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Confidence and Identity:

  • “It's not your identity by any means, but…when you don't have that beautiful, luscious hair…It can really take a toll.” (03:40 – Christina)

• On Building from Nothing:

  • “You can really take something from nothing…I did not have, I did not grow up with anything…I did not have anybody to pay for my college…so building from the ground up is…super important.” (10:38 – Christina)

• On Following Your Gut:

  • “Go with your gut. Always go with your gut. Even if you're unsure.” (16:36 – Christina)

• A Moment of Realization:

  • “I was having a hard time getting up for work. I wasn't looking forward, and I had a great job…It just was not my thing.” (07:19 – Christina)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:34 | Christina's early passion and family influences | | 02:21 | Discovering hair extensions and niche specialties | | 03:30 | Addressing hair loss: postpartum, menopause, reconstructive options | | 04:26 | Launching the Lexwar haircare brand with her daughter | | 06:08 | Meaning behind the name 'TEAL' and brand values | | 07:04 – 07:33 | Law career to pivot point; recognizing the need for creative work | | 07:44 | Opening her own studio and building a collaborative environment | | 08:41 | Day-in-the-life: entrepreneurship, parenting, coaching | | 10:31 | Self-care struggles and priorities as an entrepreneur | | 12:12 – 13:00 | Expansion plans: physical growth, product line, team building | | 14:36 | Rapid-fire “This or That” questions and hair extension insights | | 16:36 | Advice to her younger self: trust your instincts | | 16:58 | Social handles and closing thanks |

---

Fun, Rapid-Fire Segment: “This or That” Highlights

• Blonde vs. brunette transformations: “Depends on the day.” (14:36)
• Extensions maintenance: Details on different methods and their longevity (15:35)
• Hot yoga or spa day: “Hot yoga.” (15:41)
• Favorite self-care: “Shopping or massage.” (15:51)
• Fashion weeks or in-salon transformations: In-salon for deeper connections (16:02)
• Style: Loves classic black with pops of color (13:49)

---

Final Takeaways

Christina Truscello’s episode offers raw insight into the mindset, hustle, and heart behind building a beauty brand that’s rooted in authenticity and empowerment. From her law career pivot to launching her own studio and product line alongside her daughter, Christina embodies resilience and clarity of vision. Her story is a testament to following intuition, creating community, and paving the way for others to build from the ground up—reminding us all that our story can indeed be our superpower.

---

Follow the Guest & Host

• Christina Truscello:
  • Instagram: @tealhairstudio (as mentioned at 16:58)
• Podcast / Jaclyn Zukerman Delory:
  • Social/Podcast: @nextonscene on all platforms

---

Transcript

[A]

Step up your sweat with the Peloton Cross Training Tread Plus. Swivel your screen 360 degrees and follow your favorite instructors on and off your tread. Track your form and reps with the movement tracking camera. Feel supported as you train on the cushioned slat belt and move to the beat with sound by Sonos. Elevate your workouts with the cross training tread plus. Today's small business shout out. We're featuring the Indian esthetician offering concierge aesthetic services specializing in dermaplanning. It gently removes peach fuz dead skin so your products absorb better and your makeup goes on smoother. Check out the Indian esthetician on Instagram. Welcome to next on scene. The human behind the brand. I'm Jacqueline Zuckerman delorey, award winning publicist, mom and media visionary. I believe visibility isn't just about being seen, it's about being of service. Each week we are going to uncover real stories behind success. The breakthroughs, the heartbreaks and the moments that made you who you are. The because the truth is, the more we allow ourselves to be human, the more powerful our impact becomes. This is where visibility meets legacy. This is next on scene. Welcome to next on Scene where we go behind the highlight reel and meet the human behind the brand. Today we're joined by Christina Trucello, owner of Teal hair and makeup studio, a beauty entrepreneur and an extension specialist who's built a space where confidence, education and community come together. Christina, welcome to next on scene, the human behind the brand. I'm so excited to have you.

[B]

Thank you so much.

[A]

You are such a rock star. Like, expertise in hair, law background, own your own studio, all the things. And an educator. And you do consulting, right? As well with some other beauty clients. Amazing. So how did you even fall into this industry?

[B]

Oh, my God. Honestly, it was like just a passion. I've always wanted to do it. Before I went to law school, college, all that. I was like, I want to do hair. My dad was like, no.

[A]

Did anyone in your family do hair?

[B]

My aunts did, but it was very, like, relaxed. Huh. So, yeah, I just always had a passion for doing hair.

[A]

Did you do like, your friends growing up or anything?

[B]

Oh, my God. I would sit in my room and like, do my own hair. I taught myself how to braid. I taught myself how to do makeup. All the things.

[A]

Amazing. And extensions are a big thing for you too, right? Yes. I figured that's like a big bread and butter thing for your company.

[B]

Yeah, really, really big.

[A]

So as a hair stylist, like how did you grow into that part of hairstyling?

[B]

So when I was in school, I. They didn't teach hair extensions. Now I. I'm going to date myself here. I went back. This is way before social media was like, ever a thing. Like, Facebook wasn't even out yet. It was like my space. Okay, we're going dating.

[A]

I mean, I can so.

[B]

But I just, I really was interested in it. And there was only one girl in my school that knew how to like, braid and doing like weaves and wefts. So she taught me. And when I got out of school, I ended up finding a place, a salon at the time that was also a hair extension distributorship. So I just kind of fell into it and I just loved it so much. And this is before extensions were like a well known thing. It was like, these are things that like celebrities and dancers wear pretty much. So. But I've been doing it for over 20 years now, and I'm just obsessed with it.

[A]

And your special is blonde, right?

[B]

I specialize in blonde balayage dimensional color, but then also the extensions and a lot of like, reconstructive work for people that are losing their hair.

[A]

Okay, can we talk more about that? I wanted to talk about that today because I feel like a lot of women, like when they go through postpartum, when they're going through menopause, like they go through all of these different things.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Can you talk a little bit more about that?

[B]

100%. Yeah, it is more. I see it on a daily basis and it's crushing. Like it's crushing these women. Because that. Not your identity by any means, but it definitely, you know, works on your confidence when you're looking in the mirror and you don't have that beautiful, luscious hair you don't have. It's part of you. It's part of, you know, your outfit, your style, who you are. And it's just, it's. It can really take a toll. And unfortunately I've seen that. But we've found different ways through extensive education and different platforms. And, you know, so much that's out there now that we can help reconstruct hair.

[A]

Amazing.

[B]

Strand by strand.

[A]

And you have your own hair product now. We should talk about that. Very.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, we have that too. Yes. So many things going on. So it's, it's great though. But yeah, so like, the hair products work really coincide with any type of extension. We made sure they were extension safe, specifically color safe and, you know, as natural as you can be without having to Be refrigerated. All made in the USA. My daughter, actually Alexi, she is 11 and she helped create the brand along with my team. So it was like a huge just women, you know, women owned company group put forward.

[A]

And you named it after her, right?

[B]

Yeah, yeah. It's called Lexwar. Yes. Yeah.

[A]

So you're such a dynamo. Like, it's really inspiring to watch. Like, how did. So what did the name come from for Teal Hair and makeup?

[B]

Oh, my gosh. So that was super challenging. Actually, we couldn't figure out I had a business partner when I started, and so it was a long term plan that we knew she was moving cross country, but we wanted to start together. And so we kind of just kept throwing it back and forth and back and forth. And it's a long story where it came from, but the shorter version is I ended up with actually a huge marketing mogul in my chair one day at my Soul at another salon where I was working. And we kind of was. We were spending a lot of time with her. It was a corrective extension job and she helped us. So she kind of gave us some pointers back then about like how you should name and how you should choose and it just stuck. And so Teal, actually, it used to stand for much longer. Something much longer. But as I rebranded and evolved, it currently stands for truth, education, artistry and love. It's really our core values.

[A]

I didn't even know that. Fun fact today.

[B]

Yeah, fun fact.

[A]

I love that.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Do you market that enough?

[B]

I don't think so.

[A]

You need to. Well, now we're talking about today.

[B]

Right, Right.

[A]

But now. But it brings everything together. I feel like that makes so much sense.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, I love that. So you have your hands in a lot of places. So before you got into hair and makeup, you know what was something that kind of changed your trajectory to be like, this is what I'm called to do. Like, what was the breaking point for you?

[B]

So I just. I always wanted to help people and I wanted to go into hair. My dad's like, no, there's no money. You're gonna have to work weekends and nights and your hands are gonna hurt. And I was like, okay, I'll try something else that I really love. So I went into criminal justice. I got my degree. I fell into a paralegal job when I was in college. And I was like, I'm gonna go to law school. I can really help, you know, victims and clients. And so I started into that and I was a year in and I was like, I can't do this. I am not a desk job person. Like, I need to be craft. Like, not crafty, but art.

[A]

Creative.

[B]

Creative. Yeah. And so I remember finished my halfway through, and I was like, I'm going to stick out the rest of the year, and if I don't love it, I'm leaving. And that's what I did. And I was like, I just have to do this. I can't. I knew in my gut it wasn't right. I was having a hard time getting up from work. I wasn't looking forward, and I had a great job. I had an absolutely unreal. I worked for an amazing firm in Boston. Like, they were hands down, like, the so supportive and wonderful, but it just was not my thing.

[A]

And now I'm inspired, too, because you opened your own studio. Because, like, a lot of people that go into hair and makeup, they don't always have a studio. So what inspired you to actually take that step to open your own space?

[B]

Honestly, I just always wanted something bigger and more, and I had a great opportunity when I first started working, but I also saw that there had to be something else. I was working seven days a week, sometimes two, three, four weeks straight between shows and educating and then behind the chair. I was also helping run that business because my boss was kind of an absentee owner, and a lot was falling on me, and I didn't have a growth path. And so I knew I really wanted something bigger, and I wanted a place where stylists could come together and work together collaboratively. And I just said, I'm gonna create it.

[A]

So glad you did.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So good. So what's a day in the life of Christina? Because you also, like, your daughter is like, an awesome hockey player. So you are like a hockey mom, but you're. Are you a coach? Like, didn't we talk about this? Aren't you, like, one of the assistant coaches or something?

[B]

Yeah. So I have a few things. So. Yes, my daughter plays hockey. She plays both for our town and in a club team. So, I mean, I'm up at like, 6, 6:30. We recently just got a puppy.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

And so she's amazing lover, but she's a handful. You guys know if anybody has dogs? Like, I. New baby. Yeah, it's like a newborn. So that is taking up my mornings, you know, crate training and pottying and feeding and, you know, training. So. But it's amazing. So I do that. Get Lexi ready, get myself ready. I drive Lex to school, come back if I'm Working from home, doing like office stuff, you know, I do coaching on the side for some other salon owners. Just how to grow their business, how to build their team, how to build their brand. So that's a big part of it. Running our salon team. I just hired a manager. That's been amazing.

[A]

Amazing.

[B]

Yeah. We are a collaborative studio so commission based and we all like work together. So just constantly like trying to market and promoting and you know, doing all the behind the scenes payroll and stuff like that. Then usually if I'm at the salon, I'm doing 12 hour days and then hockey is actually coming to an end after this weekend. Yeah. So we have states but you know, it's just all over the place for that. I mean sometimes we're in Vermont, sometimes we're down the street. So it just depends, you know, and then trying to get family time and trying to work, you know, finding time for yourself because the self care is so important. So like working out or you know, going to the gym or just those little bits and pieces of time to also set a good example for not only my daughter but you know, reminding to yourself, because you need that space to create, to be productive, but also to have that downtime for yourself.

[A]

So like being in like a self care industry. Right. Like is it harder for you to do self care for yourself?

[B]

Yes and no. I didn't for so long and I realized how unhealthy I was. Not just physically, but mentally. And if you really think about it, you never know what tomorrow brings. You have to live for today. I don't want to have any regrets at the end of the day and I want to provide a good example for not only my daughter mainly, you know, we live for our kids but for other women and men, other people, just in general, it's, you know, I want to inspire, I want to create and I want to provide and show other that you really can take something from nothing. I did not have, I did not grow up with anything. I didn't have parents to help me, you know, set up a business fund. I did not have, you know, anybody to pay for my college or my law school or anything like that. So you know, building from the ground up is, you know, super important. But you have to stay focused.

[A]

I am so inspired. Like thank you for sharing that like you can create something from nothing.

[B]

Oh my God. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's. Yeah. And some of the people, I mean my story is not by any means some of the things that I've heard and seen and you know, the people the opportunities that I've had just by creating this business and meeting you and other like minded individuals that just, you know, they. You just have to surround yourself with the people who get it, that. Who get it and that are going to support you as well.

[A]

I'm all about it. And I love that about you. Since we met, we're like cheerleaders of each other. We're Virgos. Like, we just share all the things in common. It's so good. I love that. So what's like your next. What's your next. Next goal for yourself?

[B]

Oh, my God. Okay. So we're hoping this year to expand the salon. We have an opportunity. Yes. In the building that we're currently in. To expand upstairs and expand our service offering. So we do a ton of on site bridal big events. You know, we had. You had us at the fashion show, which was.

[A]

They were the best, by the way, sponsoring our show. Like, I'm so grateful. Crush all the hair and makeup. It was seamless.

[B]

You guys were like, so wonderful to work with. Everybody, the models, like Kim, everybody, you. It just your whole team was absolutely amazing. I wouldn't have had it any other way. So thank you. Yeah.

[A]

But thank you for being you because we were also like type A, like Steph, me and you were like, we got it down.

[B]

Oh, yeah, yeah, definitely. It's like 100 on and that's what I think makes it work.

[A]

True.

[B]

But yeah, we're hoping to expand. The product line is live and we're starting this year, we're gonna break out into minis. We just have like reg and leader sizes. So minis for that is another project growing the team, the freelance team. We're always growing because we have. We're turning away like weddings and events because just the manpower. So we don't want to do that. So we're expanding our team in salon and for special events.

[A]

It's coming. I'm sending all the good vibes. Yeah. Okay. I want to talk about what you're wearing, and then I have game time. I want to ask you some fun questions. So black is like, mysterious. I've had so many people wear black. Do you find yourself mysterious? Well, I think, like, when I first met you, I kind of was like, tell me about Christina. Like, I don't know. She's got something. She's got an edge.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, black's like, I like the monochromatic too, because the white underneath.

[B]

Thank you. Yes. So, yeah, I always like, I've had my colors done. I know I'm like, like warm spring and all of that. But I'm like, you know what? Sometimes, like, I just feel like I love doing pops of color. So, like blacks, whites, neutrals, tans. But like the pop of col. Usually I'll play with my glasses, you know that. The frames and stuff or shoes, bags.

[A]

So true.

[B]

Like all of those things. So yeah, I just love black because I think it's classic. It's simple. But you can make it look edgy.

[A]

But it's bold. It's bold. Like, I love that. Perfect. I feel like that's on brand for you too.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

I think I know this already, but we're gonna ask the first question anyway. Okay. So it's this or that. Blonde or brunette transformations? Blonde extensions or color?

[B]

Depends on the day.

[A]

Yeah. Okay.

[B]

Fair.

[A]

For what reason though? Just how you're feeling.

[B]

Yeah, sometimes I feel like, like more painting and, you know, working more with, like, my hands. And then sometimes I'm like, no, I want to do like the bigger transformation. And it's like, okay, I want that jaw drop experience, you know?

[A]

Question maintenance for extensions, like, how long do they actually last?

[B]

Oh, my God. So it depends. It depends the strand by strand. Like, I do this one method that's called combline. It's literally a strand by strand. You paint the keratin on, and that lasts about four to six weeks. K tips you can. Or keratin tips or bonds. Those you can get sometimes, you know, 12 to 16 weeks, depending on hair growth and care. Wefts. Your weft itself can last a year to a year and a half on care, but you would get a move up every like six to eight weeks. Some people will say 10 to 12. I find that's typically not comfortable, but yeah. So it just depends on the person.

[A]

Listen to the expert. Yeah, I'm learning today. Hot yoga or a spa day?

[B]

Oh, hot yoga.

[A]

What is your favorite thing to do for self care?

[B]

I have two if I'm shopping or massage.

[A]

Okay, perfect. Great ones. And fashion weeks or behind the chair transformations.

[B]

Oh. Again, depends on the day, but typically a behind the chair.

[A]

Because they're long term, right?

[B]

They're long term, but it's also the connection with the person. It's hard to. Not hard to connect at a fashion week, but you're literally like 20 minutes. 20 minutes. 20 minutes on a time.

[A]

We can't even talk to people, right.

[B]

Yeah, you get the. But you meet so many different personalities. So there's pros. Pros to both of them. Yeah.

[A]

And what would you tell your younger self today.

[B]

Oh, my God. That is one of the most difficult questions. I would say go with your gut. Always go with your gut. Even if you're unchair. Mm.

[A]

I'm sure your gut always knows.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You are amazing. Thank you so much for coming on today.

[B]

Thank you so much for having me.

[A]

So much fun. Oh, how can everybody follow you? Christina, Teal hair. I mean, tell us all the things.

[B]

Yes, all the things. So teal hair, check on Instagram. The salon is Tealhair Studio. All one word. So that's where you can find us.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Thank you so much, Jackie. I appreciate it.

[A]

Of course. And thank you so much, everyone for tuning in to become next on scene. And stay tuned for who's next on scene. I'm here to give you your red carpet moment. So follow us on all our podcast channels on any stream from iheartradio Spotify. If you just type in next on scene, the human behind the brand. Or you can also follow us on all our social media channels at nextonscene. Can't. For you to come on this journey with us, your say is very impactful as an audience member. So come along for the ride and we are going to all evolve together. And we can't wait for you to see who's next on scene.