Meet Tiana Tolson

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Tiana Tolson. Tiana was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Christina Carney.

Hi Tiana, we’re so thrilled to have you sharing your story with us today. Maybe we can kick things off by having you introduce yourself to our readers? We’d love to have you go into your story and how you got to where you are today.
My name is Taiana Tolleson and I moved to Nashville 7 years ago after being blessed with a soccer scholarship to Vanderbilt University. I was born and raised in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i where my family still resides and saying good-bye to them each time I return home for a visit has yet to get easier! I was fortunate enough to make life-long friends during my four years at Vanderbilt and finished with my Bachelors in Science in 2020. I decided to step away from the sport for a mental break and went back to Vanderbilt University to get my Masters in Marketing, finishing in 2021. After finishing school and entering corporate America getting a job offer from Fortune 500 company W.W Grainger as a sales manager in Nashville. During my first 2 months at Grainger I met Christina through one of those life-long friends I mentioned who highly recommended her and we hit it right off! She allowed me to open up about my background from Hawai’i and my passions as a Native Hawaiian to turn around and be a resource for fellow athletes back home trying to make the same dreams I had to play in college come true! All at the same time, running from the fact that I had a calling back to soccer but didn’t know what to do about it. Christina not only helped me style my hair to perfection but she was there to listen and encourage me through a time I felt lost. After expressing to her during one of our appointments that I had a calling back to soccer but didn’t know if I should act on it, she shared her story and passion for chasing her dreams and how she got to owning her own salon. I was and am inspired by Christina and since she encouraged me 8 months ago I have since started playing soccer again and am going to be a professional soccer player come January 2024! I have created opportunities to give motivational speeches to kids in my community, as well as hosting soccer clinics for the kids back home. A lot can change in a year and I am on a path I’ve always wanted to be on but didn’t know how to get back to. Christina has been a pillar of motivation and light since we met and while my hair is greater than it’s ever been so is the life I’m leading and I’m so thankful our paths crossed!

Let’s talk about your work and career – what else should we know?
I currently work for W.W Grainger in sales, and while I am so grateful for the job I am on my way to being a professional soccer player. It is a lot right now working a 9-5 and finding time before and after work to train and work towards the end goal but I know it will be worth it. I am also very passionate about giving back and helping the next generation of athletes and kids who need more guidance in their lives. I am a coach at Tennessee Soccer Club during week nights and weekends and it has been amazing to gain knowledge as a coach that I can take home to the kids in my community back in Hawai’i.

Christina Carney and Sun and Rose Salon have been great to us and I know you’ve got a great relationship with them as well. Maybe you can tell our audience a bit about Christina Carney and Sun and Rose Salon and your experience with them.
I first met Christina through a life-long college friend, we immediately clicked and I was inspired by her grit and determination to make her dream of opening Sun and Rose Salon come true. She is a true warrior who has overcome many obstacles that stood in her way and is a trailblazer for the next generation of hair stylist that don’t want to listen to the stereotypes around when and why you can or cannot do something! I have loved not only getting to know Christina but also her talent on my hair has done wonders! Christina helped me fix what I did not like from my last dying experience at a different salon and my hair has never looked better today! She is transparent and keeps it real when it comes to her customers and that is greatly appreciated!

Instagram: hawaii.tai.0

Linkedin: Taiana Tolleson

Twitter: taianaaaa_