Today we’d like to introduce you to Roxanne Nguyen.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In high school, I would always get dropped off after school at the Salon my mom was working at. They would get so busy that I would help greet clients and clean up. Eventually, my mom would teach me how to do nails and I ended up apprenticing under her to get my manicurist license at age 16 and got my license by age 17. Before I even got my High school diploma!
I graduated from high school early and moved away from Kansas City to Las Vegas. There, I turned into a college dropout and instead went to a personal development and leadership course for a few months while also doing nails at a salon, I knew college wasn’t for me and my passion was in the beauty industry. At the personal development and leadership course, I met a celebrity hairstylist that lived in Los Angeles. I told her I’ve always wanted to pursue hair and she offered me a job as her apprentice and I took it! After two years in Las Vegas, I moved to LA and learned the tricks of the trade to do hair. It was a fun experience as I got to assist on some celebrities and got an opportunity to do Kevin James’ wife, Steffiana for her nails, hair, and makeup! (Yes, I do makeup too)
During my time in Las Vegas and LA, I also was an educator and traveled to conventions and classes and taught nails for Entity Beauty and Gelish. (I still am with the company Gelish and still teach!)
After some time in LA, I felt it was time to head back home because I missed my family. I was wanting it to be temporary to stay in KC to spend time with my family and then move to Chicago by the end of the year. I told my dad my plans of moving to Chicago and he immediately the next day went to look for a space to open a nail salon for me. We went to look at a space and he talked me into opening up a salon even though I was hesitant. His plan of trying to keep me in KC worked because I opened my very first salon, The Lacquer Room located in Liberty, met my husband, Tommy and have two wondering boys with him.
After a few years, we stumbled upon another location in South Plaza and we just knew that area needed a great nail salon. With blood, sweat, lack of sleep, and a lot of tears… Nail Society became a reality! It’s been my pride and joy to open two recognizable salons in Kansas City and excited to see where this journey takes me.
I’ve also been blessed to work on some celebrities here in Kansas City while they were in town such as Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, Hilary from Lady A and a few local celebrities. I can’t disclose of names as a confidentiality thing.
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?
I’ve had my ups and downs as a business owner. I really took on the salons as my very personal project where I completely designed everything myself whether it’s the layout of the space, ceiling paint color, lighting, dimensions of everything, etc. I even would get on my knees and helped lay out the tile or helped hang up wallpaper.
My family spent every dime we had into my businesses so money was super tight. During that where I’d find myself eating ramen noodles from lunch and dinner.
A lot of people think opening a business is easy but it’s super hard and time-consuming. I have a hard time balancing my personal life with my husband and kids and my work life. It never shuts off!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I feel like with me personally, I’m a very artistic person and I get to express that through doing nails. I love when clients come in with a design they’re wanting and I’m down for the challenge! Being creative and artistic brings me joy and I’m lucky I get paid to do what I love. If I did love school and pursued something else, I would Go into psychology. Being in front of a Client and building a relationship with them, they tend to vent and tell me about their problems or what’s going on In their lives. I love that I can give them advice and help solve problems as well.
My two salons pride ourselves in nail art/designs and education. I have a background in education and teaching others and I carry that with both my salons. We have advanced training outside business hours and we teach each other our tricks and how to do things others can’t. I also have other educators for other nail brands come in to teach advanced techniques as well.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love that it’s a small city with a big city feel in a way. The community is small and everyone is intertwined with everyone. Kansas Citians pride themselves being from KC and they represent and show up! It makes me proud to be a part of such a tight-knit community where they’re proud and come together when needed.
I dislike all the potholes in our city! Haha
Pricing:
- Dipping powder starts at $45
- Pedicure starts at $38
- Manicure starts at $27
- Gel manicure starts at $42
- Eyelash extensions start at $150
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.nailsocietykc.com
- Instagram: Nailsocietykc
- Facebook: Nailsocietykc
Image Credits
Nail Society
