Doing Nails as a living.

[Dai. 7]

I wanted to see if this was really true. My wife keeps telling me that her Cousins make a good living and own several nail shops in small suburbs of Georgia where there aren't many nail salons. She was telling me those ladies that work there who don't even own the shop can make $2000-$3000 a week (and we all know they get cash) combined with tips for doing nails, facials, and pedicures. Her other cousins who work under the owners splurge all the time and spend money like it's nothing. My wife think they have a yearly income of $100k. I kind of find it hard to believe but I am surprised if it is true.

I know in big city's like Houston, Los Angeles and other metropolitans it's so cut throat everyone low-ball prices it's hard to make a living but in city's were there aren't to many nails salons is it a gold mine to open those places up? I see that my wife's cousins that own those nail shop live in Nice houses and live quite a comfortable life with owning the nail salons so part of me believes it could be true but it also makes me think twice when people with degrees are working at jobs only paying $60k a year who seem to work harder than cutting people nails and polishing them up.

[Darnell 8,478]

Confirming.

Yes.

Si! Man!

Many Viet-American folk have 'branched out' in to the outlying areas from Houston, making good incomes servicing towns with populations under 20,000. I wound up doing some sideways research for a friend of mine, about it, last year - did a big map from Houston- outlying in a 300 mile radius from downtown Houston. The 'migration pattern' was interesting, but what was even more interesting was the inclusion of 'remote cousins' that were sent out to these outlying areas to 'set up a satellite operation'.

The 'Vietnamese Nail Shop Industry' was born of itself from a refugee camp in California (back in the 60's ? 70's ? ) Sparked a new industry, has flooded the USA this Century. see http://articles.latimes.com/2008/may/05/local/me-nails5/2

IMO, the 'hook' she needs is to get in with a Viet-American wholesale supplier, if she's to keep her costs low.

But - if you want more proof, ask for 'audited income statement' from each cousin.

Edited June 6, 2010 by Darnell

[Dai. 7]

But - if you want more proof, ask for 'audited income statement' from each cousin.

Lol, Those people don't believe in banks and growing interest. They just sit on the cash and hope those no one will come in their house at 4am. So dangerous.

[lambchop4life 6]

we will conquer this land with "Nail and Pho"

[hniHnitsuJ 8]

I wanted to see if this was really true. My wife keeps telling me that her Cousins make a good living and own several nail shops in small suburbs of Georgia where there aren't many nail salons. She was telling me those ladies that work there who don't even own the shop can make $2000-$3000 a week (and we all know they get cash) combined with tips for doing nails, facials, and pedicures. Her other cousins who work under the owners splurge all the time and spend money like it's nothing. My wife think they have a yearly income of $100k. I kind of find it hard to believe but I am surprised if it is true.

If you have a degree with Facials, and pedicures. You could make up from $1000-$1500 a week (work 6-7 days of week, around 10 hours a day) and including tips, not more than $3000. I don't know much about small suburbs of Georgia?

$1500-$2000

- Only Summer season from May-Sept. Not in the Winter

- Facials, and LAM BOT making lot of money. I don't know LAM BOT translate to English?

- Working in the MALLS, or Upper Class City. If the Nails shop at the BEACH making lot of money. Including Massage!!!

- Higher pay in Southern CA working in the MALL (VERY PROFESSIONAL) is around $200 a day(10-hrs), including TIPS will be $250 ($1750 or $2000 week/7 working days). (Only Fri, Sat, or Sun). Not everyday!!!

- $2000-$3000 every week, and yearly income of 100k is over exaggerated??? (ONLY IF that the only SALON NAIL in the City)

- My wife only making $30-40 a day when she first start working for Nail (NO-TIPS), now she is very happy making $80-$100 a day. $500 a week, and she is very happy, because we spend quality time with each other.

I know in big city's like Houston, Los Angeles and other metropolitans it's so cut throat everyone low-ball prices it's hard to make a living but in city's were there aren't to many nails salons is it a gold mine to open those places up? I see that my wife's cousins that own those nail shop live in Nice houses and live quite a comfortable life with owning the nail salons so part of me believes it could be true but it also makes me think twice when people with degrees are working at jobs only paying $60k a year who seem to work harder than cutting people nails and polishing them up.[/b]

- Owning a salons shop is very good ideas, BUT, working 6-7 days a week, average 10-12 hours a day not a healthy family!!! IMO, most of the owners are very STRESS working in this environment. Most workers taking 2-3 months OFF going back to VN or vacation, or have KIDS or worry about their family. You have to constantly looking for New worker to replace an old one. I have lot of friends owning a salons shop in CA, and AZ.

- People with degrees paying $60k a year working only 5 days or 40-50 a week. We get to paid 2 weeks vacation, 5 days sicks/personal day, including 10 holidays.

- Adding 10% of your company insurance. will be $6000 extra.

- Plus 401k matched 100%, stocks options, and 6 months bonus will be another 15% extra in your salary, $9000 total.

- Add up all the total will be $75k, not $60.

This is why I like to work for a company with all these benefits.

Just me 2 cents.

[hniHnitsuJ 8]

Confirming.

Yes.

Si! Man!

Many Viet-American folk have 'branched out' in to the outlying areas from Houston, making good incomes servicing towns with populations under 20,000. I wound up doing some sideways research for a friend of mine, about it, last year - did a big map from Houston- outlying in a 300 mile radius from downtown Houston. The 'migration pattern' was interesting, but what was even more interesting was the inclusion of 'remote cousins' that were sent out to these outlying areas to 'set up a satellite operation'.

The 'Vietnamese Nail Shop Industry' was born of itself from a refugee camp in California (back in the 60's ? 70's ? ) Sparked a new industry, has flooded the USA this Century. see http://articles.latimes.com/2008/may/05/local/me-nails5/2

IMO, the 'hook' she needs is to get in with a Viet-American wholesale supplier, if she's to keep her costs low.

But - if you want more proof, ask for 'audited income statement' from each cousin.

Maybe in some area, but not ALL. Back in the 80-2000 YES, but after recession. NO, not even $1000 a week most Area from OC or LA. (I don't know about Hollywood)

The only person making lot of money is MR Charlie Ton, open every Nail Salon shop in Walmart.

http://www.franchisetimes.com/content/story.php?article=00472

we will conquer this land with "Nail and Pho"

Yes, and Hair-Salon, Right Anh Lucky.. hihihi..

[ScottThuy 140]

A really good friend of mine owns 3 shops and the economy has things really slow... when there is no competition it is different, but there are salons all over down here.. As was said.. he makes great money when things run smooth, but the workers are always taking months at a time off... and the customers want thier same techs...

[Dai. 7]

Anh Loi, We were talking about suburbs and small cities away from cities like LA, OC, New York, and Other Metropolitan areas that are heavenly populated with Vietnamese people. We are talking about cities that have small communities so that business aren't so cut throat and are able to charge higher prices. I know my wife's cousins in Georgia live quite lavishly and spend lots of money, and live in nice houses over in Georgia. One of her cousins just bought a new Acura TL working under an owner and she spends money like crazy. You are right about them working crazy hours per week but she claims she gets paid the $2000-$3000 per week. Thats pretty good since it's under the table and most likely none of them file.

Edited June 6, 2010 by Dai_Tx

[hniHnitsuJ 8]

Anh Loi, We were talking about suburbs and small cities away from cities like LA, OC, New York, and Other Metropolitan areas that are heavenly populated with Vietnamese people. We are talking about cities that have small communities so that business aren't so cut throat and are able to charge higher prices. I know my wife's cousins in Georgia live quite lavishly and spend lots of money, and live in nice houses over in Georgia. One of her cousins just bought a new Acura TL working under an owner and she spends money like crazy. You are right about them working crazy hours per week but she claims she gets paid the $2000-$3000 per week. Thats pretty good since it's under the table and most likely none of them file.

Dai, I totally understand that, but I still think impossible to making $2000-$3000/week, and $8000-$1200/month. Only for few months not yearly around?

I have friends working for a small town everywhere in State. Only make the most is $5000 a month.

Boise/Idaho

Sierra Vista/AZ

Boulder/CO

and more.

I might be wrong, but still impossible.

[Allie and Nigel 2]

Well out here in Arizona, the nail techs have to be certified, so they have to take the course..etc, etc, then on average 35.00 to put nails on and 16.00 to fill them...which most women have filled 2x per month...so ya, good money considering the hours they put in...

[vietazn 1]

Money-wise, nails pays more than other jobs that could be attained with the same skill and language requirements. The income is not usually 100k high, but everyone in the house doing nails contributes to the large house. Many don't have health insurance or any type of retirement savings, so it's understandable that their disposable income is higher. Like all businesses, some are good and some are bad. There are many nail shop owners who will be happy to give away their shop for free or nominal price just to escape the lease, so that they go back to working for someone else.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

We went for a walk around the downtown area of the small city where I live yesterday, while waiting for a brake job on my car. We passed 4 or 5 hair and nail salons in about 10 blocks of walking. Every single one of them had VN employees, and most of them were sitting around waiting for customers. I don't live in a city known for having a particularly large VN population, though San Jose is only about 1/2 hour away. However, the entire SF bay area is over-saturated with VN owned hair and nail salons, and many are going under because there's too much competition.

I'm sure there's still room for expansion into some suburban and rural areas, but the "industry" seems to be growing pretty rapidly, and it's almost exclusively Vietnamese immigrants driving it. Heck, the two most common types of commercials on Vietnamese TV channels here are VN phone cards and hair/nail salon chairs. I've even seen the equivalent of infomercials for help starting your own salon (using THEIR equipment, of course). When they start pushing a business as a sound investment on TV then you know it's passed it's peak.

[lindal24 1]

I wanted to see if this was really true. My wife keeps telling me that her Cousins make a good living and own several nail shops in small suburbs of Georgia where there aren't many nail salons. She was telling me those ladies that work there who don't even own the shop can make $2000-$3000 a week (and we all know they get cash) combined with tips for doing nails, facials, and pedicures. Her other cousins who work under the owners splurge all the time and spend money like it's nothing. My wife think they have a yearly income of $100k. I kind of find it hard to believe but I am surprised if it is true.

I know in big city's like Houston, Los Angeles and other metropolitans it's so cut throat everyone low-ball prices it's hard to make a living but in city's were there aren't to many nails salons is it a gold mine to open those places up? I see that my wife's cousins that own those nail shop live in Nice houses and live quite a comfortable life with owning the nail salons so part of me believes it could be true but it also makes me think twice when people with degrees are working at jobs only paying $60k a year who seem to work harder than cutting people nails and polishing them up.

Its true...my sister is a licensed nail tech in N. Little Rock which apparently only has 2 nail salons according to my sister. She has stated several times that there's little competition so the price isn't driven down like it is in the larger cities (she's worked in Dallas and Houston & was vocal about the pricing and customers...lol). It's also true that she works 7 days a week around 10 hours a day.

And she is a big spender...but for me it's okay because I get all her hand me downs!

[thongd4me 69]

I have nothing to add here as I have no experience with this business, but my wife has shown interest

in getting nail salon training when she goes back to Thailand for her son's graduation.

She is very educated and her bilingual skills are better than she gives herself credit for.

She retired as a "level 8" civil servant & has numerous commendations from the King

for excellence in her job, best teacher for her province in 2008, a great resume.

I have always felt she could get a job with a major Thai company or the Thai government here rather than do nails.

This thread has caught my attention. I still think she wouldn't like the long hours that nail salon work would demand.

Thanks for the info.

[Bernie C 24]

It's really an interesting subject. Doan always paints my nails

When we were in VN I let her paint my finger and toe nails but since we've come home its just my toes

The remarkable thing is how fast word travels. Doan painted my mom's nails, then my Aunt saw them, then she did my Aunts nails. My Aunt went to her Red Hat Club party and her friends saw them. My Mom went to Giant Eagle and the girl at the deli and checkout saw them. My buddy brought his daughter to the bowling alley and Doan did her nails just for fun then her friends saw them.

For Memorial Day - Doan did my one big toe with the American Flag and my other big toe with the VN Flag, I wore my sandals to the golf course and everyone saw them.

NOW, we have like a hundred people begging for her to do their nails. My gosh, if we wanted to get a business started we would already have more than clentele than we could handle "not sure why I said we"

There are quite a few nail salons in our modest little city but appraently these folks are very impressed with her work. Although we have no plans at this time to start a business it is an idea we are keeping in the back of our heads for now!