MENU
SEARCHA mentor and mentee discuss the evolution of their salons, which are in adjacent towns.
Amy Oung has owned Harmony Nail Studio for one year, and it is located in a quiet area of Warwick, R.I.
Amy Oung has owned Harmony Nail Studio for one year, and it is located in a quiet area of Warwick, R.I.
When I first met Amy Oung, now the new owner of Harmony Nail Studio in Warwick, R.I., she had signed up for a basic gel class with me. I’d been traveling with The High Road To Education and a fellow educator, Joseph Pham (OPI global educator), referred Amy to my class. She found and networked with Joseph through a Vietnamese nail forum.
As a Vietnamese-American, her family has owned nail salons for years, so nails always played a big role in her life. She reached out to Joseph because she wanted to learn more and provide a better service/atmosphere than the usual discount salon. She felt Rhode Island was behind in nails, so Joseph referred her to the class. It is not every day I see someone so passionate about her career, and I knew right away that Amy would be an asset to my salon.
I was lucky to have her as an employee for three years and see her fl ourish as a phenomenal nail artist, competitor, and educator. When she approached me to let me know she was ready to take on a new venture as a business owner to open her own salon and training center, as heartbreaking as it was to see her go, I was extremely proud of her and truly happy to see her succeed.
Amy keeps a full book and is building up her loyal clients. “I’ve really gotten to know my community,” she says. [inset] Most of the clientele prefer classic looks (like the traditional French), but some get gel art or glitter designs like the one shown here
Harmony Nail Studio is a quaint salon located in a small strip mall in the Greenwood area of Warwick. The name Harmony is very appropriate; the defi nition, “a pleasing combination of elements in a whole,” perfectly describes Amy’s place. Even though it appears to be a perfect neighborhood salon, it is much more than that. Her reputation as a top-notch nail tech has attracted clients from all over the state. Driven by her desire to constantly stay on top of the latest trends and perfect her skills, Amy constantly travels around the country, attending as many classes and shows as she possibly can to come back and share her new techniques with her customers.
Even though she is only one town over from my location, her Warwick clients are timid with design requests. They like popular, seasonal colors on nails and toes. Glitter is an extravagance for them, but they are not afraid to try it for holidays and other special occasions.
The studio houses only one manicuring table, which has everything Amy needs to off er her classic and elegant nails.
The atmosphere in the salon is so comfortable, customers feel like they are at home — from the carpeted floor to the flowery camel couch. When you enter, you see Amy’s nail table set up in the main entrance. She has a custom glass table (similar to my setup) as her nail station. The furniture setup makes it cozy, as if you’re in a living room at a friend’s house, indicative of Amy’s amiable persona. Her pedicure setup has a laminate wood finish to complement the cozy decor.
Amy also believes in dry pedicures, something I introduced to her. She also has a training room for basic classes and her apprentice. A believer in education, Amy is striving to hold more classes, get more attendees, and hopefully get guest educators. Currently, she is trying to reach out to the Vietnamese nail community.
Amy gives pedicures with color gel toes at the pedicure station, which has a Belava pedicure tub and a plush leather chair
Amy’s sweet disposition and desire to make every client happy, not only with impeccable service, high-quality products, and sanitation, but also with the whole experience, sets her apart from many salons. It brings a smile to my face seeing someone I mentored perform and triumph.
Square data shows that regular customers tip 11% higher and are shared across 32% of businesses in the same ZIP code, driving thousands of dollars in additional revenue per connection.
When Bowie Lau and Jeffrey Ching opened JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon in 2011, they weren’t just launching another luxury hair destination—they were building a business rooted in passion, artistry, and thoughtful growth.
Sponsored by Amex
Inside the Systems That Power an Elevated Salon Experience From seamless online booking to a team-first culture, J Gold Salon in Atlanta offers more than great hair—it delivers consistent, high-touch service with the help of partners like Boulevard and American Express.
Sponsored by Amex
Want to grow your career as a beauty professional? K18 Sales Manager Sabrina Sanborn shares advice on networking, mentorship, and self-advocacy—from attending hair shows to finding the right guidance to reach your goals.
A combination of clear policies, effective communication, and strong client relationships has helped me create a more reliable and efficient booking system.
Founded by Cleveland serial entrepreneur Shaura Rodgers, Nailtorious has grown to include a nail supply megastore, training facilities, and retail line for nail techs.
This period after the holidays can bring on a huge lull for hairstylists. We asked Cosmo Prof's team of professionals to offer their best advice on how to deal with the January-February slow period.
Key highlights include a push toward inclusive spaces for all abilities, an emphasis on maximizing livable square footage, and a continued love for modern farmhouse exteriors.
The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.
Sponsored by Amex
Want to become savvy about your personal finances, but don't quite know where to start? Anna Manukyan identifies six important concepts for building a strong financial foundation.
Salon owner Nuri Yurt had a dream of owning a salon on New York City’s Madison Avenue. "Through perseverance, hard work and stellar customer service, he and partner John Kaygisiz founded Toka Salon in 2007.
Sponsored by Amex
This guide is your one-stop shop for a plethora of technology tools, software and services created to keep your salon or spa thriving.
Anna Manukyan shares a breakdown of what different types of financial accounts should be used for.
Vagaro has consistently been at the forefront of salon software technology, helping businesses be more efficient, create more effective communication, and even improve company culture. Now, Connect by Vagaro, the platform’s two-way communication capability, and Vagaro’s new generative AI tools are giving owners new opportunities to grow and expand.
Sponsored by Vagaro
Young Nails' Greg, Habib, and Tracey discuss whether getting too close to clients can damage your business.
This list of watch-outs from @jodydoesjels prompted us to reach out to her and learn more. We had already fallen for her hand-painted designs and now we wanted to know more about this list she created to help clients decide if she was the nail tech for them.
Education is necessary for beauty professionals to maintain their cosmetology licenses, and paying for that education can be burdensome, but it doesn't have to be. Understand which education tax credits can help you offset those costs.
