MENU
SEARCHFor this month’s On the Road, I decided to pop a new salon that recently opened right down the street from the NAILS office.
TORRANCE, CALIF. For this month’s On the Road, I decided to pop a new salon that recently opened right down the street from the NAILS office. (Maybe “Down the Road” would be a more fitting name for this month’s column.) I was interested in checking out Pure Salon after seeing an ad in my local weekly paper mentioning they do colored acrylic designs. I don’t normally see this mentioned in ads and thought that it was worth checking out.
Salon owner Chiaki Mizuguchi also owns a Pure Salon in Japan. Chiaki, who recently moved Pure from a few miles away, needed more space so she was happy to find this new location in downtown Torrance. The historic downtown area is home not only to NAILS, but also to the American headquarters for both Honda and Toyota. In addition to this, Torrance boasts some of the best Japanese markets and restaurants in the Los Angeles area. (The Los Angeles suburb is also known for its famous high school, which was used in the filming of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Beverly Hills 90210.”)
While she does nails, her specialty is eyelash tinting, perming, and extensions (yes, eyelash extensions!)----all very popular among Asian women, who typically have short, straight eyelashes. The salon has a minimalist décor, with Japanese accents on the walls and shelves. Three nail stations are set up in the front room, with two semi-private pedicure areas in a separate room. Instead of pedicure thrones, the salon uses reclining massage chairs and portable pedicure tubs. There are also two treatment rooms for the eyelash and permanent makeup services the salon offers.
I stopped in on a Wednesday morning and was happy to find they could take me right away. Imagine my surprise when I found out that the salon’s manager and nail tech Satomi Uchiyama had recently placed fourth at the ISSE Long Beach competition in the Flat Nail Art category. Originally from Japan, Satomi has been doing nails in the U.S. for the last five years. She specializes in flat nail art and design acrylic, but recently took a gel art class and hopes to add more gel art to her repertoire. She also has plans to compete at this year’s Nail Olympics.
Satomi performs all nail services and offered me a wonderful aromatherapy pedicure (I got to choose from lavender, lemon, orange, or peppermint scents) complete with one of the best leg massages I’ve ever had. And she didn’t even protest when I just wanted a solid color instead of art on my toes. Next time, I promise I will sample her art.
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.
