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SEARCHBlocks up from the sand on a quiet stretch of Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach, Calif., first-time salon owner Nancy Som opened Dipped Nails seven months ago with a desire to achieve, a strong work ethic, and an ace up her sleeve.
Owner Nancy Som (right) opened Dipped Nails in Redondo Beach, Calif., under the guidance of her mother Seon Huynh, who’s owned and operated a nail salon in South Los Angeles for over 20 years.
Owner Nancy Som (right) opened Dipped Nails in Redondo Beach, Calif., under the guidance of her mother Seon Huynh, who’s owned and operated a nail salon in South Los Angeles for over 20 years.
Mother’s Counsel
“Parking, that’s one of the most important things,” says Nancy Som. She’s repeating a piece of advice her mother, Seon Huynh, gave her when she was looking for a place to open her salon. Som grew up in the salon, essentially. When she was young she would go visit her mother at the salon she owns in South Los Angeles. Back then, there was no way Som ever thought she’d grow up to be a salon owner. But even then she was beginning to practice nail art, and it wasn’t long before her skills went far beyond the average unlicensed nail hobbyist. Som stayed out of the nail industry though until about three years ago when, tired of the corporate life, she decided to get her license, start working in salons, and open her own business.
Hard Work
“I put a lot of work into everything in here,” says Som. “Everything is a bit custom, like the construction design and the sofa bench.” She has already had a few events in her salon to build a buzz around the neighborhood as the fun, chic place to get your nails done. She employs three other nail techs besides herself and offers the gamut of nail services from gels to acrylics, but says it’s the gel polishes right now that are getting the most attention.
New Generation
Som is confident as a new salon owner entering into the family business. Dipped Nails offers a great experience for those looking for economical, efficient, and clean services. Som is excited to be embarking on her new journey as a salon owner and glad to have her mom helping her along the way. “It’s a new generation,” she says. “We are blending what we learned from our parents, and putting our own experiences into it to create a new type of salon.”
Fun Facts
> Som had the locally popular “Lomo Arigato” food truck in the parking lot for her grand opening, and has held numerous events in the salon, where local fashion designers sell apparel as guests receive services and drink complimentary beverages.
> Dipped Nails has a Facebook page and Twitter account, and Som says they did a Living Social ad that brought in over 600 new customers.
> True to her mother’s words, Dipped Nails sits on a lot with ample front parking and additional overhead parking atop the salon.
Menu Highlights
Acrylics (full set): $30
Soak-Off Gel Polish (Mani + Pedi): $70
Minx hands/feet: $45/$55
Men’s pedicure: $20
Soak-Off Gel Polish Manicure: $35
Gels (full set): $35
Product Highlights
Gel Polish: Hand & Nail Harmony
Polish: OPI, Essie, China Glaze
Pedi Products: PediSpa Biolab Clay Marine Masque with Aloe Vera & Tea Tree Oil; KDS Nails Lemon Sea Salt Glow Scrub
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