It's been eight months since Polish Salon opened its doors. It is hard to believe how much we have accomplished in those months, having started out with nothing but nail supplies and makeshift desks. Our goal was to find a place we could do what we love to do and make it our “happy place.” And that we have done!

I sit around the salon looking at the things that are left to be done, knowing it is going to take time before we are 100% done. Then of course we will think of other things to do!

It’s been a one-day-at-a-time financial thing with us on building a clientele and getting things done in the salon. With no budget and no loan (we didn’t want to be in debt) we knew it would be a work in progress purchasing what we needed as we had the extra money. Doing it on a budget is tough but we have met our rent every month, paid our $500 Yelp advertising bill, and each month had a little left over we could put back into the salon. So we figure we are in better shape than the average.

One by one we have bought new desks, stools, and client chairs (we had been using my dining room chairs with chair covers), built the pedi station, hung the chandeliers, purchased a refrigerator and microwave, and (finally) hooked up the electricity to the chandeliers!

My buddy Josh came in yesterday and ran cords to a new dimmer switch, and we now have chandelier light! The plan was to leave the chandeliers on at night, slightly dimmed, as a night-light and although they have been hung for five months no one noticed they did not work.

I truly feel a sense of accomplishment when you look back eight months and see where we started and see where we are now. It’s the little things in life that make you the happiest, like chandelier light!

--Vicki, Polish Salon, Brea, Calif.