When thinking of a name for their Tumblr account, sisters Donne and Ginny Geer agreed that “Hey, nice nails!” was the best compliment a woman could get. The blog got so popular that these sisters decided to open a salon together after finding they couldn’t both be hired to do nails at the same location. While completing their first book, Nail Candy, the Geers transformed a 1920’s building into a hip nail salon in downtown Long Beach’s arts district. Hey, Nice Nails is now more than just a compliment, it’s a haven for nail art junkies around the world.
Determined to break the mold of a quickie salon with mediocre quality and service, this dynamic duo brought a new salon concept to market. And the market was ready.
U.K.-based salon Polish Nail & Beauty is turning heads with free-hand nail art, a steady flow of industry awards, and brand involvement.
Outside the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, Hawaii, Salon Chérie’s owner Anri Bui keeps a steady clientele of nail art aficionados.
Pretty in pink, Lacquer Lounge offers a wide range of nail services priced between $10 and $60. This “something for everyone” mentality has served the salon well amid economic uncertainty.
Just opened in May 2012, after taking over her mother’s salon space, Teresa Hamm and her crew of three nail techs run a cozy nail lounge that overlooks the San Clemente, Calif., oceanfront and embraces education.
Indisputably feminine, Savvy Chic exemplifies the shabby chic style, using distressed antique furniture, paintwork, and repurposed curtains and textiles to achieve an elegant overall effect reminiscent of Victorian decor.
With its own brand of polish, complimentary products, and parties, Fairway, Kan.-based Hoopla offers a twist on the traditional salon experience.
CleanSpa is a partnership of a podiatrist and nail technicians in a new spa setting — the foot spa. Here, nail technicians have the opportunity to perform pedicures for people who not only need their services, but appreciate their special expertise.
The name of this salon comes from Mozart’s opera, meaning “Women are so like that!” And this Laguna Beach, Calif., salon is meant for women who like to be pampered. Owner Jae’tte Burneo offers custom nail art surrounded by shabby chic decor, all overlooking the ocean.
With an almost 20-year career in the nail industry, Cammy Nguyen opened Blossom Beauty Lounge last year and has attracted heaps of customers with affordable nail art, talented techs, and more.
What happens when two recent nail graduates interview a handful of veteran salon owners to find out the secrets to a long-lasting salon? They were privy to a host of knowledge from a combined 132 years of salon experience. Here they share it with you.
Located in the tourist town of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and nestled in an enclave of diverse shops, ranging from gourmet yogurt to a mini-golf course, is the aptly named Colour Bar & Spa. Even its website lives up to its colorful and engaging name — plus the spa pays attention to retail like few others!
At Posh’aah Nail Spa, guests are treated to pampering mani-pedis in a comfy-chic atmosphere. The owner — who quit her successful career as a mixed-use property manager in 2012 to embark on her lifelong dream of opening a nail salon — shares the story of making her dream a reality.
Mobile salon SPAtaneity caught the eye of several local hospitals and was commissioned to perform services on patients before opening its stationary location in Fort Worth, Texas.
An established hair salon, True Envy in Orlando recently added nail services to its revamped space.
In February, established salon Cali Spa moved into a two-story location in thriving northern Fort Wayne, Ind. The affordably priced salon not only hired additional nail techs, but also brought hairstylists, massage therapists, and estheticians onto their team, with the hopes of expanding into a one-stop beauty shop.
