Why So Many Nail Technicians Vietnamese?

Why Are So Many Nail Technicians Vietnamese?

It's a question many have asked themselves, but it's not really something you ask your friends or neighbor about.

If you Google, "nail salon owned by Vietnamese" the first result you'll find is an article by NPR highlighting the 2019 Documentary, 'Nailed It'.

What Percentage of Nail Salons Are Owned By Vietnamese?

Did you know that over 80% of nail salon owners in California are Vietnamese?

Nationwide, 50% of nail salon owners are Vietnamese.

The nail salon industry amounts to roughly $8 billion annually.

I know right?! , who would have guessed…

After going down the rabbit hole and reading several articles and connecting the dots, this all started with Tippi Hedren's.

A Hollywood star most remembered for her part in Alfred Hitchcock's movie, The Birds. Her desire to help out Vietnamese immigrants made an impact she never expected.

Around 45 years ago she traveled to a Vietnamese refugee camp near Sacramento, California to meet a group of women who fled the takeover of South Vietnam.

She had a desire to show them a skill that could help them support themselves. Tippi brought in typists and seamstresses but it was Thuan Le who was taken by Hedren's nails and asked if they could learn to do nails that sparked this new beginning.

Tippi reached out to a local beauty school and they sponsored the Vietnamese Americans to learn this new skill.

Over time they were able to offer pricing 30-50% less than other nail salons. By offering great service and high quality nails they were able to dominate the market place.

Did you know..

Most Vietnamase nail technicians will send a portion of their income back to their families in Vietnam.

Takeaway

With all the uncertainty that exists around us, it is not always easy to stay positive or hopeful.

But this compelling story shows us how a single person's compassion to make a difference can ignite a movement that transforms so many people's lives for the better.

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