In the late 70’s and early 80’s, a wave of Vietnamese immigrants called the “boat people” arrived to America in search of a better life for their families. With a tenacious work ethic and immense drive, they searched for high paying jobs to compensate for their lack of education.
Naturally, wanting to provide for their families, they were able to do so in the nail salon industry. It was a technical skill they could quickly learn while speaking little to no English. At the same time, it afforded them a middle income lifestyle for their families.
The media quickly caught on and subsequently, caricatures like "Miss Swan" on Mad TV poked fun at the industry and the workers.
Today, depending on who you ask, Some believe they destroyed the industry.
Others believe they saved it.
Caricature "Ms. Swan" on Mad TV.Sibling Rivalry
Some salons and spas try distinguish themselves from these immigrant owned salons. Our industry -the nail care industry is divided between "natural nails" vs salons that provide "nail enhancements (like acrylics and gels). " The latter representing immigrant owned nail salons or "discount salons."
Walk into any spa and you'll know where they stand.
It's like sibling rivalry. One kid wants to rebel by having nothing to do with the other.
Likewise, certain spas inadvertently slander the same industry by bashing their brothers and sisters.
Sènsé Nail Spa was born out of these two worlds. We are passionate about what we do and we don't proclaim to say one is better than the other because we love and enjoy natural nail care and enhancements (for the record, we also believe in safer cosmetics - see our KOMO 4 news interview below).
If you ask us, we believe education is important to change the industry. These workers can learn American Custom. Continuing education with new technology. Safety standards for clients. Art. Community. Fashion.
As industry leaders, we feel we have a social responsibility (Read July 2006 back issue of Colors NW Magazine, entitled "Good Business")
We give much props to Gene Juarez for understanding this. As leaders in the salon industry for over 35 years, they don't profess to say "naturals only" is the only way to go. With a multi- million dollar budget, they could easily slander this divide any way they wish. Today, they have followed suit by offering continued training for immigrant nail techs and continue to provide education for these workers. We salute them for this.
To us, it's the same industry in the end. And ultimitely, we are all but one family.
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