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thanks for the link,but this woman is an American white lady,not Vietnamese.
She does a good job,she has been with that salon for 16 years,it is a high end salon,but these days you seldom see younger generation spend a whole day pampering themselves with hair,nail,massage,sauna all in one day. But I have been to places which cater to Middle Eastern ladies ,they will spent a day getting hair,facial,massage,mud facial,sauna,there is also a small dining area where they can order food from restaurant.
See? She just needs to find her niche; figure out where the demand is.
OP, there are plenty of Asian massage venues that charge lower rates, but that hasn't affected demand for good, professional, above-board, well-licensed and educated American massage therapists. Though manicures are more of a frill, whereas massage has a medical and therapeutic aspect to it, your friend should still be able to find the right venue. I don't know where she's located; she may have to look a bit farther from home to get a good gig. There are high-end hotels with their own beauty parlors in them. Local people as well as hotel patrons use them for haircuts, color or styling, etc. She could look for something like that.
She'll need to do research, there's no question about that. She'll need to put effort into it, but with luck, it could pay off. I don't know if she has her own business cards, but there are sources online for free business cards.
Thinking creatively, she could consider teaming up with an existing beauty parlor. Again: aim for one in a high-end neighborhood or that serves that type of clientele, and pitch the service as something the ladies can have done while they're under the hair dryer.
Maybe she could create a niche for herself in the LGBTQ community? Whatever pays the bills, OP.
Seriously, if she wants work, she'll need to think creatively, do research, and get out there and sell herself to potential venues.
those salons which cater to middle eastern ladies have mostly vanished,they sprung up to serve the Iranian immigrants,some are pretty wealthy by Iranian standard,some not so,and if you convert Iranian currency into US and in less than ten years,they are pretty much gone,watch that movie House of Sand and Fog.
But then on another note -
Ultra Salon just released earnings,it has done well,looks like its clients are coming back !
See? She just needs to find her niche; figure out where the demand is.
OP, there are plenty of Asian massage venues that charge lower rates, but that hasn't affected demand for good, professional, above-board, well-licensed and educated American massage therapists. Though manicures are more of a frill, whereas massage has a medical and therapeutic aspect to it, your friend should still be able to find the right venue. I don't know where she's located; she may have to look a bit farther from home to get a good gig. There are high-end hotels with their own beauty parlors in them. Local people as well as hotel patrons use them for haircuts, color or styling, etc. She could look for something like that.
She'll need to do research, there's no question about that. She'll need to put effort into it, but with luck, it could pay off. I don't know if she has her own business cards, but there are sources online for free business cards.
Thinking creatively, she could consider teaming up with an existing beauty parlor. Again: aim for one in a high-end neighborhood or that serves that type of clientele, and pitch the service as something the ladies can have done while they're under the hair dryer.
Maybe she could create a niche for herself in the LGBTQ community? Whatever pays the bills, OP.
Seriously, if she wants work, she'll need to think creatively, do research, and get out there and sell herself to potential venues.
You sound like A HARVARD MBA graduate,everyone should be a go getter.
She is not my friend,she is a manicurist I used first time,I like her work,when I go for haircut,I will use her service,but I wont make a trip just for my nails
those salons which cater to middle eastern ladies have mostly vanished,they sprung up to serve the Iranian immigrants,some are pretty wealthy by Iranian standard,some not so,and if you convert Iranian currency into US and in less than ten years,they are pretty much gone,watch that movie House of Sand and Fog.
But then on another note -
Ultra Salon just released earnings,it has done well,looks like its clients are coming back !
Covid has been hard on the personal services industries. But I'm glad you found some good news.
Ahh, the old peeps. The first generation of Vietnamese that came to America. They had everything stolen from them from the Communists and many lost their lives escaping Vietnam...some to boats that sank...some to lawless refugee centers.
San Jose boasts many Vietnamese flags waving. Not the one outside the embassy. The flag of S. Vietnam. In the view of the old peeps, America, the power of the world, cut tail and left them to the commies. Coming to America was bittersweet. You abandoned us, but yet you remain our best option.
Unlike other groups, there is no home for them to return to. Vietnam may as well been blown off the planet. To get here, they had to make their own luck, and even then they were in a new country, new culture, new climate, new language and to all they were cheap labor. So, as a group, they swallowed their pride and entitlements. That old doctor that sells those herbal ointments....was a real doctor back in the old country but didn't have the capital to go through medical training here. Others don't know that, but the Vietnamese do. So when cheap care is needed for something they can handle, they go there for medical treatment....and pay by buying some overpriced sage. The guy that built skyscrapers now repairs iron fences. Those with no discernible skills that somehow made it...ok, the foreigners like to have their butts waxed for some reason...hop to it, there's no room to carry any freeloaders.
Think you need your own room, no you don't. You can fit 5 families in a house and do just fine...and have some savings to build up. Yet when everyone's in the same boat, the perils of living so cheaply one might expect are ok in this self-policing group. Need capital. Play Choi hui....which is really a cash capital dispersment fund because nobody has bank access. Once you've learned your new trade, start your competing business. You work doing anything 60 hours a week....you'll get good at it. As capital is limited, it goes to the trades.
The Vietnamese have their own old school publication here called Thang Mo. Like everything else, it is extremely utilitarian. Basically a library of Viet businesses. There are basic understandings when using the Thang Mo....you will pay, generally in cash, once service is complete. Your job will be done well, but you're not going to be crazy picky because it will get lost in translation and is a waste of time. They move fast. In this manner, the capital needed for other businesses is lowered. It becomes both a point of sales and a point of suppliers.
Nail salons were a place where someone who is old and new enough English could work. $25/hour and only paid 4 of the 8 hours is still $100, which is more than one had before. The place and the provider agree upon a split from there. My wife split the rent on a cell phone place with a dry cleaner before just acquiring the dry cleaner outright. The first generation didn't waste time going for the high profile jobs and contracts. They knew they wouldn't get them. They didn't complain, they really just built their own market that others discovered over time.
At any rate, bringing this back to a $25/hour nail salon lady...the reality is she probably doesn't make much money. If she's on her own, she's likely renting a room and staking out a meagre existence. However, Vietnamese food is inexpensive, yet very healthy. When days are good, she saves. When times are rough, she cuts back even more. 2 cups of rice with a bit of soy for a family of 4 gets smaller. As the saying goes when you're picking a fight with a poor person....You don't like your rice....you want rice soup?
Why do it? For the next generation. It's all for the next generation to flourish.
They aren't the first group to do it, nor will they be the last....but there's no trick. It's just hard living with the tiniest of entitlements. Tip well if she's good. That lady's probably inhaled enough acetone over the years to kill anyone...working maybe 6 or 7 days a week for decades....and her kid is likely killing it post college and she's very proud and feels redeemed in that. If you are close enough, which would take time if ever, you may one day here of someone who was actually extremely skilled in something or another. I found an accounting clerk once who seemed extremely sharp. Come to find out English was her 5th language and she had been scientist. She knew she couldn't be that here and she was happy to take on a higher role in accounting where she did awesome.
See? She just needs to find her niche; figure out where the demand is.
OP, there are plenty of Asian massage venues that charge lower rates, but that hasn't affected demand for good, professional, above-board, well-licensed and educated American massage therapists. Though manicures are more of a frill, whereas massage has a medical and therapeutic aspect to it, your friend should still be able to find the right venue. I don't know where she's located; she may have to look a bit farther from home to get a good gig. There are high-end hotels with their own beauty parlors in them. Local people as well as hotel patrons use them for haircuts, color or styling, etc. She could look for something like that.
She'll need to do research, there's no question about that. She'll need to put effort into it, but with luck, it could pay off. I don't know if she has her own business cards, but there are sources online for free business cards.
Thinking creatively, she could consider teaming up with an existing beauty parlor. Again: aim for one in a high-end neighborhood or that serves that type of clientele, and pitch the service as something the ladies can have done while they're under the hair dryer.
Maybe she could create a niche for herself in the LGBTQ community? Whatever pays the bills, OP.
Seriously, if she wants work, she'll need to think creatively, do research, and get out there and sell herself to potential venues.
I like this approach. Find a niche. Higher end. Nail salons are a dime a dozen. Do something different, even if you still do nails. How about you go to the client? Or, you set up shop at your home? associate with a spa ? Do 'off hours' for those who have trouble getting in to a nail place during regular hours. Over 55 Senior living apartment complexes (they usually have a club house type facility).
I am not the manicurist,but good idea ,I think she is already doing it at home so she can keep all the fees.
she has been with her employer for 16 years,she is an insider and keep an eye on the salon,the owner has 3 salons.
thanks for all your suggestions.
I'm seeing more and more men coming into nail salons to get pedicures - especially older men. Many of them come with their wives because as we get older, it gets harder to reach and care for our feet properly when there are orthopedic problems to deal with. It's not even a vanity thing - it's just good grooming.
I like this approach. Find a niche. Higher end. Nail salons are a dime a dozen. Do something different, even if you still do nails. How about you go to the client? Or, you set up shop at your home? associate with a spa ? Do 'off hours' for those who have trouble getting in to a nail place during regular hours. Over 55 Senior living apartment complexes (they usually have a club house type facility).
And if this woman is not using social media to promote her business and show off her services, that's where she'd find and bring in younger clients.
Maybe they work a night shift here and there? (Escort services)
Sounds like you know how to pay for it.
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