August 2, 2009
The Only Manicurist Not Taking a Handout
John Nguyen started his life in the Richmond area living under a bridge. He turned his life around and became a small business owner in the Southside. His strong work ethic is one that he hopes to instill in others and in the Vietnamese community.
In the Beginning
Originally born in Vietnam, John Nguyen followed his friend and his love of cars to Richmond 15 years ago. Homeless when he arrived, Nguyen faced hard times before becoming the current owner of Beauty Nails Salon in Midlothian.
“I literally lived under a bridge,” he said. “But all my friends were here and I liked cars, so I came.”
Living in his car in downtown Richmond for the better part of three months, Nguyen still refused to take help from welfare.
“I didn’t want handouts or welfare. I knew I had to find a job to get myself off the streets” Nguyen said.
So that’s what he did. Everyday, Nguyen got up and looked for a job, or did various jobs around the Richmond area. In his search for work, he ended up working at a salon where he learned to become a professional nail technician and how to give manicures and apply acrylic nails.
“This was not the job I set out to do because my passion was cars, but I knew I needed to work for a paycheck to get the things I wanted and I ended up really enjoying what I was doing” said Nguyen.
Life as a Nail Tech
After becoming a professional nail technician, Nguyen decided to move back to Massachusetts to be near his family and continue to excel in this area of cosmetology. While there, he met Kim, the woman who would later become his wife.
“He was my teacher when I met him. I apprenticed with him at a nail salon in Boston for a couple of years,” she said.
Kim and Nguyen married and spent many years moving around the country. They both worked at various nail salons in many states such as Vermont, Colorado, Maryland and Louisiana. After five years of traveling, the couple finally decided to settle down in Richmond.
“My friends still lived here,” Nguyen said, “and the people are nice, I knew Kim would like it here too.”
After re-settling in Richmond, Nguyen spent three years selling cars at Haley Toyota, while working as a manicurist part-time. However, in August 2008, Nguyen became the owner Beauty Nails Salon.
“I apprenticed with John when he came back to Richmond, and I was very glad when he decided to come to Beauty Nails” said Hannah Nguyen, a long-time Beauty Nails employee.
Nguyen and his wife spend many hours a day at the salon, usually working six days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. This keeps them from participating in many events in the Vietnamese community, which Nguyen says they are not very active in. However, it’s not all work and no play for this couple.
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What events and organizations are available for those interested in becoming involved in the Vietnamese community? Listen to a podcast with Cuong Nguyen, the president of the Richmomd Vietnamese Association.
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“We always have new customers who tell us stories and make it interesting for us plus, we like to go fishing and play pool on the weekends,” Nguyen said.
The Hard Work Pays Off
“John is a very hard worker,” said Beauty Nails employee Alex Phan. “He is always the first one here, and the last one to leave. He makes sure everyone does their best work and that all customers are satisfied when they leave.”
Nguyen hopes that it’s that same work ethic he can instill in others, and his own Vietnamese community.
Nguyen says that he continues to pursue his passion of drag racing. Last year, Nguyen competed in the Battle of the Imports Race in Mechanicsville, Maryland. He won second place in the “Best Toyota” category. He credits his ability to be able to work on cars to his strong work ethic.
“If you want something, work for it. If you work hard enough, you can get anything you want,” he said.
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View an audio slideshow from Saigon Gourmet, a Vietnamese Restaurant located in Midlothian. This restaurant, nestled in a strip mall offers traditional Vietnamese cuisine as well as a warm, family atmosphere.”
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