Creating a Network of Vietnamese Nail Techs

Now more than ever it is easier to connect with others who share the same struggles. Networking sites like BeautyTech.com, one of the most popular for nail techs, brings new and veteran nail techs together to share new techniques, troubleshoot problems, talk about new products, and help others to get through tough times.

It's wonderful and I encourage every nail tech to start networking on this and other websites. But I have to ask — where are my fellow Vietnamese nail techs?

There is a side of the nail industry that isn't being heard. One problem is there isn’t a place for Vietnamese nail techs to talk comfortably about issues affecting the Vietnamese nail community, in English or in Vietnamese. Vietnamese nail techs also rarely try to speak up, keeping worries internal. Then there's that language (and cultural) barrier that separates Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese nail techs. The language barrier even extends to first- and second-generation nail techs.

The voice of Vietnamese nail techs is not being heard. If we can create a network for these unheard voices, we may begin to unify the Vietnamese nail industry and then help unify the nail industry as a whole.

Kelvin St. Pham, owner of St. K Nail Salon in Gardena, Calif., agrees that it would be great to have a network for all nail techs. “It would help bridge the gap between the two markets. The reputation of Vietnamese salons is not so good. This bad reputation is in part due to misunderstanding from non-Vietnamese techs. Having a network would provide the opportunity for nail techs of both sides to understand each other.”

Before we can get to this point, we must first begin with our own community. Although the internet may not reach all Vietnamese nail techs, it's a start. Using the fastest-growing social network in the world, I’ve created a VietSALON network on Facebook. Join me, and let’s start building a network of Vietnamese nail techs and supporters — www.facebook.com/VietSALON

It was thanks to the initial Vietnamese network that helped family and friends find the trade that now makes up half of all salons in the U.S. It is this network that could help unify and strengthen the Vietnamese nail industry, which will help strengthen the entire nail industry.

— Kim