Huy Nguyen's NailZ

​Welcome to our Portrait of a Suite Series! Each week we highlight one of our fabulous Service Providers and his or her unique business. 
Today meet Huy Nguyen, Nail Technician and Owner of NailZ in our Suite 107!
Huy specializes in Polygel, Shellac, Manicures and Pedicures. 

PWD: Why did you get started in your industry and why do you dowhat you do?
 
HN: I started doing nails as a way to make money during college. Right out of high school I got my license to practice from National Beauty College before tackling my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. I had the opportunity to work in several nail salons while in school and got a solid understanding of the industry, different products and techniques. After graduating I followed the natural path of my degree and got a job in bio-agricultural lab work. That should have been it but I started to realize my personality doesn’t mesh well with lab culture. I found I missed the community and wheels of a business, the social aspect, and the opportunity to make art. I also acknowledged an entrepreneurial spirit developing in me and I decided I wanted to start a business by the time I turned 30. I knew it would take diligent practice and planning and I thought about it a lot. Ultimately all these elements blended together and nails drew me back out of the lab. 
Developing my talent took time and patience and was hard in the beginning. I spent a lot of spare moments just doodling and painting and finding my style. I have always been drawn to art and enjoy giving my attention to layers of detail. I found a lucrative position working at the Beauty Bar Downtown in the Springs. They were patient and supportive of my development and I pushed myself to work 55-60 hour weeks to prepare myself financially and master my technique. 
After moving to Denver a few years ago I started to realize working for other people had stopped furthering my goal. I knew it was time to do something uncomfortable so I gathered my experience and resources and opened my own nail studio in June! At 29 years old I am realizing a dream that started way back in the lab a decade ago.
 
PWD: What makes your business unique?
 
HN: I am rolling out my vision of what a modern nail salon should be, an atmosphere that is welcoming, upscale and modern, very clean and odor-free, and offers the latest innovative technologies, techniques and products. I try to see my work through my client’s eye, honoring the little details important to them.  Keeping each nail consistent and well-shaped is rule number one to creating the canvas for my artwork. 
I make sure I have enough time to do my job well. Instead of keeping a walk-in atmosphere and rushing to get as many clients in as I can, I schedule every appointment for the right amount of time for each procedure.
Though most of my background is with Acrylic, I have taken a big risk and changed my medium to Polygel. It wears like Acrylic but it is hypoallergenic and contains no active ingredient. Acrylic is beautiful when done right but offering a non-toxic environment is a bigger benefit. Once I discovered the flexibility Polygel gives me as an artist I was sold. My clients love their experience and they really love their nails. 
As far as a business mission I believe in the basics. Nothing fancy. Do the simple things well and you will be successful. 
 
PWD: What is your favorite thing about working from Phenix West Denver?
 
HN: My favorite thing about working out of Phenix West Denver is having total independence. I am actually having a blast learning marketing, accounting and budgeting strategies, social media and web presence, things I never knew I could do. It’s life growth experience and that feels good. 

For more information about Huy and NailZ, go to:
 squareup.com/appointments/book/BV5JCCN74P88G/nailz-wheat-ridge-co