Saskatoon StarPhoenix

MASSAGES ADD SPECIAL TOUCH AT DAISY NAILS LOUNGE & SPA

Owner dreamed of opening her own salon before moving to Canada from Vietnam

- DON RICE This interview has been edited and condensed. Have you recently started or moved a new business or non-profit organizati­on in Saskatoon? We want to hear your story. Please email drice@postmedia.com

Businesses and non-profit organizati­ons regularly open and move in Saskatoon. Today the Starphoeni­x talks to Daisy Bui, who opened Daisy Nails Lounge & Spa in February on 8th Street in Saskatoon.

Bui had a dream to open her own nail salon in Canada since before she ever arrived here from Vietnam nine years ago. In preparatio­n for the move to Canada she opened a nail salon in Vietnam the last two years before moving. Upon her arrival in Saskatoon she took nails technology training and other courses and started immediatel­y working in nail salons. But she also had a vision for the types of extra services and massages she wanted to include if she was able to open her own business here.

She works along with her brother-in-law John Phuong and sister-in-law Hong Chiem. Hong has been involved in working in the nail business for six years while John works behind the scenes, and also runs his own sign company. He provided all the signage for Daisy Nails.

Q: Why did you open Daisy Nails Lounge and Spa?

A: I have worked for over nine years in Canada for three nail salons, but I wanted to offer different services at this salon. We do manicures and pedicures, gel nails, massages and waxes. We will also have luxury head massages once our equipment arrives for that.

Q What is your background in nails?

A I was an accountant in Vietnam, but when we planned to come here, I was looking for a job I could start right away as there was no time to look around and take my time to find work. I came here with all my family, including three daughters. My youngest was only three-and-a-half then. I opened my own nail business the last two years I was in Vietnam. I got a job right away in nails after I got here. Since then, I have dreamt of opening my own nail shop. Now on the weekend, two of my girls come here to work. It's a great family time.

Q What makes Daisy Nails different?

A This nail salon is the way they do them back in Vietnam. They are in a lot smaller spaces there, but we do the same thing here in a larger more comfortabl­e space, with larger chairs for customers. I dreamt about opening my own nail salon years ago, and I talked to my relatives for a long time about this and we always said if we open, we will massage customers backs and their heads — and they really love it.

Q What services do you provide?

A We offer gel nails, basic manicures and pedicures, spa manicures and pedicures as well as waxing and other custom services. When our massage beds arrive, hopefully by May, we will be offering luxury head massages. Our basic manicure services include hand and back massages. Our spa manicures cost a bit more but include hot towels and sugar scrubs and a paraffin wax that customers really appreciate. We do a basic pedicure that includes foot soaking and massage. Our spa pedicure offers sugar scrub exfoliatio­n to clean up the skin and the paraffin wax to soften the skin.

Q What kind of luxury head massages will you be

providing ?

A We will wash your hair and massage your back while you lay down in a massage bed. I will be offering that when the beds come in. We are expecting two beds to arrive in May. The beds include a sink for the head and water sprays down on the hair as people lay down in the comfortabl­e bed with relaxing music. In Vietnam, China and Japan nail salons offer this service. It's really enjoyable and relaxing.

Q What types of nail polish do you offer?

A We offer a regular polish which needs to air dry. It takes really long to dry, sometimes a couple hours, but it is less expensive. A lot of people love the shellac polish we offer because it dries right away and it lasts longer. It costs a little more, but the shellac will last around a month with a manicure and can last up to two months with a pedicure.

Q What kinds of options are available for people getting nail polish?

A Customers can pick from at least 500 different colours and different nail lengths and shapes. If you want to go with longer length nails, we offer gel nails. We do long and short, all kinds of sizes. We do all kinds of paints and designs on nails. People can choose. Customers can come and show pictures or give us ideas of what they would like to have done on their nails and we will work to create it for them.

Q How do your prices compare to other nail salons?

A My prices are quite comparable to other salons. Not too high but not too low because of the great services we provide. We have monthly promotions. Right now, we are offering 15 per cent off for gift cards. Next month we'll have a different special.

Q Do you offer services for children?

A We do offer kids services, which are about half the price compared to adults. It's a faster service with a gentle massage for kids to make it fun and enjoyable.

Q You offer waxing services?

A We wax just about everything — eyebrows, lips, chins, half arm, full arm, under arm, lower leg, full leg and many other areas.

Q What custom services do you provide?

A We offer paraffin wax and sugar scrubs as separate individual services. We do nail repair and gel and shellac nail removal, as well as polish changes for those wanting to change colour.

Q Do you have change rooms?

A We have two changing rooms so people can switch into other clothes that we can work on them on.

Q How long does a typical appointmen­t last?

A Normally with gel nails our appointmen­ts are around 60 to 90 mins, including the relaxing massage. In other nail salons I've worked at, they are really busy and there's no time for the massages and they are bringing customers in and out.

Q Do you offer nail parties?

A We do Christmas, wedding, birthday and other parties where people can come in groups and enjoy relaxing in our chairs while we work on them.

Q Will you be offering lounge services as well?

A We are applying for alcohol to have a bar just for customers as well. Currently we are offering coffee and teas for clients.

Q What do you love most about owning Daisy Nails?

A I love all my different customers. Some like to come and talk with me as a friend. Some like the massages. It's exciting that I can offer the services I want. When customers come here, they are family and they get to relax and have an enjoyable time.

 ?? PHOTOS: DON RICE ?? Daisy Nails Lounge & Spa owner Daisy Bui says “this nail salon is the way they do them back in Vietnam.”
PHOTOS: DON RICE Daisy Nails Lounge & Spa owner Daisy Bui says “this nail salon is the way they do them back in Vietnam.”
 ?? ?? Bui aims to offer customers and enjoyable and relaxing experience at Daisy Nails Lounge & Spa.
Bui aims to offer customers and enjoyable and relaxing experience at Daisy Nails Lounge & Spa.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada