Meet Lucy Duong | Nails Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lucy Duong and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lucy, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting your own business is not an easy task. It required researching, learning, growing and dedicating to each steps to make it happened. I have been working as a nail technician for 15 years. When i was a little girl, my mom took me to a shop in Vietnam. After watching and observing the tech who did my mom’s nails, i told my mom i want to be a nail technician when i grew up. I totally forgot that was being said. In 2018, I decided opened my first studio where i can create my own schedule and being charged of my own business. After three years, i had an opportunity to relocate in Houston, Texas. I used to work and travel for a manufacturing company which produces nails products. I gained my knowledge about how to operate a business related to nails. I decided to cooperated with my partner and opened my own nails salon in Houston, named Maxim nails and spa.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is simple as making sure my clients are happy with their nails – to win their smile by the end of each appointment. This is my motto at work to create a nails set. Working in this industry gives me a chance to talk to different people’s stories because they will tell you everything when there is a trust between you and them. I also gained a lot more knowledge from their experience. I started to working as my uncle’s assistance in his salon for long time ago. About 5 years ago, i reinvested in myself to attended at different nails workshop which is hold by idol nail artist. It also gave me a chance to work for two different manufacturing companies. I perfectly learned and fulfilled my skill and technique to doing nails. Besides that, i am always willing to learn new trend in the industry. Just because i am not the best nails tech in the industry but i always give my client the best version of my skills and technique every time.
The route to be where i am today professionally is not easy but i always want to take any challenges in this route. I will find plan A to make it worked. If not, i will find plan B or plan C until it works.
A lesson i learned along the way is i do not let my fear to stop me moving forward or climbing up in my career path. I always use PCD method: Pause, Clarify and Decide. If something happened, i’ll pause for a day or weeks, then clarify what reasons and how to fix it. Then i decide what to do.
I want the world to know about me as nails artist who can create any nails set they want. I am not the best but i will give the best of my skills to them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to Bellaire Blvd or Chinatown in the city because there are so many authentic restaurants around this place. I know that they would love it. My friends have the same food soul as i am. Therefore, our three meals of a day will be definitely in Chinatown. There are some favorite places i will visit with my friends such as: Sapa Pho, Hem kitchen and bar, Kyuramen restaurants. Beside that i also take them to visit Color Factory in Houston which is an art museum. I love colors when i was a little kid. Looking at different colors and patterns make me happy. It related to how to work as a nails technician. I can play with colors all day long.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to take this chance to thank my youngest sister, Nikki Duong. She is the one who always gave me an inspiration and ideas to make me change my mind set on the way to build my career path. “Treating my work as a job or treating my work as a career is my choice.” This is first lesson she inspired me and put the first encouragement in my career. I went out of my comfort zone and learned in different sources. Building my own business means that being alone on my journey. But i am lucky enough to have her as a best friend for me to pause and take a break. After our conversations, we will find a solution for things i am struggle with.

Instagram: nailsby_lucyduong

Facebook: Lucy Duong

Image Credits
The first picture is myself. The second one is me and my sister- Nikki Duong