Meet Anni Nguyen | nail technician and co-owner

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

Hi Anni, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

When I first had gotten into this industry and worked at multiple different nail salons, I remembered vividly many times when the clients stepped into the space, they would have to back out and wait a while because the air-filled chemicals polluted the entire space. “The nail salon smell” as people would prefer to call it. Which comes from the acrylic liquid that is being used for one of the services that every nail salon offers.

That image stuck with me many many years after and kept me thinking of a solution for those who are not getting artificial nails but are still able to fully enjoy the spa experience with good indoor quality air.

Fast-forward, Ritualpedispa was born with that idea which includes the elimination of offering acrylic nail services altogether meaning we would miss a big chunk of income from that.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

We’re a small nail salon which is located in the Garden Oaks/ Oak Forest neighborhood. We offer basic nail-care needs. Manicure. Pedicure. Dip Powder, waxing. Not offering acrylic powder. we carry the #theodorlessnailspaoftheoaks proudly.

What sets us apart from other nail salons in the area and the nail industry, in general, is that we don’t offer a service a typical nail salon would. Acrylic powder service. It’s a stable service across every nail salon in the country. Choosing not to offer acrylic powder is mainly due to our desire to offer a fresh and clean space for those who do not need to wear it and love the feeling of nail art without harsh chemicals. In addition to that, we’re detail-oriented in every step, even with the polish display is organized a color system so that you can pick your polishes quickly and easily. small details matter!

We’re still not where we would want to be but it’s still 100% better than 4 years ago. When we first started, the biggest roadblock was all the nay-sayers saying “you will never make it if you don’t offer acrylic powder in the salon”, which takes away a big chunk of the income.

But here we are, 4 years later, still going strong.

It’s a struggle every day for sure with staff management and customer satisfaction. In order to ease the client’s mind and to explain all the pricing and services we offer, we are honest with them and transparent about everything we offer, while respecting their preferences and not forcing them to buy additional products.

Every review online or in-person feedback is a lesson for us to take, whether it’s constructive criticism or a cheer of a good job, that is the only way we know how to correct it and try better from there on.

What we want for every single client, not the whole world, to know that your repetitive return is a big compliment for all of us of ” a job well done last time and I’m back again!” or ” I chose you over 5 other salons on the same street.”

We’re a 1560 square-feet small salon with 6-8 technicians and trying to compete with other 2000-10000 square-feet big salons with 20-30 technicians is unimaginable with the rapid growth of huge commercial nail salons around town. What we try to create and deliver is a cozy, friendly, next-door salon that when you come in, bring your favorite book, sit back, relax with a free harsh- chemical smell and let us take care of the rest.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am such a big foodie and love to eat. To start off our day, I would first take her to my favorite gym (OrangeTheory fitness) to burn some calories, then we would get some coffee and pastry at Common Bond bakery in Montrose. Next, we would go to Trader Joe’s for some groceries and China/VietNam town on Bellaire for lunch + boba goodness and snacks. Dim sum is a must for weekend brunch (Ocean Palace, Kim Son ). Additionally, I would drive her to the Medical Center to show her how big and expanding it is every day. I always tell everyone “you know… it’s the biggest in texas, therefore, it’s the biggest in the world!” I’m so proud of it. Weirdly enough, Central Market is also on the itinerary. get some cheese and bread and be outside on their patio with the nice weather. While the night is still young, I would take her to 13 celsius to unwind. Museum District is always fun and relaxing to visit and get a good walk. (tickets are free on Thursday) then KimSon buffet is a good place to earn some of the calories back after the whole day exploring Museum District. This sums up the perfect fun, but relaxing weekend.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The whole Garden Oaks and Oak Forest community. They were so welcoming and supportive from the very first day and also very forgiving of our mistakes and wrongdoings. Their continued support is what keeps us going.

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