Today we’d like to introduce you to Quynh Nguyen.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m a 24-year-old beauty enthusiast from Biloxi, Mississippi that relocated to Houston approximately two years ago to pursue my passion for the beauty industry. Since then, I am now a licensed esthetician that is certified in: eye-lash extensions, make-up, teeth whitening, and permanent make-up application. I am so thrilled and honored to be able to share my story of how all of this began with you today.
Growing up raised as an immigrant by refugee parents, there was always an internal war waged between realism and idealism. Like many other Asian-Americans, I was taught that education was synonymous with opportunity—anything otherwise was deemed impractical and foolish. I became fascinated with art at an early age and admired how art was a form of individuality and self-expression. Unfortunately, I soon realized that no immigrant family at the time would happily endorse the idea of their child wanting to become an artist. My family was convinced that artists were unscholarly and incapable of accumulating a worthy amount of success. As a child, I thought to myself, how selfish of me to squander their struggles on silly dreams. I mean, after all, our parents and grandparents escaped their war-torn nation for the sake of our futures, right?
For a while, I accepted that I needed to pursue a career that was either prestigious or of great stature to make my family proud. School was always “my thing” anyways. I never really struggled academically. As a teenager, I became obsessed with beauty and cosmetics which ultimately lead to the start of my own online business at the age of thirteen. I advertised, packaged, and shipped all the orders on my own; however, my family was only semi-impressed and strongly encouraged me to pursue a formal education. I kept the online business running and spent years convincing myself that my ultimate dream was to go to college, get accepted into med-school, and to become a dermatologist.
As time went by, I was now a junior in college majoring in biological sciences. I remember waking up one morning feeling entirely drained. My life was complete chaos. I was juggling between keeping my grades up to par and working to pay my bills on time. Many countless self-debates later, I ultimately decided to put a halt on my formal education to pursue my career in the beauty industry. It was one of the toughest decisions I have ever made, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Now I am so blessed to be able to wake-up and do what makes me happy everyday. I realized that being a first-generation Asian American, it’s inevitable that our parents want to live vicariously through us. I carried an immense amount of weight on my shoulders due to pressure and fear. But what I’ve learned from experience is that no matter what oppositions you face, remember that life is too short. Do whatever makes you happy regardless.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Life isn’t always rainbows and sunshine—being an entrepreneur is never easy. In the wise words of Theodore Roosevelt, “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty…I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life.” Starting out, I was freelancing early in the morning then went to work at my night time job right afterwards. I remembered working 14 days back-to-back with no off days. Because I really wanted to master my craft, I almost lead myself to exhaustion.
Every day was a new mountain whether it had been difficulties with the glue, not knowing how to style their particular eye-shape, or just overall meeting the client’s expectations. I didn’t have my own space at the time either, so I traveled to my client’s house. The average commute was between 30-60 minutes, and I had to carry my heavy equipment everywhere which was no easy feat. Sometimes I had to carry my massage table, ring light, artist kit, and lash chair up three flights of stairs and down long, narrow hallways.
I spent numerous hours practicing on models for free to only be compensated via tips. Of course, no one is that great in the beginning, so I would come home feeling defeated and insecure about the quality of my work. I persevered and spent countless hours practicing to get to where I am today. The beauty industry is my passion; And I understand that this journey was all about paying my dues.
Translating people’s inner beauty to match their outer beauty is such a rewarding feeling. I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Keep It Peachy – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Keep It Peachy is located inside a private salon suite which allows me to be very intimate and personable. I specialize in texturized volume eye-lash extensions. All of my sets are created by hand making 2-20D volume fans. Each set is customized, and I never use a lash map. I strive to provide the very best for my clients, so I only use the highest of quality in products. I am extremely detail-oriented and a perfectionist at heart. I like to spoil my clients with complimentary after-care kits and am always accommodating. Client relations are extremely important to me, and I treat them like family. I’m only happy whenever my clients are happy.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is being genuinely happy and fulfilled with your life. It is created on your own terms and not correlated to monetary gains. Success is every moment and opportunity we seize to better ourselves and those around us.
Pricing:
- Volume Full-Set: 150$
- Volume 2 wk Re-Fill 65$
- Volume 3 wk Re-Fill 75$
- Volume 4 wk Re-Fill 85$
- Hybrid (Natural) Full-Set: 125$
- Hybrid (Natural) 2 wk Re-Fill: 60$
- Hybrid (Natural) 3 wk Re-Fill: 70$
- Hybrid (Natural) 4 wk Re-Fill: 80$
- 1 hr Express Teeth-Whitening: 75$
- 30 Minute Express Teeth-Whitening: 50$
- Lash Lift: 85$
- Lash Removal: 20$
Contact Info:
- Address: 11145 A Westheimer Road
- Email: kangelquynh@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kangelbeauty
Image Credit:
Truexclusive
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