“Now I’m able to take a deep breath, and when I look back, I just think, ‘What in the hell? How did I get here?’ It was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, but I made it.” For Lori Sartain, owner of Crow Nail Studio in East Sugar House, life did not begin with expectations of comfort, stability, or ease. Dreams of owning a business, buying a home, traveling, or building something beautiful were not part of her childhood. Survival was.

“I want every client to feel comfortable, respected, and cared for when they come here.” Nguyen, owner of Kim Nails, smiles when she says it, gently, as though it is not just a goal for her business, but a way she tries to move through the world. It is a philosophy shaped by responsibility, and the quiet determination it takes to build a life far from home.

“I have felt it in my bones since I was very, very young. I was going to accomplish big things.” Vayanna Kruse, owner of Soleil Nail Studio, grew up in a small Iowa town. But even as a child, she sensed her life would lead her somewhere else.

“Creating a safe, inclusive space has always been my top priority. I want everyone who walks through our doors to feel they belong here,” shared Alia Mathias, founder of Wicked West Nails.