Kim Nails

Address: 3313 South State Street, Suite 105

Telephone: 801-463-1429

Website: kimnailspa.com

District: South Salt Lake

 

“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.

Nguyen grew up in a small town in Vietnam, about two hours from Ho Chi Minh City, near the Cambodian border. Life was simple and peaceful. There were no structured activities filling her days. Instead, she stayed close to home, surrounded by family, stepping naturally into responsibility from a young age. After school, she would go to the market to help her mother and grandmother. Her mother exchanged currency for those crossing between countries, while her grandmother cooked and sold food. Nguyen watched, learned, and helped - absorbing not only practical skills, but a way of being. “I learned everything from them. How to cook, how to clean, how to organize.” Those early lessons stayed with her. There was a rhythm to that life - steady, hardworking, deeply rooted in family - that she still carries with her today.

At twenty-eight, Nguyen left Vietnam and came to Salt Lake City with her husband at the time, joining his family who had already established roots after arriving as refugees. It was not something she had imagined for herself. Her family remained behind - her three sisters, her extended family, the life she had always known. Her father had passed away, and her mother had been the one holding everything together. Leaving was not easy for any of them. Still, she came.

The adjustment was immediate and overwhelming. Language was the first barrier. Nguyen understood a little English, but speaking felt intimidating. She worried about saying the wrong thing, about being misunderstood, about unintentionally offending someone. So, she stayed quiet at first, hesitant and careful. But slowly, that began to change. The people around Nguyen helped her. They encouraged her to speak, to practice, to keep going. They corrected her gently when she made mistakes. Over time, her confidence grew, one conversation at a time.

Her path in the U.S was not linear. Nguyen began working in nail salons, then stepped away when she became pregnant, taking a job with a medical supply company before leaving again to focus on her health and her children. Later, she entered the restaurant world, becoming a partner in a Vietnamese restaurant in Draper. When that business closed after two years, she returned to nails, this time with a different perspective. What had once been unexpected became something she truly loved.

In Vietnam, nail work had not been part of her life. It was only after arriving in the U.S. that she discovered it. What drew her in was not just the service itself, but the artistry. She remembers seeing intricate designs - tiny, detailed paintings on nails - and being amazed. “I never thought I could do it, but I kept practicing.”

And she did. Over time, she developed a skill and confidence that transformed her work into something creative and personal. It became a way to care for people, to help them feel good about themselves in small but meaningful ways. Opening Kim Nail Salon in July 2025 was a turning point.

The beginning was not easy. Shortly after taking over the salon space, Nguyen faced unexpected challenges with the previous owner, who opened a competing salon nearby and redirected clients. For a time, it was deeply stressful as business slowed. But something else happened too. Some clients chose to stay. They recognized what had happened and returned - not just for the services, but for her. Others followed her from previous workplaces. Slowly, through relationships and word of mouth, the foundation of something new began to form. “I really appreciate that they stayed and supported me.”

Nguyen did not sit still during those difficult months. She joined the local chamber of commerce, attended meetings when she could, introduced herself, handed out business cards, and said yes to every opportunity to connect. She built her business the same way she learned English - by showing up, trying, and continuing forward.

Today, in 2026, Nguyen is raising two young children - a seven-year-old son and a five-year-old daughter - while building her business. Her mother now spends time with her in Utah helping support the family, though her roots remain in Vietnam. Nguyen carries both worlds with her, balancing them as best she can.

Kim Nails reflects who Nguyen is. The space is bright, clean, and welcoming, with nearly a thousand nail polish colors lining the walls. The services range from manicures and pedicures to gel, acrylics, and detailed nail art. There are manicure stations, pedicure chairs, and a team of six who understand one another, support one another, and function more like a family than a workplace.

There is a gentleness to Nguyen’s approach, but also a quiet strength. She has built something of her own, piece by piece, while raising her children, navigating a new culture, and staying connected to the life she left behind. She still returns to Vietnam every couple of years, bringing her children with her so they know their family, their language, and their roots. It is important to her that they carry both worlds forward. And here, in this small, bright salon in South Salt Lake she is creating something lasting, something steady, something welcoming, something her own. “It is not only about the nails. I want people to come in, feel comfortable, and leave happy. I know how much that can matter.”