| Over several sessions together, Boyd helped Hanh prepare a business plan and financial statement, and gave her advice on how to evaluate potential locations and lease arrangements. She also attended the SCORE-sponsored seminar on “How to Operate a Small Business.” While putting the pieces of her business into place, Hanh also grew more confident with her ability to understand English. Within a few months, she signed the lease for what would be called “Kathy’s Nails,” after her newly adopted first name.
Hanh eagerly accepted all of Boyd’s suggestions for giving her salon a quality image. Along with installing a state-of-the-art air filtration system, she set up an individual implement box for each customer to provide an extra measure of hygiene. To broaden the salon’s appeal, Hanh would require her nail technicians to speak English and play only American music on the salon’s sound system.
Kathy’s Nails opened on February 14, 2002, and was such a success that Hanh has opened a second location that is managed by her sister. In just over six months, her salons served more than 4,000 customers, and new clients make appointments each week. But Hanh is far from satisfied. She and Boyd, whom she affectionately nicknamed “Mr. Ray,” are working on long-term plans to keep Kathy’s Nails growing and profitable.
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