Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Nguyen.
Hi Kelly, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey in the nail and beauty industry began over a decade ago. I’ve always loved creating beautiful things and making people feel cared for. After earning my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2008, I decided to combine my love for creativity and customer service by opening my first nail salon in 2012. That was where I truly fell in love with the world of business and realized that success comes from consistency, care, and hard work.
When I got married in 2011, my husband became not only my life partner but also my biggest supporter and mentor. He’s always been the one who gives me the best advice and helps me see the bigger picture. In 2022, when we were ready to start the next chapter, he and his team built Sanctuary Nails Spa from the ground up — working day and night for five months to bring our dream to life.
We opened in March 2023, and Sanctuary Nails Spa quickly became everything I had envisioned — a peaceful, elegant space where clients could relax and feel truly valued, and where technicians could grow in a professional and supportive environment.
Today, I feel incredibly grateful to do what I love every day, surrounded by a wonderful team and loyal clients. Sanctuary Nails Spa is more than just a salon to me — it’s a symbol of love, teamwork, and perseverance through every challenge.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey definitely hasn’t been smooth — it’s been full of lessons, tears, long nights, and moments of doubt. There were times I wondered if I was doing the right thing, especially when things didn’t go as planned. Running a business isn’t just about the pretty side of nails and happy clients; it’s about facing challenges you never expected — from managing people, to financial stress, to keeping the faith when things get hard.
When we were building Sanctuary Nails Spa, it was one of the toughest times of my life. My husband and his team worked day and night for five months to build it from the ground up. I remember walking into the space some nights while it was still under construction, looking around and imagining what it would become — even when I was exhausted or scared about how we’d make it all happen.
There were many struggles — but every one of them taught me something. I learned patience, strength, and the true meaning of partnership. My husband always reminded me, “Focus on people first. When you work with your heart, success will follow.” That advice carried me through everything.
Today, when I walk into Sanctuary Nails Spa and see clients smiling, I feel proud — not because it’s perfect, but because we built it with love, sacrifice, and faith. Every hard moment led to something beautiful.
As you know, we’re big fans of Sanctuary Nail Spa. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Sanctuary Nails Spa is more than a salon, it’s a place where people can truly relax and feel cared for. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warmth, calm music, and a team that genuinely cares about your experience. We specialize in professional nail care and spa services, but what we’re most proud of is the feeling our clients describe after their visit, peaceful, refreshed, and valued.
We’re known for our high standards of cleanliness, professionalism, and quality. Every tool is sanitized, every detail is done with precision, and every guest is treated with respect. My team knows that our goal is not just to make nails look beautiful, but to help people feel beautiful and confident inside and out.
The salon’s design reflects that same philosophy, modern, elegant, and soothing. It’s a space my husband and I poured our hearts into, from the marble floors to the soft lighting, all meant to give guests a sense of peace.
What sets us apart most is our heart. We believe in kindness, consistency, and care, values that shape how we serve our clients and how we treat one another as a team. My husband always says, “When you focus on people first, the rest will follow,” and that’s the foundation of everything we do here.
Brand-wise, I’m proud that Sanctuary Nails Spa has built a reputation not just for beautiful work, but for being a place where clients feel at home and technicians feel appreciated. It’s a reflection of love, dedication, and the belief that success grows from sincerity.
To me, Sanctuary is not just a business, it’s my purpose, my passion, and my way of giving people a little piece of peace in their busy lives.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Absolutely I wouldn’t be where I am today without the people who stood beside me through every step of this journey.
First and foremost, my husband deserves so much credit. He has been my mentor, my biggest believer, and my quiet strength behind everything I do. He’s not in the beauty industry, but his wisdom and leadership have shaped how I run my business. When we decided to build Sanctuary Nails Spa, he worked tirelessly for months, literally building the salon from the ground up with his team. Beyond the physical work, he taught me the mindset of a true entrepreneur: that success isn’t measured by money, but by how we treat people. His favorite saying “Focus on people first. When you work with your heart, success will follow.” has become the foundation of everything at Sanctuary.
I’m also incredibly grateful for my team. They are the heartbeat of this salon. Each technician brings unique talent, dedication, and care to our clients every single day. They’ve grown with me, believed in our mission, and helped create the peaceful, professional environment that makes Sanctuary so special. Watching them learn, support each other, and take pride in their work has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
And, of course, none of this would be possible without our amazing clients. Many of them have been with us since day one, and their trust, kindness, and loyalty mean everything. Their reviews, smiles, and encouragement remind me every day why I started this business, to make people feel valued and cared for.
It truly takes a community to build something beautiful, and I’m blessed to have one that believes in me and in Sanctuary.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sanctuarynailspaduncan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanctuarynailspaduncan?igsh=MWNhb21nZ2x4c2syYg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CQgvREvvH/?mibextid=wwXIfr
