Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Klara Nguyen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Klara, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
Self-care is something that I hardly ever did for myself because I’m always taking care of other people. It’s such a weird concept for ME to wrap my head around. I felt like it wasn’t something that I needed. I’m finally realizing the importance of self-care because I need to be my best in order to serve others well. Some of the things that I do for myself is getting massages and adjustments regularly. I work with clients on a regular basis and I tend to absorb the energy that they are carrying. It was hard for me to disconnect at the end of the day. I also sit all day and look down a lot as I’m working. I carried a lot of that tension in my neck and back. My regular visits to the chiropractor has helped me greatly! It took me a while to find a good one so I’m extremely blessed! I have also discovered the power of healing through reiki. It has helped me release all of the stress that I’ve been carrying and gave me clarity. I’ve been able to gain back my focus and have more joy in my day! I’m more productive and motivated. I’m a better service provider to my clients. Most importantly, I’m able to feel more like myself. This was extremely important to me because for the longest time I didn’t feel great about myself. I carried a lot of pain from all the work that I do so I never want to feel that pain ever again. All of these combined has helped me tremendously and I still continue to practice self-care to this day.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I started my own business in February of 2018. I wanted to provide a unique experience that was personal and catered to every individual person. I’m a manicurist and esthetician. I’m known for my vast array of nail art and waxing services. I’m known for my p*n*s nail art so if you want to know what I’m talking about you can check out my work on Instagram @everklara. I am also an educator in the nail world. I’ve worked with big brands in the industry and have taught at trade shows with these brands. I took on my very first apprentice in August of 2022. This was an opportunity for me to pass on my knowledge and skills that I have gained over the years to an aspiring nail tech. My biggest career highlight was when I was invited this year (2023) to be apart of Wildflowers, which is another big brand in the nail industry. I worked with the team at Premiere Orlando, which is a very big trade show that is held yearly. I got to network with other educators that attended. I also got to teach so many students that came through the classroom and it was an experience that I will never forget. I recently became certified as a licensed nail instructor so I plan on offering classes in the future. I’m passionate about my work because I get to create impact through beauty! I never thought I would be able to create art as a profession. I’m truly living out my dreams and I’m grateful because I get to do what I love! I get to help others feel good about themselves and that’s rewarding to me.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities that I found helpful in my journey was determination, having a student mindset and never being afraid of hard work. My business would not be what it is today if I didn’t have these qualities. The biggest advice that I would give to someone who is new in the industry is to enjoy the process. I know that we get caught up in the hustle and wonder when our next paycheck will be. I’ve been there! Every person that we get to have sitting in our chair is an opportunity to practice. This is how we develop and hone our skills. Another advice is to never compare yourself to others. Easier said than done, right? I’m guilty of this. It’s ok to look to others for inspiration but comparing yourself to them will kill your joy. My last advice is to be consistent. Show up for yourself as well as your clients. Perform the work that is needed to be done. Practice this daily so that it becomes habit.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client MUST have a sense of humor! I try not to take myself too seriously and I want others to do the same. I also like clients who are respectful of my time. I always encourage my clients to communicate if they are not able to make it to an appointment or would need to reschedule. My policy is 24-48 hours notice so that it allows me time to get someone else in. Another characteristic of an ideal client is someone that is supportive of my business and comes back regularly. This lets me know that I’m doing something right and it helps me keep the lights on! I love clients who are adventurous and open to experimenting with different styles and looks on their nails. Most importantly, we vibe and get along really well with each other. There has to be a mutual respect for each other to make the relationship work.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @everklara
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/klaranguyenbeauty?mibextid=LQQJ4d
