We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sunny Ngo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sunny below.
Hi Sunny, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I sat down when I was planning my business and asked what I wanted to serve to the community. In the skillset that I have, I knew that I wanted to help women feel more beautiful and comfortable with their looks. Women come to me with only an idea of what they want and when I am able to make their idea real for them, there is no greater feeling than to hear of their satisfaction. I will hear, ” This looks so great! I wish I had done this years ago. Thank you so much!”. And a reaction like that makes me so proud to have fought for the opportunity to provide this. Confidence is key and if I can provide that to a woman I feel like I get my purpose from that and I want to keep doing it.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Hi, I am Sunny and I specialize in the art of esthetics. That is the effort you put in yourself, whether it be small or large, that shows others but more importantly, yourself, that you are as beautiful outside as you are inside. I started in the graphic design industry originally in Kansas City. After a while, I had realized that art was what I wanted to do but there was a mundaneness in the work of a graphic designer that made me want to change paths. In a courageous moment, I enrolled in beauty school and learned for the next year the basics. The curriculum went much past that though. After beauty school, I sought to improve my craft so I took lessons from masters in esthetics. I learned proper skincare techniques, facials, brow design, lashes, nails, and permanent makeup. Now I have relocated to Houston, Texas and am excited to provide the same level of care as before at Hello Sunshine spa and beauty. I practice often American style beauty standards and East Asian beauty standards. For that reason, I believe I can accommodate people from all types of diverse backgrounds. My readers should know that my learning has not stopped. I am still signing up for classes to make sure I can provide the most to my clients and will continue to do so. As for me, my work is no longer mundane. Clients will walk in and describe what they are looking for and it really is different for each person. I could not imagine doing anything else. I am my own boss and take great pride in the work that I do.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think adaptability, willingness to sacrifice, and a relationship with your customer are the three factors that really impacted me in my years. Adaptability is key in the beauty industry. New techniques come out every year. Trends rise and fall. You must not tell yourself that you know it all or downplay something you do not know out of convenience. Learn, learn, and keep learning.
Next is your ability to sacrifice. Imagine being a sole business owner. Your start up money is yours. The risk you bear is also yours. There is a normal amount of anxiety that you are going to feel when you first start but you have to choose to accept it. I was not profitable for months in the beginning and I was working longer hours than I ever had in my life but I can happily say it truly paid off.
Finally, being a sole business owner may seem lonely but it is not all true. The most important relationship you have is with your clients. They tell you what they love and what they hate and all of it is good information. If you develop your relationship with your clients then they will come back. They have something to say and you are here to listen. That is a promise you can make them and you will benefit from it.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who believes they will make an improvement to their self confidence. If they have trust in my work then I know they will be satisfied. I get many clients who come in optimistic. They mention a recent trend and I tell them how it would look specifically on them. This manicured plan means a lot to them and gives them a sense of whether they are going to love it or pass on it. My clients leave feeling like they got what they wanted. They will post on social media their new look and I can see their added confidence just from a picture.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hellosunshinetexas.com
- Instagram: @esthetics.hellosunshine
- Facebook: facebook.com/sunnysunnynails
Image Credits
Portrait by Reidi Shpuza
