the viet connection-nail salon
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
A talk show that highlights Vietnamese-Americans. In this, colleen explains why there is such a huge explosion of Vietnamese owned nail salons in the US.
Duration : 0:9:36
Posts Tagged ‘vietnamese’
Vietnam (Origin of Nail Salon Business) (3/3)
Friday, February 5th, 2010
One of research interests is entrepreneurship and self-employment among Asian Americans. In that context, as New American Media reports, one example that has increasingly become prominent in recent years is the dominance of Vietnamese Americans in the nail salon business:
These days, [nail salons are] a main source of living for the Vietnamese American community. Drummey, publisher of VietSalon, a bi-monthly magazine, says that nearly 45 percent of the nail salons in the United States employ Vietnamese technicians or are Vietnamese owned. . . .
And with that growth has come advancement. Men, for one, are entering the field in huge numbers. And as Vietnamese Americans are becoming more entrenched in the industry, they are investing more funds and technique in their daily work, upgrading their salons with top-of-the-line equipment and first-rate artistry.
The article also mentions that apparently, there are now even international competitions on nail art (the intricate designs that are painted onto fingernails). Unfortunately, the article does not mention any challenges that Vietnamese experience in either opening up or operating their nail salons (such as dealing with increasingly stringent health regulations, toxic fumes from the chemicals used, and competition from other Vietnamese salons), nor any issues related to interacting with their clientele that inevitably arise (i.e., how customers might get annoyed if employees talk among themselves in Vietnamese rather than English, etc.).
For those discussions, be sure to read Prof. Miliann Kangs research on Korean-owned nail salons in New York City. Nonetheless, one cannot help but be impressed by the extent to which Vietnamese have come to dominate this particular industry. It is a testament to their efforts to find their own niche and to leverage their individual and collective resources to succeed in their own small businesses and in the process, fulfill their version of the American dream.
Duration : 0:8:6
Anjelah Johnson- Nail Salon Uncut – ChickComedy
Friday, February 5th, 2010
Uncut version of Anjelah Johnson’s hilarious trip to the nail salon. Extended version with bonus footage for the first time ever! For more videos, go to the brand new chickcomedy.com
Duration : 0:8:47
A Salon Story
Friday, January 29th, 2010
Synopsis:
The mention of nail salons often evokes images of acrylic nails, and heating lamps, neon signs and nail polish. The Vietnamese salon worker has become a recognized image within the industry. Who are these salon workers and what is their story?
this documentary is my final project for my asian american studies 142c: creating community media course at the university of california, los angeles, during the spring quarter of 2009. this documentary was produced under the direction of robert nakamura, gena hamamoto and tad nakamura in conjunction with the ethnocommunications department.
Duration : 0:8:5