My Main Street-Lollipop Nails
A Thing of Beauty
Not all indulgences are really expensive or come in big packages—for most of us, getting our nails done is the ultimate in relaxation. Here’s what the team at Lollipop Nails Studio told us about their pretty spot, their services and their journey.
Katie at Lollipop Nails Salon
Raise your hand if you could use some pampering. For those of you who are short on time and can’t get away every couple of weeks to unwind (who can?), the next best thing might be a visit to a salon for a relaxing manicure and pedicure. “When you sit down in one of our chairs, you’ll know we’ll be giving you and your nails the attention you deserve. Our nail services include mini massages that soothe aches and pains and induce a definite sense of calm,” says Thi Ngoc Thuan (Katie) Nguyên, a nail technician and owner of Lollipop Nails Studio. The salon’s mission is simple—they want everyone who visits (whether it’s for a nail treatment, waxing, eyelash extensions or another one of their offerings) to leave feeling their best. She and her team have mastered the fine art of providing clients with a tranquil space where they can engage in some serious “me time.”
Nguyên has been in the beauty industry for more than 15 years—she believes in doing her job with care, passion and only uses top-quality materials and equipment. She and her husband, Lu Jason, bought the salon in 2021 (it opened in 2018). “My wife has worked in many salons and a few years ago, we decided we wanted to start something of our own,” says Jason. “We had moved to Vaughan and saw it as an opportunity. It’s a great area, with the subway nearby and all the new condos going up. To me, this shows there are lots of potential clients in the city and surrounding neighbourhoods who need beauty services.”
Intricate nail art in progress
The couple took over the salon during the COVID-19 lockdowns and soon discovered how difficult it is to run a business. “That’s why the My Main Street program helped so much,” says Jason, of their participation, adding they also took advantage of the Starter Company Plus program. “The timing was great. When the Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre representatives came to us, we were trying to figure out what to do with the salon. The representative who worked with us was patient and gave us lots of information,” he says. “We used the funding to get new coating for our windows, because the salon is freezing in the winter and gets too hot in the summer. We also purchased a marketing system to collect customer information—it creates a profile for each customer and sends a reminder to come back and book an appointment when you when clients haven’t been for several weeks. Plus, we were able to buy some equipment. It all really helped us.”
Although it’s been challenging, the duo is putting their all into growing their brand. Nguyên exudes passion and says she loves her job because it’s all about giving clients confidence in their appearance. She also enjoys the variety she’s able to offer clients—they have more than 1,000 nail-polish colours on site. “Customers just come here for relaxation and to enjoy their time,” she says. She nailed it, pun intended, indeed.
105-777 Weston Road, Vaughan
Pedicure row at Lollipop Nails Salon
