Today we’d like to introduce you to Yanny Em.
Hi Yanny, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
When I was asked what I wanted to do when I grow up, I always thought I would one day be writer and have my books published. As I got older, I became unsure of what I really wanted to do. During my high school years, I remember always watching YouTube videos to learn about nails and nail art. I would use random objects to do cute little nail arts, like ladybugs, cupcakes, Minnie Mouse, etc. My all-time favorite YouTube was Cute Polish. But it was just a hobby for me. After graduating high school in 2009, I decided to enroll into the Arts Institute of Dallas to study Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastries to be specific. I wanted to work towards opening a restaurant and bakery, but that came to an end. With school and working, I felt like I didn’t have time to focus.
I continued to just work until 2011 when I decided maybe I can go to a technical school since it was faster to finish and get a good-paying job. I went to Everest College for medical terminology. After almost finishing and starting my externship, I ended up not finishing. I was not happy. So, I decided to go enroll in Tarrant County College to do my basics to work towards getting a degree in Engineering. Again, I was still unsure. I always felt like, I needed to be in health care because I thought maybe that is what my parents wanted. I ended up changing my Major to Nursing.
Fast forward to 2014, two pregnancies in, I was done with my basic and almost done with my pre-req, but taking Anatomy was a tough class for me, so I ended up dropping and put a pause on my Nursing. I had only 6 classes left to take.
Being a full-time stay-at-home mom and going to school was tough. I then started to become an extreme couponed. I was very serious with it and would coupon as my full-time “job” to sell my stocks. Not only was I doing that, I started to sew and crochet, selling my projects I created. I also started to cook and sell meal plates and egg rolls to my husband’s coworker. Although I wasn’t working a “real” job, I always found ways to make money.
After doing that for a short time, I ended going back to work in an office setting. I continued to sell my egg rolls and bake goods to my coworkers. I would sell at least 400 egg rolls a week and a few cakes. I remember one day during our morning meetings, the Manager said he remembered someone telling him ” Why should I work to make someone else rich when I could be working for myself to make myself rich.” That stuck with me until this day. After a family situation happen in 2016, I quitted my job and opened up an Etsy Shop. I made planner stickers. There was a whole world for planners, stickers, and stationary addicts on social media! Not one person believe in me. I created stickers from my little doodles and different functional stickers for planners. I made and sold stickers for 5 years.
There was so many things that I wanted to do, and still do until this day, but I knew I needed to do something more with my life. I remember I loved doing nails and nail is a good and fast income. I decided to just try one more time with school. August 2018, I enrolled into Tint Cosmetology to work towards my Manicurist License. I became a license manicurist on April 2019. I started to work in 4 different nail salons, learned many different techniques, skills, and how to deal with customers.
In 2021, I opened my first Salon Suite in Coppell, TX. At this time, I had also stopped creating stickers because I knew I wouldn’t have time with running a salon suite and an online sticker shop. I knew going into this business on my own was going to be tough without clienteles, but I was determined that I can do this and grow. My first day of opening, May 28, 2021, I got into a car accident, totaling my car. That was already a bad start. I tried many different ways of advertising but got little to no support. At this time, I have had my 3rd child, who was constantly getting sick. She was 1 at the time and was in the hospital every month from April 2021 to November 2021. I wasn’t able to devote my time being at the suite, so I ended up closing the doors after 6 months. I went back to working for someone at the Nail Salons. I was not happy. I loved what I was doing, but I felt like I had no time for myself and my kids.
I decided to give opening a Salon Suite another try. Ai Nails reopened in Grapevine June of 2022 at Salon and Spa Galleria. I wanted more freedom with my time; I wanted to work for myself and not have to deal with bosses and coworkers. It hasn’t been easy, and there are days when I feel discourage and want to give up. But I know I got this, and I am where I need to be. This time around, business has been better then when I first open in 2021. I am not where I want to be yet, but I am working hard to build clienteles and grow.
I always knew I wanted to be my own Boss.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been an easy road! You have to learn the ins and outs of your business on your own. But having working with other salons and seeing how they run their business has somewhat helped. I say that the toughest part is getting clients in and having your books filled. Feeling like a failure is a big discouragement, but I try to remain positive throughout this whole process. I know it takes time, and I will be where I want to be soon!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Ai means love in Chinese. It is also the first 2 letters of my children’s name. That is how I came up with my Salon name, Ai Nails (I Nails)
At Ai Nails, I strive to give you one of the best quality services you can’t find at big salon. Since it is in a salon suite setting, my clients have my full attention during their services. It’s a one-on-one personal experience.
I always make sure my clients leaves my salon feeling happy with g their beautiful new set of nails/toes.
When it comes to nail art, I always try my best to attempt an art clients desire.
I am told I am a perfectionist. If I am not satisfied with my work, I always give my clients an option to come back so I can fix the problem. I always make sure to ask my clients what they didn’t like from their previous experience at other salons so I know what to do differently. I love for my clients to speak up and tell me what they don’t like so I know what I need to fix, improve and grow in my business.
I specialize in Nail Art, Acrylics, Dip Powders, Manicures and Pedicures, Hard/Builder Gel, Gel-X, Gel.
What are your plans for the future?
I want to continue to work in a Salon Suit setting, growing my business and clienteles. Eventually, I would one day like to open a small storefront Salon, being able to attract more walk in.
I also dreamt of one day being able to open a big Beauty Salon that has child care.
Pricing:
- Acrylic Gel Fullset $46
- Gel X $60
- Hard Gel $58
- Dip Powder $40
- Deluxe Pedicure $57
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ainailbar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ainailbar/
