Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Nguyen.
Hi Katrina, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My parents owned a nail salon growing up, so I started doing nails when I was only 10 years old. It was always a side hustle for me, and in Vietnamese culture, it’s actually look down upon to do nails, especially if you were born in the US and have an opportunity to do something else with your life. I was in my junior year of college, and it was during the pandemic, and I just could not focus anymore. And I dropped out of school, and I realized I had to do something to survive. I was a pre-law major studying international business and Spanish, and my life would be completely different if I had continued with that route, but I am so happy to be where I am now. When I stopped resisting my creativity and passion for nail art and my drive in being an entrepreneur everything just clicked, and everything fell into place and that’s when I decided to go out on my own and open the 211 Studio.
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?
I get asked all the time how I was able to open my own business at 26, and the answer is I just trusted in the universe. I don’t come from a family with money, I didn’t have any savings, I had messed up my credit in my early twenties so I couldn’t qualify for a loan. I didn’t have any experience or anyone I could lean on; I just knew that this is what I had to do, and I worked my ass off at my other job at the time; I was still working there 7 days a week when I was setting up everything in the new studio. Every dime I made at my other job went into the new studio, and I was just grinding every single day.
We’ve been impressed with 211 Studio, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
211 Studio is a private appointment-only Beauty studio located in Kernersville, North Carolina. Between our team of licensed cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians, we offer everything from skincare, lashes, and facials to nails and permanent makeup. Being a One-Stop shop for our clients sets us apart because it makes it easier for them to streamline their self-care routine. I’m very proud of all the girls I get to work with every day because even though they are independent contractors we still operate as a team, and we represent the 211 brand. I’ve worked in all types of salons, and I knew when I had the opportunity to open up my own Studio, I wanted to open a salon where clients and technicians felt comfortable and creative. It was important for me to cultivate an environment where people can flourish. I want everyone in my life to succeed.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think “being scared and doing it anyway” has been the foundation of my success. The three years I spent in business school did not teach me anything of what it would be like in the real world, and even though I didn’t know how to open a business or run an LLC or hire employees and have people work under me, I figured it out every step of the way. There were a lot of points throughout this journey where I was questioning myself like, “Can I do this?”, and “What am I even doing?”, because there’s no room for failure I just had to go for broke and make it happen. Do it scared, it’ll all come together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/211studio
- Instagram: @211studio.wsnc
- Facebook: @211studio.wsnc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinanguyens
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/211-studio-kernersville
