When most people think of a successful nail salon owner, they imagine someone who has spent years behind a manicure table. Truc “Trudy” Nguyen’s story couldn’t be more different.
Armed with a degree from the University of Texas, a master’s in business administration from Harvard, and more than a decade in finance, investment banking, mergers, acquisitions and consulting, Nguyen left corporate America to pursue entrepreneurship. Instead of building a startup, she chose a different path – purchasing established salons and helping them reach their full potential.
“I’ve always loved the idea of buying small businesses and improving them,” Nguyen says.
That vision led her to acquire Venice Nail & Spa in South Austin, followed by City Nails. Rather than changing what customers already loved, she focused on enhancing the experience while preserving each salon’s reputation.
Born in Vietnam, Nguyen immigrated to the United States at age 14 before eventually attending UT’s McCombs School of Business and later Harvard University. Although her professional background is rooted in finance, she found deeper meaning in an industry that has long provided opportunities for Vietnamese American women. She considered the purchase of a Vietnamese niche business to be a bit of a personal connection to her heritage.
Today, she combines corporate strategy with community-minded leadership.
Walk into Venice Nail & Spa and City Nails, and the difference is noticeable. The bright, clean, welcoming salon offers manicures, pedicures, waxing services, complimentary beverages, and an atmosphere designed to help clients unwind.
“It’s a service industry,” Nguyen says. “By the end of the day, it’s almost like therapy.”
That philosophy extends beyond customers. Soon after the purchase of her business(es) Nguyen spent time observing both clients and technicians, believing that exceptional service begins with employees who feel valued.
One of the industry’s greatest challenges is employee turnover, making retention one of her highest priorities. She works to build lasting relationships with technicians, knowing they are the heart of the business.
“If you don’t have great technicians, you don’t have a business,” she says.
Leaving corporate America wasn’t without sacrifice. Nguyen admits she occasionally misses the predictable paycheck, health insurance, retirement benefits, and structured work schedule. Business ownership, however, offers no such guarantees.
Everyday brings new challenges –from sweeping floors and doing laundry to solving staffing issues and planning future growth. Entrepreneurs don’t simply clock out at the end of the day.
“It’s harder to step away,” she admits. “But I’m enjoying the switch.”
She plans to acquire more salons, but Nguyen refuses to sacrifice quality for rapid expansion. Her goal is to develop strong managers who can preserve the customer experience while allowing her to focus on long-term growth.
Looking back, she says the biggest challenge wasn’t learning the salon business—it was finding the capital and confidence to make the leap.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is straightforward: know your strengths, recognize your weaknesses, ask for help, surround yourself with people whose skills complement your own.
“It’s a risky move,” Nguyen says. “But if you think it through and do it for the right reasons, it’s possible.”
To learn more or make an appointment, visit https://venicenailandspatx.com or Instagram @venicebudatx.