Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimmy Nguyen.
Hi Jimmy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Jimmy Nguyen. I started as a part-time nail tech at my family’s salon while studying full-time at UVU. In 2009, I graduated with degrees in IT and IS, but the housing crash made it nearly impossible to find work in tech.
To get by, I worked two full-time jobs — tech support at night and nails during the day. It was exhausting, but I stayed focused and paid off my student loans. In 2014, I bought my first home and soon after, my wife (also a nail tech) and I opened a small 700 sq ft salon.
Thanks to hard work and community support, we slowly expanded. Today, Paradise Nails is 2,100 sq ft — built from the ground up with no outside funding, just heart, family, and hustle. We’re proud of what we’ve built and the people we serve.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. The road has been anything but smooth. We’ve faced long days, sleepless nights, and nonstop challenges. As small business owners, we’ve had to stretch every dollar, adapt to rising costs, navigate competition, and stay compliant with strict state and health rules — all while trying to keep both our team and customers happy.
There were moments when we questioned everything. But we kept going, one day at a time. We learned how to earn trust, lead with heart, and build something meaningful. With many family members in the same industry, we also had to balance growth while avoiding conflict.
Every challenge taught us something. It made us stronger, more grateful, and more determined not to give up on what we’re building together.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Paradise Nails is a family-owned salon in Orem, Utah — built from scratch through years of hard work and a commitment to doing things the right way. We offer full nail services, but what really sets us apart is how we treat people.
To us, customers aren’t just appointments — they’re the lifeblood of our business. Without them, there is no Paradise Nails. Their trust and support are what keep us going. We’re deeply thankful for every person who walks through our doors.
We’ve grown from a tiny 700 sq ft space to 2,100 sq ft, but more important than size is the culture we’ve created. We’re proud to have built a family-oriented salon, not just with our clients but with our incredible team. Our employees are the heart of Paradise Nails — none of this would be possible without their dedication.
At the end of the day, Paradise Nails is about making people feel good — not just with quality work, but with kindness and care.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people are surprised to learn I hold two bachelor’s degrees in IT and IS. I planned on working in tech, but the 2009 crash changed my path. I shifted to the family nail business full-time, and today, my tech background helps me manage the back end — scheduling, bookkeeping, payroll, and everything in between.
Even more than a business owner, I’m a proud husband and father. My wife and I built Paradise Nails together, and everything we do is for our two kids. Children are the future of our community, and I want to lead by example — with love, hard work, and integrity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://paradisenailsinc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paradisenailsinc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oremparadisenails/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@oremparadisenails
