Possible Title: Johnny’s Nails: Polishing the American Dream in Bayside
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Interview Notes:
- Johnny’s Nails interview with the owner
Owner’s Biography
- Immigrated from Vietnam as one of the “boat people” to escape from the tragedies of the Vietnam War
- Came to America when she was five
- Graduated from Baruch College and studied business there
- Now lives in Fresh Meadows and has lived there for more than ten years
- While studying at Baruch, she worked part-time at a nail salon in order to pay off her tuition
- After graduating, she’s always wanted to have her own business
History of Business
- She first opened up a nail salon on Union Turnpike where she lives
- But that business wasn’t really thriving, so she moved it to Bayside
- Johnny’s Nails has been there for about ten years
- There are about 10 employees
History of Neighborhood/Block
- Doesn’t really know much about the history of Bayside, but the people who come in are from all over – from Manhattan to Long Island
- The customers rarely change because a lot of them are loyal to the business
- Many good things about doing business on Francis Lewis Boulevard and in Bayside in general because it’s a commercial area
- Customers are pretty affluent
- They are also diverse in terms of race
Current Business Strategies/Difficulties
- There are three other nail salons on the same block that are also owned by Vietnamese or Chinese people
- But she loves competition. There’s no way to grow without it because it makes you think out of the box and try to be more creative to get more people to come in
- Sweet Lashes – an eyelash/body and cosmetic tattoo/facial/body massage salon right next door
- Used to have these at Johnny’s Nails, but it was too busy and hectic. And there was more space next door, so why not?
- Cares for her customers, both regulars and drop-ins
- Remembers customers’ names, even after one visit
- Focuses on the material and service experience
- Always buys the latest technology and uses newest design trends
- Became a certified tattoo artist
- Loves art and wants to continue to learn more
- About 80% of customers are regulars
- Shows her appreciation for their loyalty by giving gifts like during Christmas or anniversary gifts
- Contacts schools and uses her service as a prize in raffles
- Some people say she’s loud and annoying, but you have to get to know her. If you come here to only relax, it’s not for you. But if you want entertainment, you’ll be very happy here because she’s very noisy. Sometimes she sings to her customers and plays guitar
- Customers could be very picky and demanding with the designs, but if you gain their trust once you show your care
- Safety regulations is an obstacle. Chemicals could be bad for you
- But she uses disposable files, buffers, and plastics
- Customers are always first
2. J&J Convenience Store (Now Lucky Day Convenience Store LLC.) interview
The following are notes from a combined short interview between the previous owner and the present owner. The previous owner wishes to remain anonymous. The present owner is Jennifer Li and Zhi Cheng Ma.
- The neighborhood has changed—used to be mostly Russian and White people, but now is more predominately Asian
- Next door used to be a buffet, but is now a Chinese restaurant
Previous Owner:
- After a few decades of running the store, he wanted to close the
- Because too tired, too old, his children are all adults and working now
- Trouble with the children à stealing or fooling around in the store
- Problem that made it hard to have the small business: Paying fees for the permits and renewing them every year (lottery, tobacco, alcohol)
- Build a relationship with the neighborhood
- There are regulars who stop by
- Besides selling convenience store items, he has the USPS Access Point program where people can come to his store to drop off and pick up packages
- Has a printer so people can come in to make copies or fax papers
- ATM machine
- Sells newspapers
- Business has slowed
Current Owner:
- Made the decision to take over the store after talking to the previous owner and the landlord (a friend Ma and Li had known since years ago)
- Can’t say much about how neighborhood has changed except that there are mostly Asians around
- Customers are mostly students from the high school nearby or the children who live around the
- They come to buy mostly chips, candy, and other snacks
- Although she is taking over the business, she is starting from
- Buying refrigerators, visiting warehouses to buy supplies to sell, contacting companies that sell chips and
- Applying for the same permits as the previous owner (b/c they can’t be transferred) and it takes a long time to attain the permits, which makes it a struggle running the business because she can’t sell lotto, tobacco, and alcohol right now
- Those are for customers who aren’t children (they ask for those items)
- “It’s a learning curve right now. I’m waiting to get permits, but I’m trying to build my relationship with my customers right now. I’m really nice to the children who come and they’re really nice to me in return.”
- Find out which snacks are the most popular
- Coffee brewed in the morning
- 7 day schedule from 9 am to 6 pm à always working, tiring
- Always greet customers
- Friends with other small businesses on the block like the pizza store on the corner
- “From what I’ve experienced, it is hard running a small business which is why we have to support friends who run businesses too.”
3. Pesso’s Italian Ices interview with the owner
4. Robert’s Bicycles interview with the owner
Pull Quotes:
1. “I love competition. There is no way to grow without it because it makes you think out of the box and try to be more creative to get more people to come in.”
2. “There are so many other nail salons on this block owned by Vietnamese or Chinese people, but we show our appreciation for [our customers’] loyalty.”
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