Rita, a regular customer of Top Nails Salon, said, “From LA to Seattle, I’ve been to scores of nail salons, but I have to confess I’ve never had my nails done this well.”
Top Nails in Queen Anne may have a word-of-mouth reputation for doing the best nails in the city, but there is something to be said for how caringly the customers are treated by the technicians who work there. Le, Anh, Lan, Tammy and Jen—affectionately known by their Americanized names—take the time to know you: your life, your children, your work, and all of those little things that you might never tell anyone except a trusted confidante or your best friend.
Le, Anh, Lan, Tammy and Jen all came from Vietnam. As first generation immigrants, they are imbued with the strong work ethic and courage that are the quintessential symbols of American freedom. With a sparkle in her eye, Le recounted how she met her husband. Both grew up in Nha Trang, on the South Central coast of Vietnam. They met at a Catholic church where they were introduced by their parents, who had known each other for years. When the communists took control, Le’s husband, Chung Nguyen was imprisoned for seven years in a “reeducation camps.” The American government made provisions for Chung Nguyen, Le and their children to move to the United States.
Le arrived in the United States in 1992.Working from her home as a seamstress, making hooded sweatshirts and athletic wear for an apparel manufacturer supplying Costco, helped Le to juggle raising five children. Soon after arriving in the Unites States, she had a sixth child, a “surprise baby.” Her seamstress job came to an end when Costco moved their manufacturing operation to Mexico. Le attended the Le Tam Beauty School in West Seattle to become a licensed nail technician. Twelve years ago, when Le began working at Top Nails, she learned to speak English by working with her customers. She loves her work: manicures, pedicures, shellacs, all types of nail services.
Le’s voice is full of pride when she speaks of her children, all success stories in their own right. Her youngest, is now at the University of Washington studying to be a dentist. Her eldest son is an electrical engineer in Denver; one daughter is a pharmacist; another daughter is a social worker; a third owns her own hair salon in Renton; and another son is also in school studying to become a pharmacist. And lest we forget, Le’s husband, Chung Nguyen, works for Boeing.
As Le said, “the most important thing to me is the happiness of my children. My dream is for all of my children to be successful.” Then she adds, “When I came to America I found freedom.” --PV
Patricia Vaccarino
Patricia Vaccarino is an accomplished writer who has written award-winning film scripts, press materials, articles, essays, speeches, web content, marketing collateral, and ten books.
