beauty

Biggest Nail Salon in Texas — and Maybe the Country! — Shines Bright in the Heights

Alex Montoya
Biggest Nail Salon in Texas — and Maybe the Country! — Shines Bright in the Heights

THIRTY-TWO YEARS AFTER immigrating to Houston from Vietnam, Tom Tran has opened his 50th nail salon — and it's the biggest one in Texas. The 10,000-square-foot Milano Nail Spa – The Heights, located in the mixed-use complex just off I-10 and Studemont that is also home to SheSpace and First Watch, might even take the title of the largest in the U.S.

The self-made millionaire behind the Milano Nail Spa and Nails of America brands opened his first nail salon in 1995 with no prior experience. “I’m very proud of this moment, and not only for this beautiful salon, but also the opportunities that the nail industry has created for so many people in this country — a high percentage from Vietnam like me," he said in a statement. "Nail technicians can often be the focus of jokes and stereotypes, but this business is proving over and over that it can be a path of success for talented, hard-working people.”

A key to Tran's success might be his belief in his fellow immigrants, and his willingness to treat them fairly and offer opportunities for growth; managing partners of his salons earn six-figure salaries, and technicians work in colorful, clean and creative environments. At the Heights location, which first opened at the end of 2021, manager Brian Nguyen leads 20 receptionists and 110 nail techs.

Complimentary cocktails, seemingly endless color and finish options, and a focus on cleanliness has proven to be a recipe for success — and Tran intends to take it national, with a goal of between 10 and 20 openings annually in cities in Colorado, Arizona and beyond, for the foreseeable future.

Brian Nguyen and Tom Tran

Style
promoted

Consistent Focus on the Patient Is What Sets Montrose Med Spa Apart

Consistent Focus on the Patient Is What Sets Montrose Med Spa Apart

Owner Maricela Olivo and Montrose Med Spa

WHAT MAKES MONTROSE Med Spa stand apart from the competition? We set ourselves apart from the competition by being consistently focused on one thing: the patient. With that focus, we will succeed in a successful and healthy experience and loyalty to Montrose Med Spa. Staying true to our message of intentional wellness is a point of difference where I see other spas being unclear and distracted in their direction. By listening to our patients, we ensure we meet and exceed their expectations. We continually stay on top of the market by offering the best innovative body sculpting and skin treatments that invigorate and energize and are specifically designed to restore balance and strength and renew youth to the body. We also utilize a number of marketing programs to stay on the minds of our guests, including radio, TV, direct mail, email blasts, and unique invitations for exclusive treatments. One element that helps to establish the bar and sets us apart from our competition is our emphasis on providing a complete medical gym experience—from the varied treatments with Emsculpt Neo to a personalized health and wellness and skin evaluation for each individual by our certified staff. We also provide a noninvasive, pain-free, and needle-free facelift through EMFace in addition to offering monthly beauty memberships that create a commitment to the overall wellbeing of the patient.

Keep Reading Show less
parties

Roger Creager Headlines Boot-Scootin' Cattle Baron's Ball — Hats Off to $1.6M for Cancer Research!

Daniel Ortiz, Wilson Parrish and Jacob Power

ANNUALLY ONE OF the city's largest and most successful fundraising fetes, this year's Cattle Baron's Ball surpassed expectations, raising $1.6 million for the American Cancer Society.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties
events

Houston Charity, Guitars for Vets Collaborate to Offer Celeb-Autographed Instruments for a Cause

Dennis Quaid-autographed 'Gordo' guitar by Tra' Slaughter

SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE Prevention Month, and U.S. military veterans are a population that continues to bear disproportionately higher rates of suicide. Nearly one million veterans are afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and more soldiers have committed suicide since 9/11 than have died in actual battle.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment