Self-employment
Phuong Pham, in her second career, has no regretsFollowing dreamsPhuong Pham made all the right moves when at 14 she fled Vietnamese communism for Canada in 1985 with her older brother and another brother's infant son -- but it wasn't easy. |
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 [ 2007-07-14 ] |
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Settling in London, Ont., she raised her nephew while attending high school, learning English and graduating with honours after four years. She also earned an award for excellence in academics while overcoming adversity and a scholarship for business studies at Fanshawe College.
After achieving a three-year business accounting diploma, she embarked on a number-crunching career, working for a CGA firm and other accounting offices in London for eight years.
"I eventually realized that I didn't want to work with numbers for the rest of my life," she says. "I made a huge career change -- I went back to school to take an esthetician program that involved skin and nail care."
Embarking on a second career wasn't easy, either.
"I was afraid to make the change -- at this point I had four kids of my own and this was a big deal. Thankfully my family was very supportive."
In late 2006, Pham took over an existing business -- Fantastic Nails & Spa located at 725 Wellington Rd. S. in one of London's major retail areas -- and made it her own.
With many nail salons with which to compete, Pham says her approach to the business gives her an edge.
"The service is quality and not quantity and we educate our customers about different products and services."
Pham's salon staff also strives to offer customers a relaxed, comfortable, clean and friendly environment, while offering a range of services from pedicures and manicures to waxing and professional acrylic nail work.
ENTHUSIASM
"Our customers always leave our salon feeling relaxed and pampered," she says.
Pham also prides herself on having one of the cleanest and health-conscious salons in the province, complete with an autoclave and personal boxes for customers, male and female.
Her enthusiasm doesn't hurt business either.
"I have customers that come from all over the region -- they drive for hours -- just to come to my salon. I want to be special in their heart," she says, adding that making the career change continues to play an important role in her life.
"If anyone is hesitant or scared to make the change, they need to understand that they should go for it -- go for something you love and your dreams will come true."
For more information on her services, go to www.fantasticnails.ca on the internet.
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