Save Night Light Nails - Woman & Immigrant-Owned

Friends:

I'm creating this Go Fund Me with a heavy heart, but also with hope in my soul on behalf of my friend and amazingly talented, hard working (I mean HARD working!), small business owner, Van Nguyen, owner of Night Light Nails, located in the heart of Seattle (Wallingford).

Van, the indefatigable owner of Night Light Nails, is more than just a business owner; she's a beacon of strength, resilience, and the epitome of the American Dream. As a single mother and an immigrant, Van has overcame countless obstacles to establish her nail salon over 21 years ago (it was her beloved Auntie's nail salon 22 years ago -- and I used to frequent it then, and her Auntie, as sweet as she was, didn't do very much business). Van came to America and worked alongside her auntie for about 9 months until Van decided to buy/take over the business. Despite facing numerous challenges, including language barriers and financial hardships, Van poured her heart and soul into Night Light Nails, transforming it into a beloved establishment in our community.

Van employs 5-10 people, and her employees are like family to her. When I first started going to Night Light Nails, I would see Van's daughter, Kim, who was 4 years old at the time, playing on her computer and interacting with customers. Kim is now almost 21 and is a student at University of Washington. Van has been the SOLE breadwinner for her little family and has paid Kim's college tuition without any help from anyone else. Night Light Nails is most definitely a "family affair" -- where customers become friends (I am just one of MANY customers who call Van "friend" now :)

Unfortunately, like many small businesses, Night Light Nails has been profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite Van's tireless efforts to adapt and persevere, her business has struggled to recover to pre-pandemic levels. The once bustling salon, filled with laughter and camaraderie, now stands in jeopardy of closure because......

...the owner of the building where Night Light Nails resides has increased Van's rent by over 50%!!!! This unjustified and exorbitant hike threatens to extinguish the business that Van has worked so hard to keep alive for over two decades.

After working all day at the nail salon, Van has to go home at night and do DOOR DASH, just to try to pay the exorbitant rent and other expenses. (If the rent did not keep increasing, Van could and would eventually get back to pre-COVID status. I and other friends of Van's are in communication with the City of Seattle and various organizations, to try to find Van/Night Light Nails a new location that is more affordable.

Also, like many Seattle businesses, unfortunately, Night Light Nails has been on the receiving end of vandalism of the building, where Van rents. But....VAN is the one who has had to pay over $2,000+ at least three different times, to fix the broken windows that vandals have broken -- not the building owner.

Amidst these challenges, there is hope. Van's friends and supporters of Small Businesses refuse to let Night Light Nails fade into the shadows. Van has not only been a pillar of strength for her family, but also for her loyal customers and the community at large. Her dedication, warmth, and exceptional service have touched countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on all who walk through her doors.

That's why we're turning to you, our community, for support. We believe in the power of collective action and the ability of kind-hearted individuals to make a difference. Your contribution, no matter how small, will help ensure that Night Light Nails continues to shine brightly for years to come.

100% of your donation will go directly towards covering the increased rent costs and any other business expenses Van has; enabling her to focus on what she does best – providing exceptional nail care services and fostering a sense of belonging for everyone who enters her salon.

Together, we can rally around Van and Night Light Nails, demonstrating that in times of adversity, our community stands united. Let's show Van that she is not alone, that her hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed, and that we are here to support her every step of the way.

Thank you for your generosity, your compassion, and for being a beacon of hope in Van's (and Seattle's) journey.

With gratitude,

Tracy Klinkroth and the Night Light Nails Community