BUILDING A BEAUTY EMPIRE ONE LASH AT A TIME
BY EBBY MAGAZINE
Venture alongside Michelle Nguyen’s awe-inspiring journey from beauty entrepreneur to global philanthropist
“I TRY TO BE PRESENT IN ANY SITUATION. MY FAMILY IS EVERYTHING TO ME, BUT SO IS MY WORK. WHEN I’M AT HOME, I LET THOSE AT WORK KNOW
I’M OFFLINE.”
M I C H E L L E N G U Y E N
Michelle Nguyen, Founder and CEO at PLA
In the bustling world of beauty and entrepreneurship, few stories are as inspiring and transformative as that of Michelle Nguyen, the visionary founder and CEO of Paris Lash Academy (PLA Beauty). With a journey that embodies resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication, Michelle’s story is a beacon of hope and empowerment for women worldwide.
As we delve into Michelle Nguyen’s extraordinary life, we uncover a tale of ambition and tenacity transcending borders. Michelle began an incredible journey, driven by her passion and purpose. Today, as the driving force behind PLA, Michelle’s impact resonates far beyond the realm of beauty, touching the lives of over 750 women and men in her native Vietnam.
Michelle’s journey is a testament to the power of education and empowerment. As a self-taught lash artist, she recognizes the importance of sharing knowledge and breaking down barriers in an industry often marred by exclusivity. Through Paris Lash Academy, she provides cutting-edge training and resources, fostering a culture of inclusivity and support that empowers lash artists to thrive and succeed on their terms.
Michelle’s vision transcends the boundaries of business success. With a profound sense of social responsibility, she has transformed the PLA into a beacon of hope, providing employment opportunities and fostering economic independence for hundreds of women in Vietnam. Her commitment to giving back is evident through programs like Paris Pays Your Bills, which aids and uplifts professionals in the beauty industry.
As we celebrate Michelle Nguyen’s remarkable achievements, we are reminded of the power of resilience, determination, and compassion to bring about positive change in the world. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of entrepreneurship and the limitless potential of women to shape their destinies and uplift their communities.
Despite her extraordinary journey, Michelle remains grounded in her values and finds joy in the simple pleasures of family and leisure. Her personal life, filled with love and support from her family, has been a driving force behind her professional success. With a vision for the future that encompasses professional success and personal fulfillment, she inspires others to dream boldly and pursue their passions with unwavering courage.
Let’s celebrate Michelle Nguyen’s indomitable spirit. She is a true visionary whose legacy of empowerment and transformation will continue to inspire future generations.
Michelle, your journey from being a college student with limited means to a successful entrepreneur empowering hundreds of women in Vietnam is truly inspiring. How do you balance your role as a mother of two with the demands of running PLA and nurturing your team in Vietnam?
I try to be present in any situation. My family is everything to me, but so is my work. When I’m at home, I let those at work know I’m offline. Even while I’m in Vietnam, I have my team back in Reno that can hold the business down and keep it running without me. Giving each section, or branch, of my life the attention it deserves is how it keeps growing.
Innovation and education are central to PLA’s ethos. Can you share some key strategies you employ to foster creativity and learning within your company, both locally and globally?
I am very passionate about learning and continuing to learn about our industry, and I try to push that to my staff. Everyone is encouraged to go to tradeshows, conferences, and webinars to see what is happening not only in beauty but in business. And this goes beyond the team in Reno; last year I was able to take some of my team members from Vietnam to Cosmoprof Hong Kong so they can learn more about beauty trends across the world. The amount of product ideas my staff comes up with after taking a class truly blows me away. They work to create products that will make lash trends easier to accomplish. It’s inspiring to see.
Your commitment to developing high-quality lash products while prioritizing the health of lash artists is commendable. Could you elaborate on how your experiences as a lash artist inform the product development process at PLA?
As a lash artist, I saw firsthand how having too heavy of lashes can directly ruin a client's natural lashes. When I develop lash products now, my goal is to make the safest products for lash artists' health and their clients. I think of my lashing days and all the products I wish had been on the market 15 years ago, similar to when I did nails out of college. We work to develop products that not only make their jobs easier but also improve the longevity of their careers.
Giving back to the community is a core value for you and PLA, as evidenced by initiatives like “Paris Pays Your Bills.” How do you believe these efforts contribute to the broader mission of empowering women in the beauty industry?
When I first started lashing, I knew without a doubt it was the job I wanted, but the biggest thing that slowed me down was the cost of education. 16 years ago, trainings were upwards of $4–5,000, and I was spending my savings just trying to learn how to lash. Today, the entire mission behind our education and Paris Pays Your Bills is to give back to those wanting to enter the industry. 100% of the profits we make from our online and in-person lash classes goes back to Paris Pays Your Bills to help those who want to be beauty professionals.
Selling your salon to focus on Paris Lash Academy was a significant decision. What advice would you offer to other entrepreneurs facing similar crossroads in their professional journeys?
Do it! I regret not selling my salon sooner. I loved my salon, but developing products and running a lash brand is my destiny. If you are at a crossroads and want to jump but are too scared to, do it anyway. You can always come back and build another salon. You have done it successfully in the first place. Do not let it get in the way of your dream.
With PLA’s exponential growth, how do you ensure the company remains aligned with its original vision and values, especially as it expands globally?
I am lucky enough to have had the majority of my staff work with me since close to the beginning. We have all grown together, and we’ve grown this company together. I have always believed that if I am honest about my crazy goals and dreams for PLA with my staff, then they can be honest with me about their goals and how they might align with the company. Together, we know what the initial goals are for PLA, how they change as we grow, and how we work together to achieve them.
As someone who has experienced the challenges of navigating the beauty industry, what steps do you take to foster inclusivity and support for aspiring lash artists, particularly those facing barriers to entry?
The beauty industry, at first glance, seems to be very easy to enter. You can learn how to do a lot of things online. But in order to do it properly—protecting yourself from liability and ensuring you don’t develop bad habits that destroy your body—proper licenses and school are required. As part of Paris Pays Your Bills, we use a big part of our budget to help pay for school for people who want to get a proper license. We do not make a profit from any of our classes. And we do not exclude anyone from entering. I tell my story often as a struggling, self-taught lash artist who did not speak a ton of English at first. I hope it inspires people to know that it is possible to be successful regardless of where you come from, your background, your race, or your past. Any lash artist that can’t afford classes, they can always reach out, and we will make sure they get in. It is how we pay back the industry that built us.
Your vision for retirement on a farm reflects a desire for balance and connection with nature. How do you integrate elements of this vision into your daily life amidst the demands of running a thriving business?
Despite growing up poor on a farm in Vietnam, I had the best childhood. I have always wanted to raise my children in a small town. Thanks to my husband, who retired early from a law enforcement career, I am able to do that. My husband has a special love for nature, and we spend free time as a family in Lake Tahoe. I promise my husband that I will retire early when we both can still travel and enjoy life.
Until then, I live my farm dream vicariously through my parents, who have a rose and veggie garden.
Michelle, you mentioned the overwhelming gratitude of employees in Vietnam during your visit after COVID-19. How does this personal connection with your team members influence your leadership style and decision-making within PLA?
In every decision we make at PLA, we think not just of the Reno team at PLA but also of the 750 women we employ overseas. Sometimes, we make business decisions that can be eye-rolling and may not make sense to other businesses, but we do that to ensure our team back in Vietnam can keep their jobs. 2023 was a tough year for most businesses in the world. PLA is no exception. However, because of what we went through together as a team, our PLA team in America knows quitting is not an option. We work harder, finding other ways to find new customers and expanding to not only keep the staff we have in Vietnam but also grow it.
What are your aspirations for Paris Lash Academy’s future regarding business growth and impact on the beauty industry?
I want PLA to be the beauty one-stop-shop. I also aspire to make PLA products to be the world-class products of the lash and nail industry. I sat behind the chair, lashing and doing nails for years, wishing I could have better products. I now create the products I dreamt of. It is so life fulfilling knowing the products I create make a difference in beauty professionals’ health. This year, we are working on patenting a series of our new products. We are new to the patent world, and to help grow our business, I want to start protecting our developments.
Lastly, as someone who has overcome challenges and achieved tremendous success, what message would you like to share with our readers, particularly women navigating their entrepreneurial or career journeys?
I am going to say something a bit controversial. Maybe because I was born and grew up in a third-world country, I think it is amazing to be a female entrepreneur in America. We have so many things going for us. We are fierce; we are cheered on, supported, and have a lot of resources. We are smart, beautiful, courageous, and quick on our feet. I see that female entrepreneurs are often torn between balancing family and work. I used to struggle so much, but then I realized I didn’t have to do it all by myself. Ask for help; accept help! Don’t feel guilty. You work hard for your family and your dream. And don’t forget to teach your children important lessons in life that you have faced yourself.
What do you do to feed your soul? What’s your self-luxury?
I love taking classes. I didn’t enjoy school when I was young. Now that I am an adult, I love taking classes of my choice. It took me 10 years to reunite with my parents and siblings. We now have our own houses next door to each other. My self-luxury—what I waited 10 years to do—is that I now have breakfast and dinner with my parents every day. I work with my siblings and my best friend at a company that we know makes a difference in the world. It is an absolute dream.
{ MANTRA }
“The world doesn’t owe you anything.”
“Growing up on a small, poor farm, I know what real poverty looks like. To be here in America and freely pursue my dreams, I often remind myself of how incredibly lucky I am to have that chance. I do not want to waste it. So it does not matter what challenge comes my way; I push through. I want to build my own American dream. Making my parents proud, that is one of my life goals.”
