By Cameron Lee
April 3, 2025
Sisters Khanh Mai and Vy Cunningham, who came to Charlotte from Vietnam in 2000, are aiming to change the stereotypes about nail salons and the beauty industry.
“It used to be frowned upon, or kind of looked down on. People would always say, ‘oh, you’re a nail tech,’” said Vy. “I’ve heard that so many times, you know, and we want to change that status quo.”
The sisters own and operate NC Nails Esthetics Academy in Charlotte. Khanh originally started the academy in 2014 at the Asian Corner Mall after several years as a nail technician. With her experience, she wanted to share her knowledge and enjoyed teaching others about the business. In the beginning, the academy was mainly supported by and advertised to the Asian community, but has since grown into an inclusive mix of backgrounds, as exhibited in their graduation ceremonies at their teaching center in University City, which they purchased in 2022.
The global nail salon market is set to grow from $11.96 billion in 2023 to $20.30 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research, a San Francisco-based market research and consulting company. The beauty industry worldwide is projected to generate over $600 billion in 2025. With social media platforms allowing multiple generations of nail technicians and manicurists to showcase creative styles and looks, it’s turned into a new art form of sorts, and many are viewing it as a viable career path. In fact, Vy noted that about 60% of the academy’s students go on to open salons or suites of their own.
“We want to be diverse and want to serve everybody that has the passion to become a beautician or entrepreneur. It has changed a lot. Before, people would say, ‘only Vietnamese [people] own nail salons.’ Now, that’s not the case anymore… so the diversity has grown so much,” Khanh said.
Both Khanh and Vy were all too familiar with the tropes of Asians speaking their own language in nail salons, often making clients and patrons feel uneasy, so they decided to implement a rule at their academy.
“We always say, don’t speak Vietnamese in front of your clients or in front of your students or when you are in a work setting. No matter what, if possible, try not to speak a foreign language,” Vy said.
Vy officially joined as a partner in her sister’s business in 2016 after helping out at NC Nails Esthetics Academy on weekends while earning her finance and accounting degree at UNCC. After entering the corporate world, working at Merrill Lynch and TIAA, she eventually earned her MBA in entrepreneurship. Vy’s skill set in business administration and social media marketing complements Khanh’s industry expertise and passion for teaching.
The duo has since grown their business into one of the best-rated nail and esthetics schools in the state, with locations in Raleigh and Greensboro. They also support several non-profit community events throughout the city with organizations such as the Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce and the Vietnamese Association of Charlotte. When they’re not at the academy, you might catch them at career fairs speaking to students interested in cosmetology about alternative career paths.
Hannah Cartee a 19-year-old student who got into manicuring at 14, graduated from the academy last August and is back to get her esthetician license. Cartee not only views the skills she is learning at the academy as a vehicle to further her career but also as an artistic outlet.
“I had a few friends from high school do the cosmetology route as well, and it seems to be a growing field for young people,” Karti said. “It’s [nails] just a really great form of, like, self-expression through art, because I didn’t really know if I could see myself just being an artist, but as a nail tech, I love doing just crazy designs… it’s really fun.”
Avon Tran, who was part of the first graduating class at the University location in 2022, currently works as a nail technician but is also broadening her skill set and offering more services to her growing clientele base. She eventually wants to start her own suite and then a salon.
“When I finish my esthetics program and get my license, hopefully I can get more into lashing and maybe possibly waxing, but I also do want to expand my career and get my nursing degree so I can get into injections,” Tran said.
The school isn’t just for those looking for a career path as an alternative to college. Each class — while mostly women — includes a wide range of ages and cultural backgrounds, and accommodates those who currently work full-time jobs by offering evening and online classes.
The academy offers both full-time and part-time schedules with classes Monday through Thursday. The manicurist license requires 300 hours (which takes about two months), and the esthetician program is a mandatory 600, both followed by a state board exam that the academy pays for and prepares students to pass.
They also offer manicure, pedicure, facials, waxing, and lash/brow services by their trained students Monday through Thursday from 1:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Each class is acknowledged with a graduation ceremony, and they stay in touch with their students through an alumni group, where they can share resources, find job openings, and reconnect.
Khanh and Vy understand the ever-changing landscape of the cosmetology industry and social trends. Not only do they post fun videos with their students on Instagram, but they spend time teaching their students how to market their services. They’ll often play fun educational games in class and take field trips to salons, spas, and beauty stores.
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They even started their own Beauty Bash event (Sunday, May 4), which hosts creative nail and makeup competitions. It’s a festival celebrating the industry with beauty supply vendors and some great Asian food trucks showcasing local talent and connecting cosmetology professionals in the region. The winners of the nail and makeup art competitions will win up to $2,000 in cash prizes.
Khanh and Vy are a truly dynamic duo and, with their staff (which consists of 90% former students), they aim to be more than a beauty school. They want to be a place where the students can feel at home, grow and connect, and take valuable skills with them after graduating.
“People put their trust in us, so we better do it right because they sacrifice their family, their kids at home to be here, you know. So we have to do our part and fulfill what we promised from the beginning,” Khanh said.
Follow NC Nails Esthetics Academy on Instagram and visit their official website for more information on their programs and services. Their second annual Beauty Bash — a celebration of the beauty industry featuring creative nail and makeup competitions — will take place on Sunday, May 4, at their academy.
NC Nails Esthetics Academy
630 University Center Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28262
(704) 919-0911
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