Caring for your nails

She is an economist and banker by profession, but Gigette de Luna found the “perfect balance” to the stressful world of finance when she put up The Nail Shoppe, her very own nail spa business that lets her relax and be productive at the same time.

A BS Business Economics graduate of UP Diliman, mother of two (to Camille, 16, and Lorenzo, 14), wife (to lawyer Emmanuel de Luna), Gigette says running a business like The Nail Shoppe — called TNS for short — is very relaxing for her. It’s like taking a break on the job since it’s very different from what she does as president of MVSM Bank, a rural bank that’s been operating since the ’50s. “I’m in an entirely different world when I am in the bank as compared to my time at The Nail Shoppe,” laughs Gigette.

The Nail Shoppe is located in a building that Gigette and her husband put up along Panay Ave. in Quezon City.

“My husband and I constructed a building, and when we were brainstorming on the type of business that would be a perfect match, one of them was a nail spa,” she reveals. “At first, I approached several existing nail spa companies so I can franchise. None of them even replied. One went as far as calling me for an appointment but the appointment didn’t push through. So I thought of applying whatever little marketing skills I have learned in my three years in the multi-national corporations I worked for to The Nail Shoppe.”

The 44-year-old Gigette has practically become an expert in nail care because of The Nail Shoppe. According to her, it’s important to take care of our hands and feet for several reasons, the most obvious being that “they are two of the most used parts of our bodies.” Visiting a nail spa, or nail care center, even on a bi-monthly basis, can help in so many ways. “It can help prevent unsightly and uncomfortable and painful callouses, corns, cracked heels, dry fingers and even ingrown,” she says. “The massage that goes with the nail treatment helps improve blood circulation and promotes relaxation.”

Aside from this, of course, having clean and pretty nails makes one feel good as well. But you don’t just go to any nail spa. Because taking care of your nails is a matter of personal hygiene, you should look for a place that is also hygienic.

“No. 1 should be hygiene,” emphasizes Gigette. “The nail implements must be properly sterilized and the nail technicians must be properly trained. A relaxing environment is also key so that customers are able to relax while having their nails done.”

At The Nail Shoppe, staff members use hospital-grade sterilization techniques for all their nail tools. The interiors, which are done in a combination of white and pastel shades, are comfortably air-conditioned and are very relaxing, with piped-in music to match. “But this luxurious experience comes at a cost that is affordable,” promises Gigette.

The Nail Shoppe offers the latest in nail care. Its most popular services include the Gel Manicure, TNS Signature Hand and Foot Spa, Eye Lash Extensions and Paraffin Treatments for Hands and Feet. They also offer home services for residents of nearby buildings and do offsite spa parties in call centers. One of their interesting packages for the holiday season is the Barkada Spa Party which can be availed of for as low as P3,000 for five to eight people. “It’s a stress-free and hassle-free way of celebrating the season,” says Gigette.

For the package, one can avail of any of the following packages (per person): Manicure and Hand Spa, Pedicure and Foot Spa, Paraffin Hand Treatment, Paraffin Foot Treatment, Gel Manicure and Eye Lash Extension, with bottomless Iced Tea, Tea and Coffee, a Pastries Tray and Exclusive Use of the Spa for two and a half hours, with P1,000 for every hour in excess.

Gigette invites people to come and try the services of The Nail Shoppe and see for themselves what a difference nice-looking nails can make to your overall feeling.