It’s a long trip from Madison Avenue to Matthews, an eleven-hour drive in fact. But it was all worth it for the new owners of Liz Nails at 1544 Matthews-Mint Hill Road.
Roger Rao and his wife, Liz Park, made the trek from their busy lives in Manhattan in August, and they haven’t looked back. “We had a dream to have our own business,” Roger says. The couple couldn’t be happier with how things have gone since they’ve been here.
Roger called to schedule a visit in the summer to see the 1,200 square foot salon, but he didn’t expect that things would move so fast.
When Liz suggested that they rent an apartment near the Billy Graham Library even before they purchased the space, Roger was a little hesitant. But when the couple found a Christian church they loved only 15 minutes from their new apartment, they were sure it was a sign that this is where they were meant to be. “It was our miracle,” Liz says.
Their new church family immediately showed their support of the couple. The salon was in great shape, but Roger and Liz agreed it needed a fresh, new color. The couple hired Leonardo Lumbia, a fellow church member, to paint the salon an elegant gray with a pop of orange.
The overall look has a modern feel and is a soothing space for clients to relax in. Leonardo’s wife, Stephanie is a fine arts painter. She was moved to gift the couple a three-piece painting titled, “The Wilderness,” inspired by Isaiah 43. The passage talks of leaving old things behind, which is exactly what the couple did.
Roger’s duties as a protocol officer for the Consulate General of India had him working nights and weekends. It was his job to make the trip go smoothly for dignitaries such as the Prime Minister and other VIPs visiting the United States for official business.
The Consulate was situated directly between Madison and 5th Avenues, a short walk to Central Park. Liz left her job working in nail salons in both Manhattan and New Jersey, but she brought her 19 years of experience with her.
Liz continues to be hands-on in providing services to clients. She hopes they feel like they’re visiting a friend when they stop by to change polish or fix a broken nail. The salon currently has four nail technicians, all licensed in North Carolina, and is looking for one more to complete their team. The salon recently received a Grade A rating by the North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners in October.
Liz Nails offers a variety of nail services with prices to fit most budgets. For instance, the Spa Lavender Pedicure includes a lavender mask, lavender oil, and a hot stone massage, a treatment that lasts about an hour. Or the client can get an express pedicure in about 20 minutes with cut, file, and polish. The salon also offers waxing services for both women and men.
Liz Nails uses UV Gel Nails exclusively as opposed to acrylic nails. Liz says that the nails are long-lasting and durable without the same exposure to chemicals that comes with acrylic nails. “The customers just love it,” she adds.
To celebrate their move to the Carolinas, Roger and Liz are offering clients 20% off of all salon services priced $10 or more now until December 31. In addition to this special promotion, Liz Nails has a customer loyalty card where clients get $10 off of their tenth visit.
The salon is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. The salon is closed on Sundays as a day of rest for the staff. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Liz Nails at 980-245-7710.
