Melly Nguyen shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Melly, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are always a whirlwind. I usually wake up between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m., often with one of my little ones still curled up beside me — they both like having a mommy close. Once I’m up, my first priority is my health. I carve out 30 to 60 minutes on my Peloton, which clears my mind and sets the pace for the day.
From there, I shift straight into mom mode. Before my daughter wakes up between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m., I’ve already laid out her clothes, made her breakfast, and packed my lunch. At the same time, I’m juggling housework — unloading the dishwasher and throwing in a load of laundry — so those small tasks don’t stack up later.
By 8:30 a.m., we’re out the door for school drop-off. From there, it’s straight to the salon, where I open up by 8:45 a.m. My first tasks mirror the pace at home: sweeping, catching up on emails and texts, and posting on social media before my first client arrives.
That whirlwind sets the tone for everything that follows — a full day of nails, inventory, check-ins, and leading the salon. It’s fast, full, and sometimes I wish there were 48 hours instead of 24. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything, because those first 90 minutes remind me daily what matters most: family first, health second, and then pouring into my team and clients.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
HI FRIENDS! My name is Melly Nguyen, and I’m the founder of Mainstream Nails (MNSTRM) in Denver. What started as a dream of opening a salon has grown into a nail culture hub where artistry, education, and community thrive.
What makes MNSTRM truly special is not just the nails we do, but the people who fill the space. Our artists are incredibly talented, independent, and hardworking — yet so modest you’d never know the depth of their skill unless you’ve experienced it. Just as important are our clients, who are amazing humans in their own right. They’re hardworking, inspiring people who uplift one another and our team, even on tough days. That mutual respect and understanding is what makes our community so genuine — we “get” each other, and it creates a culture I couldn’t imagine not having.
Yes, we are a nail salon — but it’s not just about the nails. It’s about the relationships first, the connections we make, and the sense of community we build. The nails are simply the beautiful bonus.
At the heart of MNSTRM is passion and people — a place where art meets culture, and where clients leave not just with amazing nails, but with a feeling of belonging.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
As a child, I grew up avoiding confrontation. Whenever problems came up, they were quietly pushed under the rug. I learned to smile, to stay pleasant, and to keep moving forward, even if things weren’t resolved. At the time, it seemed easier. But what I didn’t realize then is that unresolved conflict never really disappears — it lingers, and over time, it has a way of creeping back into your life.
As I got older, I began to recognize the weight of that silence. I realized that carrying unspoken frustrations or hurt only makes the bond between people weaker. Smiling through it might mask the discomfort for a while, but deep down, the gap only grows.
That’s when I started challenging myself to do something different — to sit down, have the conversation, and actually talk it out. And while it doesn’t magically fix everything right away, the relief is incredible. The heaviness lifts. More often than not, it’s nowhere near as scary as I once believed.
For me, I’ve learned that what restores bonds is simple but powerful: speaking openly, listening deeply, giving people space for second chances, and taking time to acknowledge what they bring into your life. That’s what turns conflict into connection, and misunderstandings back into trust.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
Basketball was one of my favorite sports growing up. I’d spend hours outside, pounding the pavement and shooting hoops wherever I could find them. In middle school, I finally got the chance to join the team and made it onto the B team. I wasn’t a superstar, but I was solid enough to play in games, and that was all I needed to fall in love with the sport even more.
Outside of school, I’d play pickup games and one-on-one street ball with my guy friends. My signature move quickly became the crossover, and I’ll never forget the first time it really landed. I crossed over a girl in a game, went straight into a layup, and she fell — clean, no contact. It was the fastest, smoothest moment, and as I came out of the locker room later, all the guys in my class lined up for high-fives.
Years later, I had another memorable moment playing on a co-ed team in college. We never won a game — no practice, just a group of us up against real college ballers who played recreationally for fun. But in one game, I pulled off that same crossover and layup move against a guy who was over six feet tall. That one stuck with me too.
These days, my nails are too long to play the way I used to, but if it weren’t for that, I know I’d still be going hard on the court. Basketball gave me some of my best memories — not just of the game, but of proving to myself that I could hang right there with anyone.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One truth that has always been foundational in my life is simple: everyone deserves respect. It doesn’t matter who you are, what your background is, or what stage of life you’re in — every person has a story, and every story deserves to be honored.
This belief shows up in everything I do, from how I raise my kids, to the way I run Mainstream Nails, to the way I try to move through my community. In the salon, it means treating each client and each team member as more than a transaction or a title. They’re human beings first, with feelings, dreams, and challenges.
I think part of this comes from my own experiences — growing up, I saw what happens when respect isn’t offered, when voices aren’t heard, or when things get brushed under the rug. That’s why I carry this truth so deeply: respect builds trust, and trust builds real bonds.
At the end of the day, respect doesn’t cost anything — but it changes everything.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
To be honest, any story where I’ve made an impact in someone’s life would mean the world to me. It doesn’t have to be big or dramatic — just the little moments where I showed up, gave my best, and made someone smile.
I hope people say I fought hard for what mattered, that I gave everything I had with the time I was given, and that I never stopped trying to do my best.
If the story people remember is that I touched their life in some way — whether through kindness, encouragement, or simply being there — then I’ll know I did my job.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mainstreamnails.com
- Instagram: @mainstream_nails
