Hitting 4000 Instagram followers is not an easy task. It takes a special kind of appreciation for the art form – quick photos of a specific nature, maintaining themes, and more importantly, providing content that people find interesting. But in a social media platform rife with spam-bots and cat photos, Minh V. Le and Natalee Trinh, the owners and stylists at RVA Nails, have achieved the impossible.
Hitting 4000 Instagram followers is not an easy task. It takes a special kind of appreciation for the art form – quick photos of a specific nature, maintaining themes, and more importantly, providing content that people find interesting. But in a social media platform rife with spam-bots and cat photos, Minh V. Le and Natalee Trinh, the owners and stylists at RVA Nails, have achieved the impossible.
Their nail designs feature vivid colors, intricate patterns and studs that follow the latest fashion trends. Their designs are wild and exciting. It’s not just a french tip with a glaze–it’s a zebra pattern, it’s a country’s flag, it’s avant-garde patterns on neon backgrounds. While some customers walk in with a specific design in mind, Trinh says that most people let the nail designers create what they please. “People often say ‘just do your thing,’ and ‘come up with something incredible’… (and) That’s what we do,” said Trinh assertively. The woman knows nails, and her work proves it.
RVA_nails has gained followers by uploading over 700 images of artwork onto their instagram account since its creation last November. “I did not expect to have so many followers,” said Le. “I like Facebook, but with Instagram you can connect more with hashtags.” Hashtags, similar to Twitter, let people tag image with themes, ideas, or concepts which are then easily searchable. Beyond the typical location tags “#rva, #richmond, #VCU, or #nails,” Trinh has managed to develop her own “#rvanails” tag, which makes their images even more accessible. And with hundreds of likes on each photo, its been a successful social media campaign.
So successful the shop has started to look towards expansion. “We are thinking about remodeling to a more modern style, and a bigger space,” said Le. “After the renovation, we might do a grand re-opening,” said Trinh. “I am going to focus on the new nail salon by using more natural products and maintaining a more upscale look, while still fitting the people’s budget.”
The most common requests are for Trinh’s “Marilyn Monroe” design and Le’s “Rose,” both of which are featured on Instagram and their Facebook page. Both Le and Trinh like introducing new ideas to their customers that follow the latest fashion trends, such as Rihanna’s pointed nail.
Any social media guru will tell you there is more to using these networks than just posting images, and Le understands that interaction is one of the qualities that helped build their following. “We like to interact with our customers on instagram by following them and replying to their comments.”
Le and Trinh do most of their designs with either OPI or SC Sinful Creations polish, using the brush to create precise lines. To attach studs or spikes, Le and Trinh use acrylic with a focus of keeping the nails looking “natural and pretty.” Each design takes roughly an hour to complete, and can last for two weeks. For basic nail care, Trinh recommends simple home remedies, such as lemon juice or vinegar for the nail. Coconut oil or even common olive oil can be used to keep cuticles healthy.
Le began working his designs eight years ago in his parent’s Chesterfield shop. Through starting the new business from scratch, both Le and Trinh say that the ultimate goal for RVA Nails is to inspire their generation. “We try to encourage young people to go out there, chase after their dreams, and become a success,” said Trinh. “Create new ideas, and keep up with trends,” added Le.
“You will succeed,” said Trinh. “But the main thing is that you need to work hard.”
