N4L 113: "Mani/Pedi" by Krista Beth Driver

 SUMMARY An underdog herself, Krista Beth Driver discovers the surprising history of how Vietnamese women helped American nail salons proliferate. In her first book, Mani/Pedi: A True-Life Rags-to-Riches Story from Boat to Beauty Salon, Driver tells the story through the experiences of Charlie Vo, a Vietnamese salon owner in Los Angeles. Beginning with Charlie escaping from Communism, the tale extends to present-day with Charlie as a mani/pedi mogul and multi-millionaire. “Charlie would end up employing hundreds of technicians in a career that allowed those who wanted to work hard the opportunity to make as much money as they wanted to earn. She also gave many the skills and the opportunity to open their own shops, creating dozens of entrepreneurs throughout Southern California.” KEY POINTS Tippi Hedren, an actress and humanitarian at Camp Hope (a transitional refugee camp in Sacramento), is the first to create mani/pedi employment opportunities for Vietnamese women. The mani/pedi tradition dates back 3000 years ago to Egypt and Asian countries where nail color indicated societal status (e.g., red = upper class). Men are first to paint their nails, but the practice eventually spreads out among women. Vietnamese salons democratize the exorbitant cost of getting a mani/pedi. Charlie Vo, a gritty and resourceful Vietnamese refugee, continually looks for opportunities to improve her family circumstances as well as her own skills. Olivett Robinson, an exuberant African-American woman whose racial background should have put her at odds with Charlie, moves instead from customer to business partner. The number-one driving force among women becoming manicurists is to provide a better life for their children. Charlie and Olivett open several mani/pedi salons while overcoming racial tensions, standing up to bullying inspectors, and knocking down language barriers. QUOTES FROM DRIVER “She was making this trip…so that her children could dream. She wanted them to imagine all the dreams she had for them. She wanted them to believe in this new life.” “The passengers came from every economic level—rich and poor—it didn’t matter…They all had the desire to escape Communism and build a new life in America. Escape was the great equalizer.” “Olivett Robinson…has an infectious soul and being around her let me believe anything was possible.” “ManTrap…not only provided good [mani/pedi] service, but they got you in and out. It was a salon that valued a woman’s time.” BUY Mani/Pedi: A True-Life Rags to Riches Story  RECOMMENDATION Watch Charlie and Olivett discussing the documentary about their partnership that led to ManTrap, a nail salon chain based in Los Angeles.