We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Annie Chang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Annie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
I’ve always loved getting my nails done every 2-3 weeks. However, I dreaded the experience of spending hours at the salon—waiting, sitting still, breathing in the terrible smell, and then hoping the final result was exactly what I envisioned. I wanted something that gave me the same beauty and confidence, but with more convenience, and without the possibility of damaging my health through the toxic fumes or shaving down my nail beds. That’s when I turned to press-on nails, thinking they would be the perfect solution.
However, I quickly realized that most press-on nails on the market were either too fragile, too generic, or simply lacked the creativity and artistry I wanted. I knew there had to be a better way. That’s when I started reaching out to nail technicians, asking if they could create handmade press-on nails that were not only durable but also had intricate, salon-quality designs.
After testing and perfecting them for myself, I knew I had something special—something that could save people time while still letting them express their style. The excitement came from the idea that press-on nails didn’t have to be an afterthought or a compromise; they could be a premium, customizable beauty experience.
I started collaborating with more nail technicians, and what began as a personal search turned into a full-fledged business. To date, our team has created over 200 unique designs, ensuring that every customer finds a set that fits their personality, mood, or occasion. This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about redefining how people think about press-on nails, turning them into an art form that’s both accessible and stunning.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
The Problems We Solve
Our brand focuses on three key pain points that many nail lovers face:
Time-Saving – Unlike salon visits that take hours breathing in the fumes (and can still leave you unsatisfied), our press-on nails can be applied in just five minutes with a guaranteed final look that’s exactly what you expect.
Cost-Effective – With prices ranging from $20 to $40, our nails provide a salon-quality experience at a fraction of the cost.
Sustainability & Reusability – Unlike mass-produced plastic, flimsy press-on nails found in big-box stores, our nails are handmade with gel, making them much sturdier and fully reusable. They don’t just look better—they last longer and are a more eco-friendly alternative to disposable options.
What Sets Us Apart
What truly makes our brand special is the attention to artistry and quality. We offer more than 200 unique designs, ensuring that every customer can find a style that fits their personality and occasion. We also keep up with the trends and release new styles every month. Our nails aren’t just an alternative to salons—they’re a healthier option, preventing nail damage caused by frequent salon visits and harsh chemicals.
Beyond the numbers and features, what I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built. Over 30% of our customers are repeat buyers, they are always looking forward to our new releases, which speaks to how much they love and trust our products.
One of my proudest moments was at a friend’s birthday party when I unexpectedly met a guest wearing our nails. She told me, “The Only Nails is the only brand I stick with. Your nails are so unique and sturdy—I used to go to salons all the time, but my natural nails became thinner. This is the perfect healthy solution for me.”
That moment reaffirmed why I started this journey—to provide not just a beauty product, but a confidence-boosting, time-saving, and sustainable solution for nail lovers everywhere.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Our product quality is the foundation of our reputation. We’ve built trust by consistently delivering durable, stylish, and high-quality handmade press-on nails that exceed customer expectations.
One of the strongest indicators of our reputation is our 30+% return customer rate—a testament to the fact that people not only love our nails but also actively recommend them to their friends. I often hear feedback like, “The Only Nails is the only brand I use. Your quality is unmatched, and the glue is incredibly strong.”
To maintain this level of excellence, I ensure that our nail techs follow the highest production standards, optimizing every step of the process for durability and beauty.
For example:
When we make our nails, we select only the best nail bases to paint on, ensuring a strong foundation.
Each nail undergoes at least five meticulous layers: a base coat, multiple color layers, hardening layer, and a top coat—a process that makes our nails even stronger and more polished than traditional salon nails.
When developing our glue formula, I personally tested over 50 different variations to find the perfect balance of adhesion and longevity. The result? A formula that keeps nails secure while remaining easy to remove using our glue dissolver when needed.
Ultimately, our reputation is built on a simple but powerful formula: exceptional quality, continuous improvement, and unwavering customer trust.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
At The Only Nails, customer engagement is the heart of everything we do. We don’t just sell press-on nails. We create them with our customers, making them feel genuinely involved in the process.
One of our favorite ways to connect is through collaborative nail design. Many of the designs you see on our website are named after the customers who inspired them. This not only lets them express their unique style, but also turns their ideas into real products they can proudly share.
We’ve also formed franchise partnerships with passionate customers. Some have launched their own shops selling The Only Nails, while others stock our designs in their beauty or clothing stores through wholesale collaborations.
Interested in becoming a franchisee? We’ll support you every step of the way from choosing the right location to marketing, graphic design, and of course, providing the products. You’ll run your own shop and grow your own business with us.
To get started, reach out to us at support@theonlynails.com.
This collaborative approach builds more than just customer loyalty. It builds community. Our customers aren’t just buying nails; they’re part of a creative journey. And that’s what keeps them coming back.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theonlynails.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonlynailsofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091797044939
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEWXq1rksEi983f0AM5JnKw
- Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theonlynailsofficial
Image Credits
Mary Kuznetsova
Alxmmphoto
Kaitlyn Guerra
Ariadne Ledesma