We recently connected with Kinga Basinska and have shared our conversation below.

Kinga , appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

I was raised in Poland where beauty standards are very high across the industry. Where customer–service provider relationships is very strong and loyal, establishments tend to be smaller, and more intimate and the quality of work is very high. After moving to LA over eight years ago, I was on a search to find a nail salon that would resemble the one from home however the nail industry is very different here. It is focused on big salons, with an impersonal approach, where quality is compromised, and quantity favored.
I noticed that I was not the only person looking for an alternative that no one in the market was offering. I’ve been fascinated with nails since childhood; my grandma’s nails were always done; she had a small manicure kit in her kitchen drawer, and we used to do nails together at a kitchen table. After a trip to Japan and having my nails done by a Japanese artist I seriously considering changing careers however
The first step was to sign up for a nail technician course which I attended at night, during the day I had my corporate day job. I’m a big believer that you have to start from the bottom and learn everything about the trade and industry.
As I finished the course and was ready to enter the industry the pandemic hit. It was a bit devastating at first but I didn’t let it kill my idea. I used it as an opportunity to advance even further by taking online classes and researching suppliers and forming industry relationships. In the beginning of 2021 when the Covid rules relaxed a bit I decided to open my salon against the uncertain market conditions. Paint Bar opened it is doors in April 2021 starting with one technician (myself) and steadily grew to be a local establishment with 7 female technicians and end of last year I opened another one!

Kinga , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Much of this addressed the previous question, so let’s discuss what sets us apart. From the beginning, the main difference was our focus on European techniques, emphasizing quality over quantity. The industry in America has been stagnant for a long time, lacking innovation. The salons here are often referred as “chop shops” , not a glamorous term.
Our goal was to change that by offering appointments focused on details, quality health and safety. Although you may spend more time at our salon, your nails will last longer and be stronger, with top-notch results.

When we first opened, our biggest challenge was explaining to customers that we do things differently. After three years, the industry is starting to change and customers appreciate the benefits of our services. Customers not only return but also recommend us to others because they love the long-lasting results. It’s rewarding to have customers who have been with us for years and trust us with their time and recommendations.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The most valuable type of clients for our business are those who are referred to us by other clients. In today’s digital world, where social media and online reviews play a huge role in attracting customers, the power of personal recommendation in the beauty industry is incomparable. While platforms like Instagram, Yelp, and Google reviews are great for bringing in new clients, nothing beats the genuine referrals from satisfied customers. It’s always heartwarming to see clients walk into the salon excited to see a friend or acquaintance and enjoy their “nail dates” together. We value and appreciate the trust that our clients place in us by recommending our services to others, as there is no better form of marketing than word-of-mouth recommendations.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The quality of our services has built our reputation. I have trained most of our technicians and continue to provide ongoing training to ensure we strive to be the best in our field. Continuous education is key to success, and we are always looking for ways to improve and stay updated on new products. Our customers appreciate our extra effort to provide the best possible service and care. We have dedicated receptionists to assist with any questions and an efficient booking system to make the process easy for us and our customers. Our emphasis on quality and customer experience sets us apart from others.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.paintbarla.com
• Instagram: paintbarla