Gem City Style: Year in Review

Jessica Hunter

Jessica Hunter invited Kim Nguyễn to her downtown studio where they discussed her family history, her work ethic, and her vision for the future as the newest owner of Sandcille Spa.

They say a lot can happen in a year. For Kim Nguyen, the last 12 months haven't just been about the passage of time – they have been a lesson in "sink or swim."

As we look back on 2025 for our Year in Review, few stories capture the spirit of evolution quite like Nguyen's. A little over a year ago, she officially closed on the purchase of SandCille Spa, transitioning from an employee to the owner of one of Erie's staple beauty destinations.

But to understand the weight of this milestone, you have to understand where Nguyen comes from.

"I felt like I really gave up a good portion of my twenties to work really hard, because that's the culture," Nguyen says, reflecting on her early years in the nail industry. "If you didn't work seven days a week, you weren't a hard worker."

That work ethic is in her DNA. Raised by her father, a refugee from Vietnam who lived in a camp in Hong Kong before immigrating to the States – first California, then Arlington and Philadelphia, and eventually spending his summers in Erie. He built a life on hustle and humility.

"My dad is a very humble, very content person," she explains. But recently, the magnitude of her success hit home during a dinner at The Cork. "We were sitting out on the patio, and he looked at me straight-faced and said, 'Never in my life would I think that when I moved to this country I'd be sitting at this restaurant with you, my daughter, paying for it.'"

In Vietnamese culture, Nguyen notes, there is a sentiment that true prosperity is when you surpass your parents. "You always want your kids to be better than you. That was his proudest moment."

However, the road from hardworking daughter to "Boss Lady" wasn't a straight line. After leaving her previous salon, she found herself at a crossroads. Through the Erie grapevine, she connected with Rae Jean, the previous owner of SandCille.

It started with coffee at Brew Ha Ha. It wasn't a formal interview, but a meeting of minds. Rae saw potential in Nguyen, eventually renovating a room at the spa specifically for her acrylic work and mentoring her on the business. When Rae announced she was selling, Nguyen raised her hand.

"I didn't even know what I was doing," Nguyen laughs. "I was just like, 'Yeah!'"

The reality check came swiftly. Nguyen originally planned to buy the business with a partner, but he bailed deep into the process. "I was terrified," she admits. "I didn't know if I could handle it on my own... But I'm kind of a sink or swim person. I was already in this. I had to do this."

One year later, she hasn't just swum; she is steering the ship.

While she admits the title of "owner" still feels surreal – partly because she is still "in the field" taking clients Monday through Friday – the changes she has made speak volumes. She has curated a team that feels like family, hired a spa manager to help facilitate growth, and shifted the atmosphere to be more fun and relaxed.

"I just wanted to make it me," she says.

Part of that identity is ensuring clients leave feeling their best, especially as the long Erie winter settles in. Nguyen points to the hydrafacial as a seasonal essential, calling it "very hydrating and refreshing" – the perfect antidote to dry winter air. For those looking to decompress during the holiday rush, massage therapy remains a top recommendation.

But true to her roots in the industry, Nguyen admits the classics are still her personal favorite form of self-care. Whether it's fresh manicures and pedicures or detailed lash lifts and brow laminations, the goal is for every client to walk out feeling polished and confident.

Looking toward the future of SandCille, Nguyen would like her vision to shift from purely aesthetic to holistic wellness. "I would really like to get into the health portion of beauty," she reveals, dreaming up plans for an infrared sauna and a focus on "clean and green" products like the Pevonia line currently used at the spa. It is a philosophy she embodies in her own life, too. When she needs to recharge, Nguyen turns to hot yoga to maintain a healthy mind-body connection. As she puts it, "If you look good, you feel good."

For Nguyen, this year has been about conquering fear. If she could go back and give advice to the Kim of one year ago, it would be simple: "Don't be so scared."

As Erie heads into a new year, Nguyen stands as a testament to the power of taking the leap. She is no longer just the hard worker grinding seven days a week; she is the owner creating a legacy of her own.

For more info on Sandcille Spa's services and products, visit sandcille.com

Gem City Style is a monthly column featuring an intimate Q&A with someone making a creative impact in Erie. If you or someone you know would make a good fit for a future Gem City Style, email jessica@eriereader.com