Today we’d like to introduce you to Sayma Son.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up, nails were part of my everyday life because of my mom. She worked as a nail technician, often from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and her work supported our entire family. I sometimes went to the salon with her on the weekends and made myself a bit useful by cleaning after her workspace or sweeping, whatever made me a bit helpful and her less stressed. Back then, I was just spending time with my mom. Looking back, it’s meaningful to realize I was getting my first glimpse of a world I would eventually find my own place in.
At 16, I saw nails as a way to become independent. I had watched my mom support our family through her work, so it felt like a practical place to start, even though I hadn’t found my own passion for it yet. She bought me the equipment and began teaching me, but within a week, my hands broke out in hives. I was allergic to acrylics.
I kept working in salons, doing the services I could, but that allergy made me question where I belonged. In my mind, acrylics were such a big part of the nail industry at the time so I felt limited before I had even given myself a chance. It took time to realize I could build a career around what worked for me. The very thing I thought held me back eventually helped shape the kind of salon I wanted to create.
Even at a young age, I always felt something in my soul telling me I was meant to do something meaningful. I wanted to lead, inspire, create opportunities, and make a positive impact on people’s lives. I didn’t know exactly what that would look like, but I knew I wanted to build a life that was extraordinary in its own way. Right after high school, I attended Philadelphia University, now Thomas Jefferson University, where I studied business and entrepreneurship. That experience helped turn something I had always felt into something I could actually envision. It opened my mind to the possibilities of entrepreneurship and made me realize that I didn’t just want to work for a business one day. I wanted to create one. I wanted to build something that reflected my values, my creativity, and the kind of impact I hoped to leave on others.
After working in several salons, I began to notice that I was coming home with the same frustrations, no matter where I worked. I wanted to take pride in the space around me, feel creative, and have the time to build meaningful relationships with clients. Eventually, I started paying attention to those frustrations. They were helping me understand what mattered to me and what I would do differently if I had a salon of my own.
That became the vision for Brand Nail Studio. I wanted to create a place where artists could feel proud of their work and clients could feel comfortable the moment they walked in.
Getting people through the door was another story. We were the only business on a one-way street not in the best part of the neighborhood, so I couldn’t count on people simply passing by. I went door to door introducing myself and spent so much time on social media, showing people our work and giving them a reason to seek us out. I had to learn how to put myself out there, even while I was still finding my confidence as a business owner.
There were personal sacrifices along the way. Time spent building the salon meant time away from people I loved, and some friendships changed. That part was painful. But I was learning to take my own goals seriously, too. With every new client and returning face, I could see that the space I had wished for was becoming a place other people valued as well.
That vision eventually grew into Brand, and when I look at the businesses today, I’m proudest of the people who have grown with it. Seeing my team feel comfortable being themselves, share their stories, and build lasting bonds with clients means so much to me. Watching someone gain confidence, step into leadership, or become their own boss is especially meaningful. I know what it feels like to question your place in this industry, so being able to help someone recognize their own potential feels personal.
While I was building the business, it was asking me to grow, too. I had to become more comfortable being seen, sharing my ideas, and trusting that people would connect with who I am. That confidence took time, and I’m still learning.
Today, I’m grateful that clients look forward to coming through our doors. They come for their nails, but they also come to catch up, laugh, and sometimes talk through a difficult day with someone they trust. Those relationships are a big part of what makes this work meaningful to me. When I think back to helping my mom at the salon on weekends, I couldn’t have imagined where it would lead. What began as a way to support myself has become an opportunity to help other women build futures of their own. That’s the part of this journey I’m most proud to keep growing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! One of my earliest struggles was believing there was a place for me in this industry. Opening my own salon brought a different set of challenges. We were the only business on a one-way street, so getting noticed took consistent effort. I went door to door introducing myself and spent so much time building our presence on social media. Sharing my work was one thing; putting myself out there and asking people to believe in my vision required a confidence I was still developing.
As the business grew, I also had to grow as a leader. Having a vision for a salon and being responsible for the people working in it are two different things. I’ve had to learn how to support others while making decisions that are right for the business, even when those decisions are uncomfortable.
What has kept me going is seeing the impact of that work: a client returning, an artist becoming more confident, or someone on my team stepping into leadership. I’m still learning, but I no longer feel like I need to have everything figured out before I take the next step.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Brand Nail Studio?
Brand is a Philadelphia beauty salon built with intention, gratitude, and a belief that everyone has something special to share. We bring artists together under one roof to nurture confidence, create meaningful connections, and help people feel beautiful in a way that’s true to who they are.We specialize in natural nail care, structured and builder gel, Gel-X extensions, and nail art. We also offer pedicures, lash and brow services, body waxing, and hair blowouts, bringing several beauty services together in one welcoming space.
What sets us apart is the personality our team brings to the experience. Each artist has their own creativity, perspective, and story, and I want them to feel comfortable sharing that. Clients get to build relationships with the people behind the services. Over time, those relationships become part of why they return.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the credibility we’ve earned along the way. Today, we’re a three-time award-winning nail salon, we have been featured in Philadelphia Magazine and The Philadelphia Inquirer, and have worked with brands like On Running at the Penn Relays two years in a row. People trust our name, recommend us to someone they care about, and invite us into opportunities I couldn’t have imagined when I first opened. Knowing where we started makes those moments incredibly meaningful to me.
I also care deeply about how clients feel when they’re with us. Beauty appointments take time out of someone’s day, and I want that time to feel worthwhile and enjoyable. Whether someone comes in with an intricate nail design in mind or simply needs a moment to themselves, I want them to feel welcome, heard, and cared for.
I’d love readers to know that Brand Nail Studio reflects the people who work here and the clients who trust us. We take pride in our craft, but we also value the conversations, connections, and small moments of care that happen around it. That’s what I hope people remember when they leave.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’d like to thank everyone who has been part of this journey—my family, my husband, my team, our clients, and the people who believed in me while I was still learning to believe in myself. I get to do this work because of the trust and care so many people have shared with me, and I don’t take that for granted.
If someone reading my story is questioning their own path, I hope they give themselves room to grow. I didn’t enter this industry with a clear vision of where I would end up. That purpose developed through experience, including moments when I felt frustrated or unsure of myself. Looking back, I can see how those experiences helped me recognize what I wanted to create.
Today, my hope is to keep using what I’ve learned to encourage other women, create opportunities, and lead with more intention. Knowing that something I’ve built can help another woman believe in herself and take a chance on her own dreams gives this journey a deeper purpose.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Brand Nail Studio & Brandandcophl
