The Backstory

Tina Huynh, the Owner of Tina Perma Beauty, was born in Vietnam, where her passion for aesthetics began to blossom. After completing her degree in Vietnam, motivated by her desire to provide a better future for her family, Tina decided to pursue her interest in permanent makeup, which was gaining popularity in the United States during the early 2000s. Tina adds, “I moved to the U.S. as a family with my husband and two children – a 5-year-old and a 1-year-old. But soon after arriving here, my ex-husband and I divorced. At the time, I had no friends or family here in the U.S. and I did not speak English. As a now single mother, I had no option but to go out and work to provide for my children.”

Throughout her journey, Tina’s dedication to her craft led her on trips around the world to learn from the best in the industry, all while balancing the responsibilities of being a single mother of two. Starting as a nail technician in Keene, New Hampshire, Tina honed her skills and amassed over 10,000 hours of experience before pursuing her dream of opening her own permanent makeup spa, Tina Perma Beauty, in Old Saybrook. “I aim to offer my clients a personalized experience, unlike the ‘mill’ style nail salons found on every corner. From one-on-one attention to the use of top-quality products in a non-toxic environment, I prioritize my customers’ satisfaction and convenience.”
Driven by her passion for making her customers feel beautiful, Tina’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. She faced skepticism and struggled to be taken seriously due to not speaking English well. However, Tina was inspired by the women pioneers who paved the way for her, and she persevered, determined to show her two children and family in Vietnam that she could achieve success by chasing her dreams.

How Women's Business Development Council Helped

Despite her determination, Tina faced challenges in securing the necessary funds to open her brick-and-mortar business in Old Saybrook. She opened Tina Perma Beauty in January 2020, and as the pandemic hit, she struggled to keep her business afloat. However, with help from WBDC, Tina found the support and resources she needed to keep her business stable.

Now in her fourth year of business, Tina shares, “WBDC really helped me find sources of capital and business resources which positively impacted me and my business.” She also received a WBDC Ignite grant, which allowed Tina to pursue the training she needed to innovate and stay ahead of the rapidly changing beauty trends in Connecticut.
With the support of WBDC, Tina has been able to enhance her techniques and offer cutting-edge services, such as eyebrow and eyeliner design, that leave her clients beyond thrilled. “The impact of the updated techniques I’ve obtained through extensive in-depth training from leading industry professionals via the WBDC grant has convinced me that my clients will continue to rely on my ability to stay ahead of the fearlessly competitive beauty market.”

Location

15 Main St, Old Saybrook, CT 06475

Email

Contact Phone

(860) 304-3121

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