Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Vo.
Hi Julie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I took over what is now JADE Nails & Spa in July 2023, when it was still called Nature Boutique Salon—a small space focused mostly on skincare, with only a few nail services. The moment I walked in, I saw something others might have missed. Located in a busy shopping center, it had potential—but I never imagined how far that vision would take me.
In the beginning, it was just four of us: me, my mom, my uncle, and a friend. We didn’t have much—just belief, hard work, and a dream. From August 14 to August 17, we closed the salon to rebuild everything. Those three days felt like a lifetime. We worked from 7 AM until 1 AM, repainting, redesigning, and pouring every ounce of energy into creating something new. My dad stood beside me, working nonstop, just so we could open our doors on time.
As a single mother stepping into business ownership, the journey was far from easy. There were days filled with pressure, fear, and exhaustion. I faced situations that tested not only my strength as a business owner, but as a person. I remember a customer who tried to leave without paying, became aggressive, and even hurt one of my team members. In that moment, I didn’t think twice—I stepped in to protect my team. There were also times when people disrespected us, threw money, or treated our hard work lightly.
Some days, I would sit in my car and cry quietly, asking myself if I was strong enough to keep going. But no matter how hard it got, I never allowed my team or my clients to see my tears. I knew I had to stay strong—not just for myself, but for the people who believed in me.
Through it all, I kept one promise in my heart: to build something real, something honest—a place where hard work is respected, where my team feels valued, and where clients feel cared for.
Today, nearly three years later, that small beginning has grown into something I am deeply proud of. We’ve expanded from 4 to 11 employees, built a loyal and supportive clientele, and created a salon that stays busy every single day. We’ve been honored with “Best of the Best South Jersey Business 2024,” and ranked Top 3 by BusinessRate in Marlton for 2025 and 2026.
There were nights we stayed open until 9 or 10 PM, and long periods where we worked seven days a week without stopping. It wasn’t easy—but now I understand that every late night, every sacrifice, every tear… it all had a purpose.
This is more than just a business. This is my journey, my strength, and my proof that no matter where you start, if you believe and keep going—you can build something truly meaningful.
And today, I can finally say… it was all worth it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has definitely not been easy. One of the biggest challenges we face is when the salon becomes extremely busy and we fall behind schedule.
I truly understand that customers are very important, and our responsibility is to provide the best service. However, during peak times, managing a high volume of clients while maintaining quality can be very challenging. There are moments when clients become frustrated due to wait times, and as an owner, I completely understand their feelings.
For me, one of the hardest parts is learning how to stay calm under pressure and manage the flow of the salon. When it gets very busy, you have to know how to organize, control the timing, and make sure every client is still taken care of properly without creating a stressful environment.
There have been times when things didn’t go perfectly. I’ve made mistakes, and when that happens, I always take responsibility, apologize sincerely, and do my best to make it right. Because at the end of the day, I truly want every client to leave happy.
That balance—between speed, quality, and customer satisfaction—is one of the most difficult challenges in this business. But it has also taught me how to lead, stay composed, and continuously improve.
I believe success is not about having a perfect road—it’s about how you handle the difficult moments along the way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about JADE NAIL AND SPA ?
JADE Nails & Spa is a nail salon located in Marlton, NJ, specializing in high-end nail artistry such as long nails, 3D designs, builder gel, and the latest trending techniques.
What sets us apart is our focus on quality, attention to detail, and customer experience. Every set of nails we create is not just a service, but a piece of art that reflects each client’s personal style.
We are also very proud of our team—a group of 11 dedicated professionals who work with passion and strong responsibility. In less than three years, we have grown from 4 to 11 employees and built a loyal client base.
What we want our clients to remember is not just beautiful nails, but a comfortable, professional, and trustworthy experience every time they visit JADE Nails & Spa.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe risk is a necessary part of growth. If you don’t take risks, you don’t move forward.
For me, one of the biggest risks I took was stepping into business ownership as a single mother. When I took over the salon in 2023, there were no guarantees. I invested my time, energy, and everything I had into rebuilding and rebranding the business, even though I didn’t know what the outcome would be.
There were moments of uncertainty—financial pressure, long working hours, and the fear of failure. But I believed in my vision and trusted the process. I was willing to take that risk because I knew staying comfortable would never lead me to where I wanted to be.
At the same time, I don’t take risks blindly. I believe in calculated risks—working hard, learning from mistakes, and adjusting along the way. Every challenge taught me something and helped me grow stronger as both a business owner and a person.
Looking back, that risk changed my life. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.
Pricing:
- Pedicure $35
- Acrylic Fullset $40
- Builder gel FullSet $50
- Gel X fullset $60
- Dip powder $40
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jadenailandspamarlton.com
- Instagram: Jadenailspanj
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19CJ9QGraU/?mibextid=wwXIfr
