Yes, we are going to call attention to nails, described as a horny sheath protecting the upper end of each finger and toe of man and most primates. Very often, both finger and toenails are taken for granted unless there’s an ingrown and the pain can’t be ignored. Or there’s an occasion, which calls for polishing and beautifying nails.

There are people who abuse their nails by using them to remove staple wire, to get rid of stickers or bite them to release tension. Our nails deserve as mush respect and attention just like the other parts of our body, says Leslie Mata, the entrepreneur behind CANS or California Advanced Nail and Skin Care. She obtained her license from California, U.S.A. and has been practicing nail and skin care procedures for the past 12 years. Her outfit also offers massage therapy including body waxing.

Leslie is a Filipino-American who spent most of her growing up years in America and other countries. My dad was with the U.S. Navy and as a family, we moved around the U.S., Europe, the Philippines and Guam. But even with such an unusual schedule, her parents made sure that her schooling was not interrupted. It was a choice between Interior Design and Computer Science for her.

Back then, she was not thinking of a business course. Having a business of my own did not even cross my mind. I thought that perhaps, I’ll just settle down and become a full-time housewife. It was not meant to be for Leslie got a job at the posh Beverly Wilshire Hotel’s reservation department. Before that, I was with a travel agency. I stayed with the hotel for four years until I discovered the spa manicure and pedicure, shares Leslie.

It has been a common service offered in California for over 20 years when Leslie encountered the wonderful nail care procedure. She confides, What shocked me was when I found out that a nail technologist was taking home a bigger income that I did. After weighing the pros and cons, Leslie enrolled in a night school for a year. She took both nail and skin care courses, passed the state exam and got her license.

It did not take me long to decide to give up hotel work and for a good seven years, I was a practicing nail technologist in the U.S., notes Leslie. And as she practices, Leslie continued to learn more to expand her expertise.

In 1994, her husband opted for early retirement. That when we chose to comeback to Manila. It took me a year to cope with the many and challenging changes. When everything was in place, I realized that I wanted to work. Her friend who knew her expertise in nail and skin care encouraged her to open a salon. I took their suggestions and got a 39-square meter area at the Alabang Town Center. It was small but I was being careful in case the services did not appeal to Filipinos, avers Leslie.

But to her surprise, the nail and skin salon was an immediate hit and patrons were saying, Your place is too small. Leslie has expanded since then and CANS is well-known as California Nails and Day Spa among its local patrons. It has franchise in BF Homes, Parañaque City, Greenhills, San Juan; Asian Mansion II, Legaspi Village; LPL Manor, Salcedo Village (operated by Ms. Nilda T. Se) and very soon, at Oakridge Plaza, Paseo de Magallanes, Makati City.

As an entrepreneur, Leslie is not selfish when it comes to sharing her expertise. I personally train the staff and check the salons regularly to make sure that the California State Board of Cosmetology standards are strictly observed. Some of their procedures were programmed according to the time constraints of their clients. We offer a half hour massage ideal for spot treatments. It can be done during lunch break or after office hours before a client goes to evening function, informs Leslie.

She goes to the United States regularly to update and retrain myself and whatever new techniques I learn, I pass on to the staff. Leslie takes an active interest in the people she works with. I encourage them to be proud of their skills. I don’t want them to say, ‘Manikurista lang po ako’. That’s why we call them nail technologist. Moreover, Leslie believes that their work should also make a difference in the lives of their families. I would like them to know that there’s a future in what they are doing.

She is happy with the warm acceptance of CANS in the local market. In the future, Leslie hopes to have branches in key cities like Baguio, Cebu and Davao. Should there be a school that will offer nail and skin care courses, she would love to be a part of the teaching staff.

Entrepinoy.com.ph would like to thank Ms. Linda de Leon for sharing this article from Woman Today.