Name: Elegance Nail & Spa
Address: 25 S. Washington St., Naperville
Phone/website: 630-961-1111; elegancenailandspa.wixsite.com/naperville
Owners: Mary Baldansenge, 36, of Naperville, and Cara Altangadas, 33, of Chicago
Years in business: 3 under current ownership
What does your business do? “We do nail services, waxing and chair massage,” Mary Baldansenge said.
What’s the background? “We opened on May 1, 2023. The previous owner had this place for 15 years.”
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Why did you buy this business? “I had just moved to Naperville after (my husband and I) got married in 2022. Then, one day I saw an advertisement selling this business. Me and my cousin, Cara, we grew up together. I came here in 2012. She came here in 2013. We used to be nail techs at a shop. I told Cara this place was for sale in a very good location, downtown Naperville. She said, ‘OK, let’s give it a shot.’
“I was working as an accountant for trucking company. … Cara always wanted to own her own business. She was pushing me, ‘Let’s do this together.’ We are just glad the business is successful.”
Where are you from? “We’re from Mongolia. … Mongolia weather is like Chicago. Four seasons. Lots of snow in the winter. Summer is hot but dry, not like here. … I grew up in Ulaanbaatar. My parents still live in Mongolia. I visit every year. … My father is a farmer.”
Why did you move to America? “I wanted to study. I went to Roosevelt University to study accounting. … Once I graduated, I found the boyfriend who is now my husband.”
How loyal is your clientele? “We are so happy with the customers. They are always choosing us. And they’re bringing their family members and friends here and are expanding our business.”
Is this your only location? “No. We have a second place, a salon in Fulton Market in Chicago.”
How’s that going? “So far, so good. (My cousin and I) are partners. We know each other. The only sad thing is we need to work separate. She’s there most of the time. I have a baby. He’s almost 4 years old.”
What about competition? “We are so glad we have lots of loyal customers who’d never change to other places. We are grateful. We don’t want to waste our customers’ money. They want to be relaxed in here.”
What’s your business philosophy? “We want the customers to be happy. That’s our main goal. And then cleanliness. We have to be clean.
“I want to give our technicians the highest salary compared to other salons. I want them to be happy. Give them more salary, bonuses.”
Do you offer manicures and pedicures? “Yes, we do. … We have seven chairs.”
What are the prices? “A manicure is $25. A pedicure is $40. A combo is $60. … We offer birthday and bridal parties. They can bring in their own food and drinks.”
How do you find good technicians? “Mostly word of mouth. The Mongolian community, there is like 30,000 people in Chicago. We also find them through Facebook.”
Do you enjoy your work? “Yes, I do. I’m just glad our customers are happy. I can make them beautiful. … Seeing a real person being happy after.”
Do you miss being an accountant? “The first year, yes. Right now, owning a business, I can manage my time.”
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Is there anything you don’t like? “No. Maybe when I get old, but now I have energy. I have dreams.”
Do you still work on nails? “I do when it gets busy. It’s fun. Lots of customers tell me I’m so fast polishing. I’ve done this job for 15 years. … When I was a child, I liked doing my nails. Painting them. Doing designs on them.”
Any future plans? “I want to expand our locations. … A third or fourth. (We’re looking at) downtown Chicago.”
Is this a good location for business? “Yes, it’s really good. Lots of traffic. … Lots of walk-ins.”
When are you open? “Weekdays 9 to 7, Saturday 9 to 6, Sunday 10 to 5.”
When are you busy? “Summer, every day is busy. I’d say maybe Tuesdays are a little bit down. Other than that, every day is busy. Especially Sundays.”
What does a customer say? “Excellent service. I get great manicures and pedicures,” Ashley Voit, 47, of Naperville, said.
What’s your advice for anyone starting a business? “Work from your heart. Then, everything comes to you. … My parents taught me if you do something, do it from your heart. And don’t lie to the people.”
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. If you know of a business you’d like to see profiled in Down to Business, contact him at [email protected].