London Inc. is proud to present its inaugural look at some of the city’s leading female owned and/or operated businesses and the faces that run them. Twenty-four women who are shaping industries, redefining entrepreneurship and inspiring generations of women to come, share the challenges they’ve overcome, what they attribute their success to and what it takes to build and scale a brand.
Phuong Pham
Owner
Fantastic Nails and Spa Ltd.
519-936-1391 • fantasticnailsandspa.ca
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In a cut-throat industry where convenience spas come and go, Phuong Pham, a native of Vietnam who arrived in London at the age of 14, has risen to the top through a combination of hard work, outstanding customer service and -unwavering community involvement. And in many ways, her life’s experiences set the stage for her entrepreneurial success.
“When you do things from the bottom of your heart and with honesty and integrity, you cannot go wrong”
“Growing up without my parents since the age of eight, I’ve always had to do pretty much everything. I’ve had to be strong, capable and handle all tasks,” she says.
First opened in 2006 in a tucked-away space with just one employee, Fantastic Nails & Spa today boasts nearly 3,000 square feet and a dozen employees. “I still have my very first clients,” says Pham. “They keep coming back, and they refer us to their friends.”
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As a Buddhist, Pham is a firm believer in the law of attraction. A sign in her office reads, “Happiness is not having a lot. Happiness is giving a lot.” It’s a philosophy that has guided Pham along her path from impoverished child to successful businesswoman. “When you do things from the bottom of your heart and with honesty and integrity, you cannot go wrong.”
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