A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Ann Tran

Ann Tran owns Ann Nails & Spa, located at 9111 E 109th Ave in Winfield near Crown Point. The salon offers a wide-array of nail services from gel and shellac manicures to pedicures and waxing.

Tran and her business are deeply rooted and cherished within the local community. The salon consistently receives an outpouring of positive feedback, a testament to the exceptional level of service it provides. 

This widespread appreciation is clearly reflected in its online presence. The salon has a nearly perfect five-star rating on Google, and 92% of customers enthusiastically recommend Ann Nails & Spa on Facebook, solidifying its reputation as a trusted and beloved establishment. These impressive endorsements frequently highlight the salon’s meticulous attention to detail, the friendly and professional demeanor of its staff, and the relaxing and inviting atmosphere that keeps clients returning time and again.

In 2024, Ann Nails & Spa were among the recipients for a Best in Business Rate Award. Today, the award is proudly displayed in the salon. 

Even before she first opened the doors to Ann Nails & Spa, Tran had a deep-seated aspiration to open her own business. For many years, the idea of owning and operating her own business, as well as showing appreciation for her loved ones, served as a powerful source of inspiration that fueled her drive and shaped her long-term goals.

“I wanted to start this business to give people a place to go to get their nails and waxing done,” Tran said. “I also wanted something to give my family.”

Tran’s drive continued even well after her salon’s grand opening. Since launching the business about 10 years ago, Tran’s team has more than doubled. For Tran, her employees are like an extension of her family. She even invites them over for meals.

“We started with four to five employees and now we have 14,” she said.

At Ann Nails & Spa, the team is very focused on customer service. Tran believes that being kind to your clients is very important. She also believes in keeping a tidy environment for her customers. Every night she stays an extra hour at the salon to clean and organize it.

“Clients always remember when you are kind to them – even if you have to fix one of their nails,” Tran said.

While owning and running a salon certainly keeps Tran busy, in the free time she does have, she runs errands and takes care of things at home. Tran also loves to cook and spend time with those close to her, including her family and her employees. This includes her daughter, who is in middle school, who is additionally very important to her. Tran calls her daughter her pride and joy. 

“Work keeps me very busy, so I don’t have much time for hobbies,” she said. “I stay an hour after we close every night to clean and tidy up the salon, but I do like to cook for my family and my employees. I try to spend as much time as I can with my daughter.”

Her employees, her friends, her clients, and her family all impact Tran’s life, so much so that, in a sense, her business is the culmination of this impact.