After arriving in New York City with just $400, Jin Soon Choi turned her survival job into a passion that would transform the beauty industry.
Jin Soon Choi is one of the most influential nail artists in the industry, but before she became booked and busy, she was just another immigrant trying to make ends meet.
She was born in South Korea and immigrated to the United States in the early 90s. She first arrived in Olympia, Washington, but didn’t enjoy living there, so she made her way to New York City, barely knowing English, with just $400 given to her by her sister. Choi knew she had to take on whatever job she was able to find and one of those jobs was working in a nail salon. Historically, New York City has been a stronghold for Korean immigrants in the nail industry, owning an estimated 70-80% of salons in that area.
Choi learned the art from Korean manicurists and quickly developed a passion for doing nails. She was taking so many clients that she was able to learn English while working and through persistence and networking, she built relationships with clients who would help change her career.
Choi’s work stood out, the industry noticed, and she was later proclaimed the “Nail Guru” by The New York Times Magazine in 2014, which put her on the map as one of the most sought-after manicurists in fashion. She was working with top designers and photographers for major publications and was able to publicly showcase her vision and technique. Some of her personal clientele also includes big names like Lady Gaga and Anne Hathaway.
Aside from being a top manicurist known for her minimalist aesthetic, Choi has opened four luxury Hand and Foot Spas in Manhattan and launched her own line of nail polish called JINsoon.
Today, Choi’s work is seen anywhere from New York Fashion Week to one’s weekly beauty routine. Before Jin Soon Choi, nails were overlooked in fashion, but after, they became a huge part of the conversation, proving influence can start with one client at a time.
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