The American nail salon industry has been shaped significantly by the Vietnamese community, but few people know that its origins can be traced back to Hollywood actress and humanitarian Tippi Hedren. Best known for her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, Hedren played an unexpected yet pivotal role in helping Vietnamese refugees establish careers in the United States.

In the mid-1970s, following the Vietnam War, thousands of refugees fled to America to escape the turmoil in their home country. Many found themselves in refugee camps, uncertain of their futures. Hedren, who was involved in humanitarian efforts at the time, frequently visited one such camp in Northern California, called Hope Village. She was determined to help the Vietnamese women there find sustainable careers, but options were limited.

During her visits, Hedren noticed that the women were fascinated by her manicured nails. Inspired by their interest, she arranged for her personal manicurist to teach a group of 20 women the skills needed to become professional nail technicians. With Hedren’s support, these women underwent training and soon secured jobs in the beauty industry. This small act of mentorship would go on to change the landscape of the American nail salon business forever.

As these newly trained nail technicians gained experience, they passed their knowledge on to other Vietnamese immigrants. The profession quickly became a popular and accessible career path for the community, offering financial stability and opportunities for entrepreneurship. Today, Vietnamese Americans dominate the nail salon industry, owning and operating a majority of nail salons across the country.

Tippi Hedren’s kindness and foresight not only changed the lives of the women she helped directly but also sparked a cultural and economic movement that continues to thrive. Her influence remains an inspiring example of how small gestures can lead to transformative change.