Donna Javier typically trims her nails while watching TV — which she said can be a pain. But last week, she had them done for free at the Edgartown Council on Aging, thanks to the generosity of Selena and John Tran, owners of Hollywood Nails.
“This is a real treat,” Ms. Javier told Ms. Tran. “I think the last time I had this done was for my daughter’s wedding.”
Ms. Javier chose a light pink color, the same shade as ballet slippers.
The Trans have been offering free manicures at the Island senior centers since November as a way to give back to the community during the off-season when business tends to be slow.
“It’s fun and it’s helping people,” Mr. Tran said.
The couple opened Hollywood Nails on Union street in Vineyard Haven in 2000, but their journey together goes back to Vietnam where they first met. Mr. Tran left his country in the 1980s when it was still suffering in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. He fled in a small boat, arriving first in Hong Kong, then moving to the Philippines, Texas and eventually Falmouth, where he opened his first Hollywood Nails location.
He and Selena were married in 2002, when she was able to move to Massachusetts.
Mr. Tran said he first learned how to do nails back in Vietnam from his family. Many of his Falmouth clients were Vineyard residents who traveled for appointments, telling him there were no nail salons on the Island at the time.
When he opened the Vineyard Haven business, the Trans traveled each day from their mainland residence.
“We [commuted] back and forth for 10 years, day and day, in snow and rain,” Ms. Tran said.
Slowly, they grew their clientele and in 2014 opened a second Vineyard store on Circuit avenue in Oak Bluffs. Their Falmouth location is now closed, and they live on the Vineyard full-time, raising their 13-year-old son William and six-year-old daughter Victoria.
Though Victoria is still young, William is learning to paint nails.
“All the girls will like him,” Ms. Tran joked.
The couple said doing nails is more than just their livelihood, it is a passion rooted in helping people feel cared for. They use an organic, vegan polish that they said is healthy for the seniors’ nails. Ms. Tran also gives the seniors arm and back massages.
On Tuesday, Jane Dean was pondering her color choice when her caretaker Comfort Ayamgha offered some advice: go for the sparkles.
Ms. Dean is from Southport, Conn. and worked in business for much of her life. She said when she was young she liked to wear red nail polish.
“This is great fun,” Ms. Dean said. “What a nice thing to do.”
Ms. Ayamgha also got her nails done, choosing a neutral pink color.
Edgartown Council on Aging director Lyndsay Famariss stopped by to check on the event.
“This is fabulous,” Ms. Famariss told everyone. “I’m so glad to see people getting taken care of.”
During a slow moment, Ms. Tran shared that for some of the seniors, this was the first time they ever had their nails done professionally. Some come in with dry and cracked hands, and Ms. Tran said she’s grateful to be able to help them.
“It sometimes made me cry to see that,” Ms. Tran said.
The Trans said they look forward to continuing to volunteer at the councils on aging and are also planning to donate manicures to people with disabilities.
Ms. Tran’s eyes shined as she reflected on the journey she and her husband took to reach the Island. It brings her deep joy to give back to others.
“I need to do it because it’s my heart calling me,” Ms. Tran said.
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