Conversations with Yecelis & Zenia Parra & Galvis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yecelis & Zenia Parra & Galvis.

Yecelis & Zenia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
🌸 My Story — How The Pedicure Palace Was Born

I’m originally from another country, where I studied and worked as a nail technician. But I had to stop because, in my home country, being a manicurist was looked down upon. People didn’t value those who worked in the beauty industry.

About 20 years ago, I started a family, and my ex-husband didn’t allow me to work anymore. I would only do nails for family and close friends — it was my way to relax and something I did just for fun. During those years, I would visit the United States often to see my parents and siblings, who were already living here, and every time I came, I would give them pedicures at home.

After some time, I had a daughter, and due to personal circumstances and health issues related to her nutrition, we decided to move permanently to the United States — specifically to Nashville, Tennessee.

My first two years here were very hard. It was difficult to adapt to a new life and a new country, and it all happened right during the COVID pandemic. At that time, I was working in a job where I was overworked and taken advantage of because I didn’t speak English.

I was exhausted physically and emotionally, with a one-year-old baby to care for. I fell into a small depression and felt hopeless.

Then one Sunday, my mom invited me to church. Wuaooo — I remember crying like never before, asking God to give me a job that I would love, something that would make me excited to wake up every morning.
(I want to emphasize that becoming a nail technician again never crossed my mind. To me, that was just a hobby, something I did for fun back home — and I never thought I could do it here, especially with all the legal requirements and regulations I didn’t understand.)

That same day, after church, my mom said, “Let’s go get acrylic nails done.” I told her I would go with her, but I couldn’t get mine done because of work. We went to several places, but they were all closed since it was Sunday. Then I said, “Every day when I come back from work, I see a salon that’s open — I don’t know the name, but if we drive that way, I’ll show you.”

We went, and the owner — a Vietnamese man named Michael — told us he would open in 10 minutes. My mom told him she wanted acrylic nails, and as he was finishing, he asked her, “Do you want a pedicure too?” She replied, “No thank you, my daughter is the one who does my pedicures.” He looked at her feet and asked, “She knows how to do nails?” My mom said, “Yes, she used to be a manicurist in her country and still does our pedicures at home.”

He looked at me and asked, “Do you want to work as a manicurist?” My mom explained that I didn’t have a license, didn’t know what I needed to work legally, and didn’t speak English well. He looked at me again and asked, “Do you like doing nails?”
I nervously said, “Yes.”
Then he told my mom, “Tell her not to be afraid — I’ll help her. Come back on Wednesday and I’ll tell you everything she needs to do and where to go. I’ll help her work with me.”

I didn’t really believe it, but I waited. On Wednesday, my mom reminded me, “You have an appointment with the man from the salon.” I said, “Yes, I’m on my way.”

When I arrived, Michael was there with a young man who helped him with his accounting. The young man said, “Hi, I’m Luis. I help translate for him.” He asked me, “Do you have your documents?” I said yes, but I was very nervous. He told me, “Don’t worry — he’s going to pay your school tuition, and once you start working, you can pay him back little by little.”

That same day, we went to the beauty academy. I got enrolled, received my schedule and materials, and began my classes. For six months, I worked my regular job and helped at the salon in the evenings — cleaning, folding towels, and greeting clients — until I finished my training hours and finally got my license.

Michael told me, “Now you can quit your other job and come work here full-time.” I couldn’t believe it. Every day he told me, “Learn how to run a business — in two years, you should have your own.”

Over time, I was so happy. My coworkers were kind, brought me food, and helped me practice English. But one day, a new person started working at the salon, and slowly, the environment changed. I didn’t understand much because they spoke Vietnamese, but I could feel something was different.

After three years there, I got very sick and had to have emergency surgery. I took two months off to recover. When I felt better, Michael texted me asking if I could come help. When I returned, all my old coworkers were gone — only that new person remained. The energy in the salon felt heavy; everything had changed. Michael wasn’t the same anymore. He was often in a bad mood, and whenever the other worker left early, he would take out his frustration on me.

One day, he opened the door and yelled, “Everybody leave! I’m closing the salon!” I stayed quiet — I didn’t want to leave because I loved my clients and my work. But the next morning, he was angry again and said the same thing: “Just go!”

I told him, “I don’t know why you’re upset, but okay, I’ll go.” I finished my clients, packed my things, went home, and cried. I had no idea what to do next.

A few days later, Michael’s ex-wife called me and offered me an interview at her salon. That same day, she told me, “Come work with me in downtown Nashville.” I accepted and stayed with her for almost two years. Later, I started hearing rumors that she was planning to sell the salon, and I said, “No, I can’t go through that again. I need my own place.”

I started looking for spaces near my home, but none of them gave me that special feeling. A few days later, Michael sold his salon, and I felt sad thinking about all the clients I had left behind. I spoke with the new owner and decided to go back — it was closer to home, and even though downtown meant more money, it also meant less time with my daughter because of the traffic.

I returned to my old job, but with a new owner and very different people. That’s when I said to myself, “No, Yucelis, it’s time.”

I talked to a former coworker, and she told me, “You should rent a suite.” But I said, “No, I don’t want a suite — I want a small salon.”

So I started praying again, asking God for a place that would give me butterflies in my stomach the moment I saw it.

And here I am.

Eight months ago, I opened The Pedicure Palace, with the help of my family. My mom is now my business partner, and though it hasn’t been easy, I am full of hope and determination to grow.

I absolutely love the Donelson area — people here are kind, warm, and supportive. All my clients are new because I started completely from scratch. My old clients belonged to the previous salons, so this journey truly began at zero.

Every day, I keep moving forward a little more — with gratitude, faith, and love for this new chapter of my life. 💖

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely hasn’t been easy. When I came to the U.S., I didn’t speak English and had to start from zero while raising my baby. I worked long, hard hours in jobs where I felt overworked and invisible.

When I decided to return to nails, I faced new challenges — getting licensed, studying in another language, and rebuilding my confidence after years of fear and doubt.

But through faith, perseverance, and my family’s support, I turned every struggle into strength. Today, I’m proud to own my own salon and to do what I love every day. 💖

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The Pedicure Palace is a family-owned salon in Nashville created with love and faith. We specialize in the care of hands and feet, offering luxury pedicures, manicures, and wellness experiences that relax the body and uplift the spirit.

What makes us unique is the warmth and love we put into every service. We care deeply for our clients — every detail is designed to make them feel at home, valued, and beautiful inside and out.

What makes me most proud is seeing our clients smile, watching them relax, and knowing they feel cared for and loved. We truly love what we do and we love our clients, because they are the heart of The Pedicure Palace.

Any big plans?
At The Pedicure Palace, we’re excited to continue growing. Very soon, we’ll be opening the upstairs area — a space dedicated to complete beauty and self-care. We plan to offer new services such as waxing, brow design, henna, lashes, massages, and makeup.
Our dream is for every person who walks through our doors to find everything they need to feel beautiful, relaxed, and cared for — all in one place. 💖

Pricing:

• Basic Pedicure – $40
• Palace Pedicure – from $55.. free gel
• Gel Manicure – $35
• Acrylic or Gel-X Full Set – from $65
• Brow Design with Tint or Henna – $45

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thepedicurepalace.squarespace.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepedicurepalacenash
• Facebook: https:://www.facebook.com/thepedicurepalacenash
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-pedicure-palace-nashville
• Other: https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Pedicure+Palace/@36.169, -86.685