By Makayla Richardson, Agent on The Portal Team
Photos: Derek callen
Tucked inside the ever-bustling Plaza Royal off Newberry Road is a space that feels less like a salon and more like a sanctuary—a thoughtfully curated environment where luxury, culture, and connection meet. This is Valentino Nail Bar, Gainesville’s newest high-end nail experience. But beyond its sleek interior and impeccable service lies a story that’s far richer: one of resilience, legacy, and the kind of quiet leadership that shapes a city over time.
At the heart of Valentino are Lynn and Tommy, a husband-and-wife team whose entrepreneurial roots stretch deep into Gainesville’s history. With over three decades of business ownership in the local beauty industry, their journey reflects the spirit of the American Dream, lived in real-time.
From Refuge to Roots: A Gainesville Legacy
The story of Valentino Nail Bar doesn’t begin with chairs and chandeliers—it begins in 1975, when Lynn’s aunt escaped post-war Vietnam and resettled in the U.S. as a refugee. In 1988, through family sponsorship, Lynn arrived in Gainesville with her parents and siblings. Just five years later, Tommy followed suit. Their journey mirrors that of so many first-generation immigrants: filled with uncertainty, fueled by hope.
“We started like most immigrant families—school in the day, work at night,” Lynn remembers. “I went to Duval Middle, then Santa Fe. Tommy studied at the University of Florida. Gainesville shaped us.”
They were young, ambitious, and determined. At just 21, Lynn opened her first salon with Tommy by her side. That was the beginning of what would become a decades-long footprint in Gainesville’s beauty industry. Since then, they’ve opened and operated more than 10 salons—each one a reflection of evolving tastes, trends, and lessons learned.
Built by Hand, Led by Heart
Lynn and Tommy aren’t absentee owners or figureheads. They are visionaries and builders in the truest sense. Every Valentino location is not only designed by Lynn but physically built and customized by Tommy. From ceilings and lighting down to floor tiles and paint swatches, no detail is overlooked.
“When we opened our first salon, it cost us about $10,000,” Tommy says with a laugh. “This one? Almost half a million. But that’s what people expect now—an elevated, luxurious experience.”
And luxury is what they deliver—but without sacrificing warmth. Valentino Nail Bar isn’t about opulence for its own sake. It’s about intentionality. “Each space we’ve created has a theme,” Lynn says. “We’ve done Parisian romance, modern Zen, New York chic. Valentino is about quiet sophistication and comfort—it’s our crown jewel.”
More Than a Salon: A Place of Belonging
Step inside Valentino, and the energy shifts. The ambient lighting calms you. The muted gold accents draw your eye. The staff greets you not as a customer, but as part of something more personal.
This is by design.
“We’ve done nails for generations,” Lynn shares. “Grandmothers, mothers, daughters. We know their stories. They know ours.”
It’s not uncommon for clients to stop by just to say hello. Many have been coming to their salons since the ‘90s. “When we started, there wasn’t even a nail salon in the mall,” Tommy says. “We’ve been here from the beginning.”
But the impact goes beyond clients. Valentino Nail Bar has served as a springboard for hundreds of young people—many of them students from UF and Santa Fe—who found flexible, well-paying jobs and a sense of belonging while navigating college.
“We’ve trained future doctors, lawyers, engineers,” Tommy says proudly. “Some still keep in touch, years later. We gave them a place to grow, to work hard, and to believe in themselves.”
A Quiet Force for Community
Though they’ve kept a low profile, Lynn and Tommy have been quietly giving back for decades. They’ve helped other Vietnamese families open their own salons, offered guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs, and consistently supported cultural organizations like UF’s Vietnamese Student Association.
“I don’t think of us as businesspeople,” Lynn reflects. “We’re builders. Of places. Of people.”
Even during challenges—including economic downturns and the COVID-19 pandemic—they continued to invest in their team and community. They provided training, paid their staff fairly, and never lost sight of their values.
Valentino: The Final Chapter or Just the Beginning?
Unlike their past ventures, Valentino isn’t for sale. It’s not a stepping stone or a short-term project. It’s their legacy made tangible.
“This is it,” Lynn says. “We’re not looking to open more. We want to make this the best it can be.”
The salon currently boasts a carefully selected team of over 10 technicians, a curated service menu, and amenities like complimentary mimosas and a loyalty program. But it’s not just about nails. It’s about creating a haven—for women, for families, for newcomers to Gainesville who want to feel seen and cared for.
The Portal Connection
When The Portal Team had the opportunity to help Lynn and Tommy secure the space for Valentino, we knew we were playing a role in something bigger than a lease transaction. We were helping two community pillars continue their journey—and reaffirm their belief in Gainesville as home.
Their story is a reminder that real estate isn’t just about location. It’s about people. About history. About the dreams we carry, and the spaces where they come to life.
At Portal, we’re honored to be part of this one.