Meet Renee Phillips

We had the good fortune of connecting with Renee Phillips and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Renee, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After being married for over 30 years, I found myself newly divorced and in a season of major transition. My sons had moved to Los Angeles in 2020, and when I came out to visit them in 2021, I unexpectedly fell in love with the city, and especially with Franklin Village. There’s something rare about it. It feels like a small town tucked into the Hollywood Hills, where you see the same faces every day, people know each other, and once you’re here, you don’t really want to leave.

One afternoon, we were sitting at The Oaks, one of our favorite neighborhood spots, and we noticed the vacant space nearby. Almost instinctively, I thought, “That would make a perfect nail salon.” It wasn’t a long or calculated plan. It just felt intuitive and right.

Around that same time, my mother had passed away and I received an inheritance that wasn’t extravagant but was meaningful enough to change the course of my life if used wisely. More than anything, I wanted to honor her and the generations of women in our family who came before us, women who believed in taking care of themselves, in beauty as a form of dignity.

I called one of my closest friends, Wendy, who owns five nail salons in Florida and has deep experience in the industry, and told her we were thinking about opening a nail salon in the heart of Hollywood. Without hesitation, she offered her guidance, mentorship, and support. My son and I trained under her, learned the business from the ground up, and stepped into something we had never done before, together.

We built Nashville Nails from a client’s perspective rather than a traditional industry template. We wanted it to feel comfortable, thoughtful, and deeply personal. Our manicure and pedicure tiers are named after the matriarchs in our family, and the space reflects their warmth. Even the smallest details (materials, lighting, scents) were chosen intentionally.

Today, our team represents over a dozen countries, and the salon reflects the diversity and spirit of the community we’re part of. We’ve been embraced by Franklin Village in ways we couldn’t have imagined, and every day feels like a continuation of something much bigger than us.

Starting this business wasn’t just about opening a nail salon. It was about honoring my lineage, an attempt to create stability after change in my life, and building something lasting for my children. This chapter feels deeply aligned, and we’re grateful and hopeful to be here for the long run.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets us apart is that I am not a nail technician. I come to this entirely from the client’s perspective. I’ve always had my nails done, and so did the women in my family, so I understand what it feels like to sit in the chair. We built Nashville Nails around the experience a client actually wants.

We didn’t design a salon to move people in and out. We designed a place where people can slow down.

We focus on thoughtful consultations, taking our time, and creating a space that feels comfortable, warm, and welcoming. It has naturally become a community hub. Neighbors book together, friends meet here, and our technicians are building real relationships with the people they serve. When the salon is full, the energy is joyful and alive.

Professionally, my background spans corporate America, the navy, and ministry. Each chapter taught me something different, but together they shaped how I lead. Structure matters, but care matters more.

Great service is not a luxury. It’s a form of respect.

This journey has not been easy. From permits to construction to financing, there were moments when the path felt uncertain. Each time, we stayed grounded in faith and trusted that God would open the right doors if this was truly meant for us. He did, and continues to.

I’ve learned that having the right people matters the most, and that not every client or hire will be the right fit at our salon. And that’s okay. The community we are in has embraced us, and that support has been everything.

Opening Nashville Nails after my divorce was something I never imagined doing before. This experience showed me that I’m capable of more than I once believed.

This business is proof that it’s never too late to build something meaningful.

Building this alongside my son has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Nashville Nails was created with heart, intention, and faith, and our hope is that every person who walks through our doors feels genuinely cared for.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my bestie comes to visit, we honestly don’t leave the neighborhood much. Franklin Village has everything. It feels like a small town tucked into the hills, and once you’re here, you kind of forget you’re even in Los Angeles.

We usually start things off with a hike to Bronson Caves. There’s so much history there, and it still feels wildly cinematic. This is where the Batmobile came out in the original Batman series, and every time I’m there it feels like we accidentally wandered onto a movie set. From there, we head over to Lake Hollywood Park to get up close to the Hollywood Sign. Even after living here for years, that view somehow never gets old. I still have those “wow, this is my life” moments all the time.

Another day is always a gratitude walk through Beachwood Canyon. We’ll do the hidden stairs, stop by a few open houses, and then eat at Beachwood Cafe, which is such a sweet little neighborhood gem. Coffee is a non-negotiable stop at Solar de Cahuenga because the Solar latte on the patio is my favorite. For wine time (my favorite time!) in the evening, we’re usually at Birds. We joke that everyone’s “on set” there because you always see neighbors, familiar faces, and often times a celebrity. I recently spotted one of my biggest celebrity crushes from the 80s, which was beyond iconic.

Most afternoons would be spent sitting at The Oaks Gourmet Market with a light bite, coffee, and some top-tier people watching. It’s one of my favorite simple pleasures.

At night, I love taking visitors to Desert 5 Spot. Rooftop views, country music, line dancing, and great energy. It’s fun, unexpected, and honestly very on brand for us.

For a slower, quieter day, I’ll take them to Forest Lawn Memorial Park. It’s peaceful and beautiful, with incredible architecture, an art museum, and the Hall of the Crucifixion-Resurrection, which houses one of the largest religious paintings in the world. It’s one of those places that makes you stop and feel a little awe for this city.

And if my bestie wants a true Hollywood moment, we’ll walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame, then have a drink at Hotel Roosevelt. The lobby is stunning, the David Hockney pool is legendary, and it feels like stepping straight into old Hollywood. We might also get tickets for the Jennifer Hudson show or see if The Voice is filming.

But honestly, the best part is staying local. Franklin Village is walkable, full of character, and deeply community-oriented. It makes LA feel smaller, warmer, and more personal. That’s why we don’t really leave. And once my bestie’s been here for a week, they usually don’t want to either.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This business would not exist without the women who stepped in with belief, generosity, and courage at moments when we truly needed it.

First and foremost, I want to shout out Wendy Tran, my close friend and mentor whose guidance, wisdom, and unwavering support carried us through the most uncertain parts of this exciting journey. She didn’t just advise us. She stood beside us, invested in us, and helped make Nashville Nails possible when it mattered most.

I also want to thank Anne White, my dear friend whose confidence in our vision meant more than words can express. Her support came with encouragement, clarity, and trust, and I’m deeply grateful for her belief in what we’re building.

Lastly, I want to acknowledge a very special neighbor and her husband, who chose to support us quietly and thoughtfully. You know who you are, and we carry your generosity with us every day.

It’s not lost on me how meaningful it is that this business was backed by women. Women who believed not just in a salon, but in a legacy, a family, and a vision rooted in care and community. Their faith in us is something we’ll always honor and cherish.

Website: https://www.nashvillenails.com

Instagram: @nashville.nails

Yelp: .com/biz/nashville-nails-los-angeles