Introducing to the Chicago North Shore Moms community a Glenview mom of two, entrepreneur, and the founder and owner of Flamant Nail Boutiques in Chicago and Wilmette, Alla Lee!
After building a devoted clientele at her Lincoln Park location, Alla heard the same request over and over from her North Shore clients: “Stop making us drive into the city!” And she delivered! Flamant Wilmette is not your average nail salon; it’s a luxurious boutique experience, transparent in the highest standards of cleanliness, complete with white glove service the moment you walk through the door. It’s the kind of nail salon that feels like a mediterranean vacation hot spot, not a chore on our self-care to-do list.
We heard from this busy mom, business owner, and self-proclaimed Zumba lover to learn more about what makes this business model so special. Welcome, Alla!
Hi Alla! Give us a quick snapshot of you and your life right now.
My name is Alla Lee. I’m the owner of Flamant Nail Boutique Wilmette and Chicago. We moved to Glenview two years ago from Lakeview and we have been enjoying the neighborhood so much! We live in a quiet cul-de-sac street where my kids run around safely and play with all of our neighbor kids.
I run and manage two salons on a daily basis; my days are filled with family activities and always being present for my business. I manage all the supplies, employees and customers. Marketing is on me as well. So my days are filled with tasks but I really enjoy my work and I’m very passionate about it.
Tell us about your family. What does motherhood look like in your house these days?
My family is my husband Roman and my two kiddos; my son is 11 and my daughter is five. I love my family so much! My son is very kind and loving little human. He helps a lot with home chores. My daughter is a bossy and feisty girl, that keeps our home always occupied. As a family we love spending evenings together watching movies with popcorn and being outside a lot when the weather permits. My daughter loves gymnastics and ballet/tap dance. My son enjoys tennis and swimming.
What’s something about you that might surprise people—outside of your work and mom life?
I love Zumba classes! I enjoy dancing. And I love hosting people at my home.
Where are your go-to spots right now?
My kids like to go to movies at Glen Center. Also Funtopia there. We also enjoy a few spots for dinner BlueFish Sushi and a few Korean barbecue spots.
What are you loving lately?
I watch and listen to different podcasts. Actually most of them in Russian. Some studies about history and culture. I enjoy that stuff.
It’s time to get down to business! Brand new to Wilmette, please introduce Flamant Nails. Tell us all about the expansion from the city, the concept behind Flamant and what the name means.
Flamant Nail Boutique was always a dream of mine. The name means Flamingo in French. When my daughter was born I was about to start the construction on the first location in Lincoln Park, her spirit animal is flamingo. And that was my inspiration for salons name.
When we moved to the suburbs, I started to look for a spot near me. We have a lot of clients that were asking for a location here since it was very hard and incredibly inconvenient to travel to city to get their services done. But they loved the experience and the quality. So I listened and opened a location in Wilmette! The location is very good, it is easy to get to and it connects many North Shore towns. Our guests love this spot!
Our boutique is not your ordinary nail salon. We provide a new look on the nail industry. Our goal is to create a brand that truly delivers to customers needs. We are committed to providing high end services, quality, amazing atmosphere and safe space. Our manicure technique is one of the best on the market, we source the latest, no toxic products and we use the best equipment.
You are a nail salon, catering to nails only – what sets you apart from other nail salons?
We create a community of women where everyone feels welcomed and always taken care off. Our clients trust us and we create a relationship with them for years. Our customers talk about us everywhere they go, and this is best compliment to us.
The location in Lincoln Park is smaller and does not have private rooms. We listened to our guests and one of the common ask was a dual service providing. Basically to do a manicure and pedicure simultaneously to save time. And that is why we built private rooms where our guests can be very comfortably getting a dual service. And if some people want to have quite solo experience or some can work on the computer or be on a zoom work call while getting a service done, they can always request to be in a private room as well.
Each room is equipped with comfortable seats, pedi station, manicure tables and TV for entertainment. Guests can choose any show or movie to watch. We can even play different music and control the volume for guests comfort. And of course the design of Wilmette location is very different. We tried to bring in more of earthy colors and textures, very luxe and modern look overall.
What’s something you wish people knew about nail care?
Definitely sanitary practices. So many nail salons don’t follow guidelines on how to disinfect and sterilize tools/implements. It’s not only about receiving a pretty manicure/pedicure, but mostly important is a safe service! We take it to a different level! All of our tools go through thorough cleaning procedures. We have in place medical high heat sterilizer that kills all of the viruses, bacteria and any infectious disease spores. I have dedicated an entire sterilization room with all of the essential equipment to make sure everything is done properly and we have space for it.
What are a few facts about a Russian manicure everyone should know?
Russian manicure is not damaging if it’s done correctly. Many people question the technique thinking that is too aggressive. However, it is not the case. Of course only experienced and trained professionals should be providing this service and that who we have at Flamant.
Is your site equipped to host small parties?
Yes, we can definitely accommodate/host small parties.
Do you often see men in your shops?
Actually yes, now we see men reserving their mani/pedi services quite often. They really enjoy the hygienic aspect of it. Also many of our guests bring their husbands and partners:)
Is there anything else you’d like us to know about Flamant Nails?
At Flamant we don’t use DIP or anything that is toxic.
We use hard gels and gel polish. Our main line is Akzentz, Luxio Line, Light Elegance, Bio Sculpture and few European brands like Gama and Dark. We also use two brands of regular polish Dazzle Dry and Gemini. All of our products are non toxic, HEMA free, orderless, cruelty free, TPO free, and are unique. All of these products are safe to use for a prolonged period of time. Sometimes I hear that women think they have to remove the product after 2-3 times of wear to give their nails a break. But honestly there is no reason for that. If the removal is done correctly and the product is high quality, the nails will always be in a good condition. I have had gel nails for 18 years!! And love it! I can’t imagine having naked nails:)
Where can we connect?
You can book by going to our website or call 847.686.8836. Be sure to select the location you want, Chicago or Wilmette. And follow us on Instagram for an inside peek!
About Our Spotlight Partner
Chicago North Shore Moms is supported in part by Mary Gregory Gifford, a Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm (wills and trusts). Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities! Learn more about Mary by visiting her Meet a Mom spotlight here! Contact Mary directly here: [email protected].
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