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Community Spotlight: The Nail Fairy
Get ready to be inspired by the incredible story of Martina Ngo (@charme.studio), the magical Nail Fairy at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, Washington, who is spreading joy one sparkly nail at a time!
From Family Business to Fairy Dust
Martina's nail career first sparked in her childhood with her family who opened nail salons. Her brother opened his nail salon when she was 18, and she stepped up to help him manage it. She quickly realized her passion was not in management and instead went to nail school to perfect her love for nail art. Thanks to the early years of Pinterest, Martina discovered the endless possibilities of nail designs, which inspired her to focus on nail art and hone her craft for the last 16 years. Now, at 34 years old, she has transformed her passion into a glittering career that is touching lives in ways she never imagined.
The Magic of Charme Nail Studio
Martina's home base is the Charme Nail Studio, a cozy haven that is part nail salon, part community hub, where clients become friends. Throughout her professional work, Martina has a drive to bring joy to every client and make their day better. She has a shop dog named Chai to improve moods and provide comfort. Whether it is at work or during volunteering, she prioritizes a comforting, joyful atmosphere for anyone in her community.
Life Beyond the Nail Studio
When she is not wielding her magic wand (nail brush), Martina loves family time with her two stepsons and hanging out with friends. Being a big foodie, her favorite way to spend time outside of the studio is trying new restaurants and enjoying the company of those around her.
The Birth of the Nail Fairy
One of Martina's favorite parts of being a nail technician is watching children excitedly come into the salon for their manis as if they were spending the day at Disneyland. Keeping this experience in mind, Martina got the inspiration for The Nail Fairy from her regular clients who worked for MultiCare hospitals. Her clients mentioned how they were always looking for more volunteers at the children's hospital, so she applied to volunteer and wanted to do something extra special for the children. Thus, she combined with her volunteer efforts and talents to create The Nail Fairy.
Tutu? Check. Wand? Check. Sparkle? Double-Check!
When The Nail Fairy floats into the hospital room, it is like a burst of sunshine on a cloudy day. Kids' eyes light up at the sight of her because it is not just nail painting but also a full-on enchanted experience. As The Nail Fairy, Martina visits the hospital every few weeks to bring some magic and joy into the lives of kids who are facing medical challenges.
Dressed in fairy wings, a tutu, and several sparkles, The Nail Fairy goes from room to room offering kids their choice of nail polish, and they get to keep the bottle as a small gift. To increase the excitement for her arrival, the staff even places nail fairy stickers on the calendar and starts a request sheet. Every child Martina meets is going through a battle, but through The Nail Fairy, she can help distract them during uncomfortable procedures like IV changes, make them feel cared for, and give them something to look forward to. She emphasizes the importance of making each child feel special and building relationships outside of the everyday medical staff. She truly has something for every child, even for those who opt out of manicures, such as surprising them with a temporary tattoo or sticker.
Colors of Joy
The most popular color among these brave little warriors is yellow. Understanding the psychology of colors, Martina often tries to offer happy, bright colors to the kids with the hope that it will add an extra splash of joy to their hospital stay.
The Heartwarming Rewards
Martina's face lights up as she shares the most rewarding part of her Nail Fairy adventures.
"The joy on their faces lights up so quickly," she beams.
It is not just a one-time thing either — she builds relationships with these little fighters, seeing them every few weeks and listening to their stories. It has grown into a long-term community where grateful parents update her years later and in many cases still remember her from a visit 10 years ago. Martina shares that her work as The Nail Fairy has left her with a greater desire to learn the story of each of her nail clients, more empathy at work, and extra motivation to make every client smile. She acknowledges that some of these kids may be going through one of their worst days, but she has the power to leave small acts of kindness through her work.
Spreading the Fairy Dust
Martina's dream? To sprinkle her Nail Fairy magic far and wide. She hopes to inspire a whole fleet of Nail Fairies, bringing smiles to hospitals everywhere.
Martina's message to anyone who wants to become a Nail Fairy: "You don't need to ask for my permission to start it up, but please tag me so we can plan a Nail Fairy meetup."
Additionally, she explains that if you are not feeling the fairy vibes, then you can always volunteer at your local hospital in a way that is meaningful to you, Many hospitals are often on the lookout for joy bringers!
Support The Nail Fairy Charity
If you feel inspired to support The Nail Fairy charity or want to learn more, you can visit their website: Nail Fairy Charity.
