Spruce Nail Shop
Molly Nagle, Founding Owner of Spruce Nail Shop
When Molly Nagle, owner of Spruce, realized that her business was outgrowing their initial space in Over-the-Rhine, she knew she had to find a spot that allowed her business room to grow into its next phase. She set her sights on Findlay Market for Spruce’s new home. She knew that this move would positively benefit Spruce’s staff and guests alike. While some clients are squeezing in an appointment on their lunch break, others are making a day of their trip to Spruce. Grabbing lunch with a friend at the Market, getting a facial and a manicure and seeing where the day takes them.
“I think that’s my favorite part of what we do, getting to pour into other people and see them not only experience Spruce, but experience the whole environment of Findlay Market,” Molly says.
Having the opportunity to be part of someone’s day is a privilege that is not lost on Molly. Working in the service industry, the technicians at Spruce have the opportunity to deeply connect with their clients in such a short period of time. “We’re really getting to have that one-on-one time with people, where we’re actually holding their hands and having these really great conversations,” Molly says.
Spruce, like most other salons, has a stocked roster of regulars. Often, their appointments are routine–an acrylic fill here, a pedicure there. Over time they build strong relationships with the staff at Spruce, who consistently deliver high quality services, and one day they’re booking an appointment in preparation for a big day. “We have so many people who come in to get their last manicure before giving birth, or before their wedding,” Molly says.
Some may see a salon and think, ‘it’s just nails,’ but Spruce provides resources, services and connections that prove to us that this is much more than just nails. “We’re not just there for the good moments,” says Mandy Spears, General Manager of Spruce. “People will call us and ask if we can fit them in before a funeral.” Being a source of comfort to their clients on the highest and lowest days of their lives is a unique privilege, and one that the staff doesn’t take lightly. To accommodate moments like these, Spruce encourages their clients seeking a low-sensory environment to book a silent appointment. “These changes are simple, and they make such an impact on somebody’s day,” Molly says.
They are champions of sustainability in an industry that relies heavily on disposable products to keep their clients safe. Mandy has sunk hours of her time into making sure all of their products can be recycled, down to disposable gloves and empty nail polish bottles. The salon diverts 200 pounds of waste from the landfill each month through their recycling efforts. Spruce was founded to provide excellent salon services in a non-toxic format, but thanks to Mandy’s efforts over the years, they are now a carbon-neutral salon.
Alongside their efforts to be good stewards of the earth, Molly and Mandy have implemented a full benefits package for their team. “It’s probably the thing I’m most proud of,” Molly says. When describing Spruce to people, Mandy keeps it brief, touching on the most important aspects of the salon—“We’re non-toxic, we’re really artsy, but we’re also helping 40 women be financially independent,” she says.
Opening Walnut Hills was the growth Spruce needed to provide full-time benefits to their staff. With a workplace full of hardworking women, Molly and Mandy wanted to make sure they were properly supported. “We had six babies born in 2022 alone!” Molly shares. And in 2023, she gave birth to her second child. “[The staff] was so encouraging of me to take that time,” she says. “It’s something that I never thought I’d be able to do as a small business owner. Our management team is truly the best.”
Baked into the structure of Spruce are principles that treat people and the planet with the dignity they deserve. They’re always striving to improve their processes and continue showing up for their community. “Spruce’s motto from the beginning has been, ‘We learn as we go,’” Molly says. “How can we keep getting better and keep making different accommodations?” From their commitment to remaining carbon neutral and prioritizing full-time benefits for their staff to educating themselves as the industry changes and providing high-quality service and genuine human connection to their clients, the team at Spruce walks the walk day in and day out.
Published September 2023