Mum opens nail salon to help fund cost of visas after Staffordshire move

Beautician and nail artist Asime Derri who has opened a salon Brisi Nails & Beauty in May Bank
-Credit: (Image: Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)


A nail salon has opened in a quaint North Staffordshire High Street after its owner quickly gained around 200 customers working as a mobile nail technician in just one year. Asime Derri, 34, started her nail business on September 6 2023 with no clients, but her popularity grew and the mum-of-two decided it was time to open her own shop in May Bank.

The Bradwell mum officially opened Brisi Nails & Beauty on Saturday September 7 - her daughter’s 14th birthday. In fact, the salon was named after Asime’s daughter, Brisi, who was the reason the family moved to Staffordshire from Albania six-and-a-half years ago.

Brisi was born with a very rare kidney problem and underwent eight surgeries in Albania but sadly none were successful, and Asime was told by medical professionals that the type of surgery they believed Brisi needed could only be done in three hospitals worldwide, which included the Royal Stoke Hospital. She and her husband, Korab, decided to move to Newcastle with their two children, Brisi and Bjoris, so that the children could get a stable education and life without having to travel to and fro for surgeries.

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Asime said: “Brisi only has one kidney that works and it only works at 30 percent. We were told only three hospitals in the whole world who could treat it, and my brother lives here so we chose here but we could’ve gone to the US because they did the surgery there too.

"Brisi had an operation through private healthcare in Albania too, but she needed more procedures so we applied to move to the UK because we didn’t want it to affect her school by travelling around all the time. Her health is very very good now because she used to get lots of infections and now she’s always smiling, she’s grown lots from a tiny child and she’s so much better.

“I only knew ‘hello’ and ‘yes’ when I moved here. It was very difficult, so I tried to learn English online through free courses, because I had to pay at the college and I didn’t have a car to get around. So I started going to older people’s cafes to talk with them and try to learn, and I watched TV and learned from there too.

“You have to apply every two-and-a-half years for a visa and it costs £15,000 to £20,000 for all four of us, every two-and-a-half years, until we’ve been here for 10 years. So I decided to follow my dream from when I was younger to open a beauty salon. I was engaged at 16, married at 18, and at 20 I had my first child, so it’s nice to have my own business now.”

Beautician and nail artist Asime Derri who has opened a salon Brisi Nails & Beauty in May Bank
Beautician and nail artist Asime Derri who has opened a salon Brisi Nails & Beauty in May Bank -Credit:Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel

Talking about founding her nail business, Asime added: “When I started one year ago I didn’t have any clients, I started with two or three people through family, and within six months I already had 200 clients and I couldn’t believe what was going on. I have a lot of people coming back and I’ve had a lot of support from all of my clients, they're very very nice and I really appreciate it.

“I’ve had lots of compliments, people always appreciate it and they want me to do well and recommend me to their family and friends, and I’m growing now because of them in a very short time. One of my customers is so kind, she makes me cry, and I do her and her daughter’s nails.

“I’m really happy and proud of the business because I’ve worked really really hard and I’ve focussed so much research into watching videos on the best way to set up a business. This will help my finances and help my family to pay for the visas. I enjoy doing nails every single time and with every client. I thank the Gods everyday, I’m just so happy and so grateful for this opportunity.”

Beautician and nail artist Asime Derri who has opened a salon Brisi Nails & Beauty in May Bank
Beautician and nail artist Asime Derri who has opened a salon Brisi Nails & Beauty in May Bank -Credit:Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel

Asime is currently recruiting nail technicians to help her with the workload as she is so busy since opening. Drop ins are welcome, however it’s advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Brisi Nails & Beauty currently offers builder gel, hard gel extension, manicures and pedicures. Prices are dependent on the type, colour and design required. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am until 7pm.

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