Honest Review of PriveNail Bar:
Still Supporting--but You Need to Do Better
As a proud Black, educated, six-figure-earning woman who intentionally supports Black-owned businesses, I never expected to feel so unseen and disrespected in a space run by my own people. But after three visits to Prive Nail Bar, I can no longer stay silent--not out of hate, but out of love for our community, accountability, and a call for better.
Here's what I've experienced:
Black customers are treated differently from white customers--period.
On three separate visits, I've watched the owners (a brother and sister) go out of their way for white clients--offering drinks, extra kindness, and top-tier service--while their Black clients (including myself) are barely acknowledged beyond the service we're paying for.
Drinks? Only for white customers.
There's a bar in the shop. I've seen it in action. I've watched drinks be offered to white clients--custom-made, no less--while Black clients get nothing. Today, a white customer even joked about how they "shut down businesses with Google reviews," and suddenly they and their wife are being served ninja drinks like VIPs. No one else was offered a thing, even though I had just dropped $130, and came back to spend another $35 days later. That's nearly $200 in a week, and not even a simple offer of hospitality.
My money spends just like theirs. Let me say it again for the people in the back: My money is green too. Just like theirs. So why does it feel like I don't matter in this space?
This isn't one bad experience--it's a pattern.
* Visit 1: I noticed the off energy, but let it slide.
* Visit 2: I saw the favoritism again and still gave y'all grace.
* Visit 3 (today): I'm done staying quiet.
I've had people from my church tell me they noticed it too. I even defended y'all at first. But I was wrong. This is real.
And let's talk about Vanessa.
I do not appreciate Vanessa standing over me while I'm in the chair, mid-service, trying to calculate what to charge me--like I'm being watched or profiled. It was uncomfortable, it was unprofessional, and honestly? It was sickening. I've watched her cash out several white clients without hovering over them or scrutinizing their services.
Y'all need a better system--because what you're doing now is not only awkward, it's insulting. That kind of behavior makes people feel targeted and unwelcome, whether you realize it or not.
Let me say what others are afraid to.
I know other people feel this way. I've heard the whispers; I've seen the looks. But for some reason, folks are afraid to speak up. Not me.
Because one thing you're going to learn about me is:
* I'm well-spoken.
* I'm well-educated.
* I'm street smart, too.
So, which version do y'all want? Either way, I'm going to stand on what's right.
Final Thoughts:
I was disappointed a few days ago when I had to address an issue with y'all directly.
I'm even more disappointed today.
And still, I'll probably be back--not because I'm happy with the service, but because I'm going to show you my money, my presence, and my standards matter just as much as anyone else's. I'll keep supporting--not silently, but with purpose.
Prive Nail Bar, I truly hope you hear this.
Because if you keep treating your own like second-class customers, you'll lose the very community that built you.
Do. Better.
Mrs. Alicia R Steed read more