High Gloss & High Standards: Meet the Duo Behind Bower Luxury Nail Salon
If you can’t find what you want, build it yourself! That’s what drove friends Andrea Fishkin and Amanda Soeder Gleaton to open Bower, the chicest nail destination in Nashville. Meet the women upgrading your self-care routine! Image: Charlie Foshee
Finding a nail salon in Nashville is easy. But finding one that feels like a luxury escape instead of an assembly line? Well, that was trickier until Nashville native Amanda Soeder Gleaton and New York transplant Andrea Fishkin came along. After meeting at a neighborhood get-together, these Wedgewood-Houston residents combined their decades of experience in upscale retail and customer relations to open Bower Nails — WeHo’s new kid on the block that feels more like a sanctuary than a salon. We sat down with the duo to find out how they “nailed” it!
You’ve said the nail salon experience you were looking for didn’t exist in Nashville. What did you feel was missing?
Amanda: I personally felt like it was a chore to get your nails done. It was always so overwhelming — so many options, and no one really explained the why behind the services. We both feel like nail health should be treated as any other health service. It should be a wellness experience.
Our menu of services is streamlined while still offering variety, and we keep the polishes as clean as possible. We walk you through everything and talk you through the process — almost like a hair salon.
Andrea: I think it’s about a lack of education. We have people call in and ask for suggestions on how to transition out of dips, gels, etc. We have to be able to understand and provide answers. A lot of people don’t even know what’s on their nails.
Amanda: Yes, that’s why we employ very knowledgeable manicurists with all different backgrounds, product knowledge, and skill sets. We are all learning every day. It’s very collaborative.
The name Bower translates to “a peaceful retreat.” What inspired the name?
Andrea: We knew it had to feel like an extension of your home — a place you can go and feel comfortable.
Amanda: We wanted it to be one strong, beautiful word that meant something. We didn’t want anything cheesy or girlie — just strong. We searched ChatGPT and found Bower. In medieval English, it describes where a woman went to be on her own — an extension of her bedroom. Plus, we liked that it has a natural element — a tree bough. I always joke that ChatGPT is the third owner in the business.
Andrea: We also wanted it to be simple. “Where do you want to meet? Bower. Where do you go to get your nails done? Bower.” We want you to feel like you can come hang out here, work, or visit with friends — even if you aren’t getting a service.
You’ve said the traditional nail salon experience deserves a “fresh perspective.” What do you mean by that?
Amanda: We want clients and manicurists to understand this is a professional career. Our manicurists are so talented — some have even gone to art school. We provide a different pay structure that includes a livable wage and benefits. It’s an all-around healthy, inclusive environment. We believe in work-life balance because it’s important to us.
Andrea: We prefer to call our employees manicurists over nail techs. It sounds nicer and more sophisticated. This can be a very lucrative career for them. When we interviewed, we explained this is more than a salon — it’s a brand. There is a level of expectation.
Amanda: This is the most intimate you are with a service professional. They are literally holding your hand and looking in your face — there is a true connection. We are teaching our manicurists how to build their books by encouraging them to get to know the clients. Ask about their lives and remember the details. Find out whether they prefer a silent manicure (an option that involves minimal talking), which polish colors they like, or whether they want a neck massage during the service.
You partnered with Nashville-based designer Jillian Downham to create an intentional aesthetic. How do you define the Bower vibe?
Amanda: Because we wanted it to feel like an extension of a living space, we knew we didn’t want a commercial designer. Jillian was recommended to us, and we love that she hand-draws her inspiration and plans.
Andrea: We sent her some Pinterest inspiration. We knew we wanted some specific colors, plants, etc. We also wanted it to feel a touch masculine for the guys. We both love the aesthetic at Buck Mason and how, in the women’s area, there is a bar that looks like it belongs in the men’s sitting room. You can get a whisky or a cocktail there.
The first thing Jillian brought in was the rug, and then everything came from there. It’s a very soothing, earthy color palette.
Amanda: Then there are the things you don’t see. We are big on sanitization, and we triple-sterilize everything. All the water, from what you drink to what we use on your feet, is charcoal filtered. We use hospital-grade sanitizers and a double-filtered HVAC system.
Our copper pedicure bowls are more than just pretty — they are antimicrobial. We don’t use the typical pedicure bowls with jets because water coming in and out of the same spout can cause infections.
How do you make Bower feel like a luxurious escape while keeping it approachable and connected to the Wedgewood-Houston community?
Andrea: We love this neighborhood and our neighbors. They took a big chance on us, and we’re working on several collaborations. Currently, we serve local coffee from Humphreys Street and alcohol from Crush Bottle Shop, and we hope to offer catering from Perenn Bakery when it opens. We also use locally made oils for our hand and nail treatments.
Amanda: We would love for people to realize that taking time for yourself is important. We invite people to come here with friends and just hang out. Come celebrate yourselves!
Andrea: People can come in with coworkers for bonding and team-building experiences. We encourage people to come here for a “Happy Bower Hour” together.
They say don’t go into business with friends. How do you manage to make it look easy?
Andrea: We are very different as people, but we balance each other well at work. Amanda is more social media-savvy, and she handles the bookkeeping side.
Amanda: Andrea is more client-facing. She is always bringing people in and talking about the salon — I joke she’s the mayor of Wedgewood-Houston. We also never make a single decision without consulting each other.
What can we find you doing when you aren’t busy with Bower?
Amanda: I like to work out at home with the Tracy Anderson Method. I also like to try new restaurants and travel as much as I can.
Andrea: I’m a mom of two boys, and I need exercise and social time. Bower has actually given me that social outlet.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Andrea: We were looking at spaces, and we were at that pivotal moment of “Are we or aren’t we?” Someone told me, “I would be scared to be 55 in 10 years and still be doing what you’re doing now versus trying to open a new business.”
Amanda: “You churn in your 30s, you burn in your 40s, and you earn in your 50s.”
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite service at Bower?
Amanda: Japanese Style Manicure.
Andrea: The Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub we use in all our services.
Signature nail polish color?
Amanda: “DUNE” by The Gel Bottle.
Andrea: “Lady is A Tramp” by Lippmann.
Favorite place to eat in WeHo?
Amanda & Andrea: Pastis
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Bonny Osterhage
Bonny Osterhage is a professional journalist with more than 25 years of experience in both print and digital media. An avid fitness fanatic, when she isn't exploring the next trending topic, Bonny can be found cycling, running, and leading classes at SolidCore. Find more of her work at Mind Body Green, The List, Business Insider, and more.
