An Army of Normal Folks - The Vietnamese Refugees Who Changed America

Episode Date: August 1, 2025

For Shop Talk, Coach Bill tells the story of An Army of Normal Refugees who changed America... at least in one aspect. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/premiumSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everybody, welcome to an army of normal folks. It's shop talk number 63. Welcome in the shop. Y'all can talk now. Welcome in the shop. Say hello. Hi. Hey.

Alex brought us whole clan to the shop today. Well, they were here for the Alex's Lemonade Stand event. That's right. Did you all enjoy that? Yes, sir. Did you? Oh, we have a visitor. Who's that down there?

Landry Adams. Oh, to speak into this thing. Who is that? Landry Adams. Landry Adams. Adams and she is how old? 11. 11.

And she's from Oxford? Yes, sir. And was she go to school, buddies with y'all neighbor or something? Yes. All three. All three. So we got Alex's four kids who you've been introduced before and their new friend Landry popping in the shop today.

Hey, Landry. Hey. Do you have some money to spend in the shop? No, sir. Well, you're going to have to get out. Okay, so today is ShopTot Number 6. And we're going to talk about nail salons. Landry, would you like to get your nails done?

Yes, please. Well, you need to go to a spa. This is a shop. You can leave. We were driving up and I was telling them about today's shop talk. And they were so shocked that you love nail salons. Oh, no. I love getting my toes done.

Oh, yeah, you got to have a pedicure. No, it's the greatest. George. No, we were raising him to be a man. George. George, real men get pedicures. Say that loud. Nope

George George says There you go Real men get pedicures Because it cleans up your feet So they're nice and pretty For your lady friends And it feels so good

When you're doing it So everybody This is not a children in shop talk But there are children in the shop Shop talk number 63 We're going to talk about nail salons Right after these brief messages From our

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Hi, Kyle. Could you draw up a quick document with the basic business plan? Just one page as a Google Doc and send me the link. Thanks. Hey, just finished drawing up that quick one-page business plan for you. Here's the link. But there was no link. There was no business plan. It's not his fault. I hadn't programmed Kyle to be able to do that yet. My name is Evan Ratliff. I decided to create Kyle, my AI co-founder, after hearing a lot of stuff like this from OpenAI CEO Sam Aldman. There's this betting pool for the first year that there's a one-person billion-dollar company,

which would have been like unimaginable without AI and now will happen. I got to thinking, could I be that one person? I'd made AI agents before for my award-winning podcast, Shell Game. This season on Shell Game, I'm trying to build a real company with a real product run by fake people. Oh, hey, Evan. Good to have you join us. I found some really interesting data on adoption rates for AI agents and small to medium businesses. Listen to Shell Game on the IHeart Radio app

Or wherever you get your podcasts You can accomplish a lot in a decade You could earn a bachelor's degree And a master's degree back to back You could compete in two separate consecutive Olympic games Well, we made my favorite murder It's spent 10 years of true crime 10 years of conversation

And 100 years of swearing Here's the thing Everyone Politeness Go fuck yourself Is like when someone sneezes from now on We have something for every Everyone.

Advice, support, and a safe space for your feelings. This is terrible. Keep going. Keep going. Stay out of the forest. You're in a cult. Call your dad. Don't worry.

It gets worse. Toxic masculinity ruins the party again. I said, Dad, what the hell? What are we going to do? And he goes, I don't know. We're going to sally forth. We're going to sally forth. You guys, stay sexy.

Don't get murdered. Elvis, do you want a cookie? A cookie? A cookie? Listen to my favorite murder on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Goodbye. What if mind control is real? If you could control the behavior of anybody around you, what kind of life would you have?

Can you hypnotically persuade someone to buy a car? When you look at your car, you're going to become overwhelmed with such good feelings. Can you hypnotize someone into sleeping with you? I gave her some suggestions to be sexually aroused. Can you get someone to join your cult? NLP was used on me to access my subconscious. NLP, aka neurolinguistic programming, is a blend of hypnosis, linguistics, and psychology. Fans say it's like finally getting a user manual for your brain.

It's about engineering consciousness. Mind Games is the story of NLP. It's crazy cast of disciples and the fake doctor who invented it at a new age commune and sold it to guys in suits. He stood trial for murder and got acquitted. The biggest mind game of all, NLP might actually work. This is wild. Listen to Mind Games on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, starting January 20th.

Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the shop. We're talking about my love of nail salons, and I think I said something about it in a past show. With Jen Andrews. What was it? Jen Andrews. That's what it was. And you've been giving me crap about it ever since.

That's right. So of other listeners, Mitch, commented on Facebook, Bill, what are you doing? Really? Well, I take my shoes off, y'all take your shoes off, and my stuff's going to be straight, and y'all going to be nappy. And so that's just the way it works. So, all right, let's take a poll. Who would like to have their toes done? Versus?

One, two, versus not. One, two, three, four, five against two. We win. Five to two. Y'all are losers. Okay. Four of those were girls, but keep going. Apparently we have massaginistic.

What are you? Against men, yeah. Yeah, something's wrong with y'all. All right. Anyway, we loved it. So today, the shop talk, we're going to talk about the little-known history of the now $8 billion nail salon industry. And how this industry grew, thanks to an actress, her stunning fingernails, and some refugees. Here's what happened.

The story of the modern nail salon industry starts with the Vietnam War. I'm not joking. This is what Alex has done research for me, and Alex, you really need to do something else on your Friday nights. The United States took in 1.3 million refugees from Southeast Asia after the Vietnam War. After the fall of Saigon and 75, what was called Hope Village in California, became one of the first non-military sites for Vietnamese refugees. About 700 to 1,000 refugees came through there for a few weeks, the months, before resettling elsewhere.

And 20 of them got up close personal with a famous actress named Tippy Hedron. Do you know who she is, Bill? Tippy Hedron. No. Well, it's about to tell you. Oh. Oh, who, oh, she was the girl in Boll. birds. Alfred Hitchcock's movie birds. Okay, so that's tippy hedron. So 20 of them got to be

friends or acquaintances with tippy hedron. But her interactions with these refugees led to a far greater legacy. Tippy apparently had a heart for refugees, which now I'm a Tippy fan, and was an international relief coordinator for a nonprofit organization, Food for the Hungry. She worked with 20 Vietnamese women at Hope Village and tried to help them find vocations that they to in America. Tippy said, I love these women so much that I want something good to happen for them after losing literally everything. And do remember, these people lost their home. They were fighting against communism. They lost their liberty. They lost their country. And they left everything behind to flee to the United States after the fall of Saigon. A horrific part of the story many people

forget and why there's a large Vietnamese population in the United States. And Tippy, recognized these folks lost everything. Some of them lost their entire family. They all lost everything. They had Vietnam, their homes, their jobs, their friends. Everything was gone. They even lost their country. I brought in seamstress and typist any way for them to learn something, and they loved my fingernails. That's what they wanted to do, which was not exactly what Tippy had in mind, but she went with it. Tippy flew in her personal manicurist to teach them the art of manicures. She also recruited a local beauty shop to help teach them, and then she helped them get them jobs all over South Carolina, Southern California. And these Vietnamese refugees then gave

the nail salon business a radical makeover. The BBC said that Alex couldn't have come up with something that creative. What? Alex who? No, whatever. It was, I was trying to be cue with the language, but it didn't work out. Oh. What are we right here? And the Vietnamese refugees gave nail slum business radical makeover. The BBC said that? Yeah. Oh. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Alex couldn't have something. You get that play on the words? They gave the nail slop business a radical makeover. Ha, ha, ha. Ha, ha. Okay. It didn't land so long. No, I missed.

But leave it in there. The BBC wrote that, not me. I get it. Yeah. In the 70s, manicures and pedicures cost around 50 bucks. Are you kidding in the 70s that cost 50 bucks? And look at how much they would cost in today's dollars. Which would be $300 in today's dollars.

I'd still pay $300 for good pedicure. That's how good it is. It's how normal you are. Oh, whatever. That's fine for actress like tippy hedron. I don't pay $300 for a pedicure, but I'm just saying when my feet are nasty and I want to relax for an hour, I would. Oh, I hope people at my pedicure place aren't listening to this because they're going to raise my rates. Okay.

So, 300 bucks. Well, 50 back then, 300 in days money. That's fine for an actress like Tippy Hedron, but most American women couldn't afford that. today a manny-petti can cost 20 bucks no it can it's more like 40 largely because of the Vietnamese American salons that dramatically lowered their prices so they could compete with existing salons and because of this they dramatically expanded the market to Nell salons being accessible to almost every American woman and man forging today's $8 billion industry this is really interesting is cool it is cool so this tippy and

actress felt for some refugees. The Vietnamese loved her nails. They learned how to do it, lowered the cost of doing it, and then exploded and made an entire market for the common person to be able to get manicures and pedicures instead of just the ultra rich because of what they learned and then took across the country. Hmm, starting to get it. It's pretty cool. Today, 51% of nail technicians are of Vietnamese descent. Are you serious? Wow. And in California, it's 80%. Tippy is still alive at 95 years old, so she's been able to see this whole wild story play out while she enjoys her wildlife sanctuary outside of L.A., no doubt, with pretty nails. She said of the industry, now it's dominated by the Vietnamese. I sure wish I had a percentage

of it. I wouldn't be working so hard to keep these lines and tigers fit. That's funny. So it's a story. Just an army of normal refugees and an actress who cared about 20 Vietnamese people that changed our world. Just yet another story of a person. Seeing an opportunity of need, recognizing a way to fill it, and doing what she can with 20 people. That has now, I guess, 50 years later turned into an $8 billion industry. industry and provided hope for a lot of Vietnamese folks that didn't have something to do. What a great story.

So when you talked about your love of nail salons, it reminded me of this. And it's one of my favorite stories I've ever come across. Oh, you knew this story before? Yeah, yeah. Did you really? Yeah. Okay, well, you're making me good nails. What are you doing studying nail salons?

Someone else told me this story. Oh, yeah, it's my friend. It's like my friend has this ailment. I'm calling asking for my friend. You go to nail salons and you didn't know this story. I do go to nail salons on a regular basis, and I will be going soon. Would anybody like to join me? Yay.

Yeah, I know. It's a lot of fun. But these refugees even lowered the prices for you, too. It lowered the prices for everyone. Thank goodness, because it is kind of expensive. But, man, it's so good. And, by the way, all of you guys out there listen to me, we're like, I cannot believe this dude gets a pedicure.

Here's the deal. sneak off one week afternoon where you don't have anything to do and look don't get your feet painted or anything that's not a guy I think but get your toenails clipped and cleaned and then let them massage your feet and do what they do pedicures for guys and I promise you you will never go back

to being a non-pedicure person and Alex if you had any any guts at all you try it once if we have a army convention one day which I've always dreamed of Maybe we'll have to have like a pedicure session. Oh, well, absolutely. No, we'll have a pedicure stand outside of the ballroom. Yeah, all with Vietnamese.

Well, I mean, we don't want to discriminate, but at least 51% of them would be Vietnamese because that's the numbers. So that's it. How'd y'all? What? I would come. You want to come? Yeah.

That'd be awesome, wasn't it? Yeah. Y'all could get yours painted. I don't get mine painted. I just couldn't come. All right. So, that's shop talk number six. 63, all from Alex making fun of my pedicures, yet another story of how the most easy, simple, mundane thing can change lives.

Anybody can do it if you have a passion and you see an area in opportunity and you go to work. You never know what's going to happen. Before we end, everybody, I hope you'll really hear me on this one. I'm stoked. Our next live interview, by the way, I'm going to time. stamp this. We just had one today that was, could you tell that I was about to cry? A little bit at one point, yeah. There was twice

that I had tears in my eyes so much that I was just kind of looking in her direction, but I wasn't getting eye contact with her because I mean, man. If you're such a man, you should be willing to cry. A good happy. I'm willing to cry. The kids actually make fun of me for this when I cry, but a good happy cry is one of the best things in the world. That's the greatest thing in the world. And I was happy. to cry just as I'm happy to get a pedicure, but when you're interviewing someone, you need to stay composed. No, you don't. That was my thing. It's a better interview if you cry. Okay, well, I started to

cry. I didn't know, but anyway. Got to be vulnerable. All right. Well, that was today. And this live interview, which, spoiler alert, listen to the Alex Lemonade Stand Foundation interview. It was a live one we did today. It'll be coming out soon. Man, what a story. But I'm stoked. because our next one is going to be in Oxford, Mississippi, home of the greatest university on the face of the planet, the finest academic institution ever created, the town square that reminds me of Camelot and the greatest place in the world, Oxford, Mississippi.

On August 28th, four days after my birthday, so y'all need to start thinking about what you're going to get me. Okay, that's right. On August 28th, I'll be interviewing Spreeceph, Sparky Reardon. Sparky was the Dean of Students at Ole Miss when I was a student there. He became a confidant. He became a mentor for me and for thousands of others.

And everybody that thinks they have this personal relationship with Sparky is going to be hurt to know that Sparky's the kind of guy that could have a personal relationship with a thousand people or more. And he did. He does. He's still alive. As a dean of students. and I know he's still alive because we're interviewing. Good God. I'm just saying, I see him all.

He's still a legend in Oxford. He's a walking legend. He is a walking legend and he deserves to be. But this legend who taught me a leadership class back my junior in college and who helped me when I was in some leadership positions had problems and walked me through it would never give me the answers but would help me arrive at him. Just an unbelievable guy. He is now my friend.

Anyway, he's got this new book. called the Dean, Memoirs and Missives. And if you're going to be in and around Oxford on August 28th, or you're going to be going to the ball game. So if you're in town for the ball game, you're in town for this. Join us. It'll be a really fun night. He's one of the wisest, the most beloved human beings in Oxford

and the history of the university, basically on earth. And the good news is it's not much work for me. I can basically turn on the mic, introduce him, and just sit there and listen because he's that guy. I guarantee it will be inspirational, thought-provoking, funny, and knowing Sparky, he'll also say something that will make you think very deeply about your place on Earth. So for my fellow Ole Miss fans, it's Thursday before the game, come. If you're from out of town and you're going to be in town, come. To learn more about when, where, what, and how to RSVP, please go to Sparky-Rarden.

com. Sparky-Rarden. Eventbright.com, I guarantee you this evening will not disappoint. If this episode inspired you to get involved, super. Rate it and review it. Subscribe to the podcast. Join the Army at normalfolks. us. What else do we need to do, guys? Shop talk ideas. Shop talk ideas. Email me anytime at Bill

at normalfokes.com. And I think that's it. That's shop talk number three. Sixty-three. We're leaving. Kids, gather up your stuff. We're out of here. We'll see you next week. I'm John Polk. For years, I was the poster boy of the conversion therapy movement. the ex-gay who married an ex-lesbian and traveled the world telling my story of how I changed my sexuality from gay to straight. You might have heard my story, but you've never heard the real story. John has never been anything but gay, but he really tried hard not to be. Listen to Atonement, the John Polk story on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And the winner of the IHeart Podcast Award is

You can decide who takes home the 26 IHeart Podcast Awards Podcast of the year by voting at IHeartPodcastawards.com Now through February 22nd. See all the nominees and place your vote at IHeartPodcastawards.com. Audible is a proud sponsor of the Audible Audio Pioneer Award. Explore the best selection of audiobooks, podcasts, and originals all in one easy app. Audible. There's more to imagine when you listen.

Sign up for a free trial at audible.com. Hi, Kyle. Could you draw up a quick document with the basic business plan? Just one page as a Google Doc and send me the link. Thanks. Hey, just finished drawing up that quick one page business plan for you. Here's the link. But there was no link.

There was no business plan. I hadn't programmed Kyle to be able to do that yet. I'm Evan Ratliff here with a story of entrepreneurship in the AI age. Listen as I attempt to build a real startup run by fake people. Check out the second season of my podcast. Shell Game on the IHeart Radio app or wherever you get your podcasts. Back in 2016, we said, let's do a podcast. Little did we know it would last 10 years.

I mean, but here's the thing. Stay out of the forest. You're in a cult. Call your dad. This is terrible. Keep going. You guys stay sexy. Don't get murdered. Elvis, do you want a cookie?

A cookie? My favorite murder turns 10 this month. Join us for new episodes every Thursday on the Exactly Right Network. Listen to my favorite murder on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast. or wherever you get your podcasts. Goodbye. What if mind control is real? If you can control the behavior of anybody around you,

what kind of life would you have? Can you hypnotically persuade someone to buy a car? When you look at your car, you're going to become overwhelmed with such good feelings. Can you hypnotize someone into sleeping with you? I gave her some suggestions to be sexually aroused. Can you get someone to join your cult? NLP was used on me to access my subconscious.

Mind Games, a new podcast exploring NLP. K.A. Neurolinguistic programming. Is it a self-help miracle, a shady hypnosis scam, or both? Listen to Mind Games on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, starting January 20th. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.