About Alfalfa Nail Supply

Alfalfa Nail Supply (ANS) was founded in 1995 by Charlie Quy Ton, whose story is one of resilience, courage, and innovation. Born and raised in Communist Vietnam, Charlie was only 14 years old when his mother pushed him onto a crowded wooden boat with 67 others, desperate for freedom. After days floating across the South China Sea, Filipino fishermen rescued the passengers. A Catholic charity took Charlie in, and nine months later he was granted permission to immigrate to the United States.

He arrived in New Orleans to live with relatives. Struggling with English, he worked his way through high school, taking ESL classes and keeping a dictionary by his side. Charlie then enrolled at Louisiana State University (LSU), majoring in Chemical Engineering. At LSU, he supported himself as a work-study student by tending bees. This later inspired the name Alfalfa Nail Supply, after the flowers loved by the bees.

Charlie graduated in 1995 with his engineering degree. Despite his education, jobs were scarce. Charlie found himself helping at his wife’s nail salon, where he saw how much the Vietnamese community relied on nail work for opportunity, and how hard it was
for them to find affordable, quality supplies. Seeing this gap, he began selling nail products locally. With no experience in business, Charlie taught himself marketing, accounting, and sales, and founded Alfalfa Nail Supply, the first nail supply company in Baton Rouge.

From these humble beginnings, ANS has grown from 3 employees and fewer than 200 products into a global brand with over thousands of items and more than 10 exclusive product lines, including BangBang, Le’K, Regal, Botanical Escapes, Lila, Lexi, QT, and Beyond. All of our products are proudly manufactured in the U.S., ensuring the highest quality and value.

Guided by Charlie’s engineering background, ANS has become a pioneer in innovation. He created disposable pedicure liners to improve salon safety, invented the magnetic Liner Jet to revolutionize spa sanitation, and expanded into manufacturing custom pedicure spas, salon furniture, and premium nail products. Today, ANS is a true one-stop shop for nail professionals.

From escaping on a wooden boat with nothing, to building one of the leading nail supply companies in the country, Charlie’s story is a testament to what is possible with faith, hard work, and an unshakable will to succeed. Along the way, he has been honored with awards such as Top Forty Under Forty by the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report and Young Business Person of the Year by the Baton Rouge Business Awards & Hall of Fame. He also served on the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, giving back to the city that gave him opportunity.

Today, ANS products are shipped nationwide and distributed worldwide. We serve both small salons and large companies. Most importantly, our growth has always been shaped by feedback from our customers. Your support has made this your trusted nail supply source, and we remain committed to providing the best products, service, and innovation for years to come.