Serendipity Salon

Fried offers manicures and pedicures, and the salon is looking to hire a second nail technician.

Fried said her prices are higher than some other salons, but she focuses on quality and does not rush her clients out of the salon. A manicure takes about an hour to complete, she said.

Client Lana Ashley said she has been coming to Fried for her manicures since 1989.

"I've had my nails done at other places, and when I have my nails done by Lisa, I get compliments," Ashley said.

Fried said the friendships with her customers have grown stronger with time.

"I also sing, and I sang for [Ashley's] daughter's wedding. I've sung for many of my clients' weddings," she said.

"I watched them raise these kids, and then I watched them get [those kids] through college, and I've watched [those kids] get married, and now I'm watching [clients] be a grandma. It's just really cool."

At the salon, the Oak Hill native and Dripping Springs High School alumna said she makes an effort to listen to her clients and give them a place where they feel welcome.

When she was 19, her stylist, Frances Ann Fosdick, encouraged her to get her nail technician license. She went to Baldwin Beauty School, got her certification and joined Frances Ann's Little Shop On The Creek in 1984 at the current Serendipity location.

Fried worked at a few other salons but said she was always drawn back to the location. In 1989 she came back to the Oak Hill location and with a business partner opened Personal Images.

After five years, Fried left to pursue other opportunities, but returned in 1997 to buy back the business and reopened it as Serendipity Salon.

Some customers drive long distances to come to the shop, which Fried said serves clients from areas such as Western Oaks, Travis Country, Scenic Brook, Dripping Springs, Bee Caves, Lakeway, Bastrop and Horseshoe Bay.

"For the most part, [my job is] a blast," she said. "I get to be creative, and I get to have these close relationships with these women. We obviously are here to provide a service, but our ultimate hope is that we gain a friend and someone that we can have a relationship with."

Nail treatments 101

Cuticle removal Cuticles are dead skin cells residing in the nail bed. These can be removed or pushed back during the manicure process.

Natural nail manicures Fingernails are cleaned, filed, shaped, buffed and polished.

Acrylics Fingernail-shaped coverings placed over fingernails that are shaped and buffed and polished.

Shellac manicures Shellac is a gel-based polish that lasts for approximately two weeks. Shellac can be used over natural, acrylic or gel nails and requires professional removal in order not to damage natural nails.

Pedicures Toenails are trimmed, filed and polished. Serendipity also offers foot masks and aromatherapy foot baths.

Source: Lisa Biddle Fried

Salon services

A range of services are provided at Serendipity Salon, including manicures, pedicures, hairstyling and facial waxing. Haircuts and styling are available for men, women and children.

• Manicure: $35
• Shellac manicure: $40
• Acrylics (full set): $60
• Pedicure: $50
• Haircut: $40–50
• Hair color: $75 and up
• Highlights: $85 and up

Serendipity Salon, 7928 W. Hwy. 71, 512-288-8334, www.serendipity-salon-austin.com