HARVARD – Sitting in her new shop, the one she could never have dreamed of, Yen Nguyen's face beams when she talks about the profound impact of moving to America at age 22.

"I have to say, it's freedom," said the now 34-year-old, the words, supported with a smile, jumping out of her as if spring-loaded. "You can work. You can express yourself. You can tell people what you like and what you don't."

The land of opportunity has been exactly that for Nguyen and Mario Vu. The two are settling into their new life as business owners, four months after buying and renovating Nailtique, a six-year-old nail salon in Harvard.