Street Style: Meet Jade Kim Trusso of Nothing in Between
I first met Jade Kim Trusso during the summer before she opened her studio. Amy Rutherford, her business neighbor at Pippin Toy Co. had introduced us, and I stopped by the popup nail event they hosted there for kids. Without my daughter in tow, Jade joined me at Meet Your Mother Deli as I devoured a bagel loaded with salmon and cream cheese. She didn’t mind. In between bites, I asked her about the business she was opening in Old Town. Her confidence and calm was something that instantly put me at ease. As she shared her journey, she felt like one of my girlfriends – and we had just met. This was going to be her third location, she was already a seasoned entrepreneur. Even a slight delay here or there wasn’t going to stop her momentum.
Jade moved here from South Korea in 2014 with her husband when he accepted a new government role. They had met in South Korea, and I asked her if coming here was a hard decision. “I like to try new things…I also lived in Australia.”
She shared she always wanted to be an entrepreneur. “I had worked for a fashion company in Korea, and had a dream of owning my own designer boutique store. When I came here, I worked at a couple of boutiques, but realized in this area, I would excel better at providing experiences.” She worked at a few nail salons to see how they ran the day-to-day operations. “It was more on the surface, the outside stuff…not the books. But I said to myself, ‘I can do this a lot better.’ And then I studied and read and studied. But you don’t know until you’re actually doing it.”
Jade Kim Trusso
Photography: Renée C. Gage Photography
Self-styled
Hair & Makeup: Duk Erdenebaarat
Shoot location: Nothing In Between Studio, 1306 King Street, Alexandria
In 2018, she opened her first studio, Nothing in Between in Falls Church. Her second location came in 2021, mid-pandemic, when everyone was still wearing masks. “It’s at Capital One’s main headquarters in McLean. It’s our biggest store and a more diverse clientele that includes business people and those traveling for work.”
When I ask how she landed at 1306 King Street, she shares, “We always knew we had to be in Old Town. We had a lot of customers traveling to us in Falls Church.” Nothing in Between recently celebrated their Grand Opening in September.
“Nothing in between, it means transparency…in terms of products, the services we offer and the practices we use. Others cut corners, and their products are pretty harsh…not us. We are a self-care sanctuary.” In addition to nail care, they offer massage and facials, and there are monthly membership packages, too.
With three stores, she has over 50 employees and is grateful for her manager of operations who handles the nitty gritty. “She receives hundreds of emails and messages every day…I feel for her.” Jade spends a lot of time working from home where she can focus on the bigger picture, and visits each store once a week, where she’ll spend a few hours. As she looks to the future and expansion, she’s been working with a coach and exploring the possibility of becoming a franchise. She’s meticulous and documents every step, every detail of the business. She knows she’ll need that kind of playbook.
Their son Noah just turned four and “he asks a lot of questions and has a ton of energy. It’s much easier than when he was one and a half, now he can dress himself,” she says smiling.
She acknowledges that, “making time for myself is very important, otherwise I will burn out. I love working from home. I feel like I eat better meals. I also set timers and walk my dogs three times a day. Sometimes I can get wrapped up and forget to take a break, so the timers help. I start my day with a workout three to four times a week.” And she’s up early – 4:30am. Reading my mind, she shares, “I end my day early, too, around 4:30pm…pick up my son and go to bed around 9ish. Waking up early is not hard, going to bed early is.”
Walking is also important to her. “Some days I go for hikes with one of my friends…I’ll get a massage and facial at one of the stores, and a mani-pedi once a month.”
When I ask her what her business does really well, she answers quickly: “Community and connection. Our clients are like-minded people who care about supporting each other and empowering other women. Having a strong community helps our business grow.”
We love to hear that – Welcome to Old Town!
Check out Jade’s Street Style:
ABOUT JADE
Neighborhood: Falls Church, VA
Hometown: South Korea
Favorite movies: Moonlight and Lady Bird
Guilty Pleasure: Fresh crusty bread dipped in premium olive oil.
Latest binge-watch: I don’t watch TV.
Bucket list travel destination: Lisbon
STYLE
Define your style in three words or less. Minimalist, artistic, comfortable.
The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Local boutique finds from Alas Eiu, Phosphene, and Kaleidos.
Favorite trend: High-waisted loose pants with crop tops.
Beauty product you can’t live without: Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm Cream.
Boots, heels or sneakers? Sneakers.
WELLNESS
Go-to way to de-stress: Daily nature walks with my dog and weekend family hikes.
Most fun way to stay active: Boxing and tennis.
Wellness goal: Maintaining consistent self-care routines while balancing work-life harmony.
Want to try: Returning to horseback riding.
Proudest wellness achievement: Prioritizing monthly self-care through our spa's facial, massage, mani and pedi treatments.
HOME
Favorite room in your home: Living room
Antiques, modern, or a mix? Modern with cherished pieces from my husband's grandmother.
Last item bought for your home: Sophie Lou Jacobsen Wave Pitcher, which doubles as a sculptural flower vase.
Favorite way to entertain: By preparing homemade Korean small plates.
Clutter-free or well-lived in? Thoughtfully curated with lived-in warmth.
Next planned purchase: USM Haller black drawers for home office.
ALEXANDRIA
What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? The community of empowered women connecting and supporting each other.
Favorite spot in Alexandria: I love to wander the historic streets of Old Town.
Your Go-to Shop: Pippin Toy Co. for children's gifts and Red Barn Mercantile for personal finds.
Best food spot: Call Your Mother Deli
Annual Alexandria event you most look forward to: The Cookie Crawl in November.