BELLA
I think the story of Ines was very emotional and inspiring. In some ways I understand her situation because I also work in the beauty industry and I know how hard it is to build yourself from zero in another country.
I think not only Ines experienced these feelings, but many immigrants come to America and go through a similar path. People leave their home country, family, language, and comfort zone to try to build a better future. It is not easy emotionally or financially, especially in the beginning.
What touched me the most was that Hannah gave Ines an opportunity. She accepted her into her family, taught her a trade, trusted her, and gave her motivation to grow. If I were Ines, I would feel very grateful for that experience because without Hannah maybe she would never discover her talent or open her own business later.
This situation also reminded me a little of my own life. In my career as a hairstylist, I also taught students and shared my experience with other people. One of my students learned a lot from me and later opened her own salon too. I think this is normal in the beauty industry. Good teachers help people grow, and sometimes students continue their own path and build something for themselves.
That is why I understand both sides of the story. I think Ines was right to grow and become independent, but I also think she should always remember and appreciate the people who helped her in the beginning. 
YEN-TING
Mother-daughter relationships
From the movie, I saw Priscilla wants her mom to become more brave and challenge on her business, she don’t wants Ines live under shadow from Hannah, and she thought her mom has able to open a shop by herself.
But for Ines, I observed that she was cautious, responsible and she was a first generation who moved to US. I saw that she was tough from the start, and maybe she was afraid of losing her business and especially of not being able to take care of her daughter anymore.
For me, I had a lot of ideas when I moved to New York. There have always been challenges in real life, but I still want to keep trying new things and no matter whether it is a good or bad thing, everything is worth learning!.
Ines continuing to follow some Jewish traditions
I think it depends on how religion influences you, because religion does not depend on what your background or culture is. It depends on what helps you find peace in your mind. If Ines finds peace in this religion, it is good for her to continue this tradition in her household. JUSUN
A leap of faith
A leap of faith can be taken when someone has gained enough experience in a certain industry and has developed a deep understanding of how it works internally. At that point, they may feel ready to start their own business or pursue their own path. It is never too late to begin; what is truly “late” is never being willing to try something in the first place.
Training someone to take your place
Ines was very shocked and upset when Hannah told her about the new person she would need to train and who would replace her. She had worked closely with Hannah for a long time, so it was emotionally difficult for her to accept the change. However, she also began to understand that, as a business owner, Hannah had to make decisions based on the overall needs of the company, rather than personal feelings. Although the situation was hard, she could appreciate the opportunity she had been given, which helped her grow more independent and may also become a turning point for starting her own career.
Some quotations from the video
• “Shame does you no good. You deserve to feel amazing! That’s normal. Bodies change.”
This quote shows that Ines encourages her customers to feel confident about their bodies. She believes people should not feel shame and should accept natural changes. It reflects her positive attitude toward self-acceptance.
• (Hannah to Ines) “I had a husband all these years and what I needed was a wife!”
Hannah means that although she had a husband, she actually needed support from another woman like Ines in her daily life. It shows their close working relationship and emotional dependence.
• (Ines to Priscilla) “Hannah gave me a family when I was alone in this country. And she taught me a trade. I came here to start over. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Hannah!”
This quote shows that Hannah gave Ines a new life in a foreign country. Ines is grateful because Hannah helped her find a job, a purpose, and a sense of family.
• (Priscilla to her mother) Ma, stop living in Hannah’s shadow! Why leave your child if all you were going to do was come here and be a servant? You came here to make a life that you actually won’t make. Build something!
Priscilla is telling her mother to stop depending on Hannah and start building her own independent life. She wants her mother to become more self-reliant and create her own future. VASILII
A leap of faith
A leap of faith means taking a big risk even when you do not know what will happen in the future. I think one of the biggest leaps of faith in my life was moving to the United States. It was a very risky decision because before moving, I had to leave many things behind — my job, my friends, and my comfortable life.
I did not know what would happen to me, but I decided to take a step forward because I wanted a better future and new opportunities.
The reality was much harder than I expected, and there were many challenges, but I do not regret my decision. This experience made me stronger and taught me that sometimes growth only happens when you leave your comfort zone and take a risk.
Online stores and small businesses
I think online stores have changed many things for small businesses. As a product designer, I am currently working on a project for an online store, so I understand why many people choose online shopping. It is very convenient because it saves time and allows people to shop from anywhere.
However, during user interviews, many people told me that they still prefer shopping in person. They like to see, touch, and try products before buying them, especially clothes or personal items. I understand both sides.
Online shopping is fast and convenient, but offline shopping gives people a more personal experience. I think both online and offline stores will continue to exist because different people have different needs. IRENE
The first question that was very interesting for me to answer. It is about what her daughter told Iris. Her words ” You came to make a life you actually won’t make. BUILD SOMETHING.”
This so deeply touches me at this time. I think all immigrants are here for 1 reason: build something new, start over! But sometimes fear is freezing your body, your mind. The first stability is very important and we are sometimes so scared to lose it after everything we’ve been through. And when I think that it is time to move on, take new risks, maybe lose some old staff like an old stability job – I’m just cowering in fear. Fear of making life worse when you have achieved all this at such a price. I deeply understood Iris’ feelings at that moment. And I hope that all of us will find a strength to take new risks and we will see how life can be better!
Training someone to take your place
She was shocked, it was unfair, totally unfair. I think that Hannah managed this very badly. Hannah didn’t think about Iris’ feelings and it was terrible to see how Iris has to calm herself down. I think in this situation I would do the same. Every time I work hard and with all my soul. So I take it very personally. I work on it and try to do my best, but do not put all my soul and remember – it is just my job! SIDI
Mother-daughter relationships
Iris was a hardworking woman and a kind person, but she needed a push toward her goal. That is exactly what her daughter, Priscilla, did when she insisted and encouraged her to develop her business independently. At first, Iris hoped to become Hanah’s partner, but her daughter became the turning point in her life. Her daughter refused to let her mother continue working as a maid because it upset and hurt her. This motivation pushed Iris to take the step toward leaving and becoming independent, while still strongly wanting to keep her relationship with Hannah and always appreciating her support and help in teaching her the profession. Yes, this is inspiring. I often hear similar thoughts in my mind that push me to make some decisions quickly, but I keep delaying them until the perfect moment, which may never come.
Ines continuing to follow some Jewish traditions
Iris continues Hana’s traditions because she is used to them and feels a sense of belonging to this family. However, since her daughter does not see these traditions as necessary and even finds them boring, I believe it is time to let them go, especially the ones that are not directly connected to Hannah, as long as Iris does not see these traditions as something sacred. As a wonderful alternative, she can keep a simple tradition such as visiting regularly and bringing cookies as a way to show gratitude and maintain the bond of friendship and the human relationship between them. YULIANA
A leap of faith
This phrase resonates deeply with me, as I have lived through just such an experience. I worked as a pediatric nurse—a low-paying job at the time. As times changed, people in my country began shifting careers and launching their own businesses; however, I possessed neither the knowledge nor the capital to do the same. I left my beloved job—despite having already risen to the position of head nurse in my department—and went to work as a sales assistant in order to learn the ropes of the market. Lacking funds of my own, I borrowed the money at a high interest rate. It was a risk, but I believed in myself, and so I opened my own business. That was the best time of my life. NAN
Online stores and small businesses
More and more offline businesses have disappeared. Apart from the reason of economic downturn, the change of consumption habits is also the main reason.
Actually, online business enhances our quality of our life. We are able to order almost everything online. which can save time for us to do other issues. In China, if you are hungry in the evening at 10pm or even later, you still can find various of delicious foods online and in short time– maybe 30 minutes — you can pick them at your home. When you would like to buy something for your daily life , you just need to sign on a shopping app, find items you want and pay for them online. You will receive them within about 3 days generally and usually for free shipping!
In this situation, why do people go shopping in-person? Shopping online can satisfy our requirements easily.
Of course, there are still some cases that we had better shop in-person. For example, something expensive or need to try on and feel by ourselves, we usually go shopping in-person. That online and AI can’t meet us very well now. GIGI
Ines continuing to follow some Jewish traditions
I think Ines can continue some of the Jewish traditions in her own household, because traditions are not only about religion, but also about culture.
In my opinion, traditions and language should be preserved and passed down to future generations. For example, in mainland China, the official language is Mandarin, but in Guangdong, especially in Guangzhou, Cantonese should still be protected and continued. I remember that when I was young, people mainly spoke Cantonese in daily life. However, many children today mostly speak Mandarin, even when they go home and talk with their families. I think parents also have some responsibility because many of them allow their children to stop speaking Cantonese and switch completely to Mandarin. It feels sad that some local people from Guangzhou can no longer speak Cantonese well.
That is why I believe traditions and languages should not be given up, because they are an important part of cultural identity and history.
Online stores and small businesses
I have noticed that many small family-owned shops are disappearing. However, I think both online and in-person shopping give customers the freedom to choose what works best for them. For example, I prefer buying fresh food in person, while other things that I do not need urgently can be bought online. EVGENY
After talking with Iris, I became deeply immersed in my memories –
While studying at the university, I started working at a Russian bank as a credit specialist. I prepared reports for the credit committee regarding the possibility of granting loans to entrepreneurs and small businesses. It was in 2001.
It was quite a difficult time because the Soviet Union had only recently collapsed . Many factories and companies had closed or reduced their production. As a result, many people were forced to start their own businesses. The main area was trade.
Entrepreneurs traveled to Turkey or China, where they purchased goods to resell in Russia. This income allowed our clients to support their families.
Most of our bank’s clients were women. And in many cases, their husbands did nothing, so the women managed the entire business themselves.
It was truly a time of change.
I worked with small businesses throughout my entire banking career, so I understand the difficulties and risks that clients face. Of course, it is very difficult to run a business in a constantly changing world.
That is why I can only admire Iris for running her own business. I would like to wish her continued success and growth – more clients who value an individual approach, and increasing revenue for her business.
Online stores and small businesses
Yes, as part of my work, I saw many small family-owned stores close down.
Today, it is very difficult to compete with large corporations such as Zara, H&M, Uniqlo, Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s.
Micro and small businesses can now operate online through platforms like Amazon. However, there is always a risk of losing the business because these platforms can monitor profitable markets and then enter those businesses themselves, simply redirecting customer traffic to their own products and services.
I think that service businesses are still less risky -beauty salons and barbershops, dentistry and other medical services, auto repair shops, and similar businesses.
In everyday life, however, I still tend to prioritize price. MARIIA
A leap of faith
A “leap of faith” is when you do something important even if you are not completely sure what will happen. It is like trusting your heart and taking a step into the unknown.
Yes, I had a leap of faith in my life. When I was single and lived in Moscow, I really liked my life. I had a good job and salary, worked for one of the biggest oil companies in Russia, lived in my own apartment, and enjoyed my life. Everything was stable and comfortable.
One day I met my husband. At that time he was living in London. Very quickly, he gave me a ring and proposed to me. I said “Yes” because I felt that he was my person and I felt safe with him. I did not know him very well yet, but I trusted him.
I left my successful life in Moscow and moved to England to live with him. Later, we moved together to America. I left behind my career, my home, my friends, and all the life I knew. I stepped into the unknown without fully understanding what will wait for me in the future.
It was a huge leap of faith for me, but it was the right choice~
I think sometimes everyone needs to take a leap of faith if they listen to their heart and ask themselves: “What am I waiting for?” OLEG
Mother-daughter relationships
Priscilla tells her mother to build something new.
Her mother is afraid to change her life. She is scared to leave the old shop and try something new.
These words are important to me. I also need to build something for myself. I want to make my own future and not be afraid.
A leap of faith
A leap of faith means to do something scary without knowing what will happen. I took a leap of faith when I came to America. It was difficult but I believed it would be better for my life. I left my country and started everything new. Sometimes I was scared, but I kept going.
Now I am happy I did it.