BROOKHAVEN — Vivian Wallace was the first person to greet visitors at the Serenity Salon and Day Spa door Thursday afternoon. Food, snacks, tea and conversation took the place of typical beauty work during the open house and ribbon cutting celebration. 

Wallace said she wanted to have an open house with local popup shops to help support other local businesses and make the day about local women. Serenity is located at 532 Brookway Boulevard and is open 10 to 5 Tuesday through Friday and Saturday by appointment. 

Wallace was excited for the big occasion because it signified the fruition of a plan to purchase the business nearly a year ago. In November 2022, she finalized on purchasing the business completing her dream of owning a beauty salon. 

“It is something I have always wanted. My dream is coming true and I just give glory to the Lord,” Wallace said. “Whenever I was in school, we had to make a plan about our goals. My goal was to have a salon. I worked in McComb for a year and Blue Haven in Brookhaven before coming here 13 years ago. I love being around people and meeting new people.” 

She initially got into the beauty industry because her cousin was going to school for it. Wallace said she fell in love with the work and stuck with it ever since. Serenity has a team of women she considers more as her family. The majority of the employees have children so “we are everyone’s aunt,” she said. 

Since she took over, Serenity Salon and Day Spa has seen a little bit of a face lift with new wallpaper and decor. They added new products including hair accessories and currently has an employee who does spray tans, just in time for prom season. 

A native of Brookhaven, Wallace went to Enterprise where she graduated in 2004. One of the girls who works at Serenity was in the fourth grade that year and her brother’s friend from kindergarten is now an employee at the spa. 

“I never thought years ago my brother’s classmate would be my friend,” Wallace said. 

After high school, she attended the Mississippi Institute of Aesthetics, Nails and Cosmetology where she earned a degree in esthetician. She was a part of the second class who went through the institute. 

“I would love to grow by leaps and bounds and take it to a new level,” Wallace said. “I want to have the best of the best here. I want to grow and be able to do everything and give God all the glory. First and foremost, I wouldn’t know what I would do without God. I’m thankful for my friends and family. I’m not sure what I would do without them.”