She was driving to a college class when she passed a cosmetology school. Something was triggered inside her one day in 2003. “I grew up on catfish, deer meat and a garden.” Growing up, our playground was outdoors,” Venne said. “And they are all my cousins,” she said, smiling. She grew up in Slovak, Arkansas, a town of 86 people. At 46 years old, I finally did it,” she said. She offers all the services spas do - massages (men, women, couples, pregnant mothers), mud body wraps, hot stones, paraffin dip, manicures, detox pedicures, waxing, facials and more. Venne is a cosmetologist, massage therapist and esthetician. She opened July 1 and hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting Tuesday, offering food and sweet tea. A pavilion outside and a lower level can be used as event space. Among the new features are an ADA-compliant bathroom, wheelchair ramp, and elevator. She transformed an old 4,000 square-foot insurance building into a relaxing and safe atmosphere. Venne recently celebrated relocating to larger quarters at 125 Springfield Court, which is on the other side of South Lincoln Avenue, where her first place was. That’s why oversized rocking chairs are placed in the waiting area.

I wanted people to feel at home and experience the hospitality I had growing up.” It is a Southern tradition to slow down and enjoy each moment,” she said.

Arkansas native brings Southern charm, tradition to O’Fallon with salon and spaĪ rice farmer’s daughter from Arkansas, Michelle Venne wanted to honor her heritage when she opened Southern Serenity Salon and Spa in O’Fallon in 2019.

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