Tony Muia once toyed with the idea of a career in law. What the legal profession missed out on, the beauty salon and day spa industry has gained — as have thousands of satisfied customers.

“I slipped into the beauty industry by luck. My first goal was to do something in law, but by chance an opportunity presented itself,” he says.

“The industry has been extremly good to me, providing friendships and, of course, pure satisfaction every day,” he adds. “It’s been a great career. Amazing ride.”

That might sound like Tony is ready to hand in his shears and ride off into the sunset. Far from it. When he left another salon, it didn’t take long before a new venture opened up.

“People ask, why did I sell a spa and open a new space?” he says rhetorically.

The answer: the need for change and seizing an opportunity.

“I truly missed working on my clients,” explains Tony, the owner of Serenity Salon & Wellness. “Running a big spa took me away from the chair too much. I missed the one-onone with the clients.”

Tony credits his upbringing with setting him on this path.

“Growing up Italian, it was always loud and lots of fun,” he says. “I learned and experienced so much that helped me grow and move forward, without fear of the world. Always joking and playing with friends and family stuck with me. Today in my salon it’s a family feeling with lots of fun.”

Serenity opened last summer with the intent of being unlike any other salon.

If, as Tony says, you seek outer beauty and inner tranquility, then Serenity is the place. Along with a full ladies and men’s salon, it offers customized facials, various forms of waxing, and services from manicures to pedicures. The focus on wellness includes reiki, body talk meditation, yoga, and mental health counselling.

To that end, Tony’s staff was selected for a specific skill set and a proficiency in delivering what’s required to relax your body, clear your mind and beautify your appearance.

With 30 years in the profession, Tony has served as a master judge at national and international hair competitions, and has won more than 70 hair and styling competitions, placing in the top-ten numerous times.

“As a young man I was intrigued about going to law school, but I’m glad this opportunity arose. A career in the salon and day spa industry has been my calling and I can’t imagine anything else I would want to do,” he says.

As well as professional success, Tony is also proud of his family. He is an inspiration for his children — Isabella, Jonathan and Riccardo — and hopes they forge there own path in the beauty industry.

“What a feeling as a father knowing that your kids love this industry and are another pebble making ripples in the huge ocean of the beauty and wellness business,” he says.

Tony’s wife Ariane is the manager of Serenity and has 20 years’ experience in the aesthetics industry.

“Ariane has been a huge support, both at work and at home,” he says.