When they left the salon they worked at, they found themselves homeless and are grateful to Bobbi Jo Peterson for allowing them to work in her building, which Hutchison eventually purchased.

“We ended up here by the grace of God,” Hutchison said. “It was not planned.”

“Bobbi Jo took us in when she was in the process of moving buildings. So we ended up here and Tori ended up taking over this building and got us a forever home. We were kind of just gypsies,” Jamie Tibbs explained.

This is the second Courage Salon that Hutchison has operated. The first one was downstate but closed when they moved to the U.P. three years ago.

The front of Courage 906 Salon & Spa at 531 S. Stephenson Ave. in Iron Mountain. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News)

“When I opened the first Courage, I wanted something that no one else had. I think it’s a strong word and you need courage to get through life. I just think it’s a good word,” Hutchison said. She has been in the business for 21 years.

Tibbs has 16 years of experience doing facials. She received additional training through Aveda all over the Upper Peninsula.

“I do spa facials, so there is stress reduction with it. I do full cleanse, microderm abrasion, I do special treatments, anti-aging treatments, acne treatments, stuff like that, as well as reflexology on the feet, shoulder massage. It’s very pampering,” Tibbs said.

Hutchison operates it as a hybrid salon where stylists can work on commission like Tibbs, or rent a chair, which Sue Maycunich does. Maycunich has 33 years of experience.

“I feel the three of us really mesh,” Hutchison said, but she is open to expanding.

“We’re hoping to add a nail tech. We will be doing pedicures as soon as we can finish our pedicure station,” Hutchison said. “We have lots of plans.”

Education for people in the industry is one thing that Hutchison is passionate about. They recently hosted their first class.

“I’m hoping to create an education hub for the U.P. and northern Wisconsin and I feel education is so important to our craft and I just want to bring as much education to other stylists that I can,” she said. “I would like to see us as a salon involved in the community.”

Those who come to Courage 906 will be greeted by the salon dog — a 3-month-old English setter named Willow.

They are at 531 S. Stephenson Ave. The salon is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. six days a week. They can be reached at 906-828-5456 and they also offer online booking. They have a Facebook page as well.

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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.