COOK – Tracey Watt dreamed of expanding her business when she was styling hair at a rented office in the B.I.C. Building.

It’s been 10 years since that dream became a reality in the form of a shop appropriately named the DreamWeaver Salon and Day Spa. In the past decade, the full-service salon has expanded it services and staff. DreamWeaver now offers customized skin care and facials, body exfoliation and waxing services under the direction of licensed esthetician Deanne Howard.

In addition to Howard and Watt, the staff at DreamWeaver includes Tricia Aune, Becky Smith, Marilu Rufsdal, Gretchen Metsa, Susie Mankus, Kirsten Reichel, Kayla Harrenstein, Lizzie Conger and Sarah Sheffer. Three are full-time and the rest are part-time employees, Watt said.

The salon services include haircuts for men, women and children, styling and chemical coloring services, manicures and pedicures, tanning packages and a variety of massages provided by the spa’s massage therapist.

Although Watt was initially concerned about obtaining enough customers, business has been booming for the popular salon.

“We have customers from all across the region,” said Watt. “They come from as far as Crane Lake, Hibbing, Chisholm and Virginia in addition to those in Cook and Orr. We also have a lot of summer residents from the Twin Cities region who drive up in the winter to get their hair done.”

Watt attributes that business to the low prices at her salon compared to those operating in the Twin Cities, but she acknowledges the warm, friendly atmosphere is another draw.

“Our employees love their jobs” and that translates into a positive, welcoming environment at the salon, Watt explained.

Harrington embodies that spirit and is up for a Spirit of Hospitality Award in the retail division. The Spirit of Hospitality Awards were created by the Iron Range Tourism Bureau (IRTB) to honor employees in the tourism/hospitality industry who enhance visitors’ experiences in the 12 communities that make up the IRTB service area. This year’s award winners will be announced on Nov. 3.

“We’re all a family here,” said Harrington about the close relationships between employees at the DreamWeaver Salon and Spa. “I think the warm welcome that everyone gets here keeps them coming back.”

Mankus, who with Reichel shares receptionist’s duties at the salon, said that people feel comfortable at the salon. “They share their lives with us, “ she said. “Once you’ve come here and experienced it, you want to come back.”

Watt is quick to credit her employees for helping establish the business. She also said another key component is the continuing education that she provides for her staff. “You have to keep up with latest trends,” said Watt, who supplements training sessions with her own research over the Internet.

The salon is open 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, but reserves Saturdays for special occasion spa days, which are scheduled a month in advance. The spa days cater to groups and wedding and prom parties in which everyone is treated to customized spa services.

Esthetician Howard’s services are available by appointment from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdays.

The salon uses select hair and skin care products that the staff know well and are comfortable with, Watt added.

Although it may be just a short walk across the street from her former shop to her salon, Watt said it was a big move for her personally. Many of her clients from that smaller shop followed her to the DreamWeaver Salon and Spa, including Elizabeth Storm, who won a contest by coming up with the name for the new business.

“I have a lot of loyal customers,” said Watt, who greets another as she comes in for a hair appointment. “And I appreciate them all.”