Meet the Team
At Refuge Salon, we believe your hair is a reflection of your unique style and confidence. Our team of expert stylists is dedicated to crafting personalized experiences, offering modern techniques with a touch of effortless beauty. More than just a salon, we are a space where artistry meets relaxation—a place to feel truly at home.
Charynn Meoak - Owner, Master Stylist & Color Educator
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Color Services / Bobs & Long Length Hairstyles
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Charynn’s journey to becoming a stylist began in 2005 when she completed her training at Douglas J AVEDA Institute in East Lansing, MI and the Douglas J Advanced Academy in Ann Arbor, MI. After completion she continued to work for Douglas J until moving to San Diego, CA in 2008. After a brief time in CA she returned to Michigan where she began to manage an AVEDA salon and grow a new clientele. During the 12 years she spent in the Metro Detroit area, Charynn became a Certified Color Educator with AVEDA and continued to implement advanced training programs for her fellow stylists while also creating a successful assistant training program for new stylists.
After a deal to open a salon in the Metro Detroit area fell through, Charynn and Mitch decided to fast track their dreams of moving to Northern MI permanently. With a lot of hard work and planning, Refuge Salon was finally able to find its forever home in Suttons Bay. The fast success of Refuge far exceeded what they had planned, so after growing the Suttons Bay Salon and Spa, they quickly realized it was time for a second location. Glen Arbor had the perfect space available and after another long build out, Refuge Glen Arbor was born and is thriving.
Charynn’s spare time is spent being a mother to her young children, exploring the outdoors and expanding her knowledge of new AVEDA rituals and techniques to continually educate other stylists.
Kerri - Master Stylist & Manager
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Color Services / Womens Hairstyles / Nail Services
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Kerri’s true passion is to help make guests feel beautiful on the inside and out!
She completed her education at the Douglas J Aveda Institute in Grand Rapids MI and has been working with the Aveda line ever since!During those years she has learned and embraced the importance of using naturally derived products on your skin and hair.
Kerri constantly strives for excellent communication and customer service, believing those to be the key factors in delivering a great service and salon experience. She has spent her career working to perfect her techniques in a varied set of skills to deliver any style! She specializes in women’s color & hair cutting, especially dimensional color.
Kerri is a Michigan native from the Kalamazoo area who relocated to Northern Michigan when her husband accepted a job in Traverse City in 2020. Since moving up north Kerri is now a mom to two young children & is loving her new (and busy) role in life! You can mostly find her at home on her days off spending time with family & spending time relaxing outdoors whenever possible!
Licensed Since: 2011
Melissa - Master Stylist & Education Director
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Color Services | Mens Cuts | Women’s Short Hairstyles
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Melissa has a lifelong passion for the beauty industry.
She prides herself on forming connections with her
clients and providing them with a style, cut and color that is as unique as they are.A graduate of Douglas J Aveda in Ann Arbor, Melissa refined her skills while cultivating a dedicated clientele in Brighton, Michigan.
She is very excited about her recent relocation to Suttons Bay to be closer to her family and lake life. She looks forward to joining this beautiful community and bringing her art and technical skills with her.
Kora - Advanced Stylist
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Blonding, blowouts and styling.
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Kora was born and raised in Leelanau county. After graduating high school, Kora worked at refuge as our receptionist, while planning to go to cosmetology school after taking a year off.
In 2023 She attended the Douglas J. Aveda Institute in East Lansing. Kora then graduated in June of 2024 obtaining her license. She has since completed our assisting program and is now a junior stylist.
Kora enjoys blonding, blowouts and styling. Kora loves making her clients feel and look their very best!
Outside of work she also enjoys spending time outdoors with her pup Nemo.
Hope - Advanced Stylist
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Blonding, mens cuts and styling.
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Hope is a hairstylist with a passion for creating dimensional color and stunning blondes. She began her career at the Douglas J Aveda Institute in Grand Rapids, where she honed her skills and developed a love for creative color work. After graduating, she worked at the Douglas J Salon in Okemos, gaining hands-on experience and refining her craft.
Originally from Traverse City, Hope decided to return home to settle down and continue her journey in the beauty industry. She found her place at Refuge Salon, where she brings a fresh, artistic approach to every service. Her goal is always to make clients feel confident and beautiful, using her creative eye and technical expertise to deliver personalized, radiant results.
Rebecca - Nail Technician
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Nail Care
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Rebecca is a nail technician with a passion for art. Rebecca grew up downstate Michigan and summered on Lime Lake as a child/young adult. She moved to Leelanau right after graduation and met her husband Scott while working at Sugar Loaf Resort. She attended NMC that fall to study art and creative writing. Rebecca took some time away from nails to raise her children and pursue a different career path. She is so excited to be back at doing something she has really missed.
Rebecca has two adult children who mean the world to her. Also, two crazy puppies she loves spending time on the couch with. She enjoys being outside daily, hiking, skiing and boating with her hubby are some of her favorites. In her free time she loves decorating and artistic projects.
Rebecca loves meeting new people and making them feel beautiful inside and out! She could talk for hours about her faith and her family. Rebecca would love the opportunity to meet you and make your hands and feet look gorgeous. She will be in Suttons Bay and Glen Arbor.
Cali - Junior Stylist
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Specializes in an elevated guest experience.
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Born and raised in Leelanau County, Cali has always had a love for community, creativity, and connection. Her journey in the beauty industry began in 2021 as a receptionist at Refuge, where she quickly fell in love with the energy and artistry of salon life. That experience inspired Cali to pursue an education at Douglas J Aveda Institute in Grand Rapids.
In between chapters, Cali followed her adventurous spirit out West, spending time in Utah as a ski bum! Cali’s work thereafter in a barbershop allowed her to gain hands-on experience, sharpening her eye for precision and detail.
Cali is excited to step back into the world of salons, blending her small-town roots and formal training to create hair that feels effortless, wearable, and uniquely you. She is passionate about helping guests feel confident, refreshed, and completely at home in her chair.
Lindsay - Esthetician
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Facials, body and face waxing, dermal-plane lash treatments, brow tints.
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Lindsay was born and raised in Traverse City. Post graduation, she attended Epiphany Advanced Academy to become a licensed esthetician. She started her career as a solo esthetician, but craved a routine, leading her to Refuge.
Her passion started with the love of building confidence in others. Struggling in the past with her own skin issues, she knew this was the career path for her.
Outside of work, you can find her taking or teaching a workout class, shopping or at the beach. Her goal is to always bring confidence and deliver radiant results.
Ann - Stylist Assistant/Certified Massage Therapist
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Ann is a licensed cosmetologist and certified massage therapist with over 20 years of professional experience, bringing both advanced technical expertise and a deep commitment to excellence in the beauty and wellness industry.
Ann specializes in stress-relieving treatments designed to help clients relax, recharge, and feel restored, creating a calming experience that supports both beauty and overall wellness.
She also specializes in creating polished, wearable looks that enhance each client’s natural features while maintaining hair integrity and long- term health. Known for her calm, confident approach, Ann creates an experience where clients feel heard, respected, and taken care of.
Ann loves being part of an industry where she can help people to feel and look their personal best. While not in the salon, she can be found hiking with her two furry mates in the gorgeous nature of Northern Michigan!
Morgan - Receptionist
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Morgan is a kind-hearted and hardworking individual from Traverse City, Michigan, who values family, dedication, and meaningful relationships. Known for her sweet nature and genuine personality, she has a natural ability to make others feel welcomed and appreciated.
Throughout her life, Morgan has developed a strong work ethic by gaining experience in a variety of workplaces and roles. Each opportunity has helped shape her into a dependable, resilient, and motivated person who is never afraid to put in the effort needed to achieve her goals. Her commitment to hard work and willingness to learn have earned the respect of those around her.
Whether she is working toward her goals, supporting those she cares about, or embracing new opportunities, Morgan brings good vibes to everything she does. Her strong character and compassionate heart continue to make a lasting impact on the people fortunate enough to know her.