Last-minute decision sets up a new career path

By Robert Williams

Editor

Two years ago, Krysten Halverson faced the decision many upcoming graduates are contemplating. What to do after high school? Halverson had plans to attend Minnesota State University-Moorhead to pursue a career in education but changed her mind before the semester began and is now working in the field of cosmetology in Detroit Lakes.

“I decided I didn’t want to do that anymore and wanted to do my own thing and I ended up going to school for cosmetology,” Halverson said.

Halverson completed the 18-month comprehensive diploma program at M State – Wadena, which provides salon practice and classroom-based coursework on an array of skin, hair and nail services. Students can choose to become a general cosmetologist or specialize in areas such as hair care and coloring, perms, makeup applications, facials and manicures. 

M State also prepares students for the Minnesota State Board of Cosmetology licensure exams. Upon graduation, Halverson accepted a position at Hair & Company Beauty Salon in Detroit Lakes this past March. 

“It’s been great; I love it here; my co-workers and clients are awesome,” she said. “School was quick, easy, in and out and I get to make my own schedule.”

Her contemporary happiness in her career choice was something that came with some thought after graduating from Frazee-Vergas High School.

“I was set completely on going to MSUM for teaching; I wanted to be a second grade teacher and then all of a sudden I kind of got scared with everything going on and I had already put a down payment on my dorm, had my roommate picked out. Then, I woke up one morning and decided that’s not what I want. I don’t want to be living in a dorm with some random person. I was like that’s just not the life for me,” she said. 

A conversation with her own hair stylist, Katie Winter, also helped her make the choice.

“I was getting my hair done and I was like, you know what? I kind of like this,” said Halverson. “Katie said. ‘I think you would be great at it.’”

The uncertainty of what she wanted to do, combined with an economic choice to pursue a shorter degree and get into the workforce quicker, led her to pursuing a degree in cosmetology.

“Why go be in debt for years and years when I can pay it off in two years when I’m done,” Halverson said. 

The versatility of a cosmetology career also allows for more free time for now as she is just beginning to the future when she has children. 

“I want to be there for them when I can be,” she said.

Halverson hit the salon floor running on her first day and is beginning to build her own client list. Seeing happy customers and return customers has solidified her decision.

“The first day I was definitely nervous,” she said. “I didn’t have a single person set up and all of a sudden one person walked-in. It was a lot of sitting and waiting for those people but I was so excited to get those first few people. Wow, this person trusts me. They’re putting their hair in my hands. It’s so exciting and my coworkers have helped me so much.”

Business picked up for the new stylists quickly.

“I went from one client one day to the next day I had 11,” she said. “I’m very happy with my decision; I don’t imagine myself doing anything else.”

Hair & Company provided a local connection for the Frazee graduate in Owner Danita Ketter and partner Connie Zitzow. The duo opened the shop in the spring of 1996.

“I had no idea Connie worked here,” said Halverson. “My dad was talking to Danita’s son.”

From that conversation came the idea to apply at the DL beauty salon.

“I ended up coming in and I know Connie’s family and Danita’s family,” Halverson said. “I grew up watching Danita’s daughter Jaden in high school with sports and stuff. Just knowing that they also were from Frazee and knew everything that I was planning on doing and did already do, it was nice having somebody.”

Halverson has stressed communication with her clients to satisfy what they want out of their salon trip and is using that to build a client base.

“That’s where your consultation is so important,” she said. “Getting every little detail out of them.”

Halverson is accepting new clients and can be reached at Hair & Company at (218) 847-5070. Appointments recommended but not always necessary. The shop is located in downtown Detroit Lakes at 911 Washington Avenue.