Haút Institute of Esthetics
Friends with common goals and interests teach others about self-improvement
By JANNA ZEPP | Photos by BRANDY CRUZ
Whether spelled esthetics or aesthetics, the word refers to the philosophy of the five human senses as they relate to beauty, art and good taste. In the beauty industry, it means the health and beautification of the skin. In either case, the bottom line comes down to beauty, and learning how to deliver it happens at Haút Institute of Esthetics in Belton, formed out of a partnership between founders Jennifer Wittkopp and Krista Snyder, who serve as chief executive officer and chief operations officer, respectively.
A talent for styling hair and makeup propelled Wittkopp into her esthetics career. A native of Nuremberg, Germany, Wittkopp graduated from the !Pure Idea Make-Up Schule (Pure Idea Makeup School) in Germany with a certificate in facial contouring and makeup application. She then immigrated to the United States after marrying an American soldier. Employed with an esthetician in the U.S.A., her boss noticed her talent and sent her to school for esthetics to expand her skill set in the beauty industry.
“It wasn’t that I was particularly passionate about the industry, but I was good at it and I enjoyed it,” Wittkopp shared. “My passion is making people happy with the services we provide. That is what drives me to succeed every day.”
Wittkopp and Snyder became friends when their career paths crossed in Killeen. Snyder’s mother is a German who married an American soldier and ended up in Killeen much as Wittkopp did. They not only had a natural affinity for each other, they both noticed a void in the availability of esthetics clinics in Central Texas. They felt like that was a blank spot they could fill not just by opening their own clinic, but with a school that teaches others how to become estheticians and how to run their own businesses.
Wittkopp described Snyder’s nearly 20 years of experience, which includes teaching clinical classes in a vocational setting and working in career services for a number of different colleges and universities. Snyder holds certificates in nutrition and dietetics, course instruction and career facilitating.
“Krista’s creativity is endless. She always has innovative ideas on how we can do things and teach better,” Wittkopp said.
That creativity shows in the variety of services offered by the school, in addition to the full esthetician education program.
“We offer massage, skincare, waxing, anti-aging treatments, spray tans, eyelash extensions, just to name a few,” she added.
Wittkopp also owns a medical spa next to the institute: The Pout Medical Esthetics.
“I’m known as the Lip Gal,” Wittkopp said, laughing. “Even with all that going on, I am always available to students. I teach most of the specialty classes. Krista handles the business administration and keeps us running smoothly.”
When asked about the name, Haút, Wittkopp explains it means “skin” in German. In French, haute means “high fashion” and refers to something being more upscale. She says the founders decided to add the accent mark over the U to stress the connection between the two words. The word is meant not just to describe the school but encourage the students to constantly pursue self-improvement.
“I love being a little part of our students’ life journeys. I am still in contact with my students from 15 years ago,” Wittkopp said. “Knowledge is power, especially when it helps other people grow and succeed.”
