Alumna’s career spans chapters in communications, real estate, apparel industries

St. Cloud State University alumna Kris Nelson knew she wanted to work in the business world, but had no idea it would take her through so many different chapters.

When considering universities, Nelson knew SCSU’s Herberger Business School was one of the highest accredited in the state, so St. Cloud State is where she sought her degrees in marketing and mass communication. She found “really focused, smart, dedicated, hardworking” professors who set her up for a successful career in marketing.

“SCSU was a good fit,” she said.

Nelson said she had to be creative in her efforts to earn a quality education on a budget. While her parents did not have a ton of money, she knew she would not qualify for much financial aid assistance. Her parents were divorced, so she had an arrangement with her parents that her dad would pay for one semester, her mother would pay a semester and Kris would pay a semester. She was proud to graduate in 1998 without any student loan debt.

One of Nelson’s most memorable college experiences was taking a Mass Communications class with Professor Peter Przytula, who took the group on a trip to Poland. During their time abroad they studied communication during the Holocaust, talked to survivors and toured concentration camps. The experience is close to Nelson’s heart, as she said it opened her eyes to the rest of the world.

Her involvement in the American Marketing Association led to numerous opportunities. As part of the AMA, Nelson was part of a publication which sold ads to businesses trying to hire college students. She recalled selling an ad to an HR staff member at ARIA Communications, a business in St. Cloud offering call center services. The HR representative later reached out to Nelson when the company wanted to hire a sales intern. At ARIA, Nelson had the opportunity to assist with fundraising initiatives for colleges and universities.

After completing her internship with ARIA, Nelson was offered a full-time position in sales. She traveled around the U.S., talking with college and universities, children’s hospitals, zoos, orchestras and science museums — all who were looking to fundraise. Annual campaigns, capital campaigns, calling past donors — this formed Nelson’s background in philanthropy, which she utilizes today in her volunteer work with nonprofit organizations in the St. Cloud community.

Nelson found her work travel exciting, but said it eventually wore on her. She wanted something local; to be part of the community. She found work for a promotional products company and, after two years, launched her own company in 2003: Custom Accents Promotions and Apparel. She operated out of her home for three years, added a staff member and accumulated numerous promotional products. It was clear her business was outgrowing her home.

“Having space outside my home gave legitimacy to my business and things took off,” she said.

She later purchased other retail space, where she was able to have a full showroom, a full-time graphic designer, full-time accounting staff and a receptionist. Business was booming.

When her son was struggling with mental health issues, Nelson made the difficult decision to sell her business.

“This was my baby,” Nelson said of Custom Accents Promotions. “This was my identity.”

Selling her business was the hardest thing she had ever done, but Nelson knew she needed to focus on her family. Her next career needed to have more schedule flexibility. Through a lot of soul-searching, she earned her real estate license and signed on with Premier Real Estate. This provided a schedule where she worked mostly evenings and weekends, combined her sales and marketing skills, and utilized her experience in residential and commercial property. Nelson said it’s good to “know how to market yourself and your property.”

Nelson still works in real estate, though she said the market slowed down in 2024. She was looking for a new challenge, so when she saw a marketing manager position description for Motor Works Auto Repair, she immediately felt it was a good fit. She said she’s part of a small, lean team, but she gets to be creative and collaborative in telling the Motor Works story.

“People want to hear your story,” she said. “They want to know you as a business; show them who you are.”

A long-held goal for Nelson has been to complete the MBA she started 30 years ago at SCSU. She feels the University has been innovative with the style, pace and accessibility it offers, especially with online class options.

Advice for others? Community is important.

“You need a network before you need a network,” Nelson said.

She encouraged others to be part of their community — to get involved, have compassion and find what is important to them.