Dorothy's Kuts Turns 20

It's been said that "blessed are the hairstylists for they bring out the beauty of others." Dorothy Kauruter has been blessing the residents of Williamsburg now for over 20 years. On Nov. 5, Dorothy's Kuts turned 20 – Kauruter hopes to have a celebration when it's warmer.

Her love affair with cosmetology began in 1975 when she first started cosmetology school and began as a shampoo girl for Stella Roarbaugh's shop, doing both shampoos and roller sets.

Her cosmetology dreams were put on hold when Kauruter married Steven "Roscoe" and had two sons – Michael and Steven.

Forty-two years later, she decided to finish her cosmetology degree at Prounto's Beauty School and opened Dorothy's Kuts. Her first location was on 2nd Street, and now she has her shop on High Street. To those who want to start a new business, Kauruter says, "Just do it – how will you know if it will be a success or not? You just gotta try."

For Kauruter, her success in Williamsburg has helped inspire some in our small town to begin their own cosmetology careers, such as my sister, Julie Gorsuch.

"It was inspiring to see her success in our small town and the care she gave her clients and just how welcoming her place was," said Gorsuch. "She was definitely one of my inspirations."

In a stylish world of hair trends, Kauruter said her favorite things to do to hair are "colors and highlights – it lets us be artistic."

Besides that, her passion and care for the older generation of clients she has is her favorite.

"I like taking care of older people – picking them up, doing their hair and then making sure they get in their home safely," she said. "I can never say no – elderly people are so sweet."

Kauruter said she would like to become a barber, but overall is "pretty satisfied" with how her business is going. She said that between the two locations – past and present – she has had pedicure stations, manicure stations and tanning bed, but in her current location, she only boasts besides the hair salon, a jade roller self-operated massage table.

Besides Kauruter at the salon, she has two stylists – Dulcey Brown, who has been with Kauruter for almost 16 years, and Tessa Cadle, an experienced stylist who has been there over 5 months.

"I love working in a small town," said Brown. "I will never leave Dorothy. She's a great boss, and a great friend, too."

"I just want to thank the people of Williamsburg for their support – it's been wonderful and I have been very blessed," Kauruter said. "I plan on staying here as long as I can and there's no plans of retirement."