Elissa Husfeldt truly believes everything happens for a reason.
Enlisting in the military had never occurred to her—until a casual conversation with her friend James at a house party during her freshman year at South Dakota State University changed everything.
A Pivotal Decision
She is going on her 11th year in the South Dakota National Guard and has developed a foundation of leadership, discipline and sales that she now uses as the general manager of Pine Haven
Venue and Lodging, a family business Elissa helped build.
“I was kind of going through a rough patch,” Elissa said of her first semester at SDSU. “I had moved away to college but didn’t know what I wanted to do. I didn’t feel a pull toward any certain major and was scared of taking out a big loan and then it not being the right thing.”
James opened her mind to the possibilities and growth of joining the National Guard. “He had just gotten back from a deployment, and he was telling me about all the benefits, how he gets to
go to college for free and how it took so much stress off his plate.”
Elissa, who split her time between ranch life in Wall, SD, with her dad and “urban” living with her mom in Rapid City, was raised to be patriotic.
“My parents always taught me that if I saw someone in uniform to thank them for their service, but I had never considered the fact that could be me.”
Elissa also doubted her mental toughness; however, that did not deter her from talking with a recruiter. “I didn’t even tell my parents. I went and enlisted and then called to let them know. My
mom cried, and my dad said he was really proud of me.”
Looking back, Elissa believes joining the National Guard was the best decision she has made – it played a pivotal role in shaping the person she is today.
“It was a major player in all my steps over the last 11 years,” she said of her time in the Guard. “God has a path for everyone, and I believe this was my path.”
A Foundation for Success
She completed her basic training and advanced individual training (AIT) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where she developed specialized skills as a truck driver. While driving a semi-truck didn’t necessarily interest her, the unit kept her close to school and was filled with fellow college students who became some of her closest friends.
Elissa graduated with her bachelor’s in athletic training and a master’s in business administration, all while serving in the National Guard. At age 24, she was able to purchase her first house.
“I might have reached this point in my life without the National Guard, but I definitely wouldn’t have gotten here as quickly without it,” Elissa said. “I was able to meet all these people throughout the state that had influential positions and mentored me in different ways.”
A New Chapter Begins
After graduation, she moved back West River and worked as an athletic trainer before being convinced by her military recruiter to try recruiting herself. “He was pretty good at talking people into
things,” Elissa chuckled. “He said it would be a great opportunity, and I had the personality for it.”
Elissa was convinced to give it a try, becoming a recruiter for several small towns where she regularly spoke with high school students on the benefits of the military. “Having military experience
on my resume definitely helped me stand out from my peers. I think less than one percent of Americans enlist, so it sets us apart.”
Her recruiting role with the National Guard also prepared her for her current position. A significant part of Elissa’s recruiter training focused on mastering the art of sales. She completed an intensive program to become a qualified recruiter, which has greatly helped her connect with clients at Pine Haven. She understands the right questions to ask to discover what they want in a venue and presents options to meet those needs.
“I truly believe we have a package for every financial situation and an array of amenities to suit the needs of any couple,” Elissa said. “Recruiting was the same. The National Guard has benefits for
the student, the parent, the business owner, and the new home buyer. It’s just a matter of discovering what is important to the person in front of you, then finding a way to meet that need.”
Elissa enjoyed recruiting but didn’t see it as a long-term career. So, when Pine Haven was set to open, she decided to apply her military skills to managing the Rockerville venue.
A Family Legacy
The business had been a passion project for Elissa, one she had first envisioned in graduate school. The concept for Pine Haven came from Elissa’s final capstone project where she created a business plan incorporating everything from financials and human resources to marketing. “I don’t know why but I chose a wedding venue,” she said. I just thought it was fun and unique. It was fictitious, but I was proud of it.”
So was her dad.
In 2019, when her dad and a business partner bought 19 acres off Highway 16 in Rockerville they used Elissa’s business plan as a blueprint adding a campground and cabins.
“As time went by, I became more invested and passionate about what was happening. To me, we were building a legacy for my kids someday.”
Pine Haven opened last year with its first wedding June 17. Next season she is aiming to book 60 weddings, that is two to three each week. Elissa manages the operations along with her stellar staff while her dad’s partner’s kids manage the lodging.
Beyond providing education, financial stability, and career skills, the National Guard also led Elissa to her husband, Matthew, and her 11-year-old stepdaughter, Penny. A mutual connection introduced the couple, and Elissa later recruited her then-boyfriend to join the National Guard.
“The military gives you so many options; you can be full-time, go back to school, or be self-employed. It just opens so many doors.”
Sometimes, during a wedding, Elissa will take a moment, sit on the patio overlooking the 19 acres, and think about how far she has come.
“I think the National Guard taught me to persevere because there are a lot of times when you could choose to take the easier path.”
Instead, Elissa is forging her own path.
