The Entrepreneurial Spirit Program (ESP) was held for Dress for Success SW Florida clients who are unemployed or underemployed women. The program is for women who are interested in receiving quality information about becoming self-employed. The workshop energized the participants and was applauded as “another successful program” by Barbara Dell, Executive Director of Dress for Success SW Florida, which sponsored the unique event.
“We have some wonderful clients who are serious about obtaining work but have not found a job, so we decided to help them explore what it takes to start their own business,” said Dell. “Although the information can easily be used as a stepping stone to starting a traditional business, the mission of this program is to provide women with information to start a one-person business, develop a career path or both. We had professionals from the community teach them the skills necessary to develop the Entrepreneurial Spirit”.
Dress for Success clients who attended the training learned about the different types of businesses, basic business skills, marketing strategies, branding, social media and other tools necessary for business ownership. The training was provided by Barbara Dell, Connie Ramos-Williams, CEO of CONRIC PR & Marketing | Publishing; and Mel Dell, a professional business coach.
Dell said the Entrepreneurial Spirit program would continue, with additional workshops being planned for other Dress for Success clients who are interested in learning how to start a one-person business. “This program is not limited just to those who are interested in self-employment, but can take the training and apply it to a job search. This is ideal for those who are interested in free-lance opportunities”.
About Dress for Success
The mission of Dress For Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. The vision for the Southwest Florida affiliate is to provide an opportunity for socially and economically disadvantaged women in Lee and Collier counties to improve themselves, receive support in career development and feel more confident and empowered. There are 118 Dress For Success locations in seven countries focused on providing career wardrobes and employment counseling to disadvantaged women. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has helped more than 600,000 women work toward self-sufficiency. For information, email swflorida@dressforsuccess.org, call239-689-4992 or visitwww.DressForSuccess.org/