June 3, 2025 • 24 mins
In this episode of The Care Collective, Jodi Bash of Dress for Success Houston joins Dr. Uwaila Oranseye and Dr. Siddhi Chandra to explore how professional attire can shape career success. From interview suits to scrubs and long-term support, Jodi shares the organization’s holistic approach to empowering women. Tune in for inspiring stories, practical style tips, and a reminder that confidence often starts with what you wear.
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Hi, welcome to the Care Collective, a podcast
brought to you by St HopeHealthcare.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
I'm Dr Uwaila Aranse and I'm Dr Siddhi Chandra.
The Care Collective is apodcast dedicated to empowering
and connecting individuals whoare passionate about creating
positive change.
Our mission is to sharevaluable insights and knowledge,
foster a supportive andinclusive community and provide
engaging and entertaining.
Foster a supportive andinclusive community and provide
engaging and entertainingcontent that inspires growth and
(00:29):
connection.
Together, we aim to make caringcontagious and amplify the
power of collective action.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Welcome back to the Care Collective Podcast.
I'm your host, dr UwailaAranseye, and I have my co-host,
dr Siddhi Ch Chandra, and weare here and we're talking about
dressing for success, so we'regoing to be talking about the
fashions.
The appropriate work attiresall that fun stuff right,
(00:56):
absolutely.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I'm so excited.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
This is my favorite topic fashion, fashion, fashion
yeah, I love fashion as well, soit's always always fun.
It just makes your day better.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Speaking of, I actually had a really fun Zoom
call with Jodi Bash, who is theengagement speaker for Dress for
Success.
Okay, yeah, we had a greatconversation on setting
ourselves up for success, forclothing, mentorship, job
applications, scholarships, thatthey provide Just truly a great
resource for all our patientsand even for ourselves to be
aware of that's really good, isit?
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Well, I guess we'll hear more in the Zoom that you
guys had, so we'll get into thatnow.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
I'm excited to introduce our guest speaker from
Dress for Success, Jodi Bash.
Welcome to the Care Collectivepodcast.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Thank you so much.
It's a pleasure to be here.
Wonderful, how's your day?
So far it's going very good.
We're having a great day.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Love to hear that you know.
To start off, I would love toknow more about Dress for
Success and what are some keyresources that you offer to help
women prepare for the workforce, and how do these services
support long-term success?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Yeah, thank you so much for asking.
So Dress for Success has beenaround the Houston affiliate has
been around for 27 years, sowe've been doing this a long
time.
We have four key areas that weoffer for our women to help them
get the support they need.
The first is our job searchprogram.
So this is for unemployed orunderemployed women in the
(02:34):
community, and so they mightcome in because they're looking
for things like help with aresume setup, practicing an
interview, getting to know whatLinkedIn is and how to maximize
that profile everything youmight do kind of on the front
end as you start to look for ajob.
Then we have a suiting program.
(02:54):
So a suiting program isobviously what a lot of people
think about when they thinkabout Dress for Success, because
it's in our name.
You can come in and get a fullsuit from us, which is an
interview outfit but includesshoes and a handbag as well.
If you have maybe an interviewcoming up, if you have a job
fair or career resource fair,you're going to.
(03:16):
Also, if you've recentlygraduated and that doesn't just
mean a graduate from college,but if you've completed some
kind of program, certificationprogram etc.
That's a qualifying event tocome in and get a suit because
you're ready to take the nextstep.
Part of that suiting program isalso what we call employment
(03:37):
suiting job or maybe has beenrecently promoted.
She can come in and we give hereight pieces of professional
attire mix and match separatesto what we call kind of a
starter wardrobe, so that shehas a way to enter the workforce
, doesn't have to wear that suitevery day, but she's got the
(03:57):
resources she needs.
We can also offer scrubs towomen in that case, because in
Houston we've got a lot ofpeople who are going to the
medical industry or home healthcare and so scrubs is a priority
for a lot of people coming infor that employment suiting.
Another program we offer is ourWomen Veterans Program.
(04:19):
That is obviously for women whohave served in our military.
That is obviously for women whohave served in our military and
it's really about connectionand finding a community to be a
part of and be with women whoare going through the same
unique challenges that they are.
Our veterans program has beenaround for about 11 years now,
so it's been growing steadilythat whole time.
(04:40):
And then the last program wehave and this really speaks to
(05:07):
the long-term success and whatwe're trying to do for the women
is our professional women'sgroup throughout the year,
offered on Saturdays, thursdayevenings, online availability as
well for anything that's goingto help their self-defined goals
and how they can continue inthat career journey.
It's not just about getting ajob, it's about building the
career and finding the next step.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Wow, that's incredible.
Those are a lot of resources,you know.
I'm not sure how many peopleknow about the resources that
you offer, so thank you forbreaking that down.
It's really truly start tofinish, from job prep to
clothing and, you know,afterwards building a community
as well.
It's really beautiful.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
What is one common fashion mistake professionals
make that might undermine theirauthority, and how can they fix
it?
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Yeah.
So I think you know it'sinteresting because when you say
professional, that really isthing is to understand what is
common for your industry.
What are the policies, maybe,that your company that you work
for have in place for attire?
(06:12):
So I think the biggest mistakeis people who don't take time to
learn that and maybe areshowing up in the wrong types of
clothing.
The most important thing whenyou're at a job is that you're
exuding confidence in whatyou're doing.
If you're wearing somethingthat's distracting because it's
not what you're supposed to bewearing in this environment,
(06:33):
then people aren't payingattention to your great work and
what you're doing.
They're focused on the wrongthing.
Don't undercount things likejewelry, makeup.
What is appropriate for whereI'm working in those scenarios
as well, it's not just clothing.
It can be more than that.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
That's helpful insight.
It's a great way to look at it,because each workforce and
scenario can be completelydifferent and even the small
things add up, like you saidmakeup, jewelry and sometimes we
overlook it because we think itlooks amazing and great, but is
it appropriate for the setting?
Speaker 3 (07:08):
Exactly, and you probably do look amazing and
great.
But again, is this going to bedistracting when I'm talking to
a client or a co-worker orcustomer?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
That's very good insight.
Can you share a success storythat highlights how the
resources provided by Dress forSuccess, like career development
or mentoring, help transformsomeone's life?
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Absolutely.
We have so many incredibleexamples of women who've come
through our programs and want toshare their story and talk
about what they've seen so thatother women take advantage of it
.
There is a woman, yemi, who'sactually she's now a volunteer
with us.
She started out as a client.
She came to the US from Nigeriawith three young children and a
(07:52):
husband and then found herselfin the unfortunate position of a
single mom needing to get a joband make money for her family.
She came to Dress for Success.
She got a suit for her firstinterview, got a job and was
invited to join our professionalwomen's group.
So when she joined theprofessional women's group, she
(08:13):
was able to get a scholarshipthrough our scholarship program
for seven consecutive semestersof school that allowed her to
get a business and accountingdegree and move from the job
that just helped her support herfamily to the career that she
could build on and be there morefor her family.
So it's just been an incrediblejourney for Yemi.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Wow, that's a really inspiring story.
It's beautiful.
Gives a lot of hope as well Forpeople that would be interested
in your resources.
How do they get contact withthat?
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Yeah, so we partner with about 150 agencies around
Houston that can refer women toour program.
So if you are at a university,your university might be a
partner of ours and you can goto the career services and get
us.
You know, hey, I want areferral to Dress for Success.
There's so many differentwomen's shelters, workforce
(09:07):
solutions, so many differentplaces.
But you can also self-refer, soyou can.
We have an online form and easyto find dfshoustonorg get
support and there's a buttonthat takes you to a form where
you can just fill it out and youcan say I need your job search
services or I need your suitingor your veteran services any one
(09:31):
of those and then within 24hours we'll contact you to set
up an appointment and get you inthe right spot for our program
so we can start helping empoweryou.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Oh, I love that.
That's great.
It's wonderful.
I'll definitely be passing thatalong to many of our patients
who are looking for resources.
Please do Absolutely Well.
It was a pleasure speaking withyou today and thank you so much
for being on the podcast and wewill be in touch.
You're welcome.
Hope you have a wonderful day,Thank you.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Thank you so much.
Have a good one.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
I'm so sad that I missed the Zoom with Dress for
Success.
I got stuck in traffic, buthere we are.
But what was one of thehighlight things that she went
over that she really liked aboutit?
Speaker 2 (10:19):
You know, one thing she brought up which was
actually your question because agreat question is what is the
mistake you can make?
Oh yeah, and she was talkingabout how it's like the little
things, like your makeup, yourjewelry, your hair, and I was
thinking I was like that's sotrue, because you have to dress
for the professional environmentyou're in which could
(10:39):
completely vary, right if you're, you know, in a medical office,
or if you're working as ateacher or you know, whatever
the situation is, it's acompletely, it's completely
different attire.
So to kind of be aware of thatwhen you're dressing for a job.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Yeah, so I guess, when it comes to your particular
fashions, what would you sayyou're more into like sneakers
or heels?
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Oh, love, heels, heels I do, but as I've aged, so
graciously I feel that heel isgetting shorter and shorter and
shorter it's becoming thoselittle kitten heels.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Right, those are in right now, exactly, there's
nothing to like yeah, for thatit's actually in style.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Um, so I do explore block heels and you know shorter
heels and stuff like that forcomfort yeah, but I love the
look of a high heel.
It's very elegant to me I don'tknow for me.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
I I love sneakers and heels, um, but when it comes to
heels, I don't know like.
It can only be like black heels.
I can't do the stilettos likecould you ever?
Speaker 2 (11:53):
or is it just now?
Speaker 1 (11:54):
it's just my legs just don't work for those kind
of shoes.
I don't know, it just does not.
My feet just don't ever feelcomfortable in them.
Um so more like thicker, umheels or um platforms I really
love platforms because they'recomfy, but you still get the
height, um.
So, yeah, those are some of my.
(12:14):
I like to do sneakers as well,so I like I used to be a sneaker
head back in high school, butwhat's your favorite sneaker
that you, that you have?
I guess not that big of asneaker head, so I like the
looks of sneakers, but I'm not.
I don't care about the names.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Cause I know that's like a whole thing, isn't there
one that's?
Speaker 2 (12:34):
like Panda or something.
The black and white.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
What are those called ?
Oh my, gosh.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Okay, we may have to stop talking.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
I'm not a real sneaker head.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
Okay, I just like looking at sneakers, I don't
care about the names, like myhusband is into sneakers, knows
the names and all that I justlike.
If I see something and it'scute, then I'm going to get them
, but I'm not really into likethe names.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
Oh, I know it's a whole thing, but I don't know
them either.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
If you could raid one celebrity's closet, who would
it be?
Speaker 3 (13:08):
and why, if I could raid?
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Rihanna's closet.
I would love to, because I justlove like she doesn't have like
her style.
It varies, it has like avariety of looks, and I like
that because that's kind of howmy style is.
I kind of dress per my mood,okay, and I feel like that's how
she is too, and she would haveso many good things in her
(13:30):
closet.
I just know.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Her clothing is beautiful.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Yes, and she just dresses her body so well.
So even when she's in comfythings or if she is in something
more fitted, it's always sonicely done.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
I know.
But you know what is it?
The effortless look that takesthe most effort.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
I know right that the effortless look that takes the
most effort.
I know right how do you, Iguess, dress based on like
comfort or like your mood, orhow do you go to your closet and
pick out what you're wearingfor today?
Speaker 2 (13:58):
okay, so I do love to be creative, absolutely like I
just I love colors, I lovestyles, I love different, just
being vibrant, um, and I, I, Ido like different looks as well.
I don't like to stick to onelook, but, with that being said,
I've noticed that as much as Iwant to be creative, I will
(14:21):
prioritize confidence over itokay so if I look or I think in
my head, I look better in oneoutfit, even though I like the
other outfit more.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
I'll go with the one that is more flattering yeah and
, you know, suited to me yeah, Ilove that because, yeah, I'm
the same way like you know,you'll see something you're like
.
I just love the way this lookson the hanger and you put it it
on.
It's just like, uh, maybe itdoesn't fit right in the bust
area or wherever, and it's justfor me.
(14:52):
If I'm not comfortable at home,then I'm not going to wear it.
Because then I'm going to bevery uncomfortable outside.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
Right, and then I'm just going to be self-conscious
the whole time.
And you know, yeah, no, so I dogo for confidence.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
But I try know.
So I do go for confidence, butI try to be creative.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Are you like a print person?
Or when you say, like colorsand variety, um, do I do prints,
I, I do prints.
I'm not gonna lie, okay, I doprints I do colors, I do pastels
, I'm trying to do, and I loveneutrals too, don't get me wrong
, I just love it all yeah, andthat's you're like opposite for
me.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
I I'm not a big print person and I'm not like.
I used to only wear like darkcolors and neutrals and my mom
was like I was driving her crazywhen I was younger.
But I've gone.
I'm more of like my foundationis mostly neutral, but then I'll
do like pops of color okay, butI'm not a colorful person when
it comes to outfits.
Speaker 2 (15:46):
And see, that's also a trend.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
Like the neutrals.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
It's very demure.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Yeah, demure, demure.
Aesthetic is how the kids aresaying now.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
Yes, how do you balance staying true to your
personal style whileexperimenting with new trends?
Speaker 1 (16:10):
staying true to your personal style while
experimenting with new trends.
So with my personal style, Ilike to try new things but yeah,
I don't know as long as I fitit into, like how I would wear
it.
Like I was saying earlier, Idon't leave the house.
If I'm uncomfortable then I'mnot leaving and I want to make
sure I'm comfortable.
But sometimes with trendythings before I like buy like a
(16:35):
more expensive version of it.
I might buy like maybe like acheaper version or a more
affordable version and see if Iactually like it.
And if it's something I like,then I'll go ahead and, you know
, buy more quality versions ofit.
So that's how I kind of playaround with the trends, because
I'm not going to waste my moneyon things that if I'm not going
(16:56):
to wear it, then yeah yeah, doyou do online shop or in store?
These days online, I do actuallyprefer in store.
These days online, I doactually prefer in store, but I
just don't have the time forthat anymore and I do both.
But majority right now isonline.
Yes, yeah, and their return umrates are like a lot.
(17:19):
Their return policies are somuch better now because the only
thing with online is justtrying to figure out your sizing
and like.
Sometimes I like I can be inbetween sizes for certain types
of styles and things.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
And it can change.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
I think I'm the same.
I definitely online shopping iseasier, right, it's like click
click, click.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Yes, maybe a little too easy, and they make it too
easy.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
And then I mean I'm terrible.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
Like I will return everything that I don't like if
it doesn't fit.
So I'm a big buyer and returner.
I know some people don't likethat.
Right, and I get it.
That's, that's great.
I don't get it.
I personally, if it didn't fitme, I mean the whole point.
If it does, it's the same thingin the store, like if it
doesn't fit me, then I'm gonnareturn it but you would have
tried it in the store right andI wouldn't have bought it
exactly, and that's the thing,that's why I do like in-store
better.
Yes, um, when I do have time totry things on, I don't have to
go back and return anything.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
So, yeah, and the other thing is within store
there's so many.
I will like find something.
I love it.
I try it.
I think it's great and thenI'll just search online real
quick, which is what everyoneshould do, because you never,
know if you can find it cheaper,and so they will price match
most stores price match, soalways like before checking out.
Speaker 1 (18:31):
We'll check yeah, if it's a little, I need to be
doing that more.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
Oh, do it all the time.
You'll be shocked.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
And then I'll see the online picture and I see and
I'm like I would have neverbought this online right, based
on the model, right?
Speaker 1 (18:44):
yeah, sometimes I'm why would they style it like
this?
Yeah, yeah, it looks better inperson.
Yeah, true, very true.
Or the model is like no way youcan even see yourself wearing
it, based on the model's bodytype, or anything like that.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
What's one fashion trend you loved in the past but
wouldn't wear now.
Oh, that's a good one.
I can't wait to hear this.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
Okay on.
You know the millennials love askinny jean oh okay and I still
kind of love it, but now thatI've been doing, you know, the
baggier, looser look is likewhat's in now?
Yes, it is actually morecomfortable.
Um, now, when I try to put onmy skinny jeans, I still like
(19:30):
the way they look, but they'rejust not that comfortable.
So, fair, um, I, I don't wearthem at all anymore.
And, based on, like theyoungins, they were like no, you
can't wear, it's not in anymore, and I just I.
It took me a while to you know,get away from it, but I, I do so
now I'm like now I can't evensee myself wearing it more for
(19:53):
the comfort, because the skinnyjeans are not comfortable no,
that's fair, that's a good oneyeah for me hmm, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
Sometimes I look back at what I was wearing and I was
like, what was I thinking?
Ever that was so bad, and whydid anyone think?
Did you ever dress out ofdesperation?
Okay, listen to me.
Like you had an event, or youhad something to go to and you
just had to put somethingtogether for it.
And I feel like I was in thatsituation Previously and I just
(20:22):
didn't have the right clothes.
Speaker 1 (20:24):
I was just Some of the stuff I do went like some of
the old outfits I've worn.
I'm always just like, hmm, Iprobably wouldn't have worn that
.
It's more for me the makeupwhen I first was getting into
(20:45):
makeup.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
That's where.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
I'm just like oh my God, what did I?
Speaker 2 (20:48):
why was I doing that?
The transition Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
Well, the good thing is, we're only improving with
age and time.
Yes, with our skills, so we'llonly look better.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, that's all you can do,but I mean, I think fashion is a
fun thing and when it comes tolike in, like the professional
settings, like finding out waysto make yourself pop, I mean we
wear scrubs to work?
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Yes, but you know how do you make yourself pop?
Speaker 1 (21:17):
I mean, we wear scrubs to work but you know how
do you, how do you make yourselfpop for work.
The only thing I can do is, Imean, if your hair is done and
you're, if you do want to domakeup you don't have to wear
makeup?
I'm not sure I'm not trying tosay you have to wear makeup, but
with scrubs, it's really yourshoes, and maybe like a dainty
jewelry that you can dress it up, or if your watch is nice and
just look clean and ironed.
(21:38):
Yeah, ironing is huge.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
Ironing is huge, I agree, I think so.
My technician, Tanisha.
She works with me.
One of our favorite things todo is to wear like a bold lip.
Okay, and you're always likeooh, you look good today.
I think I have seen her withthat.
With the red lip right.
So that's when you know it's agood day, that's when you go
talk to her.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Okay, that's good to know.
Good to know, yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
So that's definitely something we do, and I love my
scrubs in different colors too,that's something I really like
as well.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
I know certain uniforms look nicer too.
I love the figs um uniforms thebrand.
I love the way that fits, andthen the texture to the material
, the material nice definitelyso.
Those are one of my favorites,but other than that it's pretty
much just hair.
But we could dress up for workyeah, we are allowed to do a
(22:33):
business professional.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
I know how do you feel about that?
Speaker 1 (22:36):
I actually used to do it a lot more when I first
started here.
Oh you did, you know, before Ihad kids and stuff.
That's nice, you know.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
So when I was in optometry school, it was
business professional.
So I actually have that entirewardrobe.
So I was thinking, I was like Ithink I need to like tap into
it and maybe do it.
I think I might need to breakaway from the scrub.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
Yeah, it is nice.
It's like because you know,once you get into scrub, it's
just so easy.
Oh, I love it.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
You don't have to think at all, it's like right
there in the morning.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
Grab it go.
But yeah, sometimes I am likeyou just feel a little different
when you're dressed up.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
So I think maybe I'll try, like once a month.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, that would probably benice, right, mm-hmm?
Maybe first of the month, thebeginning of the month, oh,
that's a good way.
That could be a thing you can.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
Yeah, the first day of each month, mm-hmm.
Business casual, you know, nopressure, but yeah, yeah.
Well, this is a really funepisode on fashion.
I love learning about yourtrends.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
Yes, and here also talking with dress for success
some great resources for ourpatients and people who are
looking to get employed yes, soif you are um interested, you
know this podcast is brought toyou by Saint Hope Healthcare and
if you would like to schedulean appointment with us, you can
go to our website atwwwofferinghopeorg and you'll be
(24:09):
able to schedule an appointment.
You'll find our contactinformation.
We also have our contactinformation and if you're
watching this on YouTube, youcan look there as well.
So thank you so much forjoining us and we'll see you in
the next one.
Take care, bye.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
You've been watching and listening to the Care
Collective, a production of StHope Healthcare.
Join us monthly for newepisodes as we explore the
latest thoughts and ideas onliving your best life.
Hi, welcome to the Care Collective, a podcast
brought to you by St HopeHealthcare.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
I'm Dr Uwaila Aranse and I'm Dr Siddhi Chandra.
The Care Collective is apodcast dedicated to empowering
and connecting individuals whoare passionate about creating
positive change.
Our mission is to sharevaluable insights and knowledge,
foster a supportive andinclusive community and provide
engaging and entertaining.
Foster a supportive andinclusive community and provide
engaging and entertainingcontent that inspires growth and
(00:29):
connection.
Together, we aim to make caringcontagious and amplify the
power of collective action.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Welcome back to the Care Collective Podcast.
I'm your host, dr UwailaAranseye, and I have my co-host,
dr Siddhi Ch Chandra, and weare here and we're talking about
dressing for success, so we'regoing to be talking about the
fashions.
The appropriate work attiresall that fun stuff right,
(00:56):
absolutely.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I'm so excited.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
This is my favorite topic fashion, fashion, fashion
yeah, I love fashion as well, soit's always always fun.
It just makes your day better.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Speaking of, I actually had a really fun Zoom
call with Jodi Bash, who is theengagement speaker for Dress for
Success.
Okay, yeah, we had a greatconversation on setting
ourselves up for success, forclothing, mentorship, job
applications, scholarships, thatthey provide Just truly a great
resource for all our patientsand even for ourselves to be
aware of that's really good, isit?
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Well, I guess we'll hear more in the Zoom that you
guys had, so we'll get into thatnow.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
I'm excited to introduce our guest speaker from
Dress for Success, Jodi Bash.
Welcome to the Care Collectivepodcast.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Thank you so much.
It's a pleasure to be here.
Wonderful, how's your day?
So far it's going very good.
We're having a great day.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Love to hear that you know.
To start off, I would love toknow more about Dress for
Success and what are some keyresources that you offer to help
women prepare for the workforce, and how do these services
support long-term success?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Yeah, thank you so much for asking.
So Dress for Success has beenaround the Houston affiliate has
been around for 27 years, sowe've been doing this a long
time.
We have four key areas that weoffer for our women to help them
get the support they need.
The first is our job searchprogram.
So this is for unemployed orunderemployed women in the
(02:34):
community, and so they mightcome in because they're looking
for things like help with aresume setup, practicing an
interview, getting to know whatLinkedIn is and how to maximize
that profile everything youmight do kind of on the front
end as you start to look for ajob.
Then we have a suiting program.
(02:54):
So a suiting program isobviously what a lot of people
think about when they thinkabout Dress for Success, because
it's in our name.
You can come in and get a fullsuit from us, which is an
interview outfit but includesshoes and a handbag as well.
If you have maybe an interviewcoming up, if you have a job
fair or career resource fair,you're going to.
(03:16):
Also, if you've recentlygraduated and that doesn't just
mean a graduate from college,but if you've completed some
kind of program, certificationprogram etc.
That's a qualifying event tocome in and get a suit because
you're ready to take the nextstep.
Part of that suiting program isalso what we call employment
(03:37):
suiting job or maybe has beenrecently promoted.
She can come in and we give hereight pieces of professional
attire mix and match separatesto what we call kind of a
starter wardrobe, so that shehas a way to enter the workforce
, doesn't have to wear that suitevery day, but she's got the
(03:57):
resources she needs.
We can also offer scrubs towomen in that case, because in
Houston we've got a lot ofpeople who are going to the
medical industry or home healthcare and so scrubs is a priority
for a lot of people coming infor that employment suiting.
Another program we offer is ourWomen Veterans Program.
(04:19):
That is obviously for women whohave served in our military.
That is obviously for women whohave served in our military and
it's really about connectionand finding a community to be a
part of and be with women whoare going through the same
unique challenges that they are.
Our veterans program has beenaround for about 11 years now,
so it's been growing steadilythat whole time.
(04:40):
And then the last program wehave and this really speaks to
(05:07):
the long-term success and whatwe're trying to do for the women
is our professional women'sgroup throughout the year,
offered on Saturdays, thursdayevenings, online availability as
well for anything that's goingto help their self-defined goals
and how they can continue inthat career journey.
It's not just about getting ajob, it's about building the
career and finding the next step.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Wow, that's incredible.
Those are a lot of resources,you know.
I'm not sure how many peopleknow about the resources that
you offer, so thank you forbreaking that down.
It's really truly start tofinish, from job prep to
clothing and, you know,afterwards building a community
as well.
It's really beautiful.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
What is one common fashion mistake professionals
make that might undermine theirauthority, and how can they fix
it?
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Yeah.
So I think you know it'sinteresting because when you say
professional, that really isthing is to understand what is
common for your industry.
What are the policies, maybe,that your company that you work
for have in place for attire?
(06:12):
So I think the biggest mistakeis people who don't take time to
learn that and maybe areshowing up in the wrong types of
clothing.
The most important thing whenyou're at a job is that you're
exuding confidence in whatyou're doing.
If you're wearing somethingthat's distracting because it's
not what you're supposed to bewearing in this environment,
(06:33):
then people aren't payingattention to your great work and
what you're doing.
They're focused on the wrongthing.
Don't undercount things likejewelry, makeup.
What is appropriate for whereI'm working in those scenarios
as well, it's not just clothing.
It can be more than that.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
That's helpful insight.
It's a great way to look at it,because each workforce and
scenario can be completelydifferent and even the small
things add up, like you saidmakeup, jewelry and sometimes we
overlook it because we think itlooks amazing and great, but is
it appropriate for the setting?
Speaker 3 (07:08):
Exactly, and you probably do look amazing and
great.
But again, is this going to bedistracting when I'm talking to
a client or a co-worker orcustomer?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
That's very good insight.
Can you share a success storythat highlights how the
resources provided by Dress forSuccess, like career development
or mentoring, help transformsomeone's life?
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Absolutely.
We have so many incredibleexamples of women who've come
through our programs and want toshare their story and talk
about what they've seen so thatother women take advantage of it
.
There is a woman, yemi, who'sactually she's now a volunteer
with us.
She started out as a client.
She came to the US from Nigeriawith three young children and a
(07:52):
husband and then found herselfin the unfortunate position of a
single mom needing to get a joband make money for her family.
She came to Dress for Success.
She got a suit for her firstinterview, got a job and was
invited to join our professionalwomen's group.
So when she joined theprofessional women's group, she
(08:13):
was able to get a scholarshipthrough our scholarship program
for seven consecutive semestersof school that allowed her to
get a business and accountingdegree and move from the job
that just helped her support herfamily to the career that she
could build on and be there morefor her family.
So it's just been an incrediblejourney for Yemi.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Wow, that's a really inspiring story.
It's beautiful.
Gives a lot of hope as well Forpeople that would be interested
in your resources.
How do they get contact withthat?
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Yeah, so we partner with about 150 agencies around
Houston that can refer women toour program.
So if you are at a university,your university might be a
partner of ours and you can goto the career services and get
us.
You know, hey, I want areferral to Dress for Success.
There's so many differentwomen's shelters, workforce
(09:07):
solutions, so many differentplaces.
But you can also self-refer, soyou can.
We have an online form and easyto find dfshoustonorg get
support and there's a buttonthat takes you to a form where
you can just fill it out and youcan say I need your job search
services or I need your suitingor your veteran services any one
(09:31):
of those and then within 24hours we'll contact you to set
up an appointment and get you inthe right spot for our program
so we can start helping empoweryou.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Oh, I love that.
That's great.
It's wonderful.
I'll definitely be passing thatalong to many of our patients
who are looking for resources.
Please do Absolutely Well.
It was a pleasure speaking withyou today and thank you so much
for being on the podcast and wewill be in touch.
You're welcome.
Hope you have a wonderful day,Thank you.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Thank you so much.
Have a good one.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
I'm so sad that I missed the Zoom with Dress for
Success.
I got stuck in traffic, buthere we are.
But what was one of thehighlight things that she went
over that she really liked aboutit?
Speaker 2 (10:19):
You know, one thing she brought up which was
actually your question because agreat question is what is the
mistake you can make?
Oh yeah, and she was talkingabout how it's like the little
things, like your makeup, yourjewelry, your hair, and I was
thinking I was like that's sotrue, because you have to dress
for the professional environmentyou're in which could
(10:39):
completely vary, right if you're, you know, in a medical office,
or if you're working as ateacher or you know, whatever
the situation is, it's acompletely, it's completely
different attire.
So to kind of be aware of thatwhen you're dressing for a job.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Yeah, so I guess, when it comes to your particular
fashions, what would you sayyou're more into like sneakers
or heels?
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Oh, love, heels, heels I do, but as I've aged, so
graciously I feel that heel isgetting shorter and shorter and
shorter it's becoming thoselittle kitten heels.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Right, those are in right now, exactly, there's
nothing to like yeah, for thatit's actually in style.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Um, so I do explore block heels and you know shorter
heels and stuff like that forcomfort yeah, but I love the
look of a high heel.
It's very elegant to me I don'tknow for me.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
I I love sneakers and heels, um, but when it comes to
heels, I don't know like.
It can only be like black heels.
I can't do the stilettos likecould you ever?
Speaker 2 (11:53):
or is it just now?
Speaker 1 (11:54):
it's just my legs just don't work for those kind
of shoes.
I don't know, it just does not.
My feet just don't ever feelcomfortable in them.
Um so more like thicker, umheels or um platforms I really
love platforms because they'recomfy, but you still get the
height, um.
So, yeah, those are some of my.
(12:14):
I like to do sneakers as well,so I like I used to be a sneaker
head back in high school, butwhat's your favorite sneaker
that you, that you have?
I guess not that big of asneaker head, so I like the
looks of sneakers, but I'm not.
I don't care about the names.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Cause I know that's like a whole thing, isn't there
one that's?
Speaker 2 (12:34):
like Panda or something.
The black and white.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
What are those called ?
Oh my, gosh.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Okay, we may have to stop talking.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
I'm not a real sneaker head.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
Okay, I just like looking at sneakers, I don't
care about the names, like myhusband is into sneakers, knows
the names and all that I justlike.
If I see something and it'scute, then I'm going to get them
, but I'm not really into likethe names.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
Oh, I know it's a whole thing, but I don't know
them either.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
If you could raid one celebrity's closet, who would
it be?
Speaker 3 (13:08):
and why, if I could raid?
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Rihanna's closet.
I would love to, because I justlove like she doesn't have like
her style.
It varies, it has like avariety of looks, and I like
that because that's kind of howmy style is.
I kind of dress per my mood,okay, and I feel like that's how
she is too, and she would haveso many good things in her
(13:30):
closet.
I just know.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Her clothing is beautiful.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Yes, and she just dresses her body so well.
So even when she's in comfythings or if she is in something
more fitted, it's always sonicely done.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
I know.
But you know what is it?
The effortless look that takesthe most effort.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
I know right that the effortless look that takes the
most effort.
I know right how do you, Iguess, dress based on like
comfort or like your mood, orhow do you go to your closet and
pick out what you're wearingfor today?
Speaker 2 (13:58):
okay, so I do love to be creative, absolutely like I
just I love colors, I lovestyles, I love different, just
being vibrant, um, and I, I, Ido like different looks as well.
I don't like to stick to onelook, but, with that being said,
I've noticed that as much as Iwant to be creative, I will
(14:21):
prioritize confidence over itokay so if I look or I think in
my head, I look better in oneoutfit, even though I like the
other outfit more.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
I'll go with the one that is more flattering yeah and
, you know, suited to me yeah, Ilove that because, yeah, I'm
the same way like you know,you'll see something you're like
.
I just love the way this lookson the hanger and you put it it
on.
It's just like, uh, maybe itdoesn't fit right in the bust
area or wherever, and it's justfor me.
(14:52):
If I'm not comfortable at home,then I'm not going to wear it.
Because then I'm going to bevery uncomfortable outside.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
Right, and then I'm just going to be self-conscious
the whole time.
And you know, yeah, no, so I dogo for confidence.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
But I try know.
So I do go for confidence, butI try to be creative.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Are you like a print person?
Or when you say, like colorsand variety, um, do I do prints,
I, I do prints.
I'm not gonna lie, okay, I doprints I do colors, I do pastels
, I'm trying to do, and I loveneutrals too, don't get me wrong
, I just love it all yeah, andthat's you're like opposite for
me.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
I I'm not a big print person and I'm not like.
I used to only wear like darkcolors and neutrals and my mom
was like I was driving her crazywhen I was younger.
But I've gone.
I'm more of like my foundationis mostly neutral, but then I'll
do like pops of color okay, butI'm not a colorful person when
it comes to outfits.
Speaker 2 (15:46):
And see, that's also a trend.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
Like the neutrals.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
It's very demure.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Yeah, demure, demure.
Aesthetic is how the kids aresaying now.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
Yes, how do you balance staying true to your
personal style whileexperimenting with new trends?
Speaker 1 (16:10):
staying true to your personal style while
experimenting with new trends.
So with my personal style, Ilike to try new things but yeah,
I don't know as long as I fitit into, like how I would wear
it.
Like I was saying earlier, Idon't leave the house.
If I'm uncomfortable then I'mnot leaving and I want to make
sure I'm comfortable.
But sometimes with trendythings before I like buy like a
(16:35):
more expensive version of it.
I might buy like maybe like acheaper version or a more
affordable version and see if Iactually like it.
And if it's something I like,then I'll go ahead and, you know
, buy more quality versions ofit.
So that's how I kind of playaround with the trends, because
I'm not going to waste my moneyon things that if I'm not going
(16:56):
to wear it, then yeah yeah, doyou do online shop or in store?
These days online, I do actuallyprefer in store.
These days online, I doactually prefer in store, but I
just don't have the time forthat anymore and I do both.
But majority right now isonline.
Yes, yeah, and their return umrates are like a lot.
(17:19):
Their return policies are somuch better now because the only
thing with online is justtrying to figure out your sizing
and like.
Sometimes I like I can be inbetween sizes for certain types
of styles and things.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
And it can change.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
I think I'm the same.
I definitely online shopping iseasier, right, it's like click
click, click.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Yes, maybe a little too easy, and they make it too
easy.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
And then I mean I'm terrible.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
Like I will return everything that I don't like if
it doesn't fit.
So I'm a big buyer and returner.
I know some people don't likethat.
Right, and I get it.
That's, that's great.
I don't get it.
I personally, if it didn't fitme, I mean the whole point.
If it does, it's the same thingin the store, like if it
doesn't fit me, then I'm gonnareturn it but you would have
tried it in the store right andI wouldn't have bought it
exactly, and that's the thing,that's why I do like in-store
better.
Yes, um, when I do have time totry things on, I don't have to
go back and return anything.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
So, yeah, and the other thing is within store
there's so many.
I will like find something.
I love it.
I try it.
I think it's great and thenI'll just search online real
quick, which is what everyoneshould do, because you never,
know if you can find it cheaper,and so they will price match
most stores price match, soalways like before checking out.
Speaker 1 (18:31):
We'll check yeah, if it's a little, I need to be
doing that more.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
Oh, do it all the time.
You'll be shocked.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
And then I'll see the online picture and I see and
I'm like I would have neverbought this online right, based
on the model, right?
Speaker 1 (18:44):
yeah, sometimes I'm why would they style it like
this?
Yeah, yeah, it looks better inperson.
Yeah, true, very true.
Or the model is like no way youcan even see yourself wearing
it, based on the model's bodytype, or anything like that.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
What's one fashion trend you loved in the past but
wouldn't wear now.
Oh, that's a good one.
I can't wait to hear this.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
Okay on.
You know the millennials love askinny jean oh okay and I still
kind of love it, but now thatI've been doing, you know, the
baggier, looser look is likewhat's in now?
Yes, it is actually morecomfortable.
Um, now, when I try to put onmy skinny jeans, I still like
(19:30):
the way they look, but they'rejust not that comfortable.
So, fair, um, I, I don't wearthem at all anymore.
And, based on, like theyoungins, they were like no, you
can't wear, it's not in anymore, and I just I.
It took me a while to you know,get away from it, but I, I do so
now I'm like now I can't evensee myself wearing it more for
(19:53):
the comfort, because the skinnyjeans are not comfortable no,
that's fair, that's a good oneyeah for me hmm, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
Sometimes I look back at what I was wearing and I was
like, what was I thinking?
Ever that was so bad, and whydid anyone think?
Did you ever dress out ofdesperation?
Okay, listen to me.
Like you had an event, or youhad something to go to and you
just had to put somethingtogether for it.
And I feel like I was in thatsituation Previously and I just
(20:22):
didn't have the right clothes.
Speaker 1 (20:24):
I was just Some of the stuff I do went like some of
the old outfits I've worn.
I'm always just like, hmm, Iprobably wouldn't have worn that
.
It's more for me the makeupwhen I first was getting into
(20:45):
makeup.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
That's where.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
I'm just like oh my God, what did I?
Speaker 2 (20:48):
why was I doing that?
The transition Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
Well, the good thing is, we're only improving with
age and time.
Yes, with our skills, so we'llonly look better.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, that's all you can do,but I mean, I think fashion is a
fun thing and when it comes tolike in, like the professional
settings, like finding out waysto make yourself pop, I mean we
wear scrubs to work?
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Yes, but you know how do you make yourself pop?
Speaker 1 (21:17):
I mean, we wear scrubs to work but you know how
do you, how do you make yourselfpop for work.
The only thing I can do is, Imean, if your hair is done and
you're, if you do want to domakeup you don't have to wear
makeup?
I'm not sure I'm not trying tosay you have to wear makeup, but
with scrubs, it's really yourshoes, and maybe like a dainty
jewelry that you can dress it up, or if your watch is nice and
just look clean and ironed.
(21:38):
Yeah, ironing is huge.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
Ironing is huge, I agree, I think so.
My technician, Tanisha.
She works with me.
One of our favorite things todo is to wear like a bold lip.
Okay, and you're always likeooh, you look good today.
I think I have seen her withthat.
With the red lip right.
So that's when you know it's agood day, that's when you go
talk to her.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Okay, that's good to know.
Good to know, yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
So that's definitely something we do, and I love my
scrubs in different colors too,that's something I really like
as well.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
I know certain uniforms look nicer too.
I love the figs um uniforms thebrand.
I love the way that fits, andthen the texture to the material
, the material nice definitelyso.
Those are one of my favorites,but other than that it's pretty
much just hair.
But we could dress up for workyeah, we are allowed to do a
(22:33):
business professional.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
I know how do you feel about that?
Speaker 1 (22:36):
I actually used to do it a lot more when I first
started here.
Oh you did, you know, before Ihad kids and stuff.
That's nice, you know.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
So when I was in optometry school, it was
business professional.
So I actually have that entirewardrobe.
So I was thinking, I was like Ithink I need to like tap into
it and maybe do it.
I think I might need to breakaway from the scrub.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
Yeah, it is nice.
It's like because you know,once you get into scrub, it's
just so easy.
Oh, I love it.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
You don't have to think at all, it's like right
there in the morning.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
Grab it go.
But yeah, sometimes I am likeyou just feel a little different
when you're dressed up.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
So I think maybe I'll try, like once a month.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, that would probably benice, right, mm-hmm?
Maybe first of the month, thebeginning of the month, oh,
that's a good way.
That could be a thing you can.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
Yeah, the first day of each month, mm-hmm.
Business casual, you know, nopressure, but yeah, yeah.
Well, this is a really funepisode on fashion.
I love learning about yourtrends.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
Yes, and here also talking with dress for success
some great resources for ourpatients and people who are
looking to get employed yes, soif you are um interested, you
know this podcast is brought toyou by Saint Hope Healthcare and
if you would like to schedulean appointment with us, you can
go to our website atwwwofferinghopeorg and you'll be
(24:09):
able to schedule an appointment.
You'll find our contactinformation.
We also have our contactinformation and if you're
watching this on YouTube, youcan look there as well.
So thank you so much forjoining us and we'll see you in
the next one.
Take care, bye.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
You've been watching and listening to the Care
Collective, a production of StHope Healthcare.
Join us monthly for newepisodes as we explore the
latest thoughts and ideas onliving your best life.
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