Send One Suit!

While we're gearing up for this year's Send One Suit event, sponsored in part by Dress Barn, check out the coverage MyFoxMaine did for last year's event!

Updates and Disabilities

Things have been extremely busy and hectic going into the new year. Suz Stephenson is working hard on her project, Dress to Impress: 1 Dress, 30 Days, 30 Ways on her blog Well to do, You. She's spreading the word, we're networking, and we'll have an extra-special secret announcement soon for those of you in the Bangor/Northern Maine area, thanks to Suz.

Next week, at a conference table, over pizza, We'll be putting together our Strategic Plan for the next year. We'll decide which events we can repeat, what is next on our agenda, and where to focus these next few weeks.

Our Going Places Network classes start up again on Tuesday January 17, and continue on the 19, 24 and 26.  We're taking the traditional career class and giving them a more personalized focus. What are some of the challenges you face in the workforce? The classes are small and the focus is on individuals.  Megan Jo Wilson, accomplished life coach and consultant based in Portland, will be facilitating this round, helping our clients with everything from mock interviews to confidence-boosting, resume writing to goal setting. Guest speakers will also be stopping by for advice on topics ranging from fashion to finances. Give us a call at 780-1686 or email southernmaine at dressforsuccess.org to RSVP! 

In the meantime, here's a short TED Talk by Aimee Mullins. An athlete, actor and activist, Aimee talks about overcoming the challenges in her life and by changing her thinking, she's raising questions about what it really means to have a disability. Very inspiring story!

Blogging for Good: Dress for Success Southern Maine

Corey Templeton of Portland Daily Photo decided to give a little back this Holiday season. He devised a plan to have all sorts of Portland-based bloggers post coordinated entries about non-profit organizations that they feel deserve the attention of the public. Read more about the project and some of the entries in this article from the Portland Daily Sun.

Our intern, Amanda, and Fore Front Fashion both dedicated posts to us, and we're really appreciative. 

What a great way to spread the spirit of giving. 

One Dress, 30 Ways, 30 days

Suz Stephenson, a Bangor Blogger who runs Well to Do You, is embarking on a fantastic project for Dress for Success Southern Maine. It's called Dress to Impress, and the goal is to wear one dress for 30 days and make 30 completely different outfits in the month of January. All of her accessories will be donated, including the dress, which is from L.L. Bean Signature (and kind of dreamy.) The emphasis is that you don't need a lot of clothes to look your best, just a little bit of creativity.

All of the items donated to Dress to Impress will then be donated to Dress for Success Southern Maine. We're really looking forward to this. Keep your eyes peeled for some guest posts by our intern, Amanda, over the course of January along with posts from Suz for tips on how to economically build a stylish wardrobe as well as interview and career advise.

Navigating the Lipstick Jungle: Wrapping up!

Here are some highlights from Ms. McMurry's presentation, for those of you who were unable to make it:

A man is not a financial plan. It might be nice to think it is, especially if we're in love and he's a decent human being. But life happens! People change! And you really need to focus on your financial independence, even if you're married or on an extended maternity leave. 

I took a personal finance course a few years ago and there were a few things that I'd like to add to Ms. McMurry's statement. It's never too early to start saving for retirement and make financial goals for yourself. Ms. McMurry took that one step further and reiterated the importance of writing down your goals. 95% of people who write down their goals are able to achieve them. I recommend this book:

5: Where Will You Be Five Years from Today?

  

Ms. McMurry used an example of telling Santa Claus what you want for Christmas. If you don't say specifically what you want, Santa is a busy guy. He might not get it. Be as clear as possible when saying what you want.

She also indicated the need to negotiate your salary. When you're in the discussion with your boss/manager, this is what you do when they give you a number. Say, "That sounds a little low." Then shut up. The worst that could happen is that offer stands. But by not saying anything else, you are putting the conversation pressure on your boss to respond.

Here is an interview Ms. McMurry did at 207 in our boutique!

 

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to make last week's event, Navigating the Lipstick Jungle with Jane Hight McMurry, a success, especially our sponsors:

Bank of America
Manpower
Luma Coaching
Deb Bergeron of Ocean of Possibilities
Law Offices Joe Bornstein

and our generous, delicious caterers:

Kamala Hahn
CVC Catering
Girl Gone Raw