Dress for Success opens in new location with powerful effects on women

This paid piece is sponsored by EmBe.

It’s about so much more than clothes.

That’s the overriding reaction from women who have been helped by Dress for Success Sioux Falls and its variety of programs.

And now, a new downtown Sioux Falls location is ready to make the experience that much more meaningful.

“It’s all new, it’s very fancy, and the idea is to just make it a complete experience for women from the moment they walk in the door,” said Megan Bartel, executive director of women’s programming.

Located inside EmBe’s downtown location at 300 W. 11th St., the Dress for Success boutique has started offering its first appointments for women working on their professional development.

“We want this to be an experience where women feel as special as we think they are,” said Julia Price Lee, volunteer and client coordinator.

“So the boutique really feels luxe now. They feel like they’re in the master closet of a friend or in a really swanky store – but here, we’re providing not just the clothing and accessories but the advice and the guidance they need to advance in the workplace.”

There are no income guidelines to access the services.

“This is free to everyone,” Bartel said. “And to see them from the beginning of an appointment to the end, it’s just a night-and-day difference and a wonderful opportunity to serve these women.”

There are many paths that bring women to Dress for Success.

For Susan Carpenter, it was losing her decadelong job in trucking and having to make a new start professionally.

“I had applied for 172 jobs before I even got one possible interview,” she said. “It was the worst year of my life. And you get depressed. I had no self-esteem. That’s where I was.”

The South Dakota Department of Labor referred her to Dress for Success, where a volunteer and former department store manager began to help.

“She totally knew style, but she listened to me and what I was comfortable wearing,” Carpenter said. “In trucking, I wore jeans and a T-shirt. I hadn’t worn professional clothing in 10 years, but they found things in my size that I felt comfortable wearing and showed how I could dress it up a little, and it was a phenomenal experience.”

Beyond that, they talked about her job search. She received help restructuring her resume and tips for approaching an interview. She had a mock interview set up with a Dress for Success volunteer – but it turned out not to be needed.

“I never made it that far because I got hired,” she said.

Carpenter now works in a job she’s loving – Barks & Rec in Brandon, where she takes care of dogs being boarded or going to day care there.

“It’s a lot of fun. It’s been a blast,” she said. “And it’s just been a huge blessing to have Dress for Success behind me.”

Surrounded with support

Carpenter hopes to eventually participate in another EmBe program for women: Tapestry.

It’s a monthly program held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and is designed as a 12-month commitment for women navigating the workforce and looking for additional support.

Meeting topics include:

• Budgeting.
• Financial planning.
• Time management.
• Civic responsibility.
• Workplace etiquette.
• Communication in the workplace.
• Health and wellness.
• Work-life balance.

“This is about finding a professional network of support,” Lee said. “They have a meal together, go through professional development topics and learn what it will take to make that next step toward a promotion.”

For Nishat Tasnim, who oversees interpreting and translation services at the Multi-Cultural Center of Sioux Falls, the program has been an ideal fit.

“I look forward to connecting every month,” she said. “I was interested in networking and mentorship, and I feel like this has helped me get connected to what’s happening in town more, build leadership skills and get involved.”

Through Tapestry, she learned about Sioux Falls Thrive and now volunteers with the nonprofit, which focuses on cradle-to-career services.

“Every month there is something new to learn,” Tasnim said. “And it’s also helped me learn about all the other things women are doing in their worlds, leadership roles they’ve taken on, and it’s a safe space to connect with our challenges. Sometimes you think you’re the only one with that challenge, and then you realize everyone goes through the same thing.”

She’s also looking forward to being partnered with a mentor after she completes Tapestry, she said.

“This has just helped me grow in my personal and professional world,” she said. “Through this program, I’ve been able to connect with women I now look up to.”

Another program, Women to the Workforce, begins its next session April 12 and runs through May 19. It’s a free career development program that provides tools to help women use job search resources, build confidence, meet with mentors and create personal networks.

It meets twice a week – Tuesday and Thursday – from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is designed for women who are unemployed or underemployed looking to launch toward a new career. Click here to get connected before the April 1 deadline.

“We want the community to learn more about everything involved in women’s programming at EmBe,” Bartel said. “I donated clothing before I came into this role, but I never fully understood all the coaching services and other programs available. So it’s not just about getting clothes to be confident but this whole continuum of services along the path to empowerment.”

Get involved

Would you like to get involved with Dress for Success? Training is provided, and there are multiple volunteer opportunities:

• Suiting coach.
• Career coach.
• Mentoring.
• Public speaking/presenter.
• Administrative work.
• Boutique maintenance.
• Special events and fundraising.

“There are all sorts of commitment levels,” Lee said. “If you’d like to come in on a Saturday morning, we can schedule that. Our coaches commit at least four hours per month, but there’s always flexibility with setting those schedules.”

Click here to learn more about the role and fill out a volunteer application.

To donate

Dress for Success also accepts many clothing items, and a donation time must be scheduled. Click here to learn more and schedule online.

Just as importantly, though, the nonprofit needs cash donations to cover items women need that aren’t available in the boutique.

“More than one-third of our clients need an item that doesn’t get donated through the normal process,” Lee said. “That could be black pants in a certain size or a specialty item such as a safety shoe or uniform, so we suggest a $25 donation with every clothing contribution to support the whole client’s needs.”

Closet sale

Dress for Success holds a popular Closet Sale event three times a year, when you can snag affordable options for your own wardrobe while supporting the program.

The next one is May 6-7, so mark your calendar!

And for any additional questions about Dress for Success, click here or email Julia Price Lee at jpricelee@embe.org.