You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. That’s the motto of Poised for Success.

The nonprofit organization at 312 S. Westmore Ave., Lombard, is on a mission to help provide career clothing and guidance in interview skills for women in all walks of life who are financially struggling.

I was first introduced to this organization about five years ago when it was called Working Wardrobe. Although I thought I was going in for a light story, I ended up learning what they are all about first hand. I sat through their meetings with clients who were all in toughs episode in their lives. I heard stories of women who were putting trying to educate themselves and prepare for the journey of job hunting. All while I was listening and taking notes, I had never thought of someone not having the proper clothing or grooming to go on a job interview.

The transformation that happens to women after spending time with the volunteers at Poised for Success is incredible. I have witnessed nervous, self-conscious women try on clothes, find the perfect fit, have their hair and make-up done, and actually float out the door feeling they are on their way to success.

A undertaking of this nature requires the help of many people need. At the helm of Poised for Success is Executive Director Gail Foster, organizing the clients, volunteers, donations and corporations that also donate clothes and money.

I attended their annual fundraising dinner at Diplomat West Oct. 21. What an inspiration to witness the growth of this organization. With 300 other women in attendance, we had a great meal and listened to Kathy Voltmer, the news and public affairs manager from The Drive, 97.1, as the emcee. The highlight of the evening was their guest speaker Carolyn Gable, the president and CEO of New Age Transportation, Distribution & Warehousing Inc. Besides running her company, she is a motivational speaker, radio host and author of the book “Everything I Know as a CEO I Learned as a Waitress.” I read the book and want you to know the motivation and message Gable relays throughout the pages are stimulating.

Gable started out her speech with a quote from former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

 “There is a place in hell for women who don’t help other women,” Gable said.

She knew how to reel her audience in. She had our attention.

“We are all on a journey; we are all here to learn. Our soul is begging us to keep learning and learning,” she said. “The No. 1 bit of advice I can give everyone here is that you are here in this life to have fun. If you are not having fun, you are not living the life that God wanted you to live.”
With clips from the perfect life of Donna Reed to stories about her life as a waitress, we were thoroughly entertained and educated. By the time she was finished we knew why she was the CEO.

Foster closed the evening by introducing to us a woman who explained how important Poised for Success was in her life. This lady explained how her company had downsized in 2002 and she moved here in 2004. After going to school to become a paralegal, she had the education but not the interview outfit. She couldn’t afford anything new. She did not know people existed to help boost self esteem, change careers, find a job and provide new clothes for the interview. She will always be grateful to the people at Poised for Success. She got the first job she went for.

Thank you for an uplifting evening. For information on Poised for Success, visit www.poisedforsuccess.org or call (630) 691-1455. Donations of gently used career clothing in style can be dropped off on the second Saturday of each month between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.