This is a proposal that I wrote for an international chain of Dress for Success apparel stores that would offer wardrobe consultation and other services to the general public, while proceeds from such an initiative would support traditional DFS programs.

1. Dress for Success
Apparel Stores
The Program Empowerment Key
By Yolanda Martin

2. Dress for Success Program Overview
Dress for Success was founded for the purpose of empowering women
entering the work force and has traditionally provided professional attire
for low-income women entering or seeking advancement in the job
market. Dress for Success also offers other resources, like a site career
center where clients can make use of computers to create and/or edit
professional documents, like resumes, cover letters, etc.
Dress for Success hosts various fundraising events to support its mission,
but, despite the successes of these events, simply does not receive the
level of support that it merits to achieve its ultimate potential.

3. Opportunities for Growth
The chief obstacle of traditional program operations for Dress for
Success is that of funding or a lack thereof, which presents significant
challenges as with maintaining sufficient supplies of clothing,
accessories, etc.
Another drawback has been the lack of a male suiting counterpart,
while there is great need for an equivalent program for men.
Yet another limitation has been the lack of a program that caters to
professionals who do not qualify for the traditional Dress for Success
program, but who could benefit from professional wardrobe
consultation.

4. The Dress for Success Apparel Store Solution
Dress for Success apparel stores would be open to the general public and
proceeds from the stores would be invested into the traditional programs,
which means that the stores could be considered non-profit or an
extension of the traditional programs.
Dress for Success apparel stores would be an international venture and
could consist of online as well as physical stores and public stock,*
potentially, that would reel in magnanimous revenues for traditional Dress
for Success programs. Those revenues would, among other things, fund
the purchase of high demand clothing and accessories that are in limited
supply, and fund other program elements (*The Dress for Success stock
market ticker symbol could be simply DFS).

5. DFS Apparel Store Elements
Professional attire, shoes, and accessories for both women, men, and
children
Wardrobe consultation services
Tailoring services
Cosmetic counters for the display, purchase, and application of
cosmetics by licensed estheticians and/or site salons with licensed
cosmetologists and barbers
Office supplies, like padfolios, resume paper, brief cases, USB drives,
pens, laptop computers, office software, etc.
Business-related books, magazines, DVD’s, etc.

6. Other Prospective DFS Apparel Store Elements
Internet cafes where customers can dine and use computers.
Meeting rooms for larger scale public programs, like PWG
(Professional Women’s Group) and PMG (Professional Men’s Group)
meetings, and other professional empowerment seminars, healthy
cooking demonstrations, et cetera, et cetera.
Fitness centers with exercise equipment and trainers/nutritionists.

7. Other DFS Apparel Store Dynamics
Dress for Success apparel stores would market primarily new clothing, but
would also sell used or slightly worn clothing that are in good condition,
though adequate supplies of particularly donated clothing for traditional
Dress for Success programs would take precedence over their availability
in Dress for Success stores. Used or slightly worn clothing would be
significantly marked down and conglomerated in a special segment of
each respective Dress for Success store, and prices of new clothing would
be reasonably competitive with those of other clothing stores.
Clients from traditional Dress for Success programs who cannot be suited
due to clothing unavailability would redeem their wardrobe rein checks at
either of the Dress for Success apparel stores.

8. Conclusion
Dress for Success apparel stores would resolve funding challenges for
traditional Dress for Success programs through the selling of
professional attire and accessories, wardrobe consultation, and other
services to the general public, all potentially under the banner of non-
profit recognition. They would further be a positive and more
impactful intervention towards improvement of labor relations and
ultimately the economy by helping to increase public employability
and prospects for advancement in the work force.