Giving others confidence to succeed

Every day I help others discover their true potential, build confidence and raise self esteem, all while doing the same for myself.

In 2013, I founded Potential Me, an organization based in Baltimore that assists disadvantaged women gain financial independence through hard work and a makeover. In my opinion, professionalism and success are related. There is a formula to nailing a job interview; from etiquette to confidence, it all boils down to "wowing" the judges or hiring personnel.

Growing up in Accokeek, I lived a pretty cushy life until I was 15, when I was diagnosed with Alopecia, a term used to describe unexplained hair loss. I was devastated — so much so that I didn't want to enjoy life like a normal teen. I went to school in horrible wigs, came home, locked myself in my room and read books. At some point, my mother convinced me to unlock my door and try to take life one day at a time. I gave college a shot after high school, but was completely distracted with my emotions and ended up dropping out. I tried dating, but as soon as someone asked me about my hair, I dropped them like a bad habit. After working as a waitress at a few different restaurants, adopting a daily workout routine and learning faux hair tricks, I decided to go out on a limb and enter the Miss Maryland USA pageant. To my surprise, I did pretty well and started gaining confidence from that point on. I began working in the hospitality industry and had a blast assisting hotel guests. I found a guy who didn't ask one question about my hair and we ended up getting married.

But it was a conversation with a hotel guest that ended up really changing my life. While I was showing her different rooms, she asked, "So when are you going to quit this hotel gig and do what you were destined to do?" I thought about her question for weeks. I sat down and put everything I was good at on a piece of paper. From that scrap sheet, I came up with a business plan for a nonprofit. Potential Me takes in second-hand clothing, which is then sold on eBay. The profits from those sales are used to treat women with job interviews lined up to a personal shopping experience. Almost all of my clients have never seen themselves as business professionals, but when they step out of the dressing room and look in the mirror, everything changes and they are able to see their true potential. I am proud to say that after over two years of helping people dress for success, Potential Me has a 100 percent success rate — all job interviews led to job offers. But Potential Me isn't just about attire. Everything I do as part of Potential Me centers on preparing women for the business professional world in whatever way possible, whether it be interview and etiquette tips or shopping for the right clothes. Potential Me recently partnered with Baltimore City Public Schools and is now a part of an initiative to keep young female students on track, and prepare those entering the workforce upon graduation. Several BCPS students have workshops with Potential Me during their lunch period, during which they learn different techniques, such as articulating speech, building a resume, making eye contact and displaying proper etiquette.

Through amazing organizations such as Maryland New Directions, My Sister's Circle and Martha's Place, I have been able to carry my passion for volunteering even further. My Sister's Circle is a mentoring program based in Timonium. The organization sends its clients my way, and I take them shopping for career-wear and coach them in interview prep etiquette. I am on the development committee for Maryland New Directions, an organization in Baltimore that provides career counseling and job search training. I also participate in MND's Connections Friday events, during which I share my life story and provide interview tips to its clients entering the workforce. At Martha's Place, a rehabilitation program for women overcoming addiction and homelessness, I assist with career-wear shopping and interview etiquette for women going through the rehab program. Once a week, I also assist at the U.S. Capitol by giving tours and guiding members of Congress to hearing rooms. Who knows? I might take my love for public service to new heights in a few years. Consequently, I went from a shy introvert with low self-esteem, to a secure woman spending my time making sure other women feel confidently beautiful. Every woman deals with self-esteem issues, but I am a true believer that those insecurities are actually the qualities that make each of us fabulous.

The Volunteer Voices section highlights outstanding volunteers in the Baltimore County area. If you're a volunteer and are interested in submitting to the series, please email elaina.clarke@carrollcountytimes.com.