Afternoon of Empowerment with Dress for Success and TracFone

I’ll take any excuse to spend an afternoon lunching with a handful of admirable and inspiring women. So I was naturally grateful to be invited to an Afternoon of Empowerment with Dress for Success and TracFone to celebrate their second year in expanding the Success in Calling program. The Success is Calling program is designed to help women navigate the critical first step of employment, the phone interview. I can’t say too much about it right now, but believe me, it’s a phenomenal program that you’ll be hearing lots more about soon.

We all came together at Annisa restaurant where we filled about a half a dozen tables and listened to success stories of women who completed the program in 2015 and have since found success in the workplace.

In between each of the stories, we were treated to delicious appetizers like chestnut gnocchi, as well as tasty entrees like the crispy tofu or pork. I don’t know which part filled me more, the surplus of food or connecting with friends, new and old. I had the immense pleasure of sitting across from ShaVaughn Holloway, a Kansas City Success Story and current Dress for Success Brand Ambassador. Her story was nothing short of inspiring and connecting with her on our mutual struggles reassured me greatly. In particular, I was intrigued by how she mastered her newly acquired telephone interview skills through the Success is Calling program with TracFone. I don’t think that it is much of a secret that I’m the worst on telephone interviews and meetings because I almost always freeze. So hearing that I am not alone and that my troubles are actually fairly common, put me at ease. Turns out, confidence is key and ShaVaughn shared a few tips she learned in building it before and during the call. She clearly demonstrated the value of the program by being such a resource to me. Phone skills are essential, even in my line of work.

For more information on Success is Calling™, interview tips and graduate testimonials, visit www.TFSuccessisCalling.com

As the event winded down, we communed over our fondness for the Butterscotch Pecan Beignets before heading our separate ways. Some to catch their flights back home, and me a hop, skip and a jump back to Astoria.

Want to make a difference in the Success is Calling program? Head over to Walmart and purchase any TracFone device during the month of April or take your knowledge to social media and share your job search and interview tips by using #SuccessisCalling.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Dress For Success and TracFone. All opinions are 100% my own.