Quotes

Styleworks is the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. When I see the women's reaction when they first turn around and look in the mirror... it fills my spirit.

My inspiration for styleWorks came from seeing the different changes in welfare laws and my belief that everyone needs to be supported on their journey to more satisfying lives.

When a woman feels her best, when a woman reaches her full potential, everyone around her profits.

Courage is a virtue in women. Don't let fear hold you back.

As a way to highlight the organizations that I am actively involved with, I recently launched the Angel Rock Project. The Angel Rock Project will function as a community of service. It will provide tips and guides to getting involved with non profits and will highlight grassroots organizations that have compelling stories and need assistance. It will also showcase the many endeavors I am involved with, including humanitarian campaigns, television projects, and writing.

A lot of non profits, particularly grassroots organizations, can truly utilize the expertise of lawyers, publicists, accountants, marketers, and writers who are willing to volunteer their services. If you want to get involved in the nonprofit world, then ask yourself what your talents are and apply those skills to helping others. Grassroots organizations don't have the funds to hire professionals and heavily depend on volunteers. Donating your writing services or organizational skills are just as valuable as writing a check. Another important factor in getting involved is aligning yourself with a cause that you are passionate about. Once you find the cause, the support will come naturally.

I feel that everybody can do his or her part in helping mankind. Service should be a part of everyone's life and should be embraced early on. I tell my children that when you get a toy, you give a toy. Teaching gratefulness and sharing your blessings are essential to living a productive and balanced life.

Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), is my single greatest source of inspiration. She is a lifelong advocate for disadvantaged children and, through my relationship with her, I became involved with the CDF Freedom Schools. Most recently, I helped raise funds for the CDF Freedom School located in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, which was in jeopardy of closing due to lack of funding. It is also from Marian Wright Edelman that I adopted the mantra "Service is the rent we pay for living.

A good percentage of our clients at Styleworks are college-educated women who left the workforce to raise their children. Deep into motherhood and marriage they were faced with marital problems that led to divorce or separation and consequently left them in a precarious financial position. I preach often that being a mother is a full-time job. And part of that job is to secure the well-being of your family, so you need to stay connected to your finances. It is important to know that your name must be on all paperwork pertaining to your home, car, and investment portfolio.

When a woman feels her best, when a woman reaches her full potential, everyone around her profits. This was the fundamental premise behind Styleworks. Presentation is key, and a gorgeous suit paired with the wrong hairdo, chipped nail polish, or heavy makeup sends the wrong message in a professional interview. Appearance means a lot in our society, so we prepare woman to look and feel their best.

At the time that I was evaluating my departure from UNICEF, the Welfare to Work program under President Bill Clinton's administration was headline news. I was inspired by this initiative and the opportunity to work with women making such an enormous transition. I founded "Styleworks", an organization that provides comprehensive grooming services-hair styling, make-up application, skin-care services, accessories, and image consulting-for women entering the workforce.

I left UNICEF not because I wanted to, but because my husband has a job that takes him all over the world and it became quite difficult to keep up with the travel that my job with UNICEF required and the travel that was expected of me in my marriage. I made a decision that so many of us women have to make: I needed to make an adjustment in my life to make both my marriage and career work.

Balance is essential. Family, husband, friends, and YOU need dedicated time to make each relationship work. When your equilibrium is off, you are not at your best. You need to reevaluate and readjust each relationship depending on what stage or place you are in your life.