By Karen Anderson, president of the board of directors for Dress for Success SW Florida

Financial independence is a critical part of feeling empowered and in control of our own lives.

When social and economic needs in relation to work, home and community are addressed, we are more likely to achieve financial independence.

Dress for Success SW Florida is dedicated to promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women by helping them find and maintain employment. Through programs that provide professional attire, a network of support and career development tools, Dress for Success SW Florida is helping women achieve a life of self-defined financial and professional success.

I know that my favorite outfits, the ones I feel I look my best in and receive compliments on, make me feel confident and ready to take on my day. For women re-entering the job market or going to their first job interview, having a confidence-boosting outfit will make all the difference.

That’s one of the many reasons why I’m proud to support Shop for Success, Dress for Success SW Florida’s eagerly awaited annual signature shopping event that helps provide life-changing programs for the women of Southwest Florida in their quest for independence and empowerment.

Shop for Success on Friday, Nov. 8 will feature 5,000 square feet of gently used clothing in sizes 00 to 26 and accessories from exclusive brands like White House Black Market, Chico’s, Coach, J. Crew, Juicy, Kate Spade, Lily Pulitzer, Michael Kors, Prada, St. John, Talbots and Vince Camuto. An evening of fun and shopping to uplift fellow women – it’s a truly a win-win event for Southwest Florida.

Those wanting to make an even bigger impact within our community while having first, exclusive access to all the designer name-brand fashions, can secure a VIP ticket to the event. VIP access will provide early shopping opportunities as early as 2 p.m. – that’s three whole hours to engage in the thrill of the hunt and get your picks from all the designer brands before the doors open to hundreds of other shoppers. For a more customized shopping experience, a second tier of VIP access also includes a personal shopper to help you find the best designer styles according to your style preferences, private dressing areas that provide minimal waiting time so you can maximize on your early access, and new for this year, a room designated for brand-new clothing with tags.

Imagine getting a coveted Coach handbag, a pair of Michael Kors shoes or a pricey Chico’s necklace for a fraction of its regular cost! With thousands of dresses, tops, pants, skirts, suits, jackets, shoes, handbags, scarves and jewelry starting as low as $5, Shop for Success is a shopper’s paradise for designer-name fashionistas and bargain hunters alike. And most importantly, it’s all for a great cause.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the event will benefit Dress for Success SW Florida and its mission to jumpstart a woman’s career by providing not only work-appropriate attire through its Suits for Self Sufficiency program, but also education and training through its custom Women Empowered Through Employment Series (WETES). Both programs provide tools necessary to create a balance between work and home life, and provide support to overcome life’s hardships.

Please join us for the Shop for Success shopping extravaganza on Friday, Nov. 8, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Bell Tower, 13051 Bell Tower Drive in Fort Myers. VIP tickets start at $50, and are available by calling 239-689-4992 or visiting shopforsuccess2019.eventbrite.com.

Let’s shop with purpose on Nov. 8. Let’s Shop for Success.

About the Author

Karen Anderson is the president of the board of directors for Dress for Success SW Florida, a nonprofit organization with a mission to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. For more information, visit swflorida.dressforsuccess.org or call 239-689-4992.