“I just want to help people who need the help, because people helped me when I needed it and they still help me.”
When Jessica first came to Dress for Success Triangle NC she had hit rock bottom. She was pregnant with her second daughter and she was experiencing homelessness. Battling depression, Jessica’s spirits were uplifted after spending time in our boutique. “It was a refreshing experience from everything that was going on,” shares Jessica. Feeling upset that she couldn’t purchase her own clothing for an upcoming interview, she was comforted by the amount of time volunteers spent with her making sure she looked great and building her confidence.
“I was surprised by the things people have donated,” shares Jessica, commenting on the high quality of the clothing she received.
Outside of working with our image coaches, Jessica also revised her resume and created common email response templates with her career coach, in addition to utilizing our monthly job opportunities newsletter. Once she got back on her feet, she joined our Professional Women’s Group to fine tune her career skills. Jessica even shopped our sale. “Being a single mom of two girls, money is tight. The sales really help a lot.”
Jessica used all the tools available to her to not only land her job, but to also start her own business. Working for years in the legal system, Jessica had reached stability, saving money for the future. In 2018 she decided to take a leap of faith and start her own business. It was something she always wanted to do and now had the means to do it.
Jessica founded The Rare Feather, a social-conscious cleaning company that specializes in post-construction cleaning while also hiring people in need of a second chance. Jessica added the social conscious aspect of her business after her brother was released from incarceration and could not find an employer willing to hire him. Jessica continues to build relationships with local nonprofits who seek to help justice involved individuals, refugees, and anyone in need of a second chance.
Jessica hopes to grow The Rare Feather to one day be able to franchise it to others. With the low cost to start it up she hopes that it might be a hand up for others.
Read more about Jessica’s business, The Rare Feather, on WRAL’s TechWire.