Meet Lisa Doromal of Dress for Success Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Doromal.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As the founder of Dress for Success Phoenix, I am often asked how and why I wanted to start a women’s non-profit in our community. As crazy as it might sound, in my head I’m thinking “I don’t know what I was thinking?” In all seriousness, if we can remember the year of 2007, the biggest financial crisis was about to overshadow our country and the world. For me personally, I was experiencing a bit of a crisis. As a stay at home mom with two young children, I found myself lonely and unfulfilled in my role as a mother and a wife. I was quite embarrassed to admit that to myself at the time. Being married for over 11 years, we were experiencing the “peaks and valleys” that most successful couples talk about. My hubby and I were in a valley during that time. I remember one night saying to myself, “If my husband wanted to divorce me, what would I do? I would have no career or income to lean on, just my faith, if I would have to start over.”

With a newborn and a five-year-old, I was dealing with feelings of inadequacy as a woman, mother, and wife. It was such a daunting experience. One day, I had enough courage to have a heart-to-heart with myself and ask, “What am I good at and what do I love to do?” I had always loved helping people and I loved fashion. My education is in Clothing textiles and fashion merchandise and I had over 10 years’ experience in retail management. I remembered seeing a segment on Oprah on Dress for Success. The segment spoke to my heart and I left like a kid full of excitement to get a pair of new shoes for school or a new toy! I went directly to my laptop and started doing research on Dress for Success and found out that Phoenix was a target market for the organization. As scared as I was, I bit the bullet and, for once in my life, decided not to allow fear to dictate my actions, even if that meant getting rejected from the worldwide office to open an affiliate in Phoenix. After waiting for nine months, I finally received approval and started to work!

With the loving support of my sweet husband, Michael, hard work, prayers, and most definitely perseverance, Dress for Success Phoenix was established in 2008 and we served our first client in 2009. This September 2018 we will celebrate serving 10,000 women through our gorgeous boutique or mobile career center. These women receive professional attire, tools to secure employment, and support to remain employed, but most importantly, they gain HOPE to transform their lives and the lives of their children.
As the one in charge of securing financial funding for the organization, it can be daunting at times. So when I feel overwhelmed, I stop myself and make a trip into our fitting rooms and speak with a client during her suiting appointment. Or I attend our Professional Women’s Group where I’m reminded of why I do what I do. I get to witness a woman’s expression when she put’s on a new power suit or I hear how one of our clients is purchasing her first home! It’s all about impact and giving hope to a woman when she needs it. This continues to preserve my passion and purpose and gives meaning to my own life.

This year, we will reach a huge milestone for Dress for Success Phoenix. As mentioned earlier, by September we will have served 10,000 clients and celebrate with our 10th annual gala in November when we host our largest fundraiser. To think this event started in my home with seventy 75 guests to 550 now attending. Some of the guests have been supporting us and have watched us grow in these past ten years all to serve one purpose, to help women break the cycle of poverty!

At times, it’s hard to believe 10,000 women have walked through our doors, from different walks of life and a variety of circumstances. Dress for Success Phoenix has given them the opportunity to change the trajectory of their lives and the lives of their children. But it does not stop there… I am aware of the impact these women have on my life and the lives of those who work and volunteer their time with them. We see and feel the transformation that occurs from success to that of significance in our community. The implications of our presence in each other’s lives are far-reaching and deeply felt. We are indeed a community of significant people helping and giving hope to each other.

I feel truly blessed to be part of a global force to help women in our local communities!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Never a smooth road! That would be so boring. Things are much easier. One of our challenges was awareness. Since Dress for Success was founded in New York, so if you weren’t born on the East coast or mid west, people just did not know about Dress for Success. I believe we have done a descent job of spreading the word, cultivating our community and serving women in our community. One other challenge remains is people think just provide clothing. We are so much more than an outfit. We provide the tools to help women secure employment but also provide the job retention programs to help women remain employed and elevate not only in the careers but in their lives. It truly is magical to see one of our clients excel and then see how her family benefits from her success.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Dress for Success Phoenix – what should we know?
The mission of Dress for Success Phoenix is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in life, work, and community. We believe that women should not live in poverty and should be treated with dignity and respect.

Dress for Success provides each woman with a business suit and accessories for her interview. When she successfully lands the job, she returns to our boutique for up to week’s worth of clothing for her new job. At her employment suiting, she will receive an invitation to join our job retention program called the Professional Women’s Group.

There are so many great non-profits around our community that provide great job readiness programs for individuals, but what really sets us apart is our Professional Women’s group. It is the first and only employment retention model that moves low-income women towards self-sufficiency.

There are so many things that give me a sense of pride when I think about our organization. I love that this September, we will serve our 10,000 clients, celebrating our 10th annual gala as well as providing our services for 10 years! But when I see the expression on a woman’s face when she walks into our gorgeous boutique and a mobile unit, it gives me happiness!

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think what has sustained me is my faith, supportive family and a ton of perseverance.

Contact Info:

• Website: phoenix.dressforsuccess.org
• Phone: 602-489-7397
• Facebook: Dress for success phoenix
• Twitter: dfsphoenix

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