From healing to hired: Monique shares her journey to success
When Monique first walked into DFSA in 2021, she was referred by Safe Place and came seeking support, guidance, and a path forward. What she found was a community ready to uplift her.
Though an initial job interview didn’t pan out, Monique didn’t give up. She came back—and that return marked a turning point in her life. She became more engaged with our services— attending another career coaching and styling appointment —and it paid off in a big way. With the support and wisdom of Sylvia, one of our lead career coaches, Monique perfected her interview skills and confidence. She received practical advice and emotional encouragement that left her feeling more than ready for another try.
“Sylvia gave me a lot of advice. She told me what not to say if I really wanted the job, and it helped me a lot. I got picked out of a hundred people. She gave me pointers on my job interview. I took notes and I got the job,” Monique shared candidly.
The very next day, Monique received a job offer from PepsiCo. She now works as a greeter in their Austin facility, earning $25 an hour—and she is thriving.
“I never thought I'd be in an atmosphere like that,” Monique shared. “I've been clean for 15 years. This puts me in a different environment with a lot of business-type people, but now I know how to carry myself.”
Monique shares her gratitude to women in a similar position:
“I would recommend Dress for Success to any female that's having a hard time building back her confidence. I had to build mine back. They make sure we feel comfortable in what we wear. Everyone leaves with a smile.”
She described the styling experience as more than a makeover and shares, “It’s a sense of peace and clarity. DFSA means business. And that’s why I like it.”
Monique hopes to stay at Pepsi and retire there one day and plans to come back every six months to Dress for Success—not just for new outfits, but to say hello, stay connected, and hopefully inspire others to do the same. Monique comments, “I didn’t even know I had a testimony until someone told me I did.”
Monique’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when women are met with compassion, resources, and belief. At DFSA, we don’t just prepare women for interviews—we help guide them into the next chapter of their life.