The Howard County
I N
F O C U S
VOL.12, NO.9
F O R
P E O P L E
O V E R
More than 30,000 readers throughout Howard County
Nonprofit helps clients succeed
5 0 SEPTEMBER 2022
I N S I D E …
PHOTO COURTESY OF SUCCESS IN STYLE
By Catherine Brown While working as a fashion consultant two decades ago, Howard County resident Jeannette Kendall had a realization that transformed her life. Her clients had clothing they no longer wanted. At the same time, people in crisis were struggling because they lacked professional clothing and the skills needed to get a job. With that a-ha moment in 2001, Kendall launched the nonprofit Success In Style from the basement of her home in Ellicott City with then business partner Patti Francomarco. More than 20 years later, helping people turn their lives around has become Kendall’s career. “You have to have self-confidence in your pocket, and you have to start somewhere,” said Kendall, now 63. Giving free clothing to people in need is “one small piece of how we can help them a little bit,” she said. “It might be the seed that grows and could be the beginning of a new life.”
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Helping to overcome hardship At the core of the Success In Style mission is the belief that people who have experienced hardships could benefit from both professional clothing and career consultations. Led by Kendall, the organization is run by Julie Neidorf, director of client services; several part-time employees, including two of Kendall’s daughters; and volunteers, who make up about 90% of their workforce. Francomarco, who passed away recently, served as its board chair for as long as she was able. “She was amazing,” Kendall said. “She just loved working with people,
Ellicott City resident Jeannette Kendall launched Success in Style more than two decades ago to provide career counseling and appropriate clothing to women and men needing help getting a job. The nonprofit relies on donated clothing, but it also raises funds by selling leftover donated clothing inexpensively through several stores, including Charity’s Closet at Savage Mill Mall.
and everybody loved her.” Kendall has nurtured the growth of Success In Style alongside her own family. She had seven children when she started the organization and has since had two more. After giving birth to her eighth child, she answered calls and scheduled appointments from her hospital room. “I didn’t tell [clients] where I was when they called,” she said, laughing.
Since its inception, Success In Style has remained true to its initial mission: to provide high-quality professional clothing and fashion consultation while preparing clients for job interviews. The clients the organization serves cope with a range of challenges, including recovery, homelessness, poverty and abuse.
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