Have you ever felt a whisper in your heart, a quiet nudge pulling you in a certain direction? 💓

For me, that whisper turned into a full-blown shout when I stumbled upon an article about Dress for Success. 

Right there, on the page, was an organization dedicated to empowering women through professional attire!

The idea sparked a fire in my soul. ✨I could just imagine the confidence boost a new suit could give a woman on her way to a job interview!

Yet doubt crept in…  

Didn't I have enough on my plate already? What did I know about starting a nonprofit?  

These questions held me back, for a while. 

Yet, the whisper wouldn't be silenced. It kept growing stronger, fueled by a yearning to make a real difference.

The turning point came when I heard about Bridget, a single mom facing homelessness who desperately needed help landing a job.

With a heart full of hope (and a trunk full of my very first donation of suits!), I met Bridget in a church parking lot.

Seeing her determination, and the fire in her eyes, something clicked inside me. When she slipped on that perfect suit and stood tall, a radiant smile lighting up her face, it was a moment of pure magic.

Finding My Purpose

In that instant, I found my purpose! It wasn't just about clothes. It was about igniting confidence, self-worth, and the belief that a brighter future is possible.

With every fiber of my being, I knew I had to make Dress for Success Midwest a reality.

Looking back, the journey wasn't always easy. Yet seeing the incredible women we helped - women who are now homeowners, business owners, and authors – that's what kept me going.  

It's a constant reminder of the transformative power of believing in someone's potential, and the ripple effect of empowerment.

The Power of Purpose

This experience taught me a powerful lesson – a lesson that resonates deeply with the core of any thriving nonprofit… having a clear purpose is having a guiding light.  

Your purpose is more than just the services you offer. It's the deeper impact you create, the positive change that ripples outward into your community.

A clearly defined purpose fuels the passion of your team, transforming them into passionate advocates driven by a shared vision of a better future.  

It attracts kindred spirits – volunteers and donors who resonate with your cause, drawn not just to the good works you do. More importantly, they are drawn to the lasting change you're striving to make!  

A strong purpose sharpens your focus. When your guiding light shines with every step you make, it becomes easier to prioritize initiatives and resources, maximizing your impact.

This concept of a clear purpose resonated deeply with Brad as well.  

Many years ago, he witnessed firsthand another critical obstacle facing those in poverty - the lack of reliable transportation.  

Without a way to get to job interviews, training sessions, or childcare, true opportunity remained just out of reach.

The Wheels of Change

That's when the seed of Brad's purpose was planted.  Brad’s nonprofit, Wheels for Success was born from a simple question… "How can we empower people to reach their full potential and move away from poverty?"  

By providing reliable vehicles, he was giving them the missing piece to unlock a world of possibilities!

The journey didn't stop there though. With Brad’s nonprofit Wheels for Success and my organization Dress for Success, we realized the magic of a holistic approach. 

This realization led to the creation of Connections to Success! 

With it, we could empower individuals with the complete set of tools they needed, not just to get the job, but to build a brighter future.

Combining reliable vehicles, professional attire, and supportive services created a force that goes beyond addressing individual obstacles. It empowered individuals to truly break the cycle of poverty and build a life of opportunity!

A Story of Purposeful Ripples

Our story is a testament to the power of purpose, yet ours does not have to stand alone. The truth is, there’s a purpose within YOU that’s waiting to be fully developed!!

It's about hearing the whispers, acknowledging the nudges, and turning them into roars of change. It's about the ripple effect – how individual journeys come together to create something even more impactful through their nonprofit.

So now I ask you… What is YOUR purpose?  Share your heart in the comments below!  Let's create a community where whispers become roars and purpose drives positive change!