Jean Kelley - Dress Like a Million from Goodwill: Savings, Style, Confidence, and You

Dress Like a Million from Goodwill

Savings, Style, Confidence, and You

2018 Jean Kelley. All rights reserved.

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ISBN 978-0-9976914-2-9

eISBN: 978-0-9996997-1-3

JKLA Publishing

8086 South Yale Suite #141

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136

United States of America

To Edgar James Helms, who was dedicated to giving people a chance, not charity.

Helms was born in the third year of the Civil War in a lumber camp near the Canadian border. His father was a farmer and a superintendent of a lumber crew. His mother was the camp cook. From the day of his birth, his mother wanted him to be a minister, like her father.

While first working in a print shop, then owning his own newspaper, Helms was able to put himself through Cornell, which took grit, determination, and nine frightfully hard years. He had a passion for helping the underdog, so he was inevitably pulled into the political arena.

He was good at politics, loved studying the law, and then a battle in his soul started to rage. Soon he had a decision to make between fame and fortune versus his mothers dream for him, the ministry.

Starting his ministry in a Boston slum, he lived his vision and was compelled to help people who couldnt help themselves. He eventually founded Goodwill and traveled nineteen countries, starting Goodwill locations all over the world. He was a crusader against exploitation and a trailblazer in social reform. He brought hope and dignity to the underprivileged and the disabled.

This book is also dedicated to the thousands of men and woman who have a better life because of Goodwill.

Id like to thank the following people for their direct involvement or inspiration with this book:

Jean Marilyn Maslanka, my lovely, energetic mother, who was my first fashion role model.

Elizabeth Gilbert, who has no idea who I am, for setting an example and giving me the courage to write the way I speak.

My dear friend, Elaina Zuker, who taught me the tricks of traveling light and fueled my interest in what she calls the GW Boutique.

David Oliver, President; Karla Davis, Director of Finance/IT; Rita Gilliam, Director of Retail; as well as the tireless, focused, and purposeful team of employees at Goodwill Industries, Tulsa.

Dawn Josephson, my long-time editor, whose advice is on-target every time. I couldnt have done this book without her dedication for this project and her patience with my hectic schedule.

Summer Morris, for the beautiful layout and design. And also for her unswerving enthusiasm.

My patient, loving husband and best friend, for his patience on the many days I was typing from 7:00 p.m. to midnight.

My assistant, Stephanie Apfelbacher, who cheerfully helped me with pricing research and agreed to model.

My uber-brainy cousin, Jane Maslanka, and my uber-brainy friend, Kristin Stephens, who helped with the compilation and proofreading.

Don Reynolds Jr., a long-time friend, advisor, and cheerleader.

Beverly Bernhardt, my friend and project partner, for dragging me through the final stages of this publication.

The late Cavett Robert, for his mentorship and inspiration, and for saying to me, with that Mississippi drawl, Jeanie, if you want to do something good in this world, teach people how to live in it.

My friends, for liking my Instagram and Facebook Goodwill fashion postings as well as, my energetic PR team: Diane White, Emily Glanz and Deborah Sherman.

Dear Reader,

Ive personally interviewed 10,000 women. My years in staffing allowed me to meet women of every age, every day. Ive seen women interview with shirts Id swear they slept in, skirts with the hem hanging in places, and purses that looked like a horses feed bag that had been dragged behind a car with just married written on the rear window.

About half of the women were well-dressed and the other half looked half-dressed. I used to think to myself, whoa, this woman needs a total makeover. Ive even loaned clothes from my own closet for a woman to wear on an interview with one of our client companies.

Too many women spend a lot of money on clothes and still look average. When you spend $100 to $200 for an entire outfit, you want to look drop-dead gorgeous, yes? Ill help you do this at a fraction of the cost. After you purchase your staple items, you can have an up-to-date closet for around $100 a year or $200, if youre a shopaholic. Recently, I picked up a black fox collar to be worn on a sweater or jacket for only $2.99. Is that cool or what? Over time, this and other amazing buys can be seen on my blog. You can add pics of your own great finds on my blog, www.dresslikeamillionfromgoodwill.com or www.jeankelley.com.

No one sets out to spend a fortune on clothes. Even women who often buy expensive clothes would rather spend under $20 on slacks, shirt/ blouse and a jacket, or $5.99 on a dress than spend $149.99 for the same items. Buying at Goodwill helps the planet and it helps people get a job and keep a job. Win-win.

Goodwill is a good employer. I love what Goodwill does for individuals and communities. In larger cities Goodwill provides skill training and placement services, and its free. They employ talented individuals who tirelessly help people find great and satisfying careers. People with disabilities who might not be readily employable, not only get a job, they get a job coach to be with them on the job. People with other barriers to employment get trained and learn how to interview, behave on an interview, dress for an interview, and be successful on their job. So, the next time you see a letter floating around the Internet that says, Do not donate your clothes to Goodwill, its bogus. Im on the Board of Directors in my community and Ive checked out those claims personally.

This book is a labor of love, and it took nearly four years to put together. My editor, Dawn, and layout designer, Summer, will attest to this. Writing this book gives me the opportunity to share my years of observing workplace and social wardrobes along with my passion for fashion to help you save a bundle, look better, feel better, and have enhanced confidence on every occasion. Whether you are going to a party, dinner with your boss and her/his family, or a PTA meeting, youll look appropriate and feel great.