Laney creates a career out of her passion for history

At DFSA, we have the privilege of seeing a client’s career journey evolve over time, validating the impact that our services have on our community. We had one of these full circle moments when Laney visited the boutique this week.

Laney came in for a professional styling ahead of an exciting promotion next week. We learned that her first professional styling appointment with us five years ago was for an administrative role at the Texas Historical Commission where she has now been promoted to Program Supervisor. At the time, she was starting fresh as a single mother and was referred to our organization by The SAFE Alliance. Over the last few years, she’s since been promoted twice and grown her family - now in a position to help other family members in need of extra support.

She reminisced on her career during her appointment and how much of an impact that first appointment made. “The small acts of kindness and compliments while trying on clothes that first time made all the difference,” she comments. “I had just lost my job, was working in hospitality and had two kids at the time and was just looking for a place with resources when I found Dress for Success Austin.”

Laney mentions it was a big deal to be given a wardrobe that made her feel confident and a career coaching appointment that gave her the confidence and validation to believe in herself, her resume, and existing skills. In her words, the experience was a life line.

In her new role, she will oversee four other staff members and she’s looking forward to continuing her work at the Texas Historical Commission (THC), the state agency for historic preservation with a mission to “save the real places that tell the real stories of Texas.”

As someone who has always had a passion for history, Laney loves the work she is doing and is looking forward to growing the culture of her office and establishing the division even further including it’s Texas Archaeology Month program that take place every October across Texas.

She hopes to show her kids that with strong will and drive, you can do anything despite the place you started at.

“You’ll get there, it just takes time. Even if you don’t have a degree or the full package, there’s still a place for you.”