How to Be a Stiletto in a Room Full of Flats

In a competitive world, you have to figure out how to stand out. Alison Vaughn has found the secret on how to stand out.

Alison Vaughn is an industry thought leader, award winning author who focuses on professionalism, leadership and workforce development. She is the founder of Jackets for Jobs’ an award winning non- profit organization that has been honored as one of the Best & Brightest companies to work for in the Nation by the National Association for Business Resources, for four years in a row.

Jackets for Jobs’ is celebrating two decades of serving men and women on their path to financial independence. Her company teaches job seekers how to look professional and stand out. They are celebrating 23 years of empowering 35,000 Detroit job seekers with professional clothes and job training.

Vaughn herself is something of an icon of women’s empowerment. In 2021 she was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Michigan Association of Female Entrepreneurs (MAFE), and Miss Fashion Global of Michigan. She has graced the cover of several women’ magazines and has been recognized as a “Dreamer into Doer” by Martha Stewart, which honors women who turn their dreams into reality. She is a Comcast Newsmaker, Goldman Sachs Scholar, and Crain’s Business honored her in their “Women in Non-profits”, special Honors edition.

I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?

As the founder & CEO of Jackets for Jobs which is a non-profit organization, finding funding is always the challenge. I found throughout the years that people give to people more so than the cause because there are so many good causes out there. So in order for people to give to your mission you must establish and maintain relationships. Networking is key in business.

In addition to being the CEO of Jackets for Jobs, Vaughn is a franchise owner for Miss Fashion Global Pageant. As for my challenge with being a franchise owner in the pageant industry is getting women to believe in themselves. My goal is to get women out of their shell and see that they are beautiful and encourage them to own their beauty and not be afraid to shine.
That’s what women’s empowerment is all about- helping other women to shine and helping them how to be a stiletto in a room full of flats.

Let’s talk about the work you do. How are you impacting women ?

Jackets for Jobs and Miss Fashion Global is about Women’s Empowerment. Women’s empowerment is what I stand for. It is my “brand”. My company, Jackets for Jobs is about empowering women to enter the workforce. My book, Ms Goal Digger, Success is Sexy! Is about women’s empowerment as well. This book is a tell-all guide for today’s businesswoman who wants to get what she wants for herself, by herself. While the world may define success in dollars and cents, this book teaches women how to work smarter, not harder. In the book, you will learn:

How to network to increase your net worth
How to develop a millionaire mindset
How to act, speak and dress like a CEO
How to set strategic goals and plans of action
While many may define sexy as miniskirts, makeup and stilettos, my book teaches that true sexiness starts with a mogul mindset.

Ms. Goal Digger can be ordered on Amazon.

What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?

My mother is my mentor and she always told me, “Never put off tomorrow for what can be done today”. Most of my business advice and learning came from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program which helps small businesses grow and create jobs by providing greater access to education, capital, and business support services. As a Goldman Sachs Scholar, some take-aways that I learned:

Have a solid business plan.
Prepare for financial challenges.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Build a team that shares your vision.

Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?

Success means different things to different people. For me, Success means being at peace and comfortable in all areas of your life, spiritually, financially, mentally and socially.
According to a study conducted by Harvard, Stanford and Carnegie Learning Institute, your success in business is attributed:

15% in your technical skills
85% in your social skills
85% is attributed to social skills, interpersonal skills. or what I term “polish.”

I learned early that 80% off success is showing up. When you “show up, you go up”.

What’s next for you?

Jackets for Jobs’ is totally guided by the LORD. So I listen to the word of God and he guides my steps, so wherever GOD leads me is where I’ll follow. I have several speaking engagements confirmed and I’m open for more. My favorite pastime is spending time with my family. My mother, is my best friend and time spent with her is priceless.

Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?

Please visit my website www.AlisonVaughn.com and www.JacketsforJobs.org

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