We had the good fortune of connecting with Sonia Jacobson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sonia, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I was watching the morning news on CNN as I was getting ready for work one morning in 1994. There was a story about a program in Chicago that was helping women on welfare with professional clothing for job interviews that caught my attention. The light bulb went off and I loved the idea of what I saw. When I got to my office I told my business partner what I had seen and that we should start such a program in Miami. At that time I had a consulting firm called Image Development Group. I called Chicago to speak to the founder of the program which was called the Bottomless Closet and she invited us to come and meet with her to learn more about their program. We met, brainstormed and came back to Miami to start Suited for Success. Originally the program was to help women and in 1998-1999 we added a men’s program and youth program to provide training on interviewing skills, professional image and business etiquette. In 2005 we joined Dress for Success Worldwide and renamed our women’s program Dress for Success Miami. Suited for Success remains as our corporation providing the men, youth and a new Veteran’s program with the training needed to become gainfully employed.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My professional career started with an idea and grew into a business. I never wrote a business plan but knew what I wanted to do so I started making calles to people I thought could help and lend their expertise. I learned early on that you need to surround yourself with people smarter than you to keep you motivated so you don’t lose sight of your goals. I’ve been lucky to have always found the right people to join me in my vision.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wynwood for a walking tour of the all the shops and restaurants. Zak the Baker for breakfast and cappuchinos. Design district for heavy duty (designer) shopping and people watching…Michael’s Genuine or Swan for lunch. Bal Harbor shops for dinner at Carpaccio or Zoo… Coral Gables for a visit to Books and Books and a stroll on Miracle Mile. Lunch at Chocolate Fashion. Aventura Mall for everything else…a movie and lunch or dinner at Pani.

At this point we would be shopped out and gained a few pounds.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My former business partner, Barbara Tifford, who passed away in 2006. She was the ying to my yang and a great friend who kept me grounded. I was the one with all the new ideas…

Website: www.suitedforsuccess.org

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