Dress for Success shows business leaders in action

Sometimes it’s the small details that make a difference, which is what Lakeland’s administrative professional students learned during Dress For Success.

Hosted by the School of Business and Indigenous Support Services, students helped organize this event in March at the Lloydminster campus, bringing together local business entrepreneurs who spoke on a panel about the importance of first impressions and dressing for success.

Brooklyn Gray, a business administration student majoring in accounting, was one of the event’s emcees. Tasked with writing the emcee script too and introducing the speakers, Gray says the event was an opportunity to build on her skills.

“Organizing the event was a lot of fun,” she says. “Emceeing this event really improved my public speaking skills. That’s a big thing employers look for. I also learned how important networking and working together is. Getting to listen to the speakers also taught me a lot. I always love to learn more about our community.”

With more than 100 people in attendance, student participation was key to helping the event run smoothly. In addition to emceeing, other students ran the registration table and food distribution while others helped as models showing the best way to dress for success.

The Dress for Success panel featured the following local business leaders:

• Red Bicycle Communications: Jill Kelly and Randi Noble Smith
• Brixton Shoes: Mindy Hawthorne
• Velveteen Vintage: Kirstyn Elder
• Cliff Rose: Dave Schnieder
• The Hive: Kaeli Spence (video presentation)

In addition to sharing their keys to success, panelists also discussed their experiences as local entrepreneurs and their commitment to corporate social responsibility.

There was a significant Indigenous influence on the event as well, as many of the volunteers, including Gray, came from the Indigenous Student Council. Some of the speakers were Indigenous as well.

“The panelists had great speaking points and were very open to any questions the students had. There were a lot more people involved in organizing an event than I originally thought there would be and it was a really good learning experience,” says Gray.

Photos: Top: Brooklyn Gray and the panel at Dress For Success. Bottom: Brooklyn Gray at the podium.