We want to share a creative idea we were involved with to help empower our local community here in Petaluma, CA.
It all started when fellow business owner, Mark Silva of Finesse Salon, thought about providing a haircut to women who were trying to get jobs and get back on their feet again. You can only imagine how excited Coach Betty was when she thought about adding Women on Air to the event and make it an “Inside Out Makeover Day.” Coach Betty called the Petaluma Peoples Services Center and Elece Hempel and June Albor quickly agreed to enroll 6 women in the “welfare to work” program to participte in the Empowerment Day Makeover. (See photos below)
Mark invited other business owners to participate in this ever-widening community event. John Crowley of the Aqus Cafe, Bob Drobatz of the Petaluma Market and Stephanie Rastetter of Water Street Bistro were quick to provide coffee, drinks, paper products and delicious food.
The Empowerment Day included breakfast/lunch, haircut, makeup/fashion advice and a motivational coaching session (an inside out redesign) to these grateful and wonderful women. It was a great success…the women felt treated special, felt more positive and less angry, and an increased sense of confidence while Mark, Coach Betty and Dr. A were tired but happy they got to do what they love and have fun making an impact in the world.
We hope it will inspire others to do what they love while helping out the community. Research shows that one of the best ways to alleviate personal fear (especially around money) is to give generously of your time.
Let’s BE a “community helping community” world!
