JUNE 2017 Featured Interview
Interview with
DeLores Pressley
Motivational Speaker, Philanthropist,
& CEO of DeLores Pressley Worldwide
About DeLores:
DeLores Pressley is an international keynote motivational speaker, author, and CEO of DeLores Pressley Worldwide. As a former elementary school teacher and a pioneer of the plus size fashion and modeling industry, DeLores has inspired and motivated thousands of women to leverage their leadership voice and to live confidently.
As a motivational speaker, Delores has traveled across the U.S. and internationally. Most recently, she has given speeches at the Pink Power Breast Cancer Awareness Tour, Department of Social Development and Gender Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and the Union Pacific Railroad: Women’s Lead Conference in Nebraska. She has appeared on several major TV networks, including OPRAH and Entertainment Tonight.
DeLores Pressley is an international keynote motivational speaker, author, and CEO of DeLores Pressley Worldwide. As a former elementary school teacher and a pioneer of the plus size fashion and modeling industry, DeLores has inspired and motivated thousands of women to leverage their leadership voice and to live confidently.
As a motivational speaker, Delores has traveled across the U.S. and internationally. Most recently, she has given speeches at the Pink Power Breast Cancer Awareness Tour, Department of Social Development and Gender Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and the Union Pacific Railroad: Women’s Lead Conference in Nebraska. She has appeared on several major TV networks, including OPRAH and Entertainment Tonight.
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DeLores is also the author of several books, including Clean Out the Closets of Your Life which is excerpted in this issue (see link at the end of the interview).
Besides her numerous business accomplishments, Delores has led and served on boards of many charitable organizations. She is the founder of She Elevates, a not-for-profit organization that provides young girls with mentorship and educational information about entrepreneurship. She is also the spokesperson for Humanitarian Hands Charities. DeLores is the recipient of many business and community service awards, including The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award presented to her by President Obama. |
Myrna Beth Haskell, managing editor, spoke to Delores about She Elevates and how both her work and her philanthropic pursuits have helped to empower women.
She Elevates is a new not-for-profit organization that you’ve founded. What was the inspiration behind starting this and how does it help young women achieve their potential?
When I was a little girl, I didn’t know anything about entrepreneurship. I didn’t even think about possibly starting my own business. My parents wanted me to work in a factory. Well, I didn’t work in a factory, but I wound up becoming an elementary school teacher at first. It wasn’t until later that I found business to be a passion.
Now that I’ve been in business, I want to help girls realize their dreams. I feel like God has said, “DeLores, help girls be empowered.” She Elevates trains young girls in etiquette and empowerment and offers educational information on business ownership. We especially want to provide exposure. We match the girls (ages 8 to 14) with a woman in a leadership position in a business they are interested in. We have the girls shadow their mentor so that they can experience their daily tasks and watch them in action. We are looking for ambassadors in the U.S. and elsewhere. Our goal for She Elevates is to reach 100,000 girls by 2020.
For anyone interested in volunteering as a mentor or being a donor for She Elevates, send an email to: assist@delorespressley.com
You are also the national spokesperson for Humanitarian Hands Charities (formerly Humanitarian Hands Foundation). Could you tell me what that entails?
I believe in this organization. They are building hospitals and clinics for children in Uganda who don’t have access to quality medical care.
HHCharities focuses its efforts on Uganda where there are currently more than 2,500 orphans living in Fort Portal, Uganda. HHCharities program initiatives aim to reduce poverty, reduce malnutrition and prevent diseases (such as malaria and HIV), provide quality education, and build housing for orphaned children. On May 17, 2016 the John H. and Marie Parrish Medical Clinic opened. The goal is for Ugandans to operate a fully self-sustaining clinic by 2019.
It’s important work. I use my voice to let people know about it so they can raise the necessary funds.
In what ways has giving back to the community changed your perspective in business?
I believe in the law of reciprocity. If you are in business, it’s about giving. It’s not about giving to get back, though. When you continually give, it will just come back to you. It’s all about giving and sharing and being part of a community.
When I was a little girl, I didn’t know anything about entrepreneurship. I didn’t even think about possibly starting my own business. My parents wanted me to work in a factory. Well, I didn’t work in a factory, but I wound up becoming an elementary school teacher at first. It wasn’t until later that I found business to be a passion.
Now that I’ve been in business, I want to help girls realize their dreams. I feel like God has said, “DeLores, help girls be empowered.” She Elevates trains young girls in etiquette and empowerment and offers educational information on business ownership. We especially want to provide exposure. We match the girls (ages 8 to 14) with a woman in a leadership position in a business they are interested in. We have the girls shadow their mentor so that they can experience their daily tasks and watch them in action. We are looking for ambassadors in the U.S. and elsewhere. Our goal for She Elevates is to reach 100,000 girls by 2020.
For anyone interested in volunteering as a mentor or being a donor for She Elevates, send an email to: assist@delorespressley.com
You are also the national spokesperson for Humanitarian Hands Charities (formerly Humanitarian Hands Foundation). Could you tell me what that entails?
I believe in this organization. They are building hospitals and clinics for children in Uganda who don’t have access to quality medical care.
HHCharities focuses its efforts on Uganda where there are currently more than 2,500 orphans living in Fort Portal, Uganda. HHCharities program initiatives aim to reduce poverty, reduce malnutrition and prevent diseases (such as malaria and HIV), provide quality education, and build housing for orphaned children. On May 17, 2016 the John H. and Marie Parrish Medical Clinic opened. The goal is for Ugandans to operate a fully self-sustaining clinic by 2019.
It’s important work. I use my voice to let people know about it so they can raise the necessary funds.
In what ways has giving back to the community changed your perspective in business?
I believe in the law of reciprocity. If you are in business, it’s about giving. It’s not about giving to get back, though. When you continually give, it will just come back to you. It’s all about giving and sharing and being part of a community.
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What is the first thing you’d tell a woman just starting a brand new business? Would you warn her about anything?
Do all of the research you can and find a mentor who is in the same business. There are going to be challenges. You are going to fail at times, but don’t let your failures stop you from moving forward. A mistake I made early on is that I didn’t grow my mailing list and network enough. You need to make contacts and build your network on a regular basis. You also need to attend events, particularly those that are out of your comfort zone. I have a personal experience I can tell you about. I went to an Internet marketing event that I was a little unsure of. I was used to women’s events, so this was a bit out of my comfort zone. It was amazing how successful this experience was for me. I made great connections and picked up some clients. Women need to learn to overcome obstacles. There are ways that can help you do this. Journaling is so important. So is visualization. Women need to focus on what’s great about what they’re doing, not what’s negative. You need to visualize yourself in a good place. |
DeLores Speaking at the Annual
Administrative Professionals Conference (APC) |
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I teach women to use a “Believe in the Power of You Jar.” Every time you have an accomplishment, both large and small, write it down on a piece of paper and put it in your jar. Then, when you’re challenged or full of anxiety, you can go to your jar and read your notes as a reminder of your successes. I’m curious about your TV show “A Purposeful Life.” I invite guests to talk about life’s purpose. DeLores has spoken to breast cancer survivors, philanthropists, artists and business leaders. I had one woman on who lost her husband and she wanted to share her story and talk about how she found her new purpose in her life. Please note: Readers can view "A Purposeful Life" from the link below. |
DeLores Conducting a "Marvelous Life Mastermind"
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