Our Story
Suited for Success was started in 1994 as a nonprofit to help welfare recipients enter the workforce by providing them with appropriate clothing for interviews and jobs. Over the years, we added programs for youth (1998), men (1999), and veterans (2017). In 2005, the women’s program became the 86th affiliate of Dress for Success Worldwide and is now known as Dress for Success Miami. Experience quickly showed that business clothing is essential, but not sufficient to get and keep jobs.
Suited for Success created tailored workshops on readiness for job interviews, professional image, communication skills, and business etiquette to enhance enhancing clients’ confidence with real-world skills. By working hand in hand with over 130 agencies that refer clients, we serve over 1,000 individuals each year in Miami-Dade County.
Over the years, our organization has continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of our community and our clients.
In the last few years, we have expanded our Career Center and launched our Vets for Success training program for military veterans and family members, with more new programming to come that will enable us to serve even more of Miami-Dade County.
Suited for Success is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation governed by a volunteer board of directors.
About our founder
Sonia Jacobson is co-founder and executive director of Suited for Success / Dress for Success Miami. She has over 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur in both for-profit and non-profit arenas.
Prior to Suited for Success, Jacobson founded Image Development Group, which provided training seminars on defining, cultivating and promoting business image; communications skills; professional presence; and international protocol.
Jacobson co-founded Suited for Success in 1994 with her business partner Barbara Tifford, and has grown it into a vibrant organization serving over 1,300 men, women and youth each year. Her nonprofit work has been recognized by former Vice President Al Gore, former U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, and City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.
board of directors
Jessica Merz, President
Bacardi
Jennifer Heegaard, Immediate Past President
JEJE Consulting
Nikki Noya Fields, Vice President
Noya Fields Family Charitable Funds
Shannon Nurse, Secretary/Treasurer
Deloitte
Russell Benford, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Solange Campuzano, Florida Blue
Maria Del Busto, Del Busto Capital Partners
Jessica Delacruz, Kaufman Rossin
Katherine Martinez, Walmart
Chrissie Mollicone, Ulta
Rob Serrano, Capital One
Susan Smashey, Amazon
Eva Spahn, Greenberg Traurig
Jeff Wahl, Beachfront Realty