Empowerment Today

A few weeks ago, while scrolling through social media, I came across a post for "Empowerment Photoshoot." A friend (who always has beautiful professional pictures) had shared it... and craving great shots of myself, I signed up. I quickly recognized my desire was less about the images and more about declaring a redefined empowerment.

Ten years ago this spring, I ended my career in banking. With it, I left my definition of an "empowered" Michele.

Never was this more clear as when I started to prepare for this photoshoot.

It started with the quintessential question: What to wear. As I began to panic about this, I called my friend, who said, "How about a suit jacket you really like?"

I had an adverse physical reaction to this suggestion, which was jarring at first. For almost 20 years, I had taken great pride in wearing my pantsuits to work; for representing a professional image. It was my "power moment." My affinity for a power suit makes complete sense. After all, I am a child of the '80s - the decade when the woman's power suit was born.

While in my career in banking, I had no less than ten suits or suit jackets in my closet. Today, I have one suit and two traditional suit jackets. Complete disclosure: the suit was last worn in 2018 at a client event in Philadelphia, and one of the jackets is kept out of an obligation to have a navy blue option, "just in case."

When I started to build my business, I went to client meetings in a suit; or at least dress pants and heels. I found myself navigating HVAC shops, photography studios, and peoples' home offices (with amiable, drooling dogs) in these dry clean only clothes. Crazy!

Slowly, I started to shed the suit jacket and heels, and while it took longer, I began to replace the dress pants with casual pants or jeans. I also began to recognize that the suit was a representation of what success was in the eyes of others. That the suit, while it may look powerful, it disempowered me. It let others define my success.

I fought this progression at first. I wanted to be perceived as intelligent, powerful, and professional. I would even argue that I didn't "look good" if not in a suit jacket. However, as time has passed, my client base grows, and I have shifted my empowered feelings from the suit to something inside; confidence, strength, and resilience.

The Power Pose

So, I showed up to my empowerment photoshoot in my favorite dark-washed jeans, with two shirts, my go-to for those zoom meetings, and my favorite shirt to wear out with friends for cocktails.

As Task It 2 ME turns 10, the photoshoot was the perfect kickoff to our celebratory year. It is with incredible gratitude that I thank my clients who have been along the journey with me and have helped me redefine the "power suit."

And a special thanks to Shelah Riley Photography for walking with me on the journey!