Fuel For Thought

Women Find Flexible Jobs As Fashion Consultants

DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ― In this economy there aren't so many stories of business profits and successes. But one local woman is proof you can start at the bottom and work your way up to the top while making millions along the way.

Etcetera is a clothing retailer and fashion consulting firm. Their creed is to not just provide style and fashion while making millions. It's also about allowing women to be successful and have a family life as well.

Four times a year, each sales associate holds a fashion display and department store lineup inside their home. Women come inside for one-stop shopping.

"As a business professional, my time is very limited, and this allows me to shop on a very short scale of time," said customer Barbara Johns.

Around twenty years ago, Mary Alice Heape started as a sales associate. She was a stay at home mother with three boys.

Now, as president of the company, she assists and mentors others.

Customers say the company allows them to get all the things they need and want – a career and great clothes.

"That's what's so unique about Etcetera. They enable women to do anything they want, and they recognize that there are 1,000s of women out there who are well educated and will work their hearts out for you if you work with them," said Heape.

Etcetera has agencies in 45 states and has had eight years of consecutive profit sales and sales associate growth.

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