Motivation often comes from success and that was the case for Gloria Combs. She graduated from    The Excel Center® in 2013 and that accomplishment was the beginning of an amazing journey of success and self-actualization.

After graduating from the Excel Center, Gloria began working for Goodwill as a LifeCoach. At the same time she was operating her own business, Glo’s Glam Project, an online clothing and accessories store and if that weren’t enough, she was pursuing a bachelor's degree in social work.

While Gloria was busy juggling work, school and a small business, she discovered Goodwill’s GoodBiz Small Business Leadership program. She was introduced to it by Mission Coaches Justin DeGuzman and Antonia Dangerfield. The eight month program not only provided Gloria with insightful information needed to run a successful small business, it taught her things like how to file taxes as a small business and offered her insightful tools like the 360 Leadership Assessment. The program coupled both the mechanics and the philosophy of running a small business.

“The program taught me never to sell myself short,” said Gloria.

“The support that Goodwill provides comes in many forms,” said Shelley Ashley, vice president, mission services. “It’s about the whole individual, not just teaching them a skill or finding them employment. Goodwill knows that fostering self-confidence is the key to success, not just in a career, but in life.”

Today Gloria is the Lead Life Coach at The Excel Center-Meadows where she leads a team of four who provide barrier removal services and academic support to The Excel Center students and their families. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree and has started a second business. The new business, Boxed Boutique, is a system that helps new business owners get started with all the tools they need to get their business up and running.

“It was a life changing experience and it reassured me that there are people out there who want to help,” said Gloria.

Gloria’s story is one of thousands that Goodwill of Southern and Central Indiana is proud to share. These stories reinforce why it is so important to shop and donate to Goodwill. When you support Goodwill, you really are changing lives. Learn more about Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana.