Mary Lou Andre started her dream company with no clients, no capital and very little personal money to put into the business.

She sold her wedding dress to pay for stationery and business cards and even more clothes out of her closet to buy a computer and memberships to women’s organizations where she could meet and network with women who would eventually become her first clients.

At the time, she never imagined how far that initial investment would take her. As sentimental as the dress was, the decision to part with it also perfectly reflects one of her firms’ core philosophies of using clothing as a tool of confidence and communication (and in this case much needed capital!) and letting things go that are no longer needed to make room for new hopes and dreams.

Her early days consulting with private clients in their homes and at the stores throughout New England led to national seminars and presentations for the general public, as well as extensive corporate image consulting for such organizations as Estée Lauder, Fidelity, Harvard Business School, Frito Lay, John Hancock, Nordstrom, Bose, Sara Lee, and Kimpton Hotels & Resorts.

Today, she is one of the country’s most sought-after experts on executive presence and personal style, appearing regularly in the national media. She has appeared on CNN, CBS the Early Show, ABC World News Now and was the personal style expert on both WBZ-TV and Fox25 morning shows in Boston. Her strategies and business acumen have been featured in The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, USA Today as well as Real Simple, In Style, US News & World Report and Entrepreneur.

Yes, it’s all been worth a wedding dress and, in case you are wondering, she is still married to the one and only TJ Andre – her partner in all things, including parenting their twin boys John and Tim Andre and sweet beagle Suzy Q!