“Doing the workshops for Goodwill clients quickly changed my entire outlook on things. Volunteering and working directly in the community has been both humbling and rewarding.”
There are two sides to Keyonna Willis. In her professional life, she is a Buyer at Praxair Inc, an American worldwide industrial gases company. She is also a fashion maven and thrifting expert who shares her time and talent with Goodwill clients and shoppers through her business, Key2Beauty.
In 2014, Keyonna walked into Goodwill’s West Seneca store location with an idea. An avid Goodwill shopper, she wanted to hold a “ladies night” to share Goodwill shopping tips, help women dress well for less, and learn to love thrift shopping as much as she did.
The first event was a success, and led to many more ladies nights filled with fashion, fun and shopping. Guests learned to spot trends for less, revamp their Goodwill finds and update their wardrobes with items they may not have even thought of.
At Goodwill, we are always looking for volunteers who can share their expertise with our clients. We approached Keyonna about conducting “Dressing for Job Success” workshops at our agency in 2015, and of course she agreed. Thanks to Praxair’s Global Giving initiative, she is able to volunteer at Goodwill on a monthly basis. Her interactive workshops on the “dos and don’ts” of workplace fashion help our clients make the best possible impression on an interview and beyond. She shows them that looking put together doesn’t have to cost a lot and can be accomplished by having the right key pieces. But the value Keyonna provides is so much more than the outfits she displays. Our clients relate to Keyonna’s warm and helpful personality, and she provides honest answers to some of the tough questions that come up, many of them completely unrelated to clothing! A single mom, Keyonna is willing to share experiences that have led to her personal and professional success in life.
Goodwill has a real ambassador in Keyonna Willis. Keyonna never comes to Goodwill without bringing donations with her. In addition to what she donates personally, her friends, family and Praxair coworkers know about her partnership with Goodwill and keep her well supplied. Recently, Goodwill had an opportunity to style on-air personalities from Alt Buffalo 107.7 for an upcoming concert event. All we had to do was ask, and Keyonna volunteered to help. When we held a Buffalo State College student fashion show, Keyonna was there. Keyonna promotes Goodwill on her personal social media sites every chance she can. She shops Goodwill often, and always looks great in her “GW” finds. We couldn’t ask for a better partner!
