Back to Finishing School
Cedar Hillian builds business
on building character

By ANGEL JENKINS MORRIS
People Editor

Looking back on her childhood, Helene Royal described herself as tall, skinny, big-footed and tongue-tied. Nicknamed “Tweety” because she resembled the cartoon bird, Royal never dreamed she’d grow up to be a swan.

Today, however, she is anything but awkward, and uses her social graces to help young women recognize their own potential.

“Youth are bombarded with many negative messages about who they are. As a result, many of them do not love or even like themselves,” Royal said. “I am here to teach young girls what my mother instilled in me at a very young age; that they are ‘wonderfully made.’ I want to impart the same standards I was taught.”

Lessons in Royal-ty

Royal’s self-esteem lessons began at her mother’s knee, and expanded through 20 years in the beauty/fashion industry. From 1979-84, she attended Jemmerson’s Modeling and Charm School in Wichita, Kan., and after modeling professionally for several years competed in the Miss Wichita Pageant. She was also featured in a fashion layout of “The Wichitan” magazine.

Needless to say, “Tweety” had blossomed. But her achievements were beyond skin deep – she also earned her bachelor’s of business administration in accounting from Wichita State University, and from 1981-2001 was an accountant in the IRS Treasury Department.

Still, Royal was always drawn to teaching others to find the beauty both inside and out. In addition to her IRS “day job,” she began conducting dress-for-success classes at vocational and historically black colleges, coordinated fashion shows and developed self-awareness classes for girls ages 5-17.

“I began producing fashion shows because of my love for fashion and design. I coordinated local shows for sororities, fraternities, hair salons, churches, etc. I didn’t have a business at that time,” Royal said.

Royal was asked by her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, to train senior high school girls in modeling for a fundraiser competition.

“I started incorporating self-esteem activities in the modeling training. A sorority sister asked me to develop a self-improvement course for girls that later became Helene and Company Teen Challenge Programs,” Royal said.

Through the years Royal saw an increasing need for fundamental lessons in etiquette and social skills. As a result, she opened Wonderfully Made Finishing School in March. It is an extension of years of experience in fashion, modeling and self-awareness education, but is based on somewhat old-fashioned principles.

“The program is designed to help youth develop more self-confidence as they understand who they are, while cultivating etiquette and common courtesy. We want them to have fun, but also to refine their social and life skills,” Royal said.

Back to Finishing School

Wonderfully Made Finishing School is an offshoot of Royal’s program for adults, Life Styles by Helene, an image consulting company she started in 2003.

Wonderfully Made is a self development and etiquette program for girls ages 5-17, with lessons that Royal can also customize for older individuals and businesses.

“I believe that social graces have become a lost art. Our mission is to develop a greater sense of positive self-esteem in girls by offering fun, interactive, life skill programs and services that cultivate inner and outer beauty,” Royal said. “We believe that learning is best achieved in a well-disciplined but positive, fun and loving environment, and go above and beyond to make our classes a positive experience.”

More than 100 girls have received training through Wonderfully Made workshops within its first two months of business. Some of Royal’s clients include Fellowship Christian Academy, Antioch Baptist Church, Emmanuel Fellowship Baptist Church, Girls Scouts of America and several daycare after school programs.

“Last year my mentor, Debra Linquist, was listening to me talk about my passion and desires and encouraged me to pursue my dream of teaching girls and women to be the best they can be. I opened a finishing school versus a charm school because the history of a finishing school was to train young ladies — after they had completed academic schooling — in ‘social graces’ thus providing them both academic and social know how. Although a finishing school is not a term that is widely known I feel that it encompasses charm and more.”

According to Royal, her finishing school seems to be the only one of its kind in the area, a fact she hopes can only contribute to its success.

“It is a challenge to get people to realize that social skills matter. According to Harvard University research, 85 percent of our success in acquiring, retaining and advancing in business depends on social skills. Only about 15 percent of our success in business is based on knowledge. That means parents cannot afford not to invest in this program,” Royal said.

Passionate Purpose

Royal said developing girls social skills to improve their futures is just icing on the cake, however. The true motivation behind her finishing school curriculum is improving girls lives today.

“I enjoy seeing the look of confidence and accomplishment on a girl’s face when she masters a skill taught in the classroom. I enjoy seeing both women and girls’ posture become a little straighter, shoulders held a little higher and direct eye contact as a result of them realizing and believing that they are wonderfully made,” Royal said. “Educating and enlightening young women to become the best they can be is my purpose and I am passionate about that.”

Royal said there is “not enough time in the day” for her to build on all her dreams for Wonderfully Made Finishing School.

“This is not just a business for me. If I could, I would work on its curriculum 24 hours a day. I would like to continue to expand the program to include advanced workshops, such as an all day Social Savvy Summer Camp for girls hosted at a local resort/spa,” Royal said.

Perhaps it’s this enthusiasm that has led to the business’ success since its inception just four months ago. Her clients come from parents and organizations who care about the personal and social development of their youth, Royal said.

“Most clients have come from recommendations, word-of-mouth advertising and flyers. I’m expanding our marketing effort and hope to broaden our client base,” Royal said.

When introducing parents to the concept of her school, Royal describes its objective as “helping youth love who they are and making them comfortable in any social setting” by:

• Providing tools to encourage and develop self-confidence;

• Presenting and practicing appropriate social etiquette skills;

• Introducing, practicing and reinforcing proven and proper verbal and nonverbal communication skills;

• Developing the practice of proper hygiene, wardrobe selection and maintenance;

• Discussing and practicing proper posture, eye contact and poise; and

• Discussing and providing guidance on future career and life plans.


May sound like a tall order, but Royal said her lifelong experiences have prepared her to meet her clients’ needs. Even her extracurricular activities revolve around “finishing” skills.

Royal recently developed the L.I.F.E. Training and Preschool Ministry programs at her church and she is currently pursuing certifications in color analysis, image consulting and professional seminar leadership.

“I also recently developed the DIVA Series for women (Developing a Positive Image through a Victorious Attitude) with monthly classes at different locations,” Royal said.

Some DIVA topics include: The Socially Savvy Woman, The Well-Dressed Woman, The Relaxed and Pampered Woman, The Physically Fit Woman, The Victorious Woman and The Financially Savvy Woman.

“In these classes, women will learn the true meaning of DIVA,” Royal said.

Mother to Many

A Cedar Hill resident, Royal has been married to Pastor A.E. Royal Sr., for 13 years and has two “Wonderfully Made” children, Anisa, 10, and Averil Jr., 9.

Helene said her business is like her family, because her clients are the women of her own community. Building their self esteem is just one way she can give back, Royal said.

“I believe that some people are limited because of who they believe they are and I think that having positive self-confidence affects everything in life,” she said. “The need for image development and etiquette goes beyond the mastery of skills. Children and youth need it to help foster self-confidence and become well-rounded individuals. That’s why an investment in self-esteem is priceless.

“This is not just another business but a business that is going to have an impact on the community, state and country. And that’s why I put my heart into it. I have a love for all people and a belief that they are all wonderfully made.”

To reach Royal, call 972-896-5397, or visit www.lifestylesrefiningyourimage.com .

Angel Jenkins Morris - People Editor