Helene Royal

Looking back on her childhood, Helene Royal described herself as tall, skinny, big-footed and tongue-tied. Resembling the cartoon bird, Royal earned the nickname “Tweety,” and 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.

“I am here to teach young girls what my mother instilled in me — that they are ‘wonderfully made.’ I want to impart the same standards I was taught,” Royal said.

Inspired by her mother’s self-esteem lessons, Royal began a journey of self discovery that led her to start the Wonderfully Made Finishing School — a self development and etiquette program for girls ages 5-17.

More than 100 girls received training within the first two months of Wonderfully Made workshops this year — a success Royal hopes to continue.

“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’s and girl’s posture become a little straighter, shoulders held a little higher and direct eye contact as a result of them realizing they are wonderfully made,” Royal said.

Royal said developing girls’ social skills to improve their futures is just icing on the cake. The true motivation behind her work is improving girls’ lives today.

“Youth are bombarded with negative messages about who they are. As a result, many of them do not love or even like themselves,” Royal said. “Educating and enlightening women to become the best they can be as soon as possible is my purpose and I am passionate about that.”

Royal also offers workshops for older adults and businesses and can customize her self-esteem and etiquette program to suit the age and needs of any group. She also offers a DIVA series for women (Developing Image through a Victorious Attitude). Contact her at 972-896-5397 for more details.

Compiled by Angel Jenkins Morris - People Editor