Fashion Plus storeowner Juanita Bradshaw decided to reward one lucky person each month of this year with an entire outfit for their job search and interview process. She accepts men and women applicants and only asks that those interested in winning are in search of a job and give her a copy of their resume in order to validate that they are actually trying.

She puts each name in a hat and draws one person. She then calls the lucky winner, asks for their size, and schedules a date for them to come in. She also asks that they do their own hair and make up so she can take a photo of them once they are dressed in what she has chosen. She posts the photos on Facebook and Craigslist in order to advertise her store. Each winner gets a blazer, shirt, slacks, handbag, and a pair of shoes.

Bradshaw decided she would take on the challenge so she can give back to the community.  She says, “I believe that as we are blessed, we are supposed to bless other people.”

The first person to have a name pulled was a man. The day he was dressed she invited 23 News to cover the story. The man told them, “I feel amazing… I think I needed this boost.”

Bradshaw has dressed two BC students. One of the women was thrilled with her outfit and said she felt confident. Bradshaw says the other BC student was not so thrilled probably because she was expecting something young and flashy, but was provided a loose fit and conservative look, which is proper office attire.

“Your clothes say a lot about you, you know, whether you want it to or not,” Bradshaw said. “Clothes tell stories about you. I think that is what I love about dressing people because I feel like this is the beginning of the story for this person.”

Bradshaw has kept contact with the winners and is glad to report that all but one have received a job.

She hasn’t decided whether or not to do this for other years because it is very expensive. “I want to see how this plays out,” she says, “because I’m getting to use them as advertising as well.”

Although her store relies mostly on new and used donations, she also buys merchandise to sell. A ten percent discount is given on a purchase after each donation.

Bradshaw opened the boutique when she had a gastric bypass operation and lost a lot of weight. She had a lot of clothes and felt it was so valuable that she would sell it. The store has been in operation for three years, starting its fourth in November. Bradshaw aspires to move to a larger location, but for now, Fashion Plus is located on North Chester in Oildale.