Today we’d like to introduce you to Carol Rey.
Hi Carol, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story begins as a child of entrepreneurial parents who lived by a standard of excellence. They were very meticulous with just about everything they came in contact with including my brother and me. I was the complete opposite, but my brother tried his best to conform at an early age to keep from getting in trouble. Me on the other hand was considered the “Wild Child”.
I had a mind of my own as a little girl and got in trouble just about everyday. Little did I know that I was developing my own way of doing things right along with using the standards that my parents so impressed upon me.
My mother who was my first teacher and role model was a very worldly woman who loved languages and a beautiful lifestyle that was displayed in our home through beautiful artwork, plants and expressive conversations held either in our living room or at the kitchen table.
One thing for sure is that my parents made sure that we gave back. My mother would donate to starving organizations in Africa, help to pay for children’s college tuition.
I on the other hand started volunteering when I was about 11 at a nursing home with my parents. I didn’t like it because I did no like how the older people looked when eating their food, but I stayed until I was old enough was to help volunteer with Hosea Williams feed the homeless campaign which was a popular and impactful initiative in Atlanta back in the 80’s and 90’s. I actually enjoyed serving and talking with the homeless people what interesting stories they told about their lives and how they became homeless.
Moving forward, my mother thought that I would be a great teacher because of how well I got along with others, my compassion and the way that I was able to cause others to want to follow me. Interestingly, all I wanted to do was to be a flight attendant and an actress. My dad on the other hand, didn’t think that College was really for me that I would just be wasting my time.
Well, being a Flight Attendant and an Actress was not what God had for me at that time. However, I did become a cosmetologist after flunking out of College during my freshman year. I also became an NFL Cheerleader for The Atlanta Falcons, a highlight of my life, and a Budweiser Girl. I was really learning how I enjoyed the spotlight while performing and serving others. I felt comfortable in that space. I also enjoyed looking pretty and helping others to do the same.
I guess it was in the cards that I become a teacher because while working as a cosmetologist, I went back to school to become an educator. I became so passionate about it that not only did I complete my bachelor’s degree but my Master’s and a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership because I wanted to become an Administrator, but that did not work out either because by that time, I had become a new wife and mother and I did not want to neglect either with such a demanding role.
Well, while teaching, I had the opportunity to travel to Brazil with my mother for 14 days which allowed me to learn about another culture other than my own that I actually fell in love with. From here, I was determined to teach children from other countries or cultures and I did just that. I taught in several counties in Georgia, then I was afforded the opportunity to live and teach in South Florida, Broward County and I fell in love with the variety of cultures and languages, but in the meantime, I also noticed the confidence that they exuded that many children in my community did not have and I wanted us to show up differently.
The next opportunity that helped to bring me where I am today was the opportunity to teach a dining session, teaching both American and Continental style dining for a sorority sister of mine for a group of young adults. I taught the class, was fed, received a check and the rest is history. I enjoyed my experience so much that I decided that I wanted to know more about teaching dining skills and who else needed this skill and in finding out, I found out about becoming a certified etiquette consultant.
This was the beginning of something great!! Not realizing that so many of the skills that a certified etiquette consultant would use and teach were the same skills that my mother taught me growing up and were helpful for me when helping to run the family business. I became certified with an online certification program for children’s etiquette first because I was most comfortable with them since I was already teaching children. I started out teaching Girl Scout Troops, Girls Clubs and other children’s groups and organizations. I taught these classes on the weekends about four months out of the year.
Last, I decided that I really loved this things called “Etiquette” and I wanted more training, more experiences. I then became certified through the prestigious American School of Protocol. There I was told and taught how to elevate my business, how much I charged and how to go about running my new business, and that is how we came up with the name of our school “The Elite School of Etiquette “Where Etiquette Matters”. What an exciting journey it has been.
Not only am I teaching etiquette classes, but I have started some amazing signature programs, workshops and sessions for both the youth and adults. We have our “Jr. Cotillion” which is held once a year for 6-9th Graders, a Pageant, “The Miss Excellence Georgia Scholarship Pageant” for young ladies 14-25, “Pretty is as Pretty Does “for young ladies 8-13, Manly Manners for the young men 8-15 and our Mind your Manners for children 4-7. Last, we have an After school Program,”The Elite Etiquette Scholars”.
We have also decided to start our own 501c3 Non Profit, “The Elite Socialite Foundation, Inc.”- Our purpose is to expose youth who are underrepresented or underserved to cutting edge resource programs, workshops, summer programs, life skills and lessons to provide scholarships for careers or college.
We are looking forward to a bright future at The Elite School of Etiquette, “Where Etiquette Matters”.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been the easiest road considering when we were ready to take off after two years of business CoVid 19 came. This slowed our business down tremendously, but it was a time of growth. Our team expanded and programs were put into place and are now functioning, so we look at the setback as a blessing for our comeback.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Elite School of Etiquette is a Modern Etiquette Consulting Firm, “Where Etiquette Matters” and where we provide top-notch services and programs that help to empower, build self-confidence and teach the art of a more polished and cultivated lifestyle for youth and adults. I have also written a book titled “Etiquette for the Savvy Professional”, which is an easy reading book with great tips for any professional who work virtually or face to face with others.
What sets us apart from anyone else is that we not only teach the etiquette skills but we implement them with our programs and events. Plus, the Founder/Director has a hands on approach for all program. We are most proud of our brand because we are Black Owned. All of our team member are highly educated and are active in their community outside of The Elite School of Etiquette.
What I would like for our readers to know about our brand is that we want to be the change agents for our community. We want to be a resource in our community to help elevate those who are coming up behind us and to make our world a better for place for everyone.
We have lots of wonderful programs that help with social and emotional development for our youth and adults, from Hosting your next tea party teaching social skills, table manners, dining skills business etiquette and more.
Please follow us on Instagram or Facebook at: The Elite School of Etiquette, “Where Etiquette Matters” and subscribe to our website so that you can be included on the invites for any of our upcoming sessions, programs or events.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is having a sense of peace and joy with what I do and knowing that my family and friends are doing well. Last, making a difference in the world and making money to provide for myself and my family.
Pricing:
- Jr. Cotillion $650.00
- Pageant- $1,300.00
- Book-“Etiquette for the Savvy Professional” $19.99
- “Pretty is as Pretty Does”- $250.00
- Kentucky Derby Tea Party Fundraiser- $75.00 per ticket
Contact Info:
- Email: info@theeliteschoolofetiquette.com
- Website: www.theeliteschoolofetiquette.com
- Instagram: The Elite School of Etiquette
- Facebook: The Elite School of Etiquette
Image Credits:
Goldie Photography The Elite Social Collection The Vault Maggiano’s Perimeter Mall Lifetime Television
