Paquita Poole shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Paquita, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Who are you learning from right now?
Right now, I’m learning from the girls in my Blazin’ Blazer Girl Talk Enrichment Program. Each week, they remind me that courage looks different on everyone. Some girls are outspoken and ready to lead; others are quiet observers finding their voices little by little. Watching them navigate friendships, self-doubt, and the pressures of growing up has taught me more about patience, empathy, and purpose than any textbook ever could.
They’ve shown me the power of consistency, how showing up for someone, even in small ways, can change everything. I’ve learned that confidence isn’t something you hand to someone; it’s something you help them uncover within themselves. When I see a shy girl stand a little taller in her blazer or speak up for the first time in class, I’m reminded that my purpose isn’t just to teach, it’s to create space for transformation.
These girls are teaching me to lead with heart, to listen more deeply, and to remember that impact starts in the moments we choose to care. Every session with them reinforces why I do what I do: because when we pour into the next generation, they pour right back into us in ways we never expect.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Since my last interview in 2021, both I and my brand have grown tremendously. My name is Paquita Poole, and I am the founder of Rena’s Couture and Courageously Endure, two sister brands with one powerful purpose: to build confidence, courage, and resilience in women and girls through style, mindset, and mentorship.
As a wife and proud mother of two, a son currently studying Veterinary Medicine at LSU and a 9-year-old daughter in 4th grade, I understand the importance of nurturing confidence, character, and leadership at a young age. I am also a proud graduate of Auburn University, where I earned my degree in Psychology. My journey as a student mom taught me the meaning of perseverance and purpose, and it is that same passion that now drives my work in youth empowerment.
Rena’s Couture began in 2019 as an online boutique designed to help women look and feel confident through bold, statement fashion. Today, it is more than a boutique; it is a movement. Each blazer sold through Rena’s Couture fuels the mission of Courageously Endure’s Blazin’ Blazer Girl Talk Enrichment Program, a youth empowerment initiative created for girls ages 5 to 18. Our motto is simple but powerful: “Building confidence one blazer at a time.”
The Blazin’ Blazer Girl Talk Enrichment Program is more than an after-school program; it is a transformative space where girls learn to lead with confidence, communicate with clarity, and discover the power of their voice. Each week, our girls participate in empowering activities, group discussions, and workshops that focus on public speaking, leadership, social skill building, and dressing for success both inside and out. Most importantly, we create a safe and supportive space for them to express themselves freely and fearlessly.
What makes the program truly unique is the way it blends fashion and personal development. The blazer becomes more than clothing; it is a symbol of confidence, professionalism, and identity. When a girl puts on her blazer, she is not just dressing up, she is stepping into her purpose.
Through Rena’s Couture and Courageously Endure, I am building a bridge between style and self-worth. My mission is to help girls see that they are capable, worthy, and powerful, and to remind women that it is never too late to rediscover that same truth. Together, we are raising a generation of girls who will not only look the part but lead the part
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Trust. When trust is broken, even the strongest connections can begin to unravel. It is not always the big things that break bonds; sometimes, it is the small moments when someone does not feel seen, heard, or valued. Whether it is in friendships, families, or communities, trust is the thread that holds relationships together.
What restores those bonds is consistency and authenticity. You rebuild trust not by perfect words but by steady actions, by showing up, listening, and keeping your promises even when it is uncomfortable. Trust grows again when people feel safe to be vulnerable and know they will be met with understanding instead of judgment.
In my work with girls through the Blazin’ Blazer Girl Talk Enrichment Program, I see how powerful trust can be. When a girl feels safe enough to speak her truth, that is when transformation begins. Trust opens the door to healing, learning, and love. It is the foundation of every meaningful relationship, and without it, we cannot grow together.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the most defining moments in my life came during my college years. I became pregnant while attending Auburn University and developed a serious blood clot that forced me to leave school. I went from being independent to relying on my mother and father to help care for me, which was one of the hardest seasons of my life. After having my son, I returned to Auburn and completed my degree. That experience taught me perseverance, faith, and the power of starting over.
I went on to build a career in the pharmaceutical industry, gaining more than 15 years of experience across multiple companies and roles. During that time, I bought my first home in Tennessee and achieved many personal and professional milestones. But in 2013, life shifted unexpectedly. My grandmother, who was one of my greatest inspirations, passed away, and I was laid off from my job due to company restructuring. Since then, I have experienced two additional layoffs from different pharmaceutical companies. Those moments tested my faith and resilience, but they also helped me redefine what purpose and success truly mean.
Through every setback, I chose to keep moving forward. My faith became my anchor, and I began to understand that my identity was not tied to a position but to my purpose. Through my connection with the Renasant Roots program, I found momentum and clarity, which helped me expand my focus from women’s empowerment to youth empowerment. That growth led to the creation of the Blazin’ Blazer Girl Talk Enrichment Program, where I discovered my true calling to serve the next generation.
Every day I wake up with purpose, knowing that my story is proof that obstacles will come, but with faith, perseverance, and trust in God, we can overcome them. I have learned that healing comes when we stop asking “why me” and start asking “what can I learn from this.” I am healed because I trust God’s timing and no longer take life for granted. I find joy in serving young girls, gratitude in my family, and peace in knowing that every challenge prepared me for the purpose I now walk in.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The cultural value I protect at all costs is family. Family is the foundation of everything I do. It is where love, faith, discipline, and respect are taught and lived out. From family, I learned the importance of community, the value of respecting our elders, and the strength that comes from unity and shared purpose.
Family taught me that education is more than academics—it is how we grow, give back, and leave a legacy. It also instilled in me a strong work ethic, reminding me that perseverance and integrity open doors that talent alone cannot.
Protecting family means protecting the principles that hold us together: love, accountability, and faith. These values guide how I lead, how I serve my community, and how I empower the next generation through Courageously Endure and the Blazin’ Blazer Girl Talk Enrichment Program.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, absolutely. I give my best every single day, whether anyone notices or not. My commitment is not based on recognition but on purpose. I believe in putting my best foot forward in everything I do because excellence is a reflection of character, not applause.
If I cannot give one hundred percent, I would rather pause, refocus, and come back stronger. I take pride in working hard and staying consistent, even behind the scenes, because real growth happens when no one is watching. My motivation comes from knowing that I am operating in my purpose, and that alone is enough to keep me pushing forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.renascouture.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renascouture/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paquita-poole-renascouture
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BG9WheMvV/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@paquitapoole2820
- Other: https://www.courageouslyendure.org/
Image Credits
Danny Austin Photography
