Testimonials

Anetra Williams
LaMarque Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Dear Mrs. Owens-Shepard, I would like to take a moment to thank you for coming to speak with the Delta GEMS last night. You were awesome and I think the girls really listened and received the information you shared. This makes my second time hearing and seeing your presentation and I find it to be phenomenal! Thank you is not enough, but it will have to suffice.

Brittany M. Carter, President
National Association of Black Accountants, Inc.(NABA)
National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA)
Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge

Hi Mrs. Owens-Shepard,
My name is Brittany M. Carter and I am the current President of the Southern University NABA Student Chapter. I was fortunate enough to attend your etiquette session on Friday night during the conference. This email is to inform you that you did a phenomenal job, and I took a lot of beneficial things away from your presentation. Every single student at the conference needed to hear the very important things you were sharing, thank you for sharing it with us. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Rebecca Joseph
Blood Procurement Technician
Department of Pathology
St. Luke's Episcopal Health System

Toya Owens-Shepard is a natural at empowering people to be their best. Her business card should be in the Rolodex of every professional in this western culture. Her approach to refining one's image is practical and effective.

Robin Forge
BLAST Analyst
Blockbuster Corporation

We had the pleasure of meeting during a seminar you gave at Blockbuster's corporate offices on January 24th for the BLAST Program. I approached you after the class for some hints on how to improve my networking skills. I am so pleased to inform you that I used some of the techniques you introduced during our session, and I was very pleased with myself at the end of the night. I was nervous initially, because I did not think I had anything in common with most of the people at the reception. I was surprised to see that I really did have some common ground, and I feel I made several positive, lasting contacts. Thank you so much for boosting my confidence and giving me the skills I needed to present a polished professional to my colleagues!

Ellen Weaver
Program Coordinator
Nasa Area Christian Women

Dear Toya, Thank you so much for the wonderful program you conducted at our Christian Women's Luncheon. Everyone loved it! I thank God for your talent and your willingness to share it with others.

Meet Toya

Toya Owens-Shepard, a member of The National Speakers Association and the Association of Image Consultants International is Founder and Owner of First Impression Image Consulting and First Impression School of Etiquette.

Ms. Shepard is uniquely qualified to address every facet of image management and etiquette with style and grace. Whether she speaks to 10 or 2,000 her magnetic rapport is unforgettable. The moment she takes the stage, everyone is captivated by her energetic, humorous, down to earth presentation. As a guru on image consulting and etiquette coaching, Toya provides her audience with the enthusiasm, knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to enhance ones professional image and career. From adolescent to top-level management, participants find her workshops entertaining and motivational as she powerfully coaches her audience on the importance of using etiquette and a polished image to strengthen ones career and build stronger business relationships in the competitive business arena.

Toya, with a B.B.A. in Marketing from Texas Southern University, has more than 14 years experience in corporate sales and marketing and over 2 years of teaching experience on the college level.

Topics include: Image Management (Professional and Business Casual Attire), Business Etiquette, Dining Etiquette, Networking, Customer Service as well as "One on One" personal coaching for individuals that focus on style assessment and wardrobe planning.

Programs include: "The 3 P's of a Polished Professional" for Corporate America, "Ethics and Image Management for Healthcare Professionals, "From Classroom to Boardroom " for university students and "The Essence of a Woman" for female organizations. We also offer fun and interactive programs for children and teens.

Clients include: Blockbuster Corporation, American Heart Association Speakers Bureau, United States Marine Corps - Fredericksburg VA, Hein & Associates LLP - Houston, TX, Boise Cascade Office Products, United States Postal Service, Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals, Drake, Beam and Morin, KPMG, Corporate and Convention Services of Houston, Texas Commission for the Blind, Nasa Area Christian Women, US Army Corps of Engineers, University of Arkansas, Texas Southern University - Jesse H. Jones School of Business, Texas A&M University, Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference, University of Houston, Urban Financial Services Coalition, Van Kampen Funds, Wiley College in Marshall, TX, First Community Credit Union, Member Source Credit Union, Aspiring Youth of Houston, Girl Scouts of America and more.

Memberships: National Speakers Association, Association of Image Consultants International, Fashion Group International, American Business Women's Association, Houston League of Professional and Business Women and The Pearland/Hobby Chamber of Commerce, Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce.

Certifications: Houston Minority Business Council and State of Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB)