Workplace Wellbeing: The importance of dressing the part 

Founded by Sonya Lennon, WorkEqual offers a free styling service and career consulting to people entering or re-entering the workplace

Mary Fleischheuer: "At a time when money was tight because we were setting up our business, it was such a relief for us to know that whatever happened, at least we’d look the part.” Picture: Denis Minihane.

First impressions matter, particularly in the workplace. Mary Fleischheuer, 47, from Cork city, knows how true this is.

In 2021, she and her sister were unemployed and had just completed a barista training course with the Cork Education and Training Board. “That experience had inspired us to open a coffee cart, but we needed some help,” says Fleischheuer.