What Working Wardrobes does

Working Wardrobes, legally Working Wardrobes for a New Start, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1990 and headquartered at 2000 E McFadden Ave, Santa Ana, California, that delivers free workforce development services to individuals in Orange County facing employment barriers. Its service portfolio is structured around four pillars: Career Navigation (goal-setting and planning with Career Navigators), Development (online and in-person trainings, workshops, and certifications), Career Readiness (interview preparation, resume assistance, and coaching from Career Coaches), and Professional Wardrobing (personal stylist support that provides interview-appropriate clothing). The organization supplements these programs with the Young Adult Services Program targeting transitional-age youth, including those exiting facilities such as Theo Lacy, and serves documented client outcomes such as enrollment into Allied Universal and Nick's Super Burgers jobs.

The core delivery infrastructure is physical and community-based rather than technology-based: a Career Success Center in Santa Ana, a donation center in Irvine at 17392 Daimler Street Suite 150, three Hanger retail locations (Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Laguna Niguel), and a corporate CSR/volunteer channel. No proprietary software, AI/ML models, APIs, or platform technology are described in available sources. Operational scale since 1990 includes 142,000+ clients served, 18,000+ volunteer hours contributed annually, 550,000 garments donated and processed each year, and 185 partner programs and service programs supporting the referral and placement ecosystem.

The business model is multi-stream and non-commercial. Revenue is generated primarily through monetary donations (one-time, recurring, donor-advised funds, legacy giving, plus car donations via CarEasy), grants, and fundraising events such as The Great Opportunity Gala and Valor & Vision Awards. A self-funding component comes from The Hanger Boutiques and Outlets, which sell donated clothing with 100% of profits reinvested into career readiness services. Corporate engagement through employee volunteer days and the Purpose-Driven Leadership Days partnership with Leaderology provides additional in-kind and earned support. Sub-brands include The Hanger, The Great Opportunity Gala, and Real Talk. Real Growth podcast; the organization was previously known as Working Wardrobes for a New Start and is led by CEO Bonni Pomush with founder Jerri Rosen.

Name

Working Wardrobes

Legal name

Working Wardrobes for a New Start, Inc.

Website

https://workingwardrobes.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Working Wardrobes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990 in Santa Ana, California, providing free career readiness, development, and professional wardrobing services to job seekers and young adults facing employment barriers across Orange County, funded by donations and Hanger retail stores.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

SIC

Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Retail-Family Clothing Stores (5651)

akta.pro primary industry

Wardrobe Styling & Closet Curation (HSACAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sustainable/Ethical Shopping & Capsule Wardrobe Building (HSACAJAL)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Career readiness programs
• Professional wardrobing services
• Nonprofit employment assistance
• Thrift retail operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Ana

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Working Wardrobes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on monetary donations from individuals and organizations to fund operations and client services.
2. Retail Store Proceeds: The Hanger Retail Stores (boutiques and outlets) sell donated clothing, with 100% of profits reinvested into funding career readiness services.
3. Volunteer Services: Corporate volunteer programs where businesses conduct CSR days and team-building activities at Working Wardrobes facilities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Working Wardrobes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free career readiness and workforce development services to individuals facing employment barriers, including career navigation, resume and interview coaching, skills workshops and certification programs, and professional wardrobing for interviews. The organization funds these services through donations, sponsorships, and a network of retail stores (The Hanger Boutiques and Outlets) that resell donated clothing with 100% of profits reinvested into programs.

Product overview

Working Wardrobes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a suite of workforce development services designed to help individuals transform their potential into purposeful employment. The core service portfolio includes Career Navigation (goal-setting and planning), Development Programs (trainings, workshops, and certifications), Career Readiness (interviews, resumes, coaching), and Professional Wardrobing (styling for job interviews). These services are funded through The Hanger Retail Stores network, which sells donated clothing with proceeds supporting career programs. Additional offerings include the Young Adult Services Program for transitional-age youth and Purpose-Driven Leadership Days corporate engagement experiences. The organization also produces the Real Talk. Real Growth podcast as a thought leadership and outreach channel.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Hanger: Retail stores (The Hanger Boutiques and The Hanger Outlets) where 100% of profits fund career readiness services
• The Great Opportunity Gala
• Real Talk. Real Growth.

Products and services

• Career Navigation Services One-on-one guidance from Career Navigators who help clients set employment goals and create personalized action plans to achieve them. Free to individuals facing employment barriers in Orange County.
• Development Programs (Trainings, Workshops, Certifications) A library of online and in-person trainings, workshops, and certification programs designed to help clients on their employment journey. Free to program participants.
• Career Readiness Services Career Coaches provide interview preparation, resume assistance, and personalized guidance to help clients overcome job search barriers and find meaningful employment. Free to clients.
• Professional Wardrobing Personal stylists help clients select professional outfits for job interviews and workplace success. Free to clients enrolled in Working Wardrobes programs.
• The Hanger Retail Stores (Boutiques & Outlets) Retail stores selling donated clothing at The Hanger Boutiques and The Hanger Outlets in Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, and Laguna Niguel. 100% of profits are reinvested into Working Wardrobes' career readiness services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 142,000+ clients served since 1990
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LeaderologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership to deliver Purpose-Driven Leadership Days combining leadership development workshops with hands-on volunteer experiences at Working Wardrobes. The program strengthens corporate team culture while supporting clients on their employment journey.
• John Wayne AirportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured partnership through the Real Talk, Real Growth podcast featuring Charlene Reynolds, Director of John Wayne Airport, discussing leadership and career purpose.
• Corporate PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partners support Working Wardrobes through employee volunteer programs, donations, and hiring clients. The organization hosts CSR days and team-building events for participating businesses.
• Community Partners (185 programs)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExtensive network of 185 partner programs and service programs that provide pathways to employment for Working Wardrobes clients.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bottomless Closet: New York-based nonprofit delivering professional wardrobing, career readiness workshops, and one-on-one coaching to women in transition — directly comparable to Working Wardrobes' wardrobing-plus-coaching model.
• Career Gear: Nonprofit that provides professional attire, career counseling, and workforce-readiness programs to men re-entering the workforce, mirroring Working Wardrobes' emphasis on using clothing as a gateway to employment.
• Goodwill Industries International: The dominant nonprofit combining donated-clothing retail with workforce development and job training — the closest national analogue to Working Wardrobes' integrated retail-plus-career-services model.
• Center for Employment Opportunities: National workforce development nonprofit focused on reentry and job placement for people with prior convictions — comparable to Working Wardrobes' service to incarcerated young adults at Theo Lacy Facility and similar reentry populations.
• Upwardly Global: National nonprofit helping immigrants and refugees rebuild professional careers in the U.S. through coaching, training, and employer connections — a peer in the career-coaching-plus-employment-placement space Working Wardrobes occupies.
• Salvation Army: Operates thrift retail stores whose proceeds fund social services including workforce and reentry programs, mirroring the cross-subsidy model that funds Working Wardrobes' career services through The Hanger stores.
• Dress for Success: Global nonprofit providing professional wardrobing, career development, and job placement services to women — directly comparable to Working Wardrobes' Professional Wardrobing pillar and its job-seeker mission.
• Career Wardrobe: Philadelphia-based nonprofit offering professional clothing, career coaching, and employment support — a near-exact functional analogue of Working Wardrobes' four-pillar offering at smaller scale.

Regional players

• Chrysalis: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing workforce development, job placement, and transitional employment for people facing barriers — a California-headquartered workforce development peer without a retail arm.
• Hope Services: Silicon Valley-based nonprofit providing employment, training, and supportive services for people with disabilities and other barriers — a California regional peer in workforce development serving similar vulnerable populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WorkingWardrobes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/397726
• Instagraminstagram.com/WorkingWardrobes
• Xx.com/workingwardrobe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Working Wardrobes