by intern Elana Levitan
Photo credit: David Longo
“I don’t believe anything is truly hard in life, there are just obstacles to overcome. Never stop going after your dreams,” said Jana Sedlakoha, Vice-President of Sip with Socialites, who was was born and raised in the Czech Republic where she studied neuroscience. Today she is a life coach who also contributes her time and resources to numerous charitible organizations.
Elana Levitan and Jana Sedlakoha
Tafiq Akhir is a lively, upbeat, world-renowned fitness trainer who was on one of many stops of his tour to promote his new workout video, TXT. “It’s only 20 minutes and you burn nine times more body fat than your traditional cardio workout,” he said. He is a devoted personal trainer who loves and values a healthy diet and working out for a better lifestyle. “This is what I do 24/7, fitness – nutrition – lifestyle.”
Photo courtesy of Tafiq Akhir
Together, they hosted a benefit for Dress for Success at L2 Lounge located in Cady’s Alley in Georgetown – a perfect urban backdrop with calming mood lights and extravagant artwork.
The Dress for Success Foundation helps women to receive proper work clothing and the neccessary training for a better future. “Success is not only about getting a job; it’s about building a career – to provide women the partnership of support, practical information and inspiration to achieve self-defined success in career and life.
Women making the transition from unemployment to work face myriad challenges, from understanding corporate culture to handling personal finances, often without any support systems in place to help them navigate this daunting change. We provide our clients with information that will help women unfamiliar with the workplace continue to develop skills and advance in their careers,” according to their mission statement.
Elaine Espinola Keltz with her Stella & Dot booth
As a trainer and nutritionist, Akhir is the picture of health and works hard to help others reach their goals too. He informed us about a 71-year-old woman who came to him for help to get her back to a healthy balanced life; “She came back and said I saved her life.” Akhir stated. It is his life goal to help people accomplish a healthier and fitter version of themselves.
Makeup artist Aleah Rae Dorsey
Helping people become the best that they can be is also a passion of Sedlakoha’s and Sip with Socialites gives her a vehicle to do that. “It is not just about money,” she said, “it’s also about awareness because a lot of people just don’t know [how important these issues are].” The greatest feeling in the world is knowing that you’re helping someone else who is in need.
