Albert Lea company Daisy Blue Naturals is teaming up with a national foundation to help women across the country achieve their dreams of new business opportunities.

Through a project called Outfitting for Opportunity, Daisy Blue Naturals — along with the Direct Selling Education Foundation — are collecting donations of professional clothing and accessories that will help give confidence to women in need who are interviewing for or starting a new job, said company President and CEO Jena Thompson.

The project aims to specifically outfit women in the San Francisco area — who may be challenged by poverty, lack of education or single parenthood — in the professional attire they need to make a positive first impression, according to the flyer for the project.

Basically anything that someone may need to go into an interview or to start a new profession is being accepted, Thompson said.

Clothing and accessories needed include:

All sizes new or gently-used pants, shirts, blazers, suits and skirts.

Shoes.

Handbags.

 Briefcases.

Jewelry.

 Scarves.

Unopened knee-high nylons.

 Unopened cosmetics and skin care.

“We all have extra purses laying around in our closets,” she said. “This is a great way to help out.”

Thompson said the company got involved with the project because it wanted to make a difference.

She said she remembers when she graduated college she did not at first have the funds she needed to buy a new suit or other accessories.

“I think it’s something that speaks to a lot of people,” she said.

While the clothes will not go toward local women, Thompson said she would be willing to organize a similar local drive if the need exists.

Donations will be collected at Daisy Blue Naturals, 2610 Y.H. Hanson Ave., Suite 108, Albert Lea MN 56007 through May 14.

Call 373-0229 with any questions.