Toni Dupree

Training Director

Toni Dupree is founder and president of Etiquette & Style by Dupree (ESD), an etiquette training and coaching company based in Houston with a mission to help young people and business professionals get ahead with good manners. Since 2006, her etiquette workshops, style seminars and self-esteem and behavior classes have taught hundreds of individuals—from youth groups to business gatherings—how to present their best selves and cultivate meaningful, productive relationships.

A Houston native, Toni was introduced to the social graces at as a child when she attended Mildred Johnson’s Charm and Etiquette Academy. Her training there helped prepare her for work as a model, pageant participant, speaker and facilitator. She is a graduate of the Interior Arts School of Design in Houston, Texas and Jack Yates High School. Toni has also earned certification from the Center for Organizational Cultural Competence in Winnipeg, Canada and completed coursework in psychology and behavioral analysis from Kaplan University.

Prior to launching ESD, Toni volunteered as a youth mentor at Houston’s Trinity United Methodist Church, organizing self-esteem workshops, fashion show preparation sessions and etiquette classes for young people. And while working as a trainer at the Houston Area Women’s Center, she developed business etiquette workshops and taught life skills classes for the organization’s clients, laying the foundation for the creation of ESD in 2006.

In addition to offering customized etiquette workshops, business environment training and life skills coaching sessions to young adults and business professionals in Houston and beyond, Toni published her first book in 2015, Whose Fork is it Anyway?, an entertaining and easy-to-read dining guide for young adults. Toni lives in the Houston area, where she volunteers with Makeover 101 a non-profit ministry, Village of Winkler an elderly community and Houston Can Academy a second chance high School for teens considering dropping out of high school.

The training offered at Dupree Academy Etiquette & Finishing School helps build character, confidence and courtesy. We don’t just teach the correct behavior, we explain “why” good behavior is necessary—and the consequences of bad manners. Etiquette classes offer learning strategies for coping with change and ensure your child’s social success.

Etiquette courses help develop social skills such as:

• Proper behaviour at home, at school or in public
• Showing respect for parents, elders or others
• Communication and coping skills to avoid tantrums and overcome shyness
• Sharing, empathy and helping others
• Finding worth and building self-esteem
• Choosing good role models and navigating difficult situations
• Establishing good habits: health, diet, exercise, hygiene
• Setting realistic goals and devising plans to achieve them
• Practical life skills such as: managing money, caring for their things; basic cooking

Your body language can instantly display self-assuredness, or insecurity. Present yourself in a way that shows strength and assertiveness.

Dressing appropriately for any situation gives you that extra boost of confidence to own any room.

Your conversation is definitely the icing on your social cake! Make certain to steer clear of the  of the ugly “ums” or ahs” of common speech. A great communicator’s speech is fluent and consistent with the topic.

Possessing positive energy leads to a positive approach, which fosters a positive outcome in life. Thereby causes you to be more confident which will show in your attitude, your behavior and your mind-set.

Be What You Say You Are…

Yes, you have to look the part, talk the part and lastly, you have to actually be the It too! There is no more “fake it till you make it.” Remember this preparedness prevents poor execution.

This success style training is geared to help small business tackle issues such as dress code, time and attendance and workplace dysfunction.

This workshop is created to help young people develop themselves as a up and coming young professional.

These workshops are age appropriate culturally relevant training and presentations on communication skills, decision-making skills, anger management techniques, conflict resolution, personal development and empowerment, character enhancement and job readiness skills.

Who doesn’t love a tea party!

And imagine the fun if the tea party includes good friends, dress-up, a mini-etiquette lesson, beautiful cake and candy bar treats to take home. Book your all inclusive etiquette party today.

We can even come to a location of your choosing. Contact us for more information.