FLINT, MI -- After four years of operating online, Walethia Aquil finally decided to find a downtown Flint storefront for her etiquette business, Grace and Charm Academy.

"I am nervous," she said, laughing. "This is a big step."

Aquil had been teaching online webinars for four years, teaching people all over the world skills and tools they need to be confident and successful.

"People know about me all over the world, but they don't know me right here in Genesee County," she said.

The business, located on the second floor of the Thompson Building, 412 S. Saginaw St., will provide workshops and one-on-one training for men and women – both young professionals and those who are professionally established.

It's not just dining etiquette, she said, it's about learning to evaluate any situation – such as a business meeting, social hour with colleagues or even a first date – to determine what dress, language and behavior is appropriate.

"There was a time in my life where I was really shy and insecure," Aquil said of her motivation for starting the academy. "I know what it feels like to be in a room full of people or at a meeting and you know you have a good idea, but you're too insecure to say anything because you don't know what to say, when or how to say it ... You're not looked at, you're just looked over."

Grace and Charm Academy will offer workshops, seminars, courses and one-on-one coaching at prices that begin around $45. Students learn how to appropriately market themselves, stand out in a crowd, mingle with CEOs and appear confident in themselves.

"You are the package – you are the brand. You need to package yourself in a way that you are attractive and you have grace and charm," Aquil said. "Then people will not only listen to your ideas, but they will seek your advice. They want to hear your ideas."

Aquil, a self-proclaimed "serial entrepreneur," will also move two other sectors of her business to the second floor suit -- UP Woman and Dreams Do Come True.

UP Woman, or Undeniably Powerful Woman, will provide Grace and Charm Academy services to young women in the community who would not otherwise be able to afford them or have access to them.

Dreams Do Come True is a program in which Aquil provides new or gently used gowns to high school girls so they can attend formal dances such as prom and homecoming. She plans to expand the program to include business apparel as well.

UP Woman and Dreams Do Come True will officially open in March.

Grace and Charm Academy will offer its first seminar in the new location, "How to Rock the Media," later this month. Aquil said guests will walk away with information and tools that could otherwise have cost them thousands.

"I'm just excited about being downtown and being part of the renaissance, the movement, the change and the energy it has to offer," Aquil said. "I'm excited about being able to empower young women, as well as the women and men, in Genesee County."

For more information, call Aquil at (810) 334-5427 or toll free at (866) 610-3746.