Naretha Hopson can help you with first impressions.

Some of the St. Louis region’s most creative minds are part of the RBC’s Young Professionals Network Leadership 100. But who are they and how are they helping to shape a stronger St. Louis?

That’s what we’re addressing in our blog series, “Meet the YPN Leadership 100.” Over time, we’ll introduce you to members of our YPN community who are providing exceptional leadership, service, culture and innovation to our area.

Today’s featured YPN Leadership 100 member is Naretha Hopson, executive director at Ever-Appropriate Etiquette Institute. Naretha attended the University of Missouri – St. Louis and is involved with the Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis Crisis Nursery and Mayor Slay’s Vanguard Cabinet, among others.

Learn more about Naretha in our Q&A below!

You wear many hats. How would you introduce yourself to a new YPN member?

I’m Naretha Hopson, executive director of Ever-Appropriate Etiquette Institute. We teach dining etiquette, business etiquette and impression management. More importantly, my goal is to learn about the person that I’m speaking with and discover opportunities to add value.

What do you enjoy about belonging to organizations like YPN?

The YPN provides outstanding opportunities to enrich a young professional’s network by offering the following:

• Introduction and potential mentorship from Regional Business Council members, the region’s foremost corporate executives and entrepreneurs.
• Events where we are introduced to like-minded peers. Many of those introductions develop into friendship and business opportunities.
• Exposure to St. Louis’ premiere venues, from exclusive country clubs to impressive corporate facilities.

Describe a favorite project that you’re currently working on.

Recently, I’ve facilitated workshops teaching professional etiquette for organizations such as the Urban League Young Professionals, Midwest Black Law Student Association and Saint Louis University. I have scheduled events with the St. Louis County Library and St. Louis Public Library, Harris Stowe State University and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Many of the aforementioned collaborations are a result of relationships garnered through the YPN. Additionally, I am collaborating with the new North Sarah Development leadership to develop sustainable programming for their residents and those in surrounding communities.

Additionally, there is always something exciting at the boards I serve on, including the young professional boards of the Saint Louis Zoo and St. Louis Crisis Nursery.

Recently, I joined the board of directors for Vernare Learning, an exciting new charter school whose keystones are STEM, sustainability and community development. It opens in 2015 and is founded by another YPN Leadership 100 member, Amber Simpson!

Why should someone base their business in St. Louis?

St. Louis offers outstanding value, as the cost of living is extremely competitive with other major metropolitan cities. Our central location lends to a melting pot of culture and experience that is unique to our region. It’s also a nice city in which to raise a family.

The Regional Business Council and similar organizations have heavily invested in youth and young professionals. This will provide generations of well-adjusted middle- and executive-level personnel who will offer excellent leadership within their organizations. The RBC has shown commitment  and continued support to those YPN members who utilize the contacts and opportunities to succeed. Today’s young professionals are future RBC mentors.

There is opportunity for expansion. St. Louis is poised for growth. It is simply a good business move to consider St. Louis. Opportunity abounds.

What are your first three stops when an out-of-town friend visits?

• Forest Park: There is always something going on in our world-class zoo, art museum and history museum. An evening picnic at the Grand Basin is a must.
• Old Town Donut in Florissant: Nothing like them.
• Evening of live music and great eats: We’ll visit Herbie’s in the Central West End or have brunch at Vin de Set.

Bonus: One must stop by the new Central Library downtown on the way to have a cocktail on the rooftop of the Four Seasons.

Zoofari happens June 21, 2013. Photo by Christina Rutz, via Flickr Creative Commons.

What’s one St. Louis tradition that everyone must experience?

Zoofari. It is held biannually and is definitely worth the wait. It’s a great night.

For more information about Naretha’s projects, email her at nhopson@ever-appropriate.com.