Meet The Founder

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Carol Rey is the visionary Founder and CEO of The Elite School of Etiquette, a global etiquette and social refinement company dedicated to transforming how children and adults show up in the world—with confidence, grace, and intention.

Raised by parents she affectionately describes as “two perfectionists who encouraged free thinking,” Carol learned early that presence is more than appearance. It is understanding how to enter a space, how to engage once you arrive, and how to leave a lasting impression rooted in respect and authenticity. She often begins her classes with a timeless truth reimagined for today’s world: “You have seven seconds to make a first impression.” From that moment on, her students are immersed in the art and impact of intentional living.

With over 26 years as an educator, Carol brings both depth and relatability to her work. She is a Certified Etiquette and Fine Dining Consultant through the American School of Protocol and the published author of Etiquette for the Savvy Professional and Your Manners Are Your Beauty, resources that have positioned her as a sought-after authority in etiquette, leadership presence, and social polish. Affectionately referred to by many of her students as “The Etiquette Queen,” Carol’s warmth, life experience, and practical approach make etiquette accessible, empowering, and relevant.

Carol’s expertise has been trusted by leading organizations and institutions across the country. Her clients and collaborators include VISA, Disney, and the New York City School System, where she has led etiquette and professional development workshops for faculty, students, and emerging professionals. In the entertainment space, she has appeared as an etiquette expert and engaging personality on Married at First Sight, Unmatchable (Lifetime), Toya: A Family Affair (VH1), and Love & Marriage: Huntsville (OWN).

Coming full circle in 2023, Carol returned to the NFL in a new and powerful way. Once an Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader herself, she became an official etiquette coach and partner for the Atlanta Falcons, preparing rookie players with the social, dining, and professional skills needed both on and off the field.

Founded in 2018 as a part-time passion project, The Elite School of Etiquette is now Carol’s full-time mission. After more than two decades in education, she took a bold leap of faith to build a company rooted in the belief that etiquette is not about perfection—it’s about how you make others feel. Her work spans charm classes for children, corporate etiquette training, youth leadership programs, fine dining instruction, and her personal favorite: the etiquette of taking tea, where tradition, conversation, and connection meet.

Expanding her impact even further, Carol established The Elite Socialite Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit committed to serving youth through etiquette education, social development programming, and exceptional cultural field experiences. Through this work, she is intentionally shaping the next generation of leaders—young people who embody respect, empathy, confidence, and excellence in every room they enter.

A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Nu Lambda Omega Chapter, an NFL Alumni Cheerleader, and the devoted mother of an intelligent and charming young man, Carol Rey continues to raise the bar in etiquette education worldwide. She firmly believes that you are never too young—or too seasoned—to learn the power of presence, and that great manners and dining skills can open doors that even friends and family cannot.

Together with her carefully curated team at The Elite School of Etiquette, Carol is building more than a brand—she is cultivating a movement dedicated to refinement, empowerment, and a more gracious world.