I chose a career in the nonprofit sector because I wanted to make an impact and help people. I love my work in the nonprofit sector, however recently I have been reading about the amazing work of socially responsible businesses.

I co-lead a book club for the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network [1] in which a local publisher Berrett-Koehler [2] has provided us some free books to read in the club. Two of those books are part of a series written by the Social Venture Network [3]. I really enjoyed reading "True to Yourself [4]" by Mark Albion and learning about all these amazing socially responsible businesses like Wild Planet Toys [5] and the Immaculate Baking Company [6].

When my family and I were in Yosemite this past weekend I ran into a friend from High School whom I hadn't seen in ten years. I learned that she runs her own socially responsible designer purse company Helena de Natalio [7] that she started in Argentina after she served in the Peace Corps in Paraguay. She pays a living wage to her Argentinean artisans and uses wonderful local quality materials. I was also happy to learn that she donates 5% of her profits to Ashoka [8] an organization that helps aspiring social entrepreneurs.

Now I don't normally spent very much money on purses, however I am seriously considering purchasing one of her purses because it is awesome to know that my purse was hand made and the artisan receives a living wage for their work. Plus—the material is so nice and soft!