My name is Rachel Hensold. I was sold on the concept of social organizations the moment I bought my first pair of Tom’s shoes. Social organizations are businesses that fund a solution to a social issue, such as selling a pair of shoes to provide a pair of shoes, or providing individuals who have experienced homelessness with job training and stability. During my time at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, I learned about business and marketing strategies, while being drawn to missions that promote the empowerment of people. I learned a lot about the inner-workings of a business, but felt something was missing. I pursued a Master’s in Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, and gained a degree and a love for the people that make up the Saint Louis City neighborhoods.