When Piece & Co. founder Kathleen Wright graduated from the University of Illinois with a business degree, she knew she wanted to work with women in developing countries, but what that looked like wasn’t exactly clear.

Fast-forward nine years (after a five-year stint in the private sector and four years with a nonprofit), and Kathleen found her calling. In 2012, Wright launched Piece & Co., a Chicago-based company that connects global artisans with brands that source socially responsible products.

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