A year ago, I had an awesome job. I was the Entertainment editor for the web site of a large, non-profit publishing company. I had a great salary and friendly co-workers, and I regularly received CDs and books to review for the site. I got to go to free concerts and interviews with my favorite musicians. But I wasn't happy.

I was stressed and out of shape. I was tired of sitting behind a desk all day. I wondered if it was too late to change the path that my career had taken. Could I find something that would lead to more fulfilling life?

One day I was shopping with my sister-in-law, and she refused to go into a couple of stores due to their manufacturing principles that were known to involve sweatshop labor. From her and several other friends, I started learning about fair trade, a movement that involves paying fair wages to artisans for their wares and encouraging the growth of manufacturing communities instead of chaining them to corporate machines.

I began to look for ways that I could shop responsibly and ensure that my purchases were building communities instead of crippling them. As I searched for fair trade clothing and other items, I discovered that these products were sold at higher prices than what I or many of my friends could afford.

Gradually, I realized that I wanted to bring fair trade products into my community, and I wanted to make them available at a price almost anyone could pay. College students and single-income families deserved a way to shop responsibly as much as people with income to spare.

It took a lot of preparation and a lot of support. My husband continued to work while I pursued my dreams. Friends provided priceless encouragement that allowed me to continue the pursuit. Most importantly, I had to establish a CCO - a Chief Courage Officer - for the company. For me, this was God, who assured me that the success or failure of my fledging business would not determine my worth as a human being.

And here I am, selling fair trade and independent products with ghia, my very own web store. I'm supporting causes and artists that I value and allowing others to do the same.

Some days I do long for the security of a steady job and the luxuries that life brought me. But the experience of starting my business has been an incredible growth process for me, and I do not regret my decision. Whether my business succeeds or fails, I have learned that with planning, support, and courage, I can make a difference in my community and my world.

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