It’s perfect.

“It’s… Promising,” I say, trying to play it cool, even as my body fizzes with excitement. I can already imagine the place full of activity, with vats of product bubbling on the stoves, and a mini-packing production line over in that corner… “Is there any flexibility on the rent?”

The realtor smooths her jacket. “Maybe. The last tenants cleared out in a hurry, but a place like this won’t last. You’ll need to move fast.”

I pause, running the math. All the other listings she sent were eye poppingly overpriced, and this is close enough to the city, a decent square footage…

“OK, I’ll take it,” I announce with a jolt of anticipation.

“Perfect! I’ll send the lease agreement over, and we’ll need the deposit check by end of business tomorrow.”

I nod. “Done.”

I wish I could linger in the space for hours, but she has another appointment—and so do I. Catching the subway, I ride back to the city, and head to the women’s center, my excitement growing with every stop.

It’s really happening.

All my vision boarding, daydreaming, and late-night plans are finally coming to fruition. I’m not just going to be blending up products in my kitchen sink or hawking my products around the bodegas and local drugstores anymore. I’ll have real lab space, proper equipment, and soon, actual employees.

Which leads me to my next mission of the day.

“Hi Suze,” I greet the day manager, walking through the front door of the center.

She looks surprised to see me. “You’re early. I thought your workshop wasn’t until six.”

“It is,” I say. I run a monthly ‘closet angel’ session, helping our members put together outfits for job interviews and other important occasions. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you. Do you have a minute?”

“Sure.” Suze leads me to her cramped office, moving boxes and files off a chair to find me room to sit. “What’s on your mind?”

“Well… You know I have my business, creating makeup products,” I start. “I have an investor now, so I can really get things off the ground. I’m leasing workshop space, and I’ll be hiring some people to come work with me, making the products, dealing with shipments and fulfilment, that kind of thing.”

“Uh huh,” Suze nods, “That sounds great, but I don’t know where I come in.”

“I’d like to recruit through the center,” I say, taking a deep breath. “I know you have links to job schemes, helping women get back in the workforce. I’ll be training people anyway to create the products, and I know what a difference a stable job can make. I’d like the company to be a positive force at every level, from the employees up.”

Suze looks surprised. “Are you sure? A lot of our members would love an opportunity like this, but there is a risk of higher turnover for you. More instability.”

“I know.” I reply. “But I think it’s worth it, to build a company that’s really doing something that matters. The work is entry-level, but I’ll be offering basic benefits, and training. It could be a great fit.”