Recovery Hardware: A Nuts and Bolts Story About Building a Business, Restoring a Community, and Renovating Lives

Once a lively hub of industry and entertainment, Washington, DC's, Logan Circle crumbled in the aftermath of the 1968 riots. Decades of neglect led to boarded-up buildings, overgrown and littered sidewalks, and widespread drug use and addiction. Laid off again and tired of the tech industry, Gina Schaefer needed a fresh start. Determined to bring her neighborhood back to life, Gina opened her first hardware store near Whitman-Walker's Addiction Services program. What began as an effort to help her community recover evolved into a safe space for countless people in recovery to rebuild their lives. Recovery Hardware shares the powerful true story of A Few Cool Hardware Stores' CEO Gina Schaefer's path to building an innovative business that revitalized her urban community and provided opportunities for everyone to thrive, no matter their past. You'll discover: Unexpected, heartwarming, and sometimes heart-wrenching lessons from resilient employees who struggled with substance abuse. Surprising business ethics and customer-service skills from unconventional backgrounds that you won't find on a résumé. How to put bravery, empathy, and trust into the backbone of your workplace culture. Humorous insights into retail store ownership, like how to choose the right store dog or not screw up inventory. Workforce solutions to remove obstacles for people in recovery—because you can't judge anyone by the best or worst thing they've ever done. Second chances transform communities and change lives—and it starts with one business at a time. Get Recovery Hardware and start building a better business where growth gives back.