A conversation with Mary Fuller on transforming recovery journeys into empowerment, community, and practical support—one handcrafted product at a time.
The Power of Purposeful Work in Recovery
On a recent episode of The Sober Curator podcast, host Alysse Bryson and co-host Tamar Routley welcomed Mary Fuller, public relations and community awareness supervisor at Her Second Chance, for an inspiring dialogue about new beginnings, creative empowerment, and the tangible ways we can support women in recovery. Her Second Chance, based in sunny Boca Raton, Florida, isn’t just another nonprofit: it’s a vital launchpad for women rebuilding their lives after substance use disorders, and they do it one personalized mug, tumbler, and intention bracelet at a time.
From the moment Mary began sharing her experiences, it was evident that Her Second Chance isn’t about charity—it’s about creating opportunities that foster purpose, confidence, and long-lasting change. “We’ve had graduates recently who have just made my heart explode,” Mary said, recalling women who arrived unable to make eye contact, only to blossom into confident, employable individuals in a matter of months.
Creating with Intention: The Social Enterprise Model
So, how does Her Second Chance work? Mary explained that it’s a nonprofit social enterprise offering transitional employment and support programs for women in recovery. Their main social enterprise is a multi-faceted business: they run an e-commerce shop, maintain an active Etsy presence, and even take on business-to-business (B2B) orders for corporate gifts and event swag.
Here’s the twist—all their products are handcrafted by the women in their program. Gifts like mugs and candles aren’t just merchandise; they’re milestones in someone’s return to the workforce. As Mary put it perfectly, “We like to always say it’s purchase with a purpose.” When you buy from Her Second Chance, you directly support recovery journeys—the bold stat on their site reads: every purchase equals 22 minutes of paid employment for a woman in recovery…