Monica Lin

Bachelor's

Psychology

Computer Science

Cecil & Violet Corporation

Founder and Chairwoman of the Board

- From August 2015 to July 2015, after volunteering in Peru, I started the process of creating my - nonprofit - I worked on paperwork, called lawyers, and researched methods of running an effective - After my experience in Thailand and Laos, seeing many people make beautiful textiles but having no place to sell them because they are in restricted third world communities and face language - and technological barriers that limit their access to global trade - As for the legal paperwork, I wrote the newfound mission of my nonprofit, the constitution, and bylaws - and I filed the papers of incorporation and sent all necessary information to the IRS and the state of California - Now, I work with an accountant to report Cecil & Violet's taxes to the IRS - I interviewed and hired an accountant, a secretary, and a president of the board, who all work pro bono - so we can pay the textile workers more and use our profits to invest in more production and better - infrastructure the textile workers' communities - I also hired a designer from San Francisco to design and create the clothing products aimed toward teenagers and young adults - As of now, products are available - I am - exploring strategies to sell the products at department stores like Macy's and Nordstrom - In Summer 2016, I raised $60,000 in four weeks by calling my parent's friends and explaining my - nonprofit's mission - They quickly donated, saying they found it inspirational that as an adolescent, I was - already trying to do something on such a large scale - I also donated $5,000 to Opportunity International, - which works to offer better financial resources to communities in third world countries through microloans, forming a partnership, and becoming a governor of it