Rebecca Kelly, 36, manages Goodwill’s newest retail store at 405 S. James Campbell Blvd. in Columbia. Leading a crew of about 40, she describes herself as a “leader, coach, mentor, teacher — and sometimes a therapist.” She is also responsible for merchandise sales, hiring, scheduling, opening and closing the store, cleaning and much more.

Becky had her oldest child when she was just 16. The Columbia native took a job at a department store and completed high school while taking care of her son. She later worked for a local printing company until having her third child and deciding she wanted to stay home with her kids. “That lasted about six months,” she recalls. “I needed to get out and do something — mainly for my sanity.” In 2002, she learned Goodwill was hiring in nearby Lewisburg, and — though she had never been inside a Goodwill before — applied and was hired as a part-time sales associate. She was quickly promoted several times and within a year and a half was named the manager of Goodwill’s Columbia store. She has held the position ever since. “I never thought this little part-time job would turn into an almost 15-year career,” she said.

What are some of the challenges you face? Not being able to help everyone. When someone comes to you and needs a job, and you can’t give them what they need for whatever reason, it makes you feel bad. Everyone deserves a chance at a better life.