On this episode of Less Traveled, your co-host Ikenna Eruchalu interviews Andrew Witherspoon, the co-founder and co-president of the Chicago Furniture Bank and the Honest Junk Company. This young hustler has a passion for helping others and giving people the second chance they need to live in comfort. These two 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations are improving the human and living experience of people in need of furniture in the supporting housing community in inner city of Chicago 🏘

0:00 - 6:54 - Andrew talks about his background growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, what led him to Penn, and the life experiences that motivated him to pursue his passion in starting his first 501(c)(3) non-profit.

6:54 - 20:46 - We get insight into how Andrew started his first 501(c)(3) non-profit with his 2 co-founders James McPhail and Griffin Amdur leading them to winning the President's Engagement Prize in May 2018, one of Penn's most prestigious awards for undergraduate students. He also discusses the ways in which the Chicago Furniture Bank serves people within Chicago's community and the process of building a non-profit from the ground up.

20:46 - 26:13 - Andrew describes the process of how he started The Honest Junk Company, his second 501(c)(3) non-profit he founded in February 2020 that supplies furniture and funds for The Chicago Furniture Bank. He also gives insight into how he monitors the performance of both non-profits through key metrics and other Key Performance Indicators (KPI's).

26:13 - 32:08 - Here comes COVID-19: Andrew discusses how the pandemic effected both the Chicago Furniture Bank and the Honest Junk Company.

32:08 - 36:16 - Overcoming challenges: Andrew discusses some of the biggest challenges and lessons learned when starting the Chicago Furniture Bank and The Honest Junk Company.

36:16 - 38:17 - The future of the Chicago Furniture Bank and The Honest Junk Company and his views on where these two non-profits will be 5 years from now.

38:17 - 41:16 - Health and Wellness: Andrew discusses some of the hobbies he does that helps keep him grounded despite the hectic schedule of running 2 non-profits.

41:16 - 46:29 - How do you define success? Andrew gives us insight into how he personally defines success.

Chicago Furniture Bank Website

Honest Junk Company Website

Less Traveled Instagram: @lesstraveledpod

🔥Don't forget to like and subscribe to stay tuned for more episodes 🔥

#nonprofit #chicago #furniture #bank #city #housing #realestate #community #entrepreneurship #business #wharton #pitching #motivation #challenge #persistence #grit #grind #young #hustler