Guest– Margo Walsh
Encore Ep. 32: Second ChancesThat Work: How Margo Walsh Is Transforming Lives ThroughEmployment — and Changing Business in the Process - A Special Encore Presentation of BlueSky
Margo Walsh is an entrepreneur on a mission to prove that second chances are good for business. As founder of MaineWorks—a certified B-Corp—she has built a model that connects people with substance use disorder and/or criminal records to meaningful employment in the construction sector, tackling two of society's most persistent challenges at once.
MaineWorks doesn't just find jobs for people—it sets them up to succeed. Through the non-profit she co-founded with her sister, Margo ensures that returning workers have what they need to show up and thrive: like proper clothing, boots, transportation, and the basic building blocks of a fresh start.
What began in Maine has grown into a regional movement, expanding across New England and serving as a replicable blueprint for companies and communities across the country. Margo's work has earned widespread recognition and multiple awards—and in this episode, she shares what it was like to attend a State of the Union address as a senator's guest, a testament to the national impact of her vision.
This is a story about optimism in action—and what becomes possible when we invest in people others have written off.
Resources:
MaineWorks: Website Facebook LinkedIn
Margo Walsh: LinkedIn Facebook
Chapters
00:00 Employing the Unemployable
02:13 MaineWorks: A Staffing Agency with a Mission
05:42 Recruitment and Retention Challenges
09:10 Margo’s Passion and Mission
13:42 United Recovery Fund: Addressing Basic Needs
17:10 Expansion and Industry Focus
20:01 Supporting New Americans
23:26 Navigating Systems and Maximizing Value
27:00 Engaging Business for Social Impact
31:26 The Value of B Corp Status
34:14 State of the Union and Future Aspirations
39:58 Optimism and Call to Action
Listen to full episode :
