Vernon and Gina discuss the evolution of her business, how she and her husband Marc have integrated cooperative principles into their business practices, and how they have been able to open 11 stores in several markets in twelve years. Gina Schaefer is the Co-Founder and CEO of 11 Ace Hardware stores located in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Maryland, and Alexandria, Virginia. She is a passionate entrepreneur who grew her company from one to eleven stores in a twelve year period, and with her husband leads a multi-million dollar small business that employs 240 people. Gina has tirelessly focused on the Return to Main Street movement in her own city of Washington D.C. to promote Shop Local campaigns and community revitalization projects in urban areas. She serves on the Ace Hardware Corporation and CCA Global Partners, Inc. Board of Directors and is a member of the Ace Center for Excellence. She also serves on the non-profit boards of House of Ruth, Jubilee Jobs, and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.
