Renowned sociologist, Ray Oldenburg, has stood by a theory going back to the 1980’s. It’s an idea that as people we need three spaces in life. As a long-time educator, Laura Bacon became a student of this theory. She’s got it down to a science. “Home, work and then a third place where you spend time with like-minded people, there are low barriers to entry, like a barbershop or a knitting circle,” Bacon said. Bacon believes most of us spend majority of our time at home and work, but leave little room for that third space; especially for women of color trying to navigate the world of entrepreneurship. She would dedicate the next four years to a passion project where she could create that place and now “The 3rd” Community Co-Working and Cafe is up and running at the Columbia waterfront. Bacon believes being a woman in business for herself has helped her connect with other like-minded women. “What’s beautiful about me being an entrepreneur as well is that we’re all on this journey tog...