Meet The Founders


Laurin B. Cowling grew up in a suburb of Chicago and spent many childhood summers visiting family in England. Laurin studied Theater at Hope College, then spent a number of years working in the hotel industry for Fairmont Hotels and Marriott Corporation before returning to "the classroom" - this time studying Interior Design at Chicago's International Academy. Since 1998 Laurin has owned and operated his own successful design business, serving clients in Chicago and the North Shore, as well as the western suburbs. His high-end design aesthetic has also transformed homes from California to Maine.

Laurin is passionate about travel, the arts, and book collecting. He is a voracious reader of fiction. He loves to write in his spare time, and hopes someday to have a novel published. He has volunteered with Earthwatch on archeological digs in Italy and Romania, and has attended Oxford University's summer program twice, studying Literature and living at Christ Church College.

The creation of ShopForGood.net marks a new direction and a new opportunity for Laurin to pursue his dream of making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.



Troy Wilson grew up in a small town in central Michigan. His family operated a couple of retail stores, which planted an entrepreneurial seed in his mind at a young age. After getting his MBA at Michigan State University, Troy's path led him to the Technology Finance business, where he continues to work today.

Now, almost thirty years after Michigan State and a couple of job relocations, Troy finds himself in Oak Park, Illinois living very happily with his partner Laurin (of 20 years) and his two Basset Hounds, Pierre and Max. Check out the dog's Ambassador Page, you will love it!

Over the years, Troy has volunteered as a Big Brother, been a volunteer for the Coalition for Literacy, and volunteered on an Earthwatch Expedition in Chile to do work to study endangered species.

ShopForGood.net has become a passion for Troy, combining his interest in social and environmental issues along with his background in both business and technology. Additionally, the entrepreneurial spark that he received from his parents was another essential ingredient that made it all come together.

Troy looks forward to working with a community of like-minded organizations and consumers to build a tool that can make a meaningful contribution to a better planet.



Laurin and Troy met in December of 1990, and have been a couple ever since. They have lived in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, as well as Edgewater, on the city's north-side. Since 1996, they have lived in the historic suburb of Oak Park, noted for its architecture (Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio is there, as well as several Wright-designed homes) and for its literary history (Ernest Hemingway's birth place, as well as the residence of Edgar Rice Burroughs). The Oak Park community is also known nationally for its progressive politics and its thriving artistic enclave.

Laurin and Troy share their home with two Basset Hounds, Pierre and Max, who really run the household! In their spare time, Laurin and Troy love to cook, take advantage of Chicago's vibrant restaurant scene, and increase their wine knowledge. Whenever possible, they love to travel, especially to Europe, where they always manage to stumble into some amazingly unique experiences.

With Troy's solid background in finance and "Corporate America" and Laurin's eclectic artistic background, the two make an interesting pair! The development of ShopForGood.net has utilized Laurin and Troy's individual talents and created a great forum for blending their talents into something they are equally proud of.

Laurin and Troy are marking their 20th year together with the launch of ShopForGood.net - the culmination of their joint entrepreneurial vision. They hope that ShopForGood.net will become one of your favorite sites, and that you will help to spread the word, so that many fantastic organizations can continue to do good work!