The “average” American will reportedly have anywhere from five to seven careers in his/her lifetime. Since all I’ve ever wanted to be is a writer, I’m not quite sure how to work that one out.

Although after reading Judi Henderson-Town’s career change, a la retail love story – I’m open to the possibility that anything can happen.

See, if someone had told Henderson-Town 15 years ago that she would be working with mannequins and helping revolutionize the green aspects of mannequins, she might have said you were crazy.

She was part of the dot-com industry after all. A personal mannequin art project (bedazzled with mosaic tiles no less) and Craigslist led her to discover the possibilities of working with mannequins.

Today, Henderson-Town operates the highly successful San Francisco-based Mannequin Madness, which is certified green (courtesy of the Environmental Protect Agency) for recycling 100,000 pounds of mannequins – and that was just in one year! At Mannequin Madness, they collect used mannequins, make them like new again and then rent or resell them.

Fabulous way to be eco-friendly and be in retail, isn’t it?

Even better is that major retailers get how important this is and now have Mannequin Madness on speed dial when they have mannequins to off load or need something special. They’ve worked with retailers such as Nordstrom, Talbots, Macy's, Kohl's and Ralph Lauren to recycle their mannequins, as well as Nike, bebe and The Gap.

And to think it was all sort of an accident.

How are you making your mark in the retail world? Know of other businesses that are leveraging their smarts and green abilities to make the Earth healthier? Leave your comments here!

-Heather Strang

*Photo: MSNBC.