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. >> reporter: 25 years ago, mike hannigan and sean makes were selling copiers when they saw an actorut his name on a bottle of salad dressing and thought, why not in us. >> we felt that we could do what we were doing in corporate america but add what paul newman's company was doing with donating the profits to community organizations. >> thank you for calling give something back. >> reporter: that's how give something back office pluto in oakland began. the business partners also call it the beginning of the socially responsible business movement. >> so when we first started, this was a really alien concept. >> reporter: their concept? sell office supplies and furniture and give their profits away. >> how can you make a profit and then give it away and succeed in business? but the more -- but it's obviously possible. >> reporter: so possible that during the past 2.5 decades, while expanding their business from the bay area to the western u.s., sean and mike have been able to donate 73% of their net earnings, more than $6 million to nonprofits that are nominated and chosen by the comp

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