[31] Secret Projects: is ethical business the answer?

from Ethical Hour Changemaker Chats · host Ethical Hour - Sian Conway

Secret Projects are empowering women in India. Founder Fritha was inspired to start the business when she realised that microfinance programmes had increased skills and production, but hadn't created a market for women to sell their products - which was keeping them stuck in a poverty cycle. She already had a product that was selling well in the UK market, so by shifting ethical production to India, she could solve this problem and tackle social issues too. Secret Projects now partner with NGOs and provide support on a grassroots level to empower women and their communities. Their Prevention Through Production programme supports women who are survivors, or at risk, of human trafficking. By producing Secret Sari Dresses women and girls gain access to an income generating activity in an area where there are little or no such opportunities and are thereby prevented from being trafficked or re-trafficked. Today Fritha joins me on the Ethical Hour podcast to share her story, the highs and lows of running an ethical business and why she will never stop thinking commercially about social problems. This is a must listen if you're interested in ethical fashion, conscious consumerism or starting a business to make a difference. Find out more about Secret Projects and shop the collection on their website: https://www.secretprojects.org And don't forget to follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secret.projects/ If you're interested in starting or growing a business with purpose, you can access tailored training, advice and support inside the #EthicalHour community: https://ethicalhour.co.uk/our-community/ Today's episode is brought to you by Green Gathering - a festival ‘beyond hedonism’ powered by wind, sun and people. Four days of low impact living in an area of outstanding beauty... every nook and corner bursting with music, comedy, creativity, campaigns and natural abundance. Intimate solar stages showcase up-and-coming acts, legendary festival favourites, DJs, poets, activist comedians and spellbinding raconteurs. Share wisdom and skills; find friends old and new; weave, weld and tell stories. Have a party... then wake up and put the world to rights! Take the festival spirit home with you. 1st-4th August 2019 in wooded splendour on the Welsh border just 18 miles from Bristol. Be inspired. Make change. Go to greengathering.org.uk

What this episode covers

Secret Projects are empowering women in India. Founder Fritha was inspired to start the business when she realised that microfinance programmes had increased skills and production, but hadn't created a market for women to sell their products - which was keeping them stuck in a poverty cycle. She already had a product that was selling well in the UK market, so by shifting ethical production to India, she could solve this problem and tackle social issues too. Secret Projects now partner with NGOs and provide support on a grassroots level to empower women and their communities. Their Prevention Through Production programme supports women who are survivors, or at risk, of human trafficking. By producing Secret Sari Dresses women and girls gain access to an income generating activity in an area where there are little or no such opportunities and are thereby prevented from being trafficked or re-trafficked. Today Fritha joins me on the Ethical Hour podcast to share her story, the highs and lows of running an ethical business and why she will never stop thinking commercially about social problems. This is a must listen if you're interested in ethical fashion, conscious consumerism or starting a business to make a difference. Find out more about Secret Projects and shop the collection on their website: https://www.secretprojects.org (https://www.secretprojects.org/) And don't forget to follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secret.projects/ (https://www.instagram.com/secret.projects/) If you're interested in starting or growing a business with purpose, you can access tailored training, advice and support inside the #EthicalHour community: https://ethicalhour.co.uk/our-community/ (https://ethicalhour.co.uk/our-community/) Today's episode is brought to you by Green Gathering - a festival ‘beyond hedonism’ powered by wind, sun and people. Four days of low impact living in an area of outstanding beauty... every nook and corner bursting with music, comedy, creativity, campaigns and natural abundance. Intimate solar stages showcase up-and-coming acts, legendary festival favourites, DJs, poets, activist comedians and spellbinding raconteurs. Share wisdom and skills; find friends old and new; weave, weld and tell stories. Have a party... then wake up and put the world to rights! Take the festival spirit home with you. 1st-4th August 2019 in wooded splendour on the Welsh border just 18 miles from Bristol. Be inspired. Make change. Go to greengathering.org.uk (http://greengathering.org.uk)