Secret Projects Is Up For Sale

Secret Projects Is Up For Sale

 27th Nov 2019 |  Invest |  Fritha Mason


Founded 7 years ago, by Fritha Mason, Secret Projects vision is a world where all women have the confidence and resources to make their own choices for themselves and their children. Working throughout 5 Indian states, Secret Projects empowers women through the making and selling of homewares. Fritha built up a global customer base by transferring her skills as a charity fundraiser to rewards based crowdfunding, using UK based Crowdfunder as a platform, who exist to support people who have an idea that might just change the world!  After a series of very successful campaigns, Secret Projects now has over 3,000 customers.As we enter our eighth year, we are now working with over 300 women from marginalised communities, with good sewing skills who make our charming and foldable Secret Products. Although we pay the women twice the minimum wage for the items they make, they have big dreams and don’t want handouts or to be beneficiaries. Simply put, they want to earn their own income and many dream of opening sewing units and taking the goods they make to market themselves.  One of our Makers, Shylaja has managed to do just that and embodies why we do what we do. Read Shylaja’s story.At the same time, homes all over the world are full of Secret Products from Secret Pillows through to our Secret Sari Dresses and to move forward, we decided that we needed to bring these 2 elements together and as a result, Secret Projects is now up for sale!We have transformed Secret Projects into a Community Benefit Society, which means that people anywhere in the world can buy shares and invest in our vision. We are currently running our most challenging crowdfunding appeal to date, to sell these shares and raise £150,000 to expand our business to reach even more women and we are thrilled to be working with Crowdfunder once again.  Crowdfunding is never easy. It’s high maintenance, high energy and needs constant input and attention, but we do have some expert guidance from the excellent team at Crowdfunder, who we are delighted to be working with once again  We couldn’t be better supported!  They have provided us with skilful coaching, as we developed our appeal and freely given ideas for marketing, promotion and contacts. Most importantly, Crowdfunder are always on hand as we go through our campaign to give us advice and encouragement. Knowing they are there for us makes life whilst crowdfunding so much easier – their energy and drive is infectious!To learn more about Secret Projects vision and the full details of our appeal click HERE.

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Introducing the Secret Projects Dig Dog Range for pets!

Introducing the Secret Projects Dig Dog Range for pets!

Our latest range is for our four-legged friends! Introducing the Secret Projects Dig Dog range for pets! Pets love scraps and so do we! Made from the . . . scrap pieces of fabric left over from production of our other collections, we knew that our latest range for pets would go down a storm with pets and their owners alike! Although the bandannas are perhaps more appreciated by the owners than their furry companion, every dog will just love that each bandana comes with a matching treat bag - and all pet lovers know just how important treats are! Very handily, our little bags have a secure drawstring, so treats stay safely inside whilst out on a walk. Cuteness aside, (and this range is so cute...) our Dig Dog range is made for us by our Makers (the name we give to the women who lovingly stitch our products) and each woman is paid a fair wage for her skills and is able to use the money she earns with us to support herself, her children and her family. So, your pet is responsible for empowering women economically! Woof! The Dig Dog range is available in a range of sizes and pattern and colours - so you can be sure to find something that is perfect for your pooch! Click here to view the full collection.   Image: Coco and Biscuit resplendent in their Dig Dog range bandannas!      
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Our first destash!

Our first destash!

What to do on a rainy Sunday? Hold our very first destash! You may be asking what a destash is?  In short, it's a call out to people to go through old . . . sewing supplies and fabric etc. and donate it to a good cause. With that good cause being Secret Projects! We set up in the Pulborough Village Hall (which is close to where our Business Unit is), and, through various advertising methods, the word had spread and we were delighted to welcome scores of people who came along with their very gratefully received donations. Donations weren't just brought in on the day, we had parcels sent to us and others dropped supplies round to our CEO's house in Pulborough ahead of the official destash day. In total we collected 325 kilos of delici0us pre-loved sewing supplies. Much of the fabric donated has been sorted and will be made up into our ever popular and best selling scrap packs available through our eBay and Etsy Stores. In fact, we now have over 30 different scrap packs to purchase and more will be added, so do keep visiting our stores. We are still taking donations and if you do have any fabric or pre-loved sewing supplies, please do get in touch via fritha@secretprojects.org And of course the most enormous thank you everyone who donated to, and also helped us run our very first destash! More to come! Let's hear it for destashing!   Image: offering a cup of tea to all who came along to the destash was one way of us saying a big thank you.
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We would LOVE you to donate any unwanted sewing supplies to us!

We would LOVE you to donate any unwanted sewing supplies to us!

We can make such good use of your pre-loved sewing supplies We have added various items of pre-loved sewing supplies to our online stores, including . . . scrap fabrics and buttons for the past few years and it has developed into a small but very good source of income for our Community Benefit Society. The pre-loved sewing supplies market is only getting stronger and is something we are keen to develop and grow and are therefore putting out an 'ask' to our customers and supporters (and of course, anyone else who reads this!) for your old sewing items. We would LOVE them! Ideas for sewing supplies donations! From scrap fabric, to buttons, to pins, to needles, to embroidery equipment, we would adore to talk to you about what you have. Sewing items can often have sentimental value - in fact, our Comms Manager, Margaret was just telling us about a pin cushion she has of her mother's that she could only give away to someone who would really appreciate, and make good use of. Maybe this has resonated with you. So, if you do have sewing supplies you would like to donate, please email Fritha Vincent Mason at: fritha@secretprojects.org. We would just LOVE your pre-loved sewing supplies!  
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