Join Secret Projects Social Investor Core. Give a loan to empower women in India and support leadership

 27th Jul 2020 |  Invest |  Margaret Ring


Secret Projects Social Investor Core is a group of passionate and committed social investors that Secret Projects has borrowed funds from, offering a competitive interest rate on these loans in return. Over the last five years, we have opened up a number of investment 'rounds' and have been fortunate to have worked with a body of entrepreneurial and like-minded creditors who all share our vision of a world where all women have the confidence and resources to make choices, thrive and contribute to the strengthening of their communities. Over the last 5 years we have been able to borrow £37,000 from this group and have repaid £21,000 of the money borrowed at maturity date with interest.

The loan terms are:
  • Loan Period - 3 years
  • Interest rate - 3% interest per annum.
  • Minimum loan - £500

Interest will be paid yearly, but an investor can choose to have their interest rolled over to the following year.

These loans have made a huge difference to the impact we have been able to make in India. Using the precious money wisely we have been able to create more Maker Groups to give women an opportunity to not only earn a good and fair income, but to also have an opportunity to develop their leadership and entrepreneurial skills through our 4 stage Virtual Training for Empowerment Programme.

If you would like to join the Secret Projects Investor Core and become one of our creditors or talk to us in more  detail about this opportunity to use your money to empower women, please email invest@secretprojects.org

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Business in a Box for Christmas time! Lean production in action!

Business in a Box for Christmas time! Lean production in action!

We are so excited to present Business in a Box for Christmas time! So simple and helps take the faff out of your Christmas shopping and we are . . . offering an early bird discount of 10% to celebrate the launch! Use code: earlybirdbusinessinabox (when shopping in GBP) Use code: earlybirdbusinessinaboxusa (when shopping in US Dollars) A little more about Business in a Box... Our Makers in India need to work. Our Customers across the globe want to buy sustainable and ethical Christmas gifts. We want to begin our lean production model. So, mix this all together and hey presto, we give you Business in a Box for Christmas time! Order a box from this Collection and our Makers will immediately begin work to lovingly stitch each Secret Product in your box! These will then be shipped to our UK warehouse by the end of November, giving us plenty of time to place them into a beautiful box to pop in the post to be with you well before Christmas. Your gorgeous box will also contain Christmas cards as well as newspaper gift bags for each item, to make life even easier! Choose from small, medium or large, each one packed full a selection of stunning Secret Products and, more importantly, women's economic empowerment! Click here to shop in GBP Click here to shop in US Dollar Don't forget to add your early bird discount code for your Business in a Box for Christmas time!  
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Lean production - our most innovative and exciting production model to date

Lean production - our most innovative and exciting production model to date

The background to our decision to move to a lean production model As many of our Customers, Shareholders and Friends probably know, we have proudly . . . shipped Secret Products (the name we give to our Ranges of clothing and homeware) from India to all corners of the world for a number of years. We are sure, however, that you won't be surprised when we say that since the global pandemic began, things have changed enormously. One major change has been the reduction in the number of flights leaving India that has translated into the cost of transportation increasing significantly, to the point where for now, it has become too expensive for us to ship from India. As a business, we needed to look at alternative ways to get our goods to Customers and we have taken the decision to move the fulfilment of Secret Products to our unit in West Sussex in the UK, as this is the most cost effective way forward for us at present. We were of course, initially disappointed about this, knowing that we could no longer hold stock in our Indian unit. However, on reflection, we soon realised that it was actually a blessing in disguise and a way that we could realise one of our business dreams, to begin lean production. What is lean production? In simple terms, it's about producing only what has been ordered by our Customers, retailers and wholesalers. What are the benefits?  As no stock is held it makes good economic sense. Couple this with the reduced environmental impact that making to order brings and it's a smart way to manufacture, supporting the sustainable fashion and homeware concept- something we are passionate about. What does this mean for our Maker Community?  For the next 3 months, from now until the end of December 2021, each order that is placed will be 'made to order' by the women of our Maker Community, who will receive a good income for each Secret Product they stitch. In short, every order will drive immediate business for the women and the money they earn will be paid into their bank accounts on the 15th of each month, meaning they can budget confidently to support their children and families. The women constantly tell us 2 things...   Firstly, they don't want handouts, they are business women who want to earn their income and that is exactly what they do as Secret Projects Makers. Secondly, they want to know more about Secret Projects Customers who they lovingly stitch for. Making to order and holding no stock gives a wonderful opportunity for us to tell the women exactly who they are making the items for, their names and where they live! The women of our Maker Community lie at the very heart of Secret Projects and providing on-going and sustainable income generating opportunities for each one is our sole purpose and we constantly strive to find new, innovative ways of production to support this aim.  Lean production is our most exciting production model to date and we believe it will be a highly effective way forward for our business and to help the women earn much needed income following the effects of the pandemic on the population and communities. We are delighted to begin lean production with another exciting development for Secret Projects - Business in a Box at Christmas time. Read more about this here.
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The Secret Projects 2021 Christmas Edit! There are so many ways to shop with us this Christmas time!

The Secret Projects 2021 Christmas Edit! There are so many ways to shop with us this Christmas time!

Our Christmas Edit - come shopping with us and economically empower women in India! We are delighted to offer a number of ways that we can help with . . . Christmas gift buying. From our Business in a Box that takes the 'faff' out of present buying to a great idea for that person who you never know what to buy! Please read on... Business in a Box at Christmas time! So simple and helps take the faff out of your Christmas shopping and we are offering a 10% discount on each box! Use code: earlybirdbusinessinabox (when shopping in GBP) Use code: earlybirdbusinessinaboxusa (when shopping in US Dollars) Our Makers in India need to work. Our Customers across the globe want to buy sustainable and ethical Christmas gifts. Mix this all together and hey presto, we give you Business in a Box for Christmas! Order a box from this Collection and our Makers will immediately begin work to lovingly stitch each Secret Product in your box! These will then be shipped to our UK warehouse in plenty of time to place them into a beautiful box to pop in the post to be with you well before Christmas. Your gorgeous box will also contain Christmas cards as well as newspaper gift bags for each item, to make life even easier! Choose from small, medium or large, each one packed full a selection of stunning Secret Products and, more importantly, women's economic empowerment! Please order by November 30th at the latest. Click the links below to shop for Business in a Box on our UK and US retail stores: Business in a Box shop in GBP Business in a Box shop in US Dollars Visit us to shop for your gifts in person or virtually at our business unit in West Sussex... We have some gorgeous Secret Products, from our signature Secret Pillows to our useful and reusable Secret Shopping Bags (great for stocking fillers!), waiting for you at our business unit in Pulborough, West Sussex. Why not pay us a visit either in person or virtually to do some seasonal gift buying? We are open for shopping each Monday, Thursday or Saturday and our CEO, Fritha will step into the role of sales assistant and, of course, share the wonderful story behind each Secret Product. Our business unit is housed in the gorgeous West Sussex countryside and the area is charming, with quaint market towns, ancient churches and great places to eat, so you could make a day of it! Please let us know that you would like to come and shop with us by emailing events@secretprojects.org, giving the date and rough time you will be arriving. We look forward to welcoming you! Sponsor Secret Face Masks for India as a gift for a loved one, or instead of sending Christmas cards and help us to reach a new target!  As many of you will know, we launched our Sponsor Secret Face Masks for India appeal in April 2021 in response to the second wave of Covid-19 in India to make and distribute 10,000 Secret Face Masks to communities in India, free of charge. Thanks to the generosity of many sponsors, we have been able to distribute over 2000 masks to hundreds of adults and children in remote regions of The Sundarbans and Andhra Pradesh. Huge thanks to everyone who has contributed. We have a request. Can you help us to make and distribute a further 1000 masks in these areas? Again, thanks to the kindness of sponsors, we currently have enough funds to make and give out a further 500 masks AND we want to be able to double this figure!  To help us reach this latest challenge, we have given our appeal a new angle for Christmas time! Why not sponsor a pack/s of face masks as a gift for a friend or loved one, or instead of sending Christmas cards? As a Christmas gift... This is a wonderful gift to give on so many levels... not least for that one person who you never know what to buy... Sponsorship costs are £20 for a pack of children's Secret Face Masks and £25 for a pack of adult's face masks. That's $30 and $35 respectively if you are shopping at our US online shop. Instead of sending Christmas cards... Many of us are now choosing to make a contribution to a cause close to our hearts instead of sending Christmas cards. If this is you, why not sponsor a pack/s of Secret Face Masks? (Costs above.) When you sponsor a pack/s of Secret Face Mask/s we will send you a choice of 2 links to use either to send to the lucky recipient if giving as a gift, or for social media if contributing rather than sending greeting cards: Instead of buying you a Christmas present Instead of sending Christmas cards Both, you will notice are expertly voiced by our very own Sumathi, SP's General Manager in India! Click the links below to sponsor Secret Face Masks for India! Sponsor Secret Face Masks for India in GBP Sponsor Secret Face Masks for India in US Dollars Give the gift of ethical investment this Christmas to a loved one... Buy them shares in Secret Projects Community Benefit Society - a meaningful present that will give women in India the opportunity to thrive. Buying shares for a loved one as a Christmas gift in Secret Projects Community Benefit Society, makes many, many powerful things happen... It's a fantastic way of supporting the Change Maker in your life - the person who wants a fairer world, where vulnerable and marginalised people are given a chance to become empowered to support themselves and their families financially.  Believe us, they will thank you warmly for this unique and thoughtful present. Secret Projects empowers women in India through the making and selling of clothing and homeware. The women don't want 'handouts', they simply want an opportunity to earn their own income and that is exactly what we have helped over 500 women achieve in the last 7 years living in regions of India where there are few income generating opportunities. We are committed to helping more women - it's what drives us.  Buying Shares as a gift, (or as a personal investment) means that we can work with even more women and help them to create better and safer lives for themselves, their families and children. Shares are £10 each with a minimum investment of just £50 and shares bought on behalf of a young person (16's and under) will come with a Young Shareholder Pack. To buy shares for a loved one this Christmas, please click here. Please note: If you would like our Young Shareholder Pack and Share Certificate Letter emailed to you in time for Christmas, please contact invest@secretprojects.org, giving the name of the person/s you have purchased the shares for. Head to our eBay for Change store for a selection of gorgeous gift ideas! We are offering 30% off all Secret Products!* Use code: CHRISTMASSP at the checkout Whether you are shopping for adults or children, 'main presents' or stocking fillers, you can be sure to find a wonderful, unique gift from our gorgeous Ranges of Secret Products available at our eBay for Change store! Above all, you can shop with the knowledge that every gift you choose for friends and loved ones brings economic empowerment for the women of our Maker Community, who have lovingly stitched our products. The money they earn is put to excellent use to buy food and medicines, for children's education as well as providing for elderly relatives.  As Covid-19 continues to affect communities in India, this income has become even more important for families. Photos from left to right: Secret Pillow, Secret Shopping Bag, Secret Skirt and Secret Scarves, all ready to be placed in stockings or under the Christmas tree!!! *Please note: This offer is only available through our eBay for Change store. Click here to visit our eBay for Change store:   Here's a great and unique gift idea... an eco house tour (as seen on television!) with a delicious lunch and a chance to learn more about Secret Projects! 2nd April 2022, Pulborough, West Sussex You may have heard that our CEO Fritha, and her partner Olaf, a master carpenter, have recently completed the building of their very own eco-house with the journey of the build being followed by UK Channel 4's Grand Designs programme. If you haven't seen their episode, click here to watch. Since the programme aired, Fritha and Olaf have been asked by so many people if they could come and experience the house for themselves. So, last month they spent a weekend giving house tours with the option of being able to also visit the Secret Projects business unit, just down the road to hear a brief update on our work, as well as having an opportunity to shop for Secret Products. It's fair to say that the tours have proved very popular and there is demand for more, so a new spring date has been added for next year - Saturday 2nd April. The day will consist of a presentation by Fritha at our business unit about Secret Projects latest work, a delicious lunch and a tour of the eco-house. We are asking for a £25 contribution towards our Secret Face Masks for India appeal.  If you would like to reserve a space on the day for yourself, or as a Christmas gift, please click the pink button below. Please note: If purchasing as a gift, please let us know in your email and we will send you a voucher to give to the lucky recipient/s! To book please email: events@secretprojects.org   Please enjoy Christmas shopping with us and even more so, knowing that each product you buy from us economically empowers women in India. 
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