The Impact Factory

WHAT WE ARE

One team across two cities. Every product made with care from brief to doorstep.

Our Chicago team handles the brief, sampling, approvals, and logistics. Our Delhi production floor cuts, stitches, and finishes every piece by hand — 500+ women earning fair wages in a workplace built for them. No outsourcing between us. No middlemen. The people you talk to are the people making your product.

When Kavita and I first met, I was in India conducting research regarding how economic empowerment transforms women's lives. At the time Kavita was working as a social worker with vulnerable women who earned a living in the informal textile industry. It was through Kavita that I discovered the unpaid training centers I visited in India were not doing enough. Further, exploitative middle men were taking advantage of women's lack of access to markets. We bonded over a shared vision to do more for the women of India. We landed on the idea of creating a space where women in dire circumstances could gain meaningful employment, learn new skills, and become financially independent. In 2011 we broke ground on Work+Shelter's first facility in New Delhi.

— Theresa VanderMeer, Founder & CEO

Why It Works

Our model works because it creates a positive feedback loop. Women earn wages, businesses source ethically, and consumers buy products—each feeding back to sustain and grow the impact. By focusing on empowerment, not charity, we create lasting change that scales with every new partnership and product.

For many women who join us, Work+Shelter is their very first step into the world of dignified employment. Coming from backgrounds where opportunities are scarce and doors are often closed, we're here to provide that crucial 'foot in the door' to a brighter future.

We believe that meaningful employment is just the beginning. Our mission is to empower women by focusing on education and skill development. Our paid training programs don't just lead to fair wage jobs making sewn goods for our incredible clients; they pave the way to permanent employment and personal growth.

Beyond professional development, we offer healthcare support and English language classes, nurturing both their personal well-being and career aspirations.