Work+Shelter Celebrates 14 Years

Celebrating Diwali, 2021

Founded in 2011, 2025 marks the 14th Anniversary of Work+Shelter, a milestone in our mission to provide fair-wage, dignified employment for women in need.

From our humble beginnings in Delhi, India, Work+Shelter has evolved into The Impact Factory: a thriving, sophisticated production facility where sustainable merchandise and high-quality production meet profound social impact. Today, we stand as your dedicated one-stop shop for ethically manufactured, custom sewn goods.

To celebrate 14 years of growth and innovation, we've highlighted our journey of expanding our team, expertise, and unwavering commitment to ethical sourcing. We are deeply grateful to our "clients who care." Your support has been instrumental in building this ethical supply chain. Thank you!

The Work+Shelter Timeline

2007-2008

• WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: While studying the link between economic empowerment and women's well-being during a University of Michigan program in India, our founder and CEO Theresa VanderMeer first witnessed the critical need for sustainable employment solutions.

2009

Founder Theresa VanderMeer and Kavita Sabhrawal in India.

• A PIVOTAL MEETING: Founder Theresa VanderMeer met Kavita Sabharwal, a widow and social worker. Kavita took Theresa on a tuor of tailoring and embroidery training centers for vulnerable women. She revealed the intense exploitation faced by women in the informal textile industry, including exploitative middlemen and a lack of secure, fairly paid work.
• THE IDEA IS BORN: Over a cup of chai, they decided to act, founding an enterprise dedicated to empowering women through guaranteed fair-wage work and meaningful employment.

2010

Theresa's previous retail store, The Lotus Odyssey

• CROWDFUNDING SUCCESS: Leveraging her experience running the retail brand The Lotus Odyssey, Theresa launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund the creation of Work+Shelter, positioning it as a new standard for ethically sourced artisan production.

2011

W+S takes delivery of its first industrial sewing machines.

• THE LAUNCH: Following successful crowdfunding, Theresa officially founded Work+Shelter in north Delhi as a not-for-profit center committed to paying a fair trade wage.
• MISSION FIRST: Initially sustained by donations, the focus was providing support and teaching a trade to local women facing social risks.

“When a woman starts earning an income, it transforms her ability to care for her children and herself, and it gives her a status in the family that she might not have had before.”

-Theresa VanderMeer, CEO and Founder of Work+Shelter

2012

Quality control training in progress

• SCALING SUPPORT: Theresa began connecting with indie designers in NYC struggling to scale their production.
• BUSINESS SHIFT: As demand outgrew their capacity, designers turned to Work+Shelter for support, marking the official start of our journey helping independent brands scale up their line of hand-knitted items.

2013-2014

Work+Shelter in 2013 and 2014

• GROWING CAPACITY: Work+Shelter produced its first large-scale order, hand-sewn Christmas ornaments, and took delivery of its first industrial sewing machines, significantly boosting production capabilities.
• QUALITY ASSURANCE: The quality control process was streamlined using virtual platforms like Skype to manage international standards.
• BIG WINS: We produced another large order for the South African consulate and hosted a successful fundraiser at the Dutch ambassador’s house in Delhi.

2015

Work+Shelter ladies learning how to sew t-shirts

• PRODUCT EXPANSION: We produced our first major tote bag order, signaling our readiness for larger volume accessories.
• TECHNICAL INVESTMENT: Work+Shelter purchased its first industrial overlock sewing machines, allowing us to expand our offering to include custom t-shirt orders and other apparel.
• FINISHING TOUCHES: We developed a key relationship with a local printing artisan, allowing us to start offering in-house screen-printed products for clients.

“I love how no one makes anyone feel like there’s a ‘boss’ or there’s a ‘worker.’ Everyone works like a team.” –Khushi Singh,  Logistics Leader at Work+Shelter

2016

Leadership meets with a screenprinting vendor.

• MAJOR MILESTONES: Work+Shelter shipped its first woven apparel order and successfully secured orders from our first Fortune 500 clients.
• BUSINESS EVOLUTION: After success at a global trade show, we transitioned to a hybrid model with both nonprofit and for-profit legal entities and moved into a new, larger production center.
• PRIORITIZING SUSTAINABILITY: We began rigorously vetting our vendors, specifically asking detailed questions about the inks and materials used in the printing process.

“You cannot say you’re helping women if you’re not also actively working to protect the environment they’re living in.” –Theresa VanderMeer

2017

Using the electric cutter.

• RAISING THE BAR: Work+Shelter stepped up its commitment to environmental concerns by working with its first organic cotton vendor.
• TECHNICAL SOPHISTICATION: We invested in professional tools, purchasing a Pantone book for precise color matching and an electric cutting machine to enhance production accuracy and efficiency.
• TEAM GROWTH: The management team expanded with key new hires in both India and the U.S.

2018

Fair trade brand World Finds visits.

• RETAIL READINESS: Work+Shelter achieved another major milestone by shipping our first order to a big-box retailer, demonstrating our capacity for large-volume retail production.
• WAGE EQUITY: We moved the team from a piece-rate system to a consistent, stable salary model, further formalizing our commitment to fair wages.
• OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE: Work+Shelter formalized its training program, institutionalizing the use of tech packs and adopting other lean manufacturing principles to enhance precision.

2019

Gathering in the new office for a Skype meeting, 2019.

• EXPANDED CAPACITY: In a year of increasing demand and growing capabilities, Work+Shelter significantly increased its staff of stitchers and expanded its space again to optimize workflow.
• TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS: We refined our processes by integrating digital files and markers, enhancing precision in pattern-making and cutting.
• BEST PRACTICES COMMITMENT: We formalized our dedication to corporate responsibility by incorporating B Corp standards into our processes.

2020

• MATERIAL INNOVATION: Work+Shelter introduced rPET (recycled polyester), made from discarded plastic bottles, into our line of stock, sustainable fabrics.
• PANDEMIC RESPONSE: We secured our team by paying women their full salaries during India's national COVID-19 lockdown. Staff utilized the time for professional development, focusing on English and leadership skills.
• AGILE PRODUCTION: We leaned into producing custom apparel for retail clients (like these blazers), leveraging our newly beefed-up sampling department to successfully navigate the pandemic.

2021

Masks made for Feeding America.

• CONTINUED SUPPORT: Work+Shelter again ensured financial stability by paying women their full salaries during Delhi’s regional COVID-19 lockdown.
• COMMUNITY IMPACT: Work+Shelter invested in additional machines, enabling women to produce face masks at home for distribution to the local community.
• OPTIMIZED SPACE: We expanded our factory, creating beautiful new spaces for the line sewers, packing, and Quality Control (QC) staff.

“Work+Shelter saved me from quitting. I think I always had the courage but was lacking self-belief. That’s what I learned here. Now this is my happy place.” –Rita Jha, Siticher at Work+Shelter

2022

• LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Work+Shelter hired longtime associate Sunita Reginold as General Manager, leveraging her deep experience to oversee teams and vendor relationships.
• TECHNICAL SOPHISTICATION: We scaled up training processes, resulting in increased capacity for more complex stitching projects. We also developed a more sophisticated supply chain for high-quality digitally printed items.

Theresa VanderMeer and General Manager Sunita Reginold "then and now"

2023

• STRATEGIC DECENTRALIZATION: To improve workflow and efficiency, we moved back-office tasks, including tech pack creation, invoicing, and additional management activities, from the US to junior managers in India.
• SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES: Due to increased volumes and environmental initiatives, we began consistently shipping orders by sea. We also added recycled cotton to our growing in-house fabric selection and introduced heat transfer labels as an alternative labeling method.

2024

Theresa VanderMeer with John Blick, Director of Business Service of Uptown Chamber

• PRODUCT LINE REVAMP: The highlight of the year was our expanded sustainable product line, which included a beautiful new catalog and the introduction of new items like fold-up bags, polo tees, and zip-up jackets.
• WORKFLOW OPTIMIZATION: We implemented smoother client management workflows by increasing the involvement of junior managers in India, aided by generative AI, resulting in faster turnarounds and improved client communication.
• NETWORKING: We joined the Uptown Chamber of Commerce and actively participated in events to expand our network.

2025

Theresa and Sunita meet with our new GOTS-certified printer, 2025

A year defined by leadership evolution and strategic investment, positioning Work+Shelter for its next decade of impact.

• EXPANDING SUSTAINABILITY: We’ve partnered a new GOTS-certified digital and sublimation print vendor. This gives us the ability to offer high-fidelity, full-color printing while keeping the entire production chain within the strictest organic and environmental standards.
• REDEFINING CORPORATE SWAG: This year, we proved that high-volume event merchandise doesn’t have to be destined for the back of a closet or a thrift store. By producing technical aprons and totes for the Clay Sculpt Conference and high-end organic textiles for the OKO Foods debut, we showed that corporate swag can be both beautiful and built to last. We’re helping brands move away from "throwaway" culture by providing sustainable, professional-grade goods that people actually want to keep.
• SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE: In a year of volatile trade policies, we successfully managed fluctuating tariffs and logistical hurdles. Because we own our facility, we were able to protect our partners from the chaos and keep their projects on track and on budget.

Thank you for being part of Work+Shelter’s journey. Here’s to the next chapter of purpose-driven growth and change! Visit here for our latest catalog or reach out to us at hello@workshelter.co to collaborate. If you're interested in helping us continue to grow and provide support to local women at risk, you can donate to our nonprofit arm right here.