At SERI, we believe that sustainable business practices should uplift people as much as they protect the planet. This case study highlights our collaboration with a visionary social enterprise dedicated to advancing women’s economic empowerment through textile upcycling and circular economy principles.

The Challenge.

The organization had developed a grassroots model that trained and employed women artisans to transform textile waste into high-quality, market-ready products. While their impact was already visible on a small scale, they lacked the tools, systems, and strategy to scale their model and deepen their social and environmental reach.

Our Approach.

SERI partnered with the enterprise to build a scalable, purpose-driven business model that retained the heart of their mission while unlocking new growth opportunities. Key areas of focus included:

1. Operational Scaling & Circular Design.

   • Streamlined supply chains to collect post-consumer textile waste from local manufacturers and retailers.

   • Introduced sustainable production processes and quality standards to enhance product consistency and market competitiveness.

2. Women’s Economic Empowerment.

   • Expanded the artisan training program to 3 additional communities, with a focus on skills development, digital literacy, and financial inclusion.

   • Developed a micro-enterprise toolkit, enabling artisans to take ownership of local production units.

3. Sustainable Brand & Market Expansion.

   • Repositioned the brand with a focus on ethical fashion and environmental storytelling.

   • Connected the enterprise to global fair trade platforms and circular fashion buyers.

The Impact.

In just one year, the enterprise saw remarkable growth and impact:

• Employment of over 100 women artisans, many of whom now serve as trainers and community leaders.

• Diverted more than 8 tons of textile waste from landfills through upcycling and reuse.

• Increased artisan income by 60%, leading to improved access to education, healthcare, and household stability.

By integrating circular economy principles with a social mission, the enterprise not only reduced environmental harm but created a powerful pathway for women’s empowerment and community resilience.

Looking Ahead.

With continued support, the enterprise aims to replicate this model in new regions, influence sustainable fashion supply chains, and advocate for gender equity in the global green economy.

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