Sari Bari

What Sari Bari does

Sari Bari is a dual-entity social enterprise that designs, manufactures, and sells handcrafted bags and home decor products made from recycled cotton saris using the traditional Bengali kantha embroidery technique. The for-profit operating entity, Sari Bari Private Limited (established 2009 in India), runs four manufacturing locations in Kolkata where approximately 120 women artisans produce products through a five-layer hand-stitching process; the US arm, Sari Bari USA, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Fort Wayne, Indiana that supports the mission through sales, advocacy, and tax-deductible donations. The product portfolio centers on travel bags, shoulder bags, crossbody bags, small accessories, throws, and holiday decor, with every piece signed by the artisan who made it. Distribution operates through a hybrid model: direct e-commerce on saribari.com with shipments every 4-6 weeks, wholesale to retailers at 50% off MSRP (minimum $300 first order, $150 re-order), physical stockists in the US and Canada, marketplace partners including UncommonGoods and To The Market, and dedicated international distributors in the UK (Global Seesaw) and Australia (Wholesome Gifts).

The company's core technology is the kantha stitch itself, an ancient running-stitch technique that quilts recycled sari layers into durable goods; this is paired with a community-led go-to-market that leverages artisan storytelling, advocacy parties hosted by supporters, trade-show presence (NY NOW), and earned media coverage. Revenue derives from one-time retail and wholesale product sales plus tax-deductible donations funding holistic programs including job training, school support for children, well-woman check-ups, and HIV/AIDS support. In January 2023, after 17 years, shareholders voted to end regular operations due to decreased post-pandemic order volume and a key leadership departure; the India entity wound down by March 2023 and Sari Bari USA ceased taking orders by end of January 2023, with employees receiving gratuities and shareholders receiving payouts from the sale of India buildings.

Name

Sari Bari

Legal name

Sari Bari USA, Inc.

Website

https://saribari.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sari Bari is a hybrid social enterprise (for-profit India Pvt Ltd plus US 501(c)(3) nonprofit) that designs and sells handcrafted kantha-stitched bags and home decor made from recycled saris by approximately 120 women artisans in Kolkata, India; operations wound down in January 2023.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Handcrafted Bags and Home Decor (Fair Trade)

NAICS

Textile Bag and Canvas Mills (314910), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159), Apparel Manufacturing (315)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)

akta.pro primary industry

Bag & Accessory Components/Hardware (Straps, Buckles, Zippers) (CRAAAJAJ)

Keywords

• Upcycled sari products
• Handcrafted kantha bags
• Fair trade textiles
• Social enterprise goods
• Artisan home decor

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Wayne

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: One-time purchase of handcrafted upcycled products including bags (totes, satchels, crossbody, travel), home decor (throws, holiday items), and accessories. Products are made from recycled saris using traditional kantha stitch. E-commerce sales through saribari.com and wholesale to retailers worldwide.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible donations to Sari Bari USA 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting holistic care programs including job training, school support for children, well woman check-ups, and HIV/AIDS support. Monthly giving and one-time gifts accepted via PayPal.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sari Bari designs, manufactures, and sells handcrafted bags, home decor, and accessories made from recycled cotton saris using the traditional Bengali kantha embroidery stitch technique. Its products include travel bags, shoulder bags, crossbody messenger bags, small accessories, kantha throws, Christmas stockings, tree skirts, and baby items, all hand-stitched and individually signed by the artisan who made them. The for-profit India entity (Sari Bari Private Limited) produces the goods, while the US nonprofit (Sari Bari USA, Inc.) sells them online, wholesale, and through international distributors, with proceeds supporting holistic care programs for women artisans.

Product overview

Sari Bari is a social enterprise offering handcrafted products made from recycled saris using the traditional Bengali kantha stitch technique. The product portfolio centers on bags (travel, shoulder, crossbody, and small accessories) and home decor items (throws, blankets, holiday items). Products are made by women artisans who have been impacted by human trafficking and the commercial sex trade. Every product is signed by the maker. The company operates a dual-entity model with a for-profit business in India and a 501(c)3 nonprofit in the U.S.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bags Collection (Travel, Shoulder, Crossbody, Small Stuff) Handcrafted bags across travel, shoulder, crossbody, and small-accessory categories — including the Global Adventure Duffle, Sammana Tote, Lucy Satchel, Bharati Hobo, Shopna Mini Messenger, and Sadhana Yoga Mat Bag — made from recycled saris and cotton canvas with brass hardware; each piece signed by the artisan who made it. Targeted at conscious consumers and fair trade retailers globally.
• Kantha Throws & Home Decor Hand-stitched throws, blankets, and home decor items crafted using the traditional Bengali kantha embroidery technique across five layers of recycled cotton saris. Targeted at ethically-minded home decor customers and fair trade retailers.
• Holiday Decor (Christmas Stockings and Tree Skirts) Seasonal holiday items including handcrafted Christmas stockings and a reversible Christmas tree skirt featuring diagonal kantha running stitch in 100% cotton sari material (48 inches in diameter). Targeted at consumers seeking fair trade holiday decor.
• Baby Items Baby products made from recycled saris using the kantha technique. Targeted at ethically-minded parents and gift buyers.
• Donation Programs (Holistic Care for Artisans) Tax-deductible donation programs administered by Sari Bari USA 501(c)(3) that fund holistic care programs for women artisans — job training sponsorship, school support for children, well-woman checkups, and HIV/AIDS support — with monthly giving and one-time gifts accepted via PayPal. Targeted at philanthropic donors aligned with anti-trafficking and women's empowerment missions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98.5% of artisans believe they are finding freedom at Sari Bari
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RethreadedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRethreaded is an authorized US distributor for Sari Bari products. Executive Director Kristin Keen is also a Sari Bari co-founder, creating a strong strategic alignment. Rethreaded distributes to retailers and individuals passionate about freedom businesses and anti-trafficking efforts.
• Better Way ImportscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized US distributor for Sari Bari products, providing wholesale distribution services to retailers across the United States.
• To The MarketminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarketplace platform distributing Sari Bari products. Initially started with a pilot order that sold out within three weeks, leading to ongoing bulk sourcing relationship.
• Trade for FreedomminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor partner for Sari Bari products. Praised product quality, meaningful stitches and patches, lovely fabrics, and thoughtful designs with key components like pockets and brass buckles.
• Justice VenturesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributes Sari Bari products through their shopforfreedom.justiceventures.org platform, combining anti-trafficking mission alignment with distribution capabilities.
• Global SeesawcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK distributor for Sari Bari products since 2008, operating at www.globalseesaw.co.uk and www.saribari.co.uk. Shares Sari Bari's values and views them as 'freedom friends.'
• Wholesome GiftsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian distributor for Sari Bari products at www.wholesomegifts.com.au, extending geographic reach to the Australia-Pacific region.
• Sweetwater (Chuck and Lisa Surack)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership announced April 2, 2019 to offer employment opportunities to women in Kolkata, India. Sweetwater founders Chuck and Lisa Surack partnered with Sari Bari to expand job opportunities.
• Black Ink Financial PlanningminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership announced April 22, 2019 to offer employment opportunities to women in Kolkata, India through collaborative business support.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Mata Traders: Fair trade fashion brand producing bags and apparel in partnership with artisan cooperatives in India and Nepal. Directly comparable in product category (handcrafted bags from South Asian artisans), fair trade positioning, and DTC + wholesale distribution model.
• WorldFinds: Fair trade accessories brand producing bags, jewelry, and home goods through artisan cooperatives in India. Comparable in handmade textile accessories, fair trade positioning, and multi-channel distribution to gift shops and boutiques.
• Rethreaded: Authorized Sari Bari distributor co-founded by Kristin Keen; produces and distributes freedom-business apparel and accessories from human trafficking survivors. Closely comparable mission, customer base, and product category.
• The Loyal Workshop: Sub-brand of Sari Bari operating in the same freedom-business ecosystem, producing handmade leather and textile bags from artisans in similar anti-trafficking missions. Most directly comparable given shared origin, craftsmanship model, and distribution through saribari.com.
• To The Market: Marketplace and authorized Sari Bari distributor curating survivor-made and ethically produced apparel and accessories. Comparable as both a peer channel and a curated marketplace with overlapping supplier base.
• Global Seesaw: UK-based distributor of fair trade and ethically produced gifts, including Sari Bari products since 2008. Directly comparable as a UK distributor operating in the fair trade gift and accessories category with overlapping artisan-supplier relationships.
• Trade for Freedom: Authorized Sari Bari distributor championing freedom-business products from survivors of human trafficking. Operates in the same anti-trafficking product ecosystem with overlapping supplier relationships and customer base.

Emerging players

• Sseko Designs: Fair trade accessories and bags brand employing women in Uganda. Comparable mission-driven handmade bag/accessories model, though serving East African artisans rather than South Asian; serves similar conscious consumer and wholesale gift-shop channels.
• Krochet Kids: Fair trade apparel and accessories brand employing artisans in Uganda and Peru with each product signed by its maker. Highly comparable in the signed-by-maker model, fair trade certification, and impact-driven consumer positioning.

Others

• Fair Trade Federation: Industry association of which Sari Bari became a member in 2019. Functions as a peer ecosystem enabler, certifying and connecting fair trade brands, distributors, and retailers across North America and beyond.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Sari_Bari_India
• YouTubevimeo.com/saribari
• Facebookfacebook.com/sari.bari.india
• Instagraminstagram.com/saribariindia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saribariusa

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sari Bari