Hidden Gems: Meet Brianna Page of The Bandhwari Women’s Project

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Page.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always had a passion for helping others and making a difference. Whether it be through participating in Girl Scouts, founding a service project throughout high school, or leading mission trips for high school students in the Dominican Republic, I was always finding a way to leave my mark on the world. When I started college at FIU, I joined the International Business Honor Society because of their involvement with The Bandhwari Women’s Project, a social enterprise that helps artisan women in India achieve financial independence by training them to sew and selling their products in the American market. After visiting India with this student organization, I fell in love with the mission and knew I wanted to play a much larger role. Soon enough, I was leading this effort and was determined to turn this small social enterprise into something much more impactful. That’s when I decided to establish us as an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Since then, The Bandhwari Women’s Project has seen tremendous growth, and I am excited to see what we achieve next.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Although I am proud of how far we have come, the journey here has not been easy. As a start-up nonprofit organization, we rely heavily on the support and generosity of community members who believe in our mission. Advocating for our mission and spreading the word about the work we do has not been easy, but over time we have been lucky to find a community who cares about our mission as much as we do and is willing to support us as our organization grows. Another significant struggle we have faced over the past year is the unstable relationship between the USA and India. In August, 50% tariffs were enforced on all goods imported from India, which nearly tripled the cost of shipping our products to the USA. Because of these tariffs, not only have our prices increased, but we have also had to find new shipping methods since our local shipping partners in India have halted all shipments to the United States. Despite the struggles we have faced in bringing our products to the United States, the need for our work remains strong, so we will continue to adapt to the circumstances so that our artisan women can continue to earn the paycheck they need to support themselves and their families.

As you know, we’re big fans of The Bandhwari Women’s Project. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Bandhwari Women’s Project is dedicated to empowering women in rural India by providing skill training, sustainable employment, and a platform to sell their handmade clothing and accessories. Our mission is to create long-term economic opportunities that allow women to support their families, gain independence, and build stronger communities through their craft.

The organization began as a partnership between Florida International University’s International Business Honor Society and the Incentive Foundation, a nonprofit organization in India, and has since evolved into a cross-continental effort to support the ideals of gender equity, sustainable craftsmanship, and economic independence. What makes our organization even more special is that it is led entirely by college students and recent graduates who are passionate about serving others.

I proudly serve as the President of this organization, a role that allows me to combine my leadership experience with my deep commitment to meaningful social impact. I have always been passionate about nonprofit work and driven by the belief that change happens when we invest in the people and communities who need it most. Working alongside our artisan women has shown me what it means to embody true strength and perseverance. Seeing them grow, succeed, and take pride in their craft inspires me each and every day.

The Bandhwari Women’s Project sells a variety of clothing and accessories, all handmade and reflective of the culture of the women we serve. Each piece tells a story, and we are proud that we can share these products with our community. Every year, we showcase our newest product line at our Annual Bandhwari Women’s Project Fashion Show in November, which is a celebration of the mission and culture we all love. Performances, vendors, a catered Indian dinner, a silent auction, and a runway walk featuring our newest products are just some of the highlights of this fashion show. In addition, we often sell at local pop-up markets and all our products are available for purchase on our website, bandhwari.org.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
One of my favorite productivity tools is Google Calendar. As someone who has a very busy schedule, Google Calendar helps me stay organized and ensures I maintain a healthy balance in my day-to-day life. Not only do I use this app in my personal life, but I also use it with my team to make sure we are always on the same page.

Although I do typically do not have much time to sit down and read, one of my favorite productivity books is “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. This book is full of insights that have helped me created a lifestyle that breeds success.

Pricing:

• Pants: $35
• Skirts: $43
• Tote Bags: $27

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bandhwari.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bandhwari_usa/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bandhwari-womens-project