Today, 20 million families in India depend on weaving as a source of income, but with the increase in manufacturing by machines, many people are losing their sources of income, and factories are contributing to damaging pollution. The IOU Project wants to help consumers rediscover the beauty of handwoven fabrics, which result in one-of-a-kind apparel. This also supports independent artisans through fair wages, helps keep the environment cleaner, and allows people connect through a more soulful exchange of goods. Finally, each IOU Project item is traceable through a unique code that lets customers learn about the personal story of the artisan who created it.