Today we’d like to introduce you to Alessandra Brian.
Alessandra, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Having lived in London for years, I moved back to the US only days after the election. Despite people’s personal beliefs, I was shocked to see the divisive reaction immediately taking place amongst families, great friends, colleagues, neighbors, etc.
There were a lot of powerful messages sprouting from what seemed to be scorched earth, but most of them were polarizing and negative. I wanted to create something positive, something that united people in order to encourage dialogue and progress ideas from a standpoint of compromise. Band of Tolerance is a bracelet acting as a symbol, delivering a message of connection and positivity.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Starting a small business feels like a special sort of feat as every penny feels crucial. Having no background in jewelry, just a discerning eye for what I think is withstanding of time and elegant, I started out by calling (seemingly) every jeweler in America. The more conversations I had, the more terminology I learned, and I began narrowing in on what my end product would look like. The process itself was trial and error, but when explaining my messaging to perfect strangers, from the west coast to the deep south, I heard a resounding cry of support.
The next most challenging step was surprisingly charity partners. So many have such vast funding and strict boards, that it is very difficult to receive permission to use branding or representation in order to drive donations towards their organizations. I felt an immediate responsibility as a business to use a product such as Band of Tolerance to give back. We chose a fantastic array of charities that hopefully represent a passion point for anyone.
Tell us more about your business.
Band of Tolerance is an olive green bracelet with delicate strands braided together for a simple look to be worn by anyone daily. It is fitted with either a sterling silver or gold vermeil toggle, with our signature olive branch and logo. We’re very proud to be representing a message that feels so powerful and necessary.
To us, tolerance is a word of action, not that of passivity. Tolerance is to support and represent the voices of those who aren’t heard, and ensure we actively work towards connection and unity.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck, destiny, timing, connection, circumstance – I feel very fortunate to have been inadvertently faced with the very harsh reality of disconnect within this country have been watching things unfold from abroad. It was a challenge I wouldn’t have taken on had a series of very specific events not taken place.
Pricing:
- Sterling Silver $29
- Gold Vermeil $35
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bandoftolerance.com
- Email: hello@bandoftolerance.com
- Instagram: @bandoftolerance
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BandofTolerance/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BandofTolerance
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