Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Carranza and Sayra Carpenter.
Michelle and Sayra, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Bracha was founded seven years ago. I had been a buyer for a spa and boutique and had nine-plus years of retail experience under my belt. Sayra was a managing a Montessori and I wanted something more creative. We both always felt like we were meant so more and be more, so we decided to start a business together as sisters. Seven years ago the natural stone trend was barely getting noticed and we went down that route and started hand-beading natural gate bracelets. We went to our local bead shop and just bought tons of colorful strands or beads and went crazy beading different styles and color combinations of bracelets.
We’ve loved jewelry since very little and we were always exposed with it. Our grandmother had the most amazing vanity and her jewelry Collection was impeccable. We loaded them on our website, sold them at trunk shows, posted them on IG when it IG was barely getting momentum and we sold a bunch right off the bat. We knew we were up to something and people liked our style. But things really changed when we both went to a women’s church conference and heard Christine Cain speak about her organization the A21 campaign and the statistics of human trafficking. Our hearts were stirred and we knew we wanted to help but how?! We couldn’t just move abroad and volunteer our time and leave our family behind to help.
So we knew that our business was going to have a purpose and we decided that from every sale we got we would donate 20% of proceeds to the A21 campaign. Because ultimately these amazing organizations run on donations and partnerships, every penny was vital for them to keep doing what they’re doing. So once we knew our business had purpose our mind shifted and we just created and things sold really well that we started expanding from bracelets to adding rings, then added necklaces and earrings and it became a full-blown handmade line. Within two years of starting the business we were in 250 stores and now to see how much we’ve grown and known that we’re in 500 stores nationwide including Nordstrom and two other major retailers we can’t discuss at the moment is so overwhelming and unbelievable to see how far we (two sisters) have taken the line.
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?
Oh no! We like to tell people that owning and building a business is not for the faint of heart. It takes work, grit, tears, sacrifice, doubts kick in and you start to wonder if you’re really meant for it. We had a lot of copying at the beginning and it was so sad and maddening at the same time. People don’t know this but the jewelry world is very cut-throat. It’s caddy, and one brand will always think they’re better than you or people can just be shady and not care.
We’ve run into an issue with some of our designs being knocked off and having to change manufactures because they were selling them to other brands.
We signed up with a showroom, later on, to expand into other markets like L.A/New York, and Atlanta. They promised us the stars and the moon lol. And at the time we didn’t know it but they were pretty much scamming and taking jewelry brands money monthly and not giving them what was promised or promoting them. It was very scary because we had a one year contract with them and they pretty much almost ran us dry. So that was a huge lesson learned on our part to do our research when signing on with anyone new to represent our brand.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Bracha is known for trendy jewelry that is quality and affordable. We’re known for giving back and our signature initial card that has been worn by countless influencers and celebrities such a Julianne Hough, Marren Morris, and more. Our style of jewelry is what you see out there trending. As there’s two of us designing and putting our ideas together we come up with some pretty rad designs and it works perfectly.
We’re most proud of the fact that we can be able to help in an area that needs so much help, Which is helping end human trafficking! This month alone we gave our second partnered organization “ Global Renewal” a $10,000 check to go towards their fundraising goal. That money goes a very long way in Cambodia and can save so many girls and take them off the streets. I think that’s also the biggest thing that sets us apart is that we’ve been a do-good brand from the beginning.
What were you like growing up?
I was timid yet a goofball around my family. So weird but funny how it plays around fool circle… back then I would find so much love and joy playing retail by myself in my room. I would be helping and ringing up imaginary pretend customers. I guess I caught the customer service/retail bug very early on. I always carried my self in a more mature way then I probably should have lol. But I loved everything fashion and girly.
Pricing:
- $32 and up
Contact Info:
- Website: Wearbracha.com
- Phone: 4693201988
- Email: hello@wearbracha.com
- Instagram: Wearbracha
- Facebook: Wearbracha
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