Modern in Denver recently caught up with local entrepreneur Kael Robinson to talk to her about her company Brazilets and the inspiration behind the eco-friendly bracelets.
MID- What exactly is Brazilets and the mysticism behind them?
KR- Brazilets are a 200-year-old Brazilian tradition that originated in 1809 to bring good luck and miraculous power to the people of Brazil. You wrap the Brazilet or “Brazilets” around your wrist twice and tie three knots, with each knot you make a wish and it is believed that when the Brazilet falls off, your wishes come true. These bracelets, originally known as “Senhor Do Bonfim Fitas”, now known as Brazilets, were created at the famous Senhor Do Bonfim church in Bahia, Brazil. This church actually has a room that is dedicated to all the people that have had their wishes come true from these bracelets. The saying on the Brazilet translates, "In remembrance of our Patron Saint good luck in life."
.jpg)
MID-What got you involved and inspired you to create a company around the bracelets?
KR- I was inspired by these bracelets when I was given a red Brazilet as a gift. I thought that these bracelets were really unique and special with the history and mysticism behind them. They also seemed perfect with the troubled times everyone is in to bring hope and a little luck to everyone’s life. We are also selling these bracelets to give back to Brazil and plant trees in the Amazon Rainforest through Plantabillion.com.
Kael launched Brazilets in August 2008. In just less than a year, she has achieved an exclusive U.S. deal for her company with two Brazilian manufacturers and currently imports over 30,000 bracelets every other month. Brazilets is dedicated to saving the Brazilian rainforests by donating 20% of their proceeds to the Nature Conservacy’s “Plant a Billion Trees” initiative in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest www.plantabillion.com. Brazilets has been directly responsible for planting more than 6,000 trees thus far. The eco-friendly bracelets are 90% cotton and 10% polyester and are 100% biodegradable.
MID- What about Brazilets inspires you most?
KR- What inspires me the most about Brazilets is the reactions and wishes we have emailed (from our customers) to us everyday. The fact that these bracelets are actually changing people’s lives is what makes me inspired to bring these bracelets to people all over the world. Here is one example of a wish we received recently:
"When my daughter was 4 weeks old she started having seizures. At 8 weeks of age, she was diagnosed with a rare disease called tuberous sclerosis. The disease causes tumors to grow in her brain, heart, kidneys, eyes and skin. A few months ago, she had brain surgery to help control the seizures. We are still waiting to see if it was successful. In the meantime, she sees therapists every day so that she can learn the skills that most kids pick up on their own--communicating, holding a bottle. So my wish is this: "I wish that my beautiful 20-month old daughter will be seizure-free and learn how to say "Mama and Dada, I love you."" - Anita.
MID- Can you give me some stories or examples of experiences of someone who has worn Brazilets and been impacted by it?
KR- Here are some examples of wishes that have come true from Brazilets:
"My wish came true when I least expected it. For months my Brazilet was on so tightly that it showed no sign of ever coming off. Then, one morning I'm lying in bed and it just simply came untied. I wished for love and it happened with a man that I had no idea I could love the way I have. We met randomly through a mutual friend and at a NYC nightclub. Instantly, we were inseparable. Within weeks we moved in together and we still love each other." –Nanette
“I must admit I was pretty skeptical when I first heard about the bracelets. I don't believe in fortunetellers...not even fortune cookies! Only the desperation of having been a fan of Philadelphia teams all my life brought me to give the bracelet a try. As it was tied around my wrist I wished that ‘The Phillies would win the world series.’
I didn't really think about it after that, I would occasionally notice it in the shower but other than that I basically forgot about it. Then as the Philllies season went on I began to become more aware of it. The farther they got into the playoffs the more I thought about the bracelet and especially my big wish! When the Phillies finally won the World Series I was at the game and in the excitement of all the celebration I honestly didn't think once about the bracelet...
The next day I tiredly woke up and went to work reliving the night before over and over in my head. It wasn't until I was eating lunch that I looked down and glanced upon my bare wrist. Where was the bracelet I thought? When I got home I went upstairs and there in my shower was the bracelet lying right on the floor.
Now I'm a believer!!” - Bill T.
MID- How long does it usually take for the Brazilets fall off?
KR-The bracelets can take anywhere from two weeks to two years to fall off.
MID- What’s next and how can people find Brazilets?
KR- You can go to our website www.Brazilets.com to order your Brazilet. Watch for the launch of a new neon colored line available this summer!
MID- Brazilets retail for $5.00 each and can be found in local boutiques such as Aline and Blush in Denver, Chelsea and Frisk in Boulder, and Pitkin County Dry Goods in Aspen. They have been a huge hit with celebrities such as Lauren Conrad, Susan Sarandon, Anne Hathaway, and Josh Lucas.
You can follow the latest Brazilets news and stories on Twitter (@Brazilets)
and Blogspot (brazilianwishbracelets.blogspot.com).
