More than just a bracelet, Pura Vida does an amazing job of creating meaning. Based out of San Diego, this amazing charity/ business run by a pair of college friends finds a way to make beautiful bracelets, support charities, and also support Puerto Rico natives Jorge and Joaquin.
In 2010, San Diego locals Griffin and Paul made a post-graduation trip to Puerto Rico. After meeting Jorge and Joaquin, Paul and Griffin decided to by a load of bracelets from them and take them back to California. They decided to make them available for sale in a local boutique. Once they saw how quickly they sold out, they decided to take advantage of the newly discovered market.
They quickly started a business/charity and began selling thousands of bracelets worldwide. Developing the lines to make each design attributed to specific causes, the founders of the business began to give Pura Vida meaning and a name, Pura Vida simply meaning Pure Life in spanish. Once their name was well know, the company expanded to more than simply bracelets. Today the Pura Vida line is a world renowned company carrying all sorts of jewelry and the community it caters to is like no other. Based out of San Diego, the company works in Puerto Rico to support the locals there, while also donating to support an array of causes such as depression awareness.
I love this business! I think it is really cool how it started with jut two guys interacting with two other guys and trying to help them and support their business. It is a really unique way of innovating I think, by taking a local business in Puerto Rico and expanding it to a much broader market worldwide. Its cool to see how you can turn anything, even homemade bracelets, into a much bigger cause.
I love how they offer different bracelet designs that each support a specific organization. There are a lot of different businesses that offer “charity bracelets,” but I think that this concept makes Pura Vida unique. It was a great way for the company to expand their audience because they are no longer tied down to a single cause.
This idea of this business seems so simple, but it is really awesome how successful it has become. The bracelets look very stylish and I can see why they have made such a big splash in the market. I also think it is awesome that they have such a great cause backing this business, which makes it hard to think that they will go under in the near future.
It’s so unique and it combines the social aspect and business side so well. I wonder how their business is doing after the hurricane.