No matter how busy life might get, everyone needs to take a moment to relax. Synergy Beads bracelets are made as a virsual reminder to maintain your balance and interconnectedness as you move from day to day.
Tell us about Synergy Beads.
Synergy Beads is a new business that sells stylish unisex bracelets that infuse sustainability into the mind, body, spirit connection. Our bracelets focus on positive aspects of consciousness like gratitude, abundance, vision, etc. Our goal is to create bracelets that are hip, affordable, and eco-friendly and serve as a reminder of inner-peace and well being for our customers.
What inspired you to launch your business?
Interestingly, a reminder note on my computer monitor inspired me. I was having an extremely busy day at work, combined with a long to-do list, and I found myself getting wrapped up in the hectic mood. At some point, I realized I needed to chill out for a minute or two, so I took a deep breath to calm down and center myself. As I was doing that, I noticed the reminder note and stared at it for a moment; I eventually decided I needed a constant reminder for myself – to calm down and see every moment as an opportunity for personal growth. A few days later I made a bracelet that looked cool to others, but was meant to be my reminder of inner peace throughout the day. I received several compliments from others regarding how much they liked it, and several people asked where they could get one. Ultimately I decided to start making them for anyone who wanted one. A few months later, here I am.
How many different styles/colors do your bracelets come in?
We have over a dozen styles, including a couple for kids. There are numerous color and natural or recycled bead combinations. You’ll find no plastic or acrylic here. We use materials like stone, wood (varieties that are more sustainably harvested than conventional hardwoods), lava rock, recycled glass and handcrafted clay. Each bracelet focuses on a positive attribute of well-being and a holistic blessing is said for the wearer before each bracelet is shipped.
What separates you from the competition?
What makes us different is that we use natural and recycled materials in our bracelets. We have taken the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit concept and infused it with synergy of sustainability. There are so many products out there that have a holistic, “All is One” theme, but use virgin paper or enormous amounts of plastics in their products or packaging. We have said, “Yes, All truly is One, and that includes Mother Earth.” So we make a conscious effort to create bracelets and use packaging that is more sustainable.
In what ways are you able to keep your business eco-friendly?
In addition to only using natural or recycled beads, Synergy Beads uses eco-friendly packaging. All of our packaging is made from recycled paper- we do not use bubble wrap or styrofoam. Our label tags are completely compostable. They are made from recycled paper and are printed with soy inks. The ribbon we use in the packaging is made from 100% jute fibers. We also participate in a renewable energy credit program with our utility provider. We are proud to be recently added to the eco-search engine Green Maven, which includes businesses that incorporate green principals and practices in their directories.
Do you contribute any part of your sales to an organization? If so, who and what do they do?
Yes. We give 5% of our annual sales to the Animal Placement Bureau in Lansing, MI. They are a great no-kill rescue I got to know when I adopted my two dogs, Winsor and Piper. They never turn their backs on an animal and have an amazing network of foster parent volunteers.
What goals would you like to accomplish in the next year or so?
By the end of our first year, I’d like to continue to expand our customer base. I also hope that we have built a great reputation for the care we put into Synergy Beads and our customers. I also hope to have even more product reviews and VIP gift bag features under our belt by then.
What lessons have you learned from running your business?
That’s a good question. The greatest lessons I’ve learned are to be flexible and open to change. The start-up process, like home construction, is almost always going to take longer than planned and cost more than projected. Be aware that your business might not end up exactly like you intended, but if you are open to change it can be better than you initially thought. I’ve also learned that a deep passion for your vision will make you more resourceful than you thought possible.
Any pieces of advice you’d like to share with others hoping to break into the jewelry business?
Do your homework. Know what makes you different from others in your genre. I also recommend joining a business start-up discussion board to connect with people who are going through the same process or have established a successful business- learn from other people’s successes and mistakes.