For the second year Marketing Marley Brownlow, the creation of bracelets has become more than a hobby; It was a way to continue her mother’s inheritance. After looking at her mother and childhood friend fighting cancer, she knew she had to inspire the change.
Brownlow created its bracelet manufacturing business, One Love Beads, to raise awareness of cancer and honor his mother, Brandi Brownlow, who died of colon cancer in 2019. The name of his business was inspired by the singer-songwriter Bob Marley, who Brownlow was appointed after. His bracelets are inspired by the ocean, which connects both to Bob Marley and his mother’s love for scuba diving. Brownlow is now part of the Kendra Scott’s founding leadership Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership.
“I started doing bracelets, and my friends really liked,” said Brownlow. “They wanted to buy them. I was like … “I’m going to transform this into a business to give back to the cancer community.” »»
Brownlow said that each handmade bracelet takes about 15 minutes to do. She sold her bracelets on Etsy and in several stores, including along the beach coast in Port Aransas and the San Marcos river.
“(To) the first shop in which I started, we knew the owner, and I’m still here today,” said Brownlow. “My father was like” you should talk to him about your business. ” So I did it, and (the owner) said to me: “will sell your belongings here”. It was really exciting. I couldn’t believe it.
During his first year of college, Brownlow joined the founding program in the fall of 2023. Created for students who started a business, the program gives them resources, mentors, networks and workshops to help them grow. As a founder, Brownlow sold its bracelets to the Longhorn market last November. This year, Brownlow is one of the vice-presidents of the Kendra Scott Institute Student Board marketing.
“I saw this spark in his eyes during the possibility of presenting his business (at the Longhorn market), to speak to the people of his business (and) show them the product,” said Priscilla Olivarez, president of Kendra Scott Institute Student Board. “You can see the sun come out of it. It’s a really inspiring moment.
In addition to managing her business, Brownlow said that she was spending her time in various ways: drum in her family group, called Island Texas, educating horse riding, choreography, working two marketing and scuba diving courses. His grandparents said they saw a lot of their daughter in Brownlow.
“They remind us of each other,” said Jan Burks, Brownlow’s grandmother. “Of course, they are different people, but they both have a way to walk in a room, and everyone is happy that they are there.”
Brownlow said that she turned to Kendra Scott and hopes to develop her philanthropic business similar to that of Scott in the future. Brownlow said her business is developing, she wants to donate to the American Cancer Society and the MD Anderson Cancer Center.
“I hope (people who buy my bracelets) have the impression of being alone – if they have lost a loved one with cancer, if they fight against cancer themselves or if they know someone One who crosses their (own) battle, “says Brownlow. “I hope they feel joy and know that they are not alone.”