Meet Alessandra Brian of Band of Tolerance

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alessandra Brian.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
With the connectivity of today’s world, we benefit from the ability to share our insight, our experiences, our breakfast choices and other, possibly more valuable information. Consequently, we have never been farther apart.

Following an incessant wave of negativity and horrendous happenings, I felt I wanted to be part of different rhetoric, a positive one. To me tolerance is simple. I believe that YOU deserve to be who you are and live as whatever it is that makes you happy – so long as this doesn’t impede anyone else’s ability to pursue their own happiness.

Band of Tolerance is not acceptance by passivity, it is instead a symbol of action. This symbol was created to embody a movement of peace and unity, to act as a beacon of hope in the name of tolerance. We believe in representing respect for humans’ basic rights and their happiness, despite differences in background, beliefs, upbringing or experience. Band of Tolerance is not a political stance, it is a human one.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am not a jewelry person. That is to say, I tend to sport very simple, classic pieces as staples. When trying to come up with a symbol carrying such deep meaning, I wanted something that was universal, unisex, and simple, but well-made.

As a lifelong entrepreneur and wearer of many hats, I confidently headed to the internet to do my research, and picked up the phone to find someone to make my bracelet. Ninety phone calls to jewelers around the country and abroad, multiple prototypes, and many nights of insomnia later, I was finally on track to having a finished product.

Despite constant advice to export my business to China or other countries where precious metals are much cheaper, I wanted to be able to communicate my message to someone that could translate my vision into a tangible symbol. I ended up finding Eddy, a jeweler who happened to live in a neighboring town, who tirelessly worked with me to improve and perfect my product.

Band of Tolerance – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Band of Tolerance is a meaningful company that bloomed positivity from a negative seed of doubt and hopelessness. I moved back to the United States having lived in London for years. I unintentionally had my flight booked for days after the election in 2016.

I landed in a place I no longer recognized. Friends, families, coworkers all torn apart, all discussing things viscerally as if this person they’ve known their entire lives had suddenly morphed into an unrecognizable monster upon learning their political beliefs. And I understand, I empathize, I do.

But, since when did society, relationships for that matter weigh so heavily on solitary beliefs or support for certain notions. I never want to downplay the severity of the suffering linked with social issues and more, but if nothing else, this shocking shift in the country’s atmosphere has banded us together more than ever.

This company has taught me, and hopefully others, that although there are horrendous things happening, there are really powerful forms of connection happening, too. It’s taught me to converse with those that do not think the same way that I do, because maybe if we can agree on tolerance, there are other things that we can learn from each other.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
In honor of Band of Tolerance’s ethos, we hosted an event called Tolerance Talks. Broken down into sex, race, and religion, speakers gave 60-second stories of experiences of intolerance throughout their lives.

As the emotional energy grew from the emotive, powerful stories being shared, attendees of different age, race, and beliefs were brokeninto random groups by stickers they had received on arrival. This way, groups were comprised of strangers, with new ways of thinking and without bias.

There was a point I looked across the many groups and took a moment to appreciate that if nothing else, people were connecting from an incredibly vulnerable standpoint, sharing points of views, and discussing important topics from a place of tolerance and understanding, at a time when people’s guards seemed highest.

This beat any number of sales and goals reached!

Pricing:

• Sterling Silver Band of Tolerance $29
• Gold Vermeil Band of Tolerance $35
• 10% of every Band of Tolerance purchased is donated to charity partner of your choice!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bandoftolerance.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @bandoftolerance
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BandofTolerance/
• Twitter: @bandoftolerance

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.