Millburn-Short Hills Magazine Spring 2020 | Page 29

business
Little Words
Can Say A Lot
Former Livingston resident Adriana Carrig makes meaningful bracelets
A
WRITTEN BY RICARDO KAULESSAR
driana Carrig
who maintain the registra-
was in fifth
tions. “They’re part of this
grade when
sisterhood of kindness that’s
her fam-
larger than themselves,”
ily moved to
says Carrig.
Livingston,
Those who become part
making her the new girl in
of the community post their
town. It was not an easy
feedback on littlewordspro-
transition.
ject.com, the company’s web-
Around this time, she
site. For example, Danielle
started making bracelets with
from Cresskill, who purchased
inspirational words for herself
a “BE HAPPY” bracelet,
as a way to get through the
says, “My mom has always
challenges of adolescence.
raised me with the motto ‘Be
“I did experience a lot of
Happy.’ She writes it in every
negativity from other girls,
birthday, Christmas, and ‘just
and was essentially bullied for
because’ card she’s ever given
a large portion of my life,”
me. This Christmas she found
Carrig says. “I was making
me this bracelet.”
word bracelets ... but mine
It was a community of
had words of encouragement
kindness that also helped the
and strength so that I could
Little Words Project grow, as
get through difficulty. It was
Carrig recalls how a network
always a little reminder to look
of friends whom she helped
WEAR YOUR WORDS Adriana Carrig’s Little Words Project creates
down at my wrist and know
over the years returned the
bracelets with positive expressions such as “Be You.”
that I would be okay.”
favor: The first photo shoot
Carrig, 29, who now resides
and the creation of the web-
in Glen Ridge, would continue
site were done with their help.
making bracelets while attending The College of New
The company has grown through moves to Jersey
Jersey. After graduation, she made it a full-time endeavor
City, Hoboken, and twice in Caldwell, where Carrig now
by establishing the Little Words Project. Carrig founded
operates in a large office space with 10 full-time employ-
the company in November 2013, in the basement of the
ees. “Everything has really just been about finding the
Livingston home of her parents, who assisted in the
right team and kind of building the brand from the bottom
creation and shipping of the bracelets. She made a prof-
up without seeking outside investment or outside capital,”
it on an initial $5,000 investment before the year’s end.
she says, noting that the bracelets are now carried in other
The handcrafted bracelets cost $20 or more. Each fea-
stores, including Nordstrom, and that she has plans to
tures different inspirational words such as “BE KIND” and
create bracelets for men.
“GOOD VIBES” and a tag inscribed with a code register-
“It’s really more than just a product, it’s a community,”
ing the owner in a community known as the Nice Girl
she says. “I want there to be more kindness in the
Gang. Owners can then pass the bracelets along to others,
world.” ■
MILLBURN & SHORT HILLS MAGAZINE SPRING 2020
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