Chrissie and Gladys Lam, a mother-daughter duo, have built an incredible business with Love Is Project – a company that creates handmade bracelets and accessories while providing jobs for women in developing countries worldwide. What started as a personal passion project has blossomed into a multi-million dollar enterprise with an estimated net worth of $5 million. In this blog post, we’ll deeply dive into this inspiring social impact brand’s story, operations, and future.
Who is Love Is Project?
Love Is Project is a for-purpose jewelry and accessory company founded in 2017 by Chrissie Lam and her mother, Gladys. The company aims to create sustainable economic opportunities for marginalized women worldwide by partnering with local artisan communities to produce handmade bracelets, necklaces, face masks, and other products.
Each piece is infused with its country of origin’s cultural heritage and craftsmanship, featuring unique designs, materials, and techniques from places like Kenya, Guatemala, Vietnam, and Ecuador. But beyond just creating beautiful products, Love Is Project is committed to uplifting the lives of its artisan partners, with over 2,000 jobs created to date across ten different countries.
Who Is The Founder Of Love Is Project?
Love Is Chrissie Lam, and her mother Gladys co-founded Project. Chrissie spent time in Kenya several years ago and was inspired by the resilient and talented women she met there. She returned home determined to create economic opportunities for these artisans, and she launched the Love Is Project with her mother, Gladys.
Chrissie’s passion for social impact and Gladys’ business savvy have made them a formidable entrepreneurial team. They’ve grown Love Is Project from a personal project into a thriving social enterprise, securing partnerships with major retailers like American Eagle and Whole Foods and building a robust direct-to-consumer business.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Touch-Up Cup?
In 2021, Chrissie and Gladys took Love Is Project to the Shark Tank, seeking a $250,000 investment for a 5% equity stake in the company. Their pitch highlighted the brand’s mission-driven business model, impressive sales numbers, and plans for future growth.
However, the Sharks expressed concerns about the company’s high customer acquisition costs and accumulated debt. While they admired the social impact work, some felt the business ran more like a charity than a for-profit enterprise. Ultimately, the Lams left the Tank without a deal, as none of the Sharks were convinced to invest.
| Entrepreneurs | Chrissie and Gladys Lam |
|---|---|
| Business | The Love Is Project |
| Ask | $250,000 for 5% equity |
| Result | No Deal |
| Sharks | None |
Love Is Project Shark Tank Update:
Chrissie and Gladys have continued to grow the LoLoves Project since their Shark Tank appearance despite not securing a Shark investment. The company’s estimated net worth has climbed to $5 million, a testament to its resilience and the strength of its business model.
Some key post-Shark Tank developments include expanding their product line beyond just bracelets to necklaces, face masks, dog collars, and more. They’ve also attracted high-profile celebrity endorsements from Brooke Shields, Anne Hathaway, and Jeff Bridges, further boosting brand awareness and sales.
What Happened To Love Is Project After Shark Tank?
Following its Shark Tank appearance, Love Is Project has continued to thrive, even without the Sharks’ investment. The company has paid off its accumulated debt and grown its revenue to over $4 million annually.
A significant factor in their success has been a savvy digital marketing strategy, including an active social media presence and targeted advertising. Despite the initial high costs of Facebook ads, Love Is Project has optimized its marketing approach and reduced customer acquisition expenses over time.
The company has also expanded its wholesale partnerships, distributing its products to over 350 retail locations across the United States and 22 other countries. This multi-channel sales approach has helped drive consistent growth and profitability.
Love Is Project Net Worth:
Based on our research, Love Is Project’s estimated net worth is $5 million. This valuation takes into account the company’s strong revenue, growing customer base, expanding product lines, and successful retail partnerships.
While the company faced some initial challenges, including high debt and expensive customer acquisition costs, Chrissie and Gladys have demonstrated their ability to adapt and optimize their business model. Their commitment to social impact and laser-focus on creating value for customers and artisan partners has allowed Love Is Project to thrive.
| Year | Revenue | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | January 2017 | – |
| 2019 | $1 million | Heavy expenditure on Facebook ads, resulting in a loss |
| Lifetime Sales | Over $4 million | 2,000+ jobs created for female artisans across ten countries |
Love Is Project Growth and Operations:
Since launching in 2017, Love Is Project has experienced impressive growth, expanding from its initial focus on handmade bracelets to a full line of accessories and lifestyle products. The company now works with over 2,000 artisans across 10 countries, creating sustainable economic opportunities and preserving traditional craftsmanship.
On the operational side, Love Is Project utilizes a streamlined, asset-light model. They partner closely with local NGOs and social enterprises to handle production, quality control, and logistics, allowing the core team to focus on design, marketing, and business development. This approach has enabled rapid scaling without the overhead of managing a large manufacturing operation.
Love Is Project Marketing and Sales:
A key driver of Love Is Project’s success has been its savvy marketing and sales strategy. The company has built a solid digital presence, with an active social media following and targeted advertising campaigns that highlight the stories and craftsmanship of its artisan partners.
Love Is Project has also cultivated partnerships with high-profile celebrities and influencers, generating valuable endorsements and word-of-mouth marketing. Its multi-channel sales approach, encompassing e-commerce, wholesale, and even brick-and-mortar retail, has allowed it to reach a broad audience.
| Products | Markets |
|---|---|
| Handmade bracelets | Available in 350+ retailers across 44 states in the U.S. and 22 countries |
| Expanded Products | Necklaces, face masks, dog collars, and more |
| Distribution Channels | Amazon, Love Is Project website |
Love Is Project Social Media Presence:
Love Is Project has a robust social media presence, with over 200,000 followers across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. The company uses these channels to share the stories of its artisan partners, showcase new product releases, and engage with its passionate community of customers.
Through compelling visual content and authentic storytelling, Love Is Project has built a loyal following that supports the brand and actively promotes it. This vibrant social media presence has been critical to the company’s growth and brand awareness.
Love Is Project Interesting Facts:
- The original “Love” bracelet design is rooted in Maasai culture. Red beads symbolize bravery and strength.
- Love Is Project has been featured in major publications like Glamour, Elle, and Oprah Magazine.
- Celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Brooke Shields, and Jeff Bridges have worn the company’s products.
- Love Is Project has expanded its product lines to include necklaces, face masks, dog collars, and more.
- The company has created over 2,000 jobs for women in 10 different countries worldwide.
What’s Next For Love Is Project?
The future for Love Is Project is bright. The company is well-positioned for continued growth, with plans to expand its product lines, retail partnerships, and global artisan network. Chrissie and Gladys Lam are also exploring new ways to deepen their social impact, potentially through initiatives like skills training, financial literacy programs, and community development projects. As Love Is Project continues to scale, the founders remain committed to creating economic opportunity and empowering marginalized women worldwide.
Final Words:
Love Is Project’s inspiring story is a testament to the power of business to drive positive social change. What began as a personal passion project for Chrissie Lam has blossomed into a thriving social enterprise with an estimated net worth of $5 million and a tangible impact on thousands of women globally.
Through their commitment to craftsmanship, storytelling, and ethical sourcing, Chrissie and Gladys Lam have built a brand that creates beautiful products, uplifts communities, and champions the values of loLovend compassion. As Love Is Project grows, it is a shining example of how businesses can do well by doing good.
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