Surely by now you’ve noticed an insurmountable number of people sporting these crazy-looking bracelets. What looks like a chain of bubbles held together by one black bead and one white is actually what enthusiasts refer to as the lokai bracelet. Inside the black bead is mud from the Dead Sea, while inside the white bead rests water from Mt. Everest, the lowest and highest points on earth, respectfully. According to the company’s Facebook page:
“Life is full of joy and sadness, and we can all relate to its highs and lows. The lokai bracelet was created to serve as a reminder to the wearer to strive for a balanced life--staying humble during life's peaks and hopeful during its lows.”
The company, founded in 2013, attributes its existence to the idea of living a balanced lifestyle. It encourages customers to share their stories, good or bad, on their social media to gain perspective of the balance of life all around them. But more importantly, they also donate 10 percent of their profits to charitable partners.
Even celebrities have jumped on the lokai train. Stars like Disney Channel’s Bella Thorne, "High School Musical"’s Vanessa Hudgens, and "Pretty Little Liars"' Ashley Benson have all been spotted on social media sporting their own bracelets. Even Justin Bieber has been caught wearing one. This fad appears to have spread like wildfire overnight, and now it’s near impossible to go anywhere without spotting someone with this bracelet.
As inspiring as this new accessory is, however, it is remarkably similar to a fad that spread not too long ago: the Livestrong bracelet. Everyone remembers these yellow things that were developed by the nonprofit company of the same name in order to provide support to people affected by cancer. Founded by cancer survivor and former professional road racing cyclist Lance Armstrong exactly one decade before the lokai, it’s hard not to notice how similar the two bracelets are. They're both "doesn't match my outfit but I'll wear it because it stands for something" bracelets.
First of all, compare the way the businesses have grown. Livestrong started out as the classic yellow band that when anyone saw it they knew exactly what it was. However, shortly after its booming popularity, the company began to grow and it developed variations of the classic yellow. Soon there was a color for nearly every different type of cancer or relief fund. Although it’s too early to compare numbers, there are already developments of the lokai for wildlife relief, breast cancer, and for World Water Day in addition to the classic design.
Secondly, have you noticed the growth patterns between the two? How quickly it seems to have spread? Or how people wear them? It's like it's a contest to see who can fit more on their wrists, or that the more you own, the more you are supporting the cause. Don't get me wrong, I own a lokai myself and love it, but there should be an understood limit of how many you can stack on your wrist before you're just being "that guy."
Finally, one final, major similarity between the two is the vibe of their product. Their mottos for example.
Livestrong: "Unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything."
Lokai: "Stay hopeful, stay humble."
It's as if both companies took the opportunity to market off the mental health craze that has stirred our nation. They also promote active lifestyles, and positive health from a spiritual level.
All in all, I love both companies. They've both created solid products that at the same time, serve the consumer and their communities. It's interesting to see how much lokai will grow, but it's undeniable that the two companies harness strong similarities. So, is lokai the new Livestrong? Tell me what you think in the comments below.
For all those who question whether there truly is dirt and water in the lokai beads, check out this Twitter feed.
