MARBLEHEAD — In these uncertain times, Herb Yu wants to offer his customers a face mask for every occasion.
As the founder and CEO of Bonrisu, a Marblehead-based face-mask company, Yu has spent the last five months navigating the COVID business world, managing to launch a successful venture that he says began simply as a way to help a couple of friends in need.
“Two things kind of happened at the same time,” Yu said. “I was helping out a friend in the New York hospital system. She was trying to find N95 masks, and their staff didn’t really know where to look because supplies were pretty scarce. Since my background is in operations, I wanted to help them figure out a way to find a source of supplies and equip their workers.”
In the meantime, another friend of Yu’s — a tailor based out of Thailand — reached out to let Yu know the pandemic had put his own business in serious jeopardy.
With people no longer traveling for work, his friend was experiencing a steep drop in demand for business attire products, and he worried he would need to let up to 30 employees go.
According to Yu, the solution to both issues was clear.
“I’m like, well, have you thought about making these reusable masks? Since the N95 masks are pretty scarce, I think there’s a lot of people who might need them,” he said. “(My friend) hopped on board and we quickly designed a mask, got a couple prototypes and started making them.”
Since its launch in early April, following a mere two months of prep work figuring out logistics, Bonarisu has already amassed a steady customer base, boasting more than 10,000 masks sold.
Realizing the face-mask shortage was straining the financial resources of those on the pandemic’s front lines, Yu decided that for every mask sold, his company would also donate one to those in need.
To accomplish this, Bonrisu — the name for which is derived from the latin words bonum and risus, meaning ‘good smile’ — partnered with Meals on Wheels, donating more than 10,000 reusable masks to over 180 organizations that distribute the supplies to elderly at-risk communities throughout the U.S. and Canada.
“Herb’s helped bring people together in a serious time of need,” said Patrick Minogue, Bonrisu’s communications and PR director. “It’s also pretty cool he was able to help a dear friend of his.”
Yu added he takes pride in the fact that Bonrisu’s masks are “thoughtfully crafted” and made from the same high-end, premium fabrics typically used to make men’s dress shirts. Visitors to Bonrisu’s website have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of colors, patterns, and styles meant to suit any occasion, which is exactly what Yu envisioned when he launched the brand.
As for the company’s long-term strategy, Yu sees a bright future ahead.
“We have long-term aspirations to continue finding opportunities for folks to stay employed, as well as continue giving back to the community,” he said. “We’re actively working with our partners and community members to figure out what we can do with the people, the resources and the suppliers we have to meet those two goals.”
He later added: “It’s been a phenomenal effort by the team, and the response has been overwhelming. Some of the stories we’ve heard about how much financial strain these organizations have been in is eyewatering.”
Masks are currently available for purchase at Shubie’s in Marblehead, as well as online at bonrisu.com.
