Radiating Positivity: Student Builds Brand With Purpose
Olivia Marcantonio, a senior at Nichols College, comes from a long line of entrepreneurs. This summer Marcantonio was inspired to take the leap and follow in her family’s footsteps by starting her own business with partner Kate Silvestri, a sophomore at Boston University.
Marcantonio shares that, like many great businesses before them, it all started with a sketch on a cocktail napkin. Silvestri, a fitness influencer, and Marcantonio, a Nichols soccer player, decided they wanted to create an active wear and lounge clothing brand. And, most importantly, a brand that brings awareness to mental health issues.
They launched Radiate Positivity on Oct. 10. Radiate Positivity offers a range of lounge wear in several colors, each with their own meaning, including love, hope, cloud, sunrise and purpose. Their website concisely states their mission, “a place for anyone and everyone to shop positive athletic and cozy items with a purpose.” In addition to raising awareness through their brand, the company donates 10 percent of their proceeds to non-profit organizations that support mental health services.
This business is personal for Marcantonio. “I’ve suffered from mental health issues, depression and anxiety. These are issues I can deeply relate to,” she shares. “This is not just a business to me; it is a lifestyle and an opportunity to help others like me by creating a space to have a positive dialog about mental health.”
As a double major in psychology and marketing, Marcantonio felt prepared and supported by the Nichols College community when working on her business plan. “Psychology classes helped me better understand myself and even helped when we evaluated the right colors for our line. In marketing, we talk about different strategies for marketing a product, which has been extremely helpful,” she offers. “The community has been very supportive. I was even asked to give a presentation about my business in a class to my peers.”
Marcantonio and Silvestri are proud of the work they put in to get their business started. “My hope is that the business will continue to grow and that our lines will make a difference in people’s lives,” she says. “Our clothes are so much more than sweatshirts. It is a part of the person who buys it. Our customers might buy our clothing for a friend who suffers from mental illness, they might buy it for themselves because they can relate, or they might just buy it because they love the colors and want to raise awareness.” Marcantonio continues, “We believe positive energy is contagious, and through our business we look forward to continuing the work of spreading positive energy and raising awareness.”
For more information about Radiate Positivity:
Website: https://radiatepositivity.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radiate_mha/
About Nichols College
Within a supportive community, Nichols College transforms today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders through a dynamic, career-focused business and professional education.
Media Contacts
Denise Kelley
Writer/Editor
denise.kelley@nichols.edu
508-213-2219