Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily And Lindsay Stetzer.
Emily and Lindsay, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My sister Lindsay and I started Presently out of our own experiences living with OCD and anxiety. Through therapy, we learned tools that helped us navigate intrusive thoughts and uncertainty, but we also knew how hard it could be to remember those tools when we were actually feeling anxious. We wanted something tangible we could carry with us—a reminder of the perspective we were practicing.
When we moved home during the pandemic in 2020, that idea started taking shape in our living room. We began creating bracelets with phrases like “Embrace uncertainty” and “Brave the uncomfortable,” inspired by what we were learning in therapy. In 2021, we officially launched Presently.
From the beginning, we wanted to be open about the experiences behind the brand. OCD is often misunderstood, and sharing our stories became an important part of connecting with people who could relate. As Presently grew, we heard from customers buying reminders for themselves, loved ones choosing meaningful gifts, and therapists sharing them with clients.
Today, our collection includes several bracelet styles, keychain wristlets, mirror decals, yoga mats, and therapy-inspired gift boxes. We also donate 5% of each retail bracelet sale to mental health nonprofits. We’re still a small, family-run business, with our mom helping behind the scenes.
What started as something we wanted for ourselves has become a way to help others carry the words that matter to them. That personal connection continues to guide everything we create.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. We started with an idea that felt meaningful to us personally, but learning how to turn that idea into a business has been a whole other experience. As a small, family-run brand, we’ve had to figure out everything from product development and inventory to marketing and getting our products in front of the right people.
One of the biggest challenges has been communicating what makes Presently different. At first glance, someone might see a bracelet with words on it, but the meaning behind those words is really the heart of what we do. Our phrases come from perspectives we’ve practiced in therapy, and explaining that connection takes more than simply showing a product.
There’s also the emotional side of building a business while living with OCD and anxiety. Running a business involves so much uncertainty, which can be especially challenging when your mind wants clear answers. We’re often practicing the very things our bracelets remind us of: braving discomfort, accepting uncertainty, and letting go of what we can’t control.
It can be discouraging when something we’ve put a lot of care into doesn’t gain traction as quickly as we hoped. We’re still learning how to balance trying new things with giving them time to grow. Hearing from someone who connects with a reminder or finds it helpful brings us back to why we started.
As you know, we’re big fans of Presently . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Presently creates therapy-inspired jewelry and everyday reminders for people navigating anxiety, OCD, or a difficult season. Our collection includes bracelets, keychain wristlets, mirror decals, yoga mats, and gift boxes, all centered around phrases that help people reconnect with perspectives they’ve learned in therapy.
What sets us apart is the language we use. Rather than promising that everything will work out, our reminders make room for discomfort and uncertainty. Phrases like “Embrace uncertainty,” “It’s okay to feel how I feel,” and “I am separate from my mind” reflect tools my sister and I have practiced in our own lives. We know firsthand that understanding a concept in therapy and remembering it during an anxious moment can be two very different things. Presently helps bridge that gap with something you can wear, carry, or see throughout your day.
We also put a lot of thought into making our pieces beautiful and easy to incorporate into everyday life. A reminder can be deeply personal while still being a bracelet you love wearing or a meaningful gift you’re excited to give. Our gift boxes bring together a bracelet, keychain wristlet, and mirror decal, and our build-your-own option lets customers choose the words that resonate with them. For anyone unsure where to start, our website has a quiz to help them find a reminder.
We’re most proud of building a brand where we can speak openly about OCD and anxiety and connect with people through those shared experiences. It means so much when someone tells us why they chose a particular phrase or gives one to someone they care about. We also donate 5% of each retail bracelet sale to mental health nonprofits and offer practitioner pricing for mental health professionals who want to share our reminders with clients.
We want readers to know that you don’t have to have the perfect words to support someone. Sometimes a thoughtful reminder can be a small, meaningful way to say, “I see what you’re going through, and I’m here for you.”
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next five to ten years, I hope we’ll see mental health become more integrated into everyday life, including the products people buy and the gifts they give. For a brand like ours, that means creating pieces that are beautiful and also hold personal meaning.
I think people will become more thoughtful about the language behind wellness products. Living with OCD and anxiety has taught us that encouragement doesn’t always mean telling yourself to think positively. Sometimes it means allowing an uncomfortable feeling, accepting that you don’t have an answer, or moving forward while uncertainty is still there. I hope we’ll see more brands make room for that complexity.
I also see an opportunity for more collaboration between mental health professionals and small businesses. We’d love to see therapy-informed perspectives become more accessible through everyday reminders, alongside greater access to professional support.
For Presently, we want to keep exploring ways to help people carry what they’re learning into their daily lives. The formats may evolve, but the need for meaningful connection and support will continue to guide us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://presentlybracelets.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/presentlysisters
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/thinkpresently
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@presentlybracelets
