About Us

Not long ago, Lisa Harrington was working as a pediatric nurse at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. After dressing up her own dull work badge, a veritable sleeping pill on a string, she was really getting noticed. Soon admiring coworkers commissioned their own unique accessories. Lisa and her children made them in her home’s basement in true DIY style.

Then one holiday, Lisa’s sister-in-law Kimberly Martinez, a high-powered executive wanting to redesign her career, realized Lisa’s creations belonged in the workplace, where boring lanyards have held sway for too long. "High on adrenaline and Christmas cookies, I put together a business plan on the back of a holiday card envelope.”

The combination of business and design acumen led to their forming Bonitas International in 2003, the parent company of BooJee Beads. “Parent” being the operative word—the name “BooJee” is Martinez’s youngest son’s nickname.

Today, the same innovation that began with one transformed hospital nametag has expanded to many other professions and a range of smart accessories. Lisa and Kimberly’s decision to redesign their work lives on their own terms has become an international, woman-owned business that lets everyone redefine how they work.

And the rest is history.