NKY entrepreneur helps 1,000s in her native Puerto Rico

FORT MITCHELL – Last fall Puerto Rican native Mariela Oyola-Brauch couldn't bear to look at images of her hurricane-ravaged island. 

She couldn't, however, close her eyes to the needs of her people.

"I was heartbroken, just heartbroken," Oyola-Brauch, 38, said. "I had to do something. I may not have been able to bring water to all those in need, but I could bring joy."

So, the Fort Mitchell entrepreneur decided she would step up the efforts of her company, Jibaro, to provide support. As a result, she has helped thousands of people on her native island.

A week after Hurricane Maria hit, Oyola-Brauch used Jibaro’s Facebook page and the hashtag JibaroRoots to reach out to all Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. who had not been able to communicate with their loved ones in Puerto Rico.  Due to the lack of electricity and inconsistent internet and cellphone services many families could not stay in touch.

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With the help of Oyola-Brauch's family living in Puerto Rico, they were able to locate almost 30 elderly people in 10 different towns and send videos and messages confirming their safety for concerned family members in the U.S.

She also visited Puerto Rico, bringing cold soft drinks and cookies to orphans, as well as musical entertainment to a senior care facility.

"These weren't necessarily needed items, but fun things for the people and children to experience during a time of great need," Oyola-Brauch said. "It gave them a break. It took their minds off of things for a little bit and made them happy."

In addition, Oyola-Brauch recently helped organize a major hurricane relief effort with leaders at Covington's Madison Avenue Christian Church, partnering with Programa de Adolecentes de Naranjito Inc. (PANI). PANI will use the fundraising proceeds to increase psychological and counseling services for children and adolescents in Naranjito, Puerto Rico.

Oyola-Brauch also collaborated with Covenant-First Presbyterian Church in downtown Cincinnati and Cincinnati for Puerto Rico to raise and donate funds toward recovery efforts.

Most recently, she managed a project with Water Mission to begin the restoration of an inoperable water well that serves more than 300 families in Naranjito, Puerto Rico. Through her efforts, thousands who have been without a functioning water source for more than five months will soon have a sustainable solar-powered well.

"It feels good, really good to do something for others," she said.

Oyola-Brauch founded Jibaro – a lifestyle brand with a mission to celebrate and promote authentic Puerto Rican heritage – a year ago this March. The company sells men, women and kids apparel including shirts and hats and decorative items for the home. 

Oyola-Brauch donates 10 percent of all profits toward nonprofit organizations based in Puerto Rico.

“I was saddened by the continuing negative news coming out of Puerto Rico and wanted to create something all of us who love Puerto Rico or call ourselves Puerto Ricans could celebrate and enjoy,” Oyola-Brauch said. “Our Jibaro products provide a positive way to both promote Puerto Rico and to give back to the people."

Oyola-Brauch said the products are also a way to show other Americans the "true beauty of Puerto Rican culture." 

Jibaro has partnered with the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Chicago. The museum, the only Puerto Rican museum outside the island, sells Jibaro products.

Museum executive director Billy Ocasio said it has been a great partnership. 

"Our visitors love the products, we sell Jibaro's decorative tiles and T-shirts," he said. "I like that these pieces remind us of old world Puerto Rico and that our culture is something to be celebrated. Jibaro really does a good job capturing who we are as a people."

Ocasio also appreciates that Jibaro is helping to support those who live in Puerto Rico.

Jibaro has donated more than $1,500 to nonprofit organizations since March 2017.

Migrating to Bronx, New York, at 9 months old, Oyola-Brauch and her parents returned to Naranjito, Puerto Rico, to be closer to family members when she was 5 years old. After obtaining a chemistry degree from the University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez Campus, Oyola-Brauch moved back to the U.S. in 2002. She earned a master’s degree at Ohio State University in Columbus. Oyola-Brauch worked as a chemist for almost 10 years, developing and innovating consumer products for Procter & Gamble, one of the world’s most prominent marketing and manufacturing companies.

She left P&G to raise her children, now 3 and 5, and last year decided to pursue her lifelong dream.

"I've always been an entrepreneur," she said. "I can remember in third grade getting in trouble at school for selling things. I would even sell candy to the kids on my street. I was always looking for a way to sell and make a business."

That early hustle has certainly paid off as the now wife and mother-of-two serves as Jibaro's chief executive officer. The company has sold its merchandise to customers in 27 U.S. states and 45 towns in Puerto Rico. Currently, Jibaro has 5,000 Facebook followers. 

"Our goal is to become a nationally recognized brand that not only gives back to the people of Puerto Rico, but also brings them pride," Oyola-Brauch said. "We also want to expand our product offering and are looking into adding coffee. We are excited."