Erica Bazerkanian, Founder of Purpose-Drive Brand, Bold&Zeal and Advocate for Individuals Living with Paralysis
As a passionate advocate and entrepreneur, Erica Bazerkanian has dedicated her life to empowering individuals facing adversity while building brands that inspire purpose and resilience. With more than 30 years of leadership in marketing, communications, and commercialization across the healthcare and life sciences industries, she has built a career at the intersection of strategic innovation, storytelling, and social impact. Today, as the CEO and co-founder of Bold&Zeal, Erica channels both her professional expertise and deeply personal experiences into a mission-driven brand committed to supporting families and advancing awareness and resources for those living with paralysis.
While Erica’s professional achievements are substantial, the inspiration behind her current entrepreneurial journey is deeply personal.
Her father, Jeff Stone, suffered a sudden spinal cord stroke that left him quadriplegic. During the five months that followed, Erica witnessed extraordinary courage, resilience, and dignity as he fought to recover before ultimately passing away. The experience profoundly reshaped her understanding of strength and purpose.
Determined to transform grief into action, Erica became an active advocate for individuals living with paralysis. She joined Team Reeve, the fundraising arm of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and committed herself to raising awareness and research funding for spinal cord injury and paralysis. Through marathon running and community leadership, she has raised more than $225,000 to support the foundation’s work.
In addition to her personal fundraising efforts, Erica founded and led Team #IAMSTONE, named in honor of her father. Through the initiative she has recruited and mentored runners while helping expand awareness of the Reeve Foundation’s mission to advance research, improve care, and ultimately find cures for paralysis.
Her dedication to the cause has been recognized by the organization with the Heart of Team Reeve Award, the foundation’s highest volunteer honor, and induction into the Reeve Foundation Hall of Fame.
What led you to launch Bold&Zeal?
My path to Bold&Zeal began with a deeply personal experience. In 2016, my father suffered a spinal cord stroke that left him quadriplegic. Watching his courage during those months profoundly reshaped how I view resilience and purpose.
One year later, I ran my first marathon for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation in his honor. That single race turned into a long-term commitment. I’ve since completed eight marathons and helped raise more than $215,000 for paralysis research and quality-of-life programs.
When Achilles surgery sidelined me from running in 2023, I found myself asking a difficult question: how do I continue supporting a mission that has become part of my identity when my primary way of contributing is taken away?
Bold&Zeal emerged from that moment of reflection. I wanted to build something enduring, something that could create impact every single day. In 2025, I stepped back from my healthcare marketing career and launched the brand on Chicago Marathon Sunday in October, coinciding with my first race back after surgery.
Today, Bold&Zeal donates 10% of every sale to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. What began as a personal tribute has evolved into a brand designed to turn everyday purchases into meaningful progress for people living with paralysis.
When your father suffered a spinal cord stroke, how did it change your trajectory in life?
The moment my father suffered a spinal cord stroke changed the trajectory of my life. Until then, I had never even heard of such a condition. He was fully aware yet trapped in a body that would no longer respond.
What defined that chapter was his extraordinary strength. He remained patient, hopeful, and relentlessly determined to improve, even under unimaginable circumstances. Watching him face adversity with dignity left a lasting impression on me.
Before he passed, I began searching for a way to celebrate his life and positive spirit. That search led me to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and eventually to Team Reeve.
A year later, during my first marathon weekend in 2017, I attended a pre-race gathering where athletes living with paralysis shared how the Foundation’s work had transformed their lives. Hearing their stories — and seeing athletes complete the marathon using handcycles — was incredibly powerful. In that moment, everything shifted. What began as a way to honor my father suddenly felt much bigger.
I realized this was about helping move the future of paralysis forward. Supporting the Reeve Foundation became not just a tribute, but a commitment to expanding independence, opportunity, and hope for people living with paralysis.
That moment continues to guide the work I do today.
Bold&Zeal fuses bold self-expression with meaningful community impact. Take us through your brand.
Bold&Zeal is a family business built around a simple idea: bold living is a mindset, not a circumstance.
Every piece we create reflects that philosophy. Our garments incorporate quiet affirmations — phrases like “Live Bold” or “Relentless Pursuit” — designed to remind the wearer of their own strength and forward momentum.
We focus on elevated essentials rather than fast fashion. Many of our pieces are produced using repurposed deadstock fabrics to reduce waste, and everything is produced with intent toward sustainability. The goal is to create clothing that feels substantial, timeless, and meaningful.
Equally important is our commitment to impact. Ten percent of every purchase supports the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
At Bold&Zeal, fashion is more than self-expression. It is a vehicle for purpose — empowering the individual while uplifting a community.
What lessons have you learned along the way?
Entrepreneurship has been a continuous learning process. One of the most important lessons is that even the most meaningful story must be communicated with clarity. In today’s fast-moving digital world, you often have only a few seconds to connect with someone and convey who you are and why your brand matters.
Another key lesson has been the importance of focus. While our mission resonates broadly, we discovered that women in their 30s through 50s connect especially strongly with the brand. They appreciate both the philanthropic mission and the quality and comfort of the clothing.
Building a business also requires resilience. Strategy, patience, and the willingness to adapt are essential. Every challenge becomes an opportunity to refine the vision and move forward with greater purpose.
Share your top-sellers.
Our Yellow “Live Bold” Crewneck has quickly become a signature piece. It combines exceptional softness with sustainable materials and a vibrant message that instantly resonates with people.
Our Vintage-Inspired Boxy Tee is another standout. Designed by my co-founder and husband, who has over thirty years in the vintage apparel world, it blends heritage craftsmanship with modern style. Available in “Live Bold,” “Play Bold,” and Bold&Zeal designs, it has become our flagship piece. A specialized wash process gives the fabric a soft, lived-in feel from the very first wear.
Our canvas tote has also been a favorite. Simple, durable, and functional, it’s perfect for the gym or everyday errands — and carries the same message of bold living.
Each item reflects our philosophy: thoughtful design, lasting quality, and a mindset woven into the garment.
You recently showcased your products in the DPA Gifting Suite. How important is this to your marketing strategy?
As a small, family-run company, we approach marketing very strategically. Selective opportunities like the Gifting Suite allow us to introduce Bold&Zeal to highly engaged audiences in a meaningful way.
What was particularly encouraging was how quickly people understood and connected with our mission. The response reinforced that we are on the right path — our message of bold living and purposeful impact clearly resonates.
In a single day, we were able to build brand awareness, connect with media and creators, and generate conversations that continue well beyond the event itself. Those relationships often lead to follow-up interviews, podcasts, and collaborations.
Experiences like Heather Marianna’s “A Toast to Hollywood” provide valuable visibility, but they also reinforce the human side of our brand — creating authentic connections that extend our mission.
For us, it’s not just about exposure. It’s about building community.
Are you working on new designs?
Absolutely. Our design philosophy focuses on creating timeless essentials rather than chasing trends.
We’re currently developing new pieces that expand our core collection while staying true to the Bold&Zeal identity — refined silhouettes, exceptional comfort, and subtle messages that reinforce resilience and forward motion.
We’re also exploring additional sustainable fabric options and thoughtful design details that make each piece feel personal and enduring.
Every new product begins with a single question: Does this inspire someone to live boldly?
Share your vision for Bold&Zeal in 2026.
2026 represents our first full year in business, and our primary focus is building awareness around both the brand and its mission.As Bold&Zeal grows, so does our ability to support the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and contribute to progress for people living with paralysis. That impact will always remain at the heart of what we do.
We’re also launching a blog called The Climber’s Club for Bold Souls, which will feature stories of resilience, positivity, and personal growth. Our goal is to create a space where people feel encouraged to move forward with confidence — no matter their circumstances.
Ultimately, Bold&Zeal is about more than clothing. It’s about building a community that believes bold living is possible for everyone.
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