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 your brand?
Bold&Zeal was born from a deeply personal turning point. After my father suffered a spinal cord stroke and became quadriplegic, I witnessed firsthand what true resilience looks like. That experience reshaped my perspective on purpose and ultimately led me to support the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation through marathon fundraising, raising over $215,000 to date.
When Achilles surgery sidelined me from running, I was forced to rethink how I could continue contributing to a mission that had become part of my identity. Bold&Zeal emerged from that moment. I wanted to create something enduring, something that could turn everyday actions into meaningful impact.
At its core, Bold&Zeal is more than a clothing brand -- it’s a mindset. It’s built on the belief that bold living is a choice, not a circumstance, and it’s designed to empower people, especially those facing adversity, to keep moving forward with strength and purpose.
Why is your brand resonating with people?
The resonance comes from authenticity and timing. “Live Bold” isn’t just a phrase -- it’s a quiet affirmation. It meets people where they are, whether they’re navigating personal challenges, chasing goals, or simply trying to show up stronger each day.
In a world that often feels noisy and performative, people are gravitating toward meaning. Our pieces are intentionally understated, allowing the message to feel personal rather than promotional. That subtlety creates a deeper emotional connection.
There’s also a growing desire for purpose-driven brands. When someone wears Bold&Zeal, they’re not just wearing a product -- they’re aligning with a mindset and contributing to impact. That combination of personal meaning and social good is what makes it stick, especially among creators who want what they share to reflect something real.
What lessons have you learned along the way?
One of the biggest lessons is that even the most meaningful story has to be communicated clearly and quickly. In today’s digital world, you have seconds—not minutes—to connect.
I’ve also learned the importance of staying current and engaged. Being present at key events, building relationships in real time, and actively creating social content isn’t optional -- it’s where business is happening in an e-commerce-driven world. Visibility and connection go hand in hand.
Another lesson is focus. While the mission is universal, understanding who connects most deeply with the brand allows you to build more intentionally.
And finally, resilience is everything. Entrepreneurship requires constant adaptation. Every challenge is an opportunity to refine your vision and move forward with greater clarity and purpose.
Share your mission for 2026
2026 is about scaling both impact and awareness. As our first full year in business, the focus is on growing the brand while staying grounded in our purpose.
We’re expanding Bold&Zeal as a platform -- not just for apparel, but for storytelling and community. Through initiatives like The Climber’s Club blog, we’re creating space for conversations around resilience, growth, and overcoming adversity.
Our mission is to empower individuals -- especially those facing challenges -- to see themselves differently: not defined by circumstance, but by their ability to move forward.
As Bold&Zeal grows, so does our ability to give back. That’s the ultimate goal -- building a brand that not only inspires bold living, but actively contributes to changing lives.
For media inquiries, please contact Taylor Musk at Bold&Zeal via email at TaylorMuskPR@Proton.me. For more information about the company and its services, please visit www.boldandzeal.com
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