What happened to Silly Bandz and how did they make $100M before disappearing? Silly Bandz were created in 2008 by Robert Croak, inspired by shaped rubber bands he saw in Japan. He thought they'd make fun, collectible bracelets… and he was right. Kids everywhere started collecting, trading and wearing them at school. But the hype really exploded when celebrities like the Kardashians and Justin Bieber started wearing them, making the brand even more popular. Croak’s company, BCP imports, went from just 20 employees to nearly 3000 as they scrambled to keep up with the demand. In two years their sales skyrocketed from $10,000 to over $100 million Stores were selling out faster than they could restock, and it seemed like Silly Bandz was destined to become a billion dollar brand. But then the problem started… #nostalgia #startupstories #brandorigins #sillybandz #influencermarketing