[Authentic]

Hey guys, are there any particular brands similar to say the Yamahas of the "cheaper" acoustic guitar world but are still decent quality for ukuleles? A friend has recommended the Pono brand, but it seems to be more expensive than $100. Does brand really make a difference at such a low price point, or should I just buy one that looks good aesthetically as if I really want quality, I'll have to go higher? I don't really want to spend over $100 for my first ukulele, as I'll likely bump the heck out of it and intend to get better before looking at higher priced ones.