Neil Blumental, Warby Parker: Building A Brand Ethos Through Vulnerability

Neil Blumenthal, Co-Founder of Warby Parker, spoke at PSFK CONFERENCE 2013 about how the eyeglass brand got started and what is behind his vision to deliver quality, fashionable, and inexpensive frames. Blumenthal began working for a non-profit organization that provided inexpensive glasses to those in need in developing countries. After returning to the US he saw a hole in the market where most fashionable eyeglass frames were luxury products, and sold at highly marked-up prices. Warby Parker was created in response to this, launching as an online only company providing attractive frames for a fraction of the cost.

Along with the low price point, Warby Parker also offers policies to make shopping for glasses online easier, such as a allowing consumers to order five pairs of glasses to try on at home, which they can send back after trying free of cost. Blumenthal outlined three driving factors of the company, which is that they are a fashion brand, a company that offers overall value and service, and a company with a social mission. For every pair of glasses they sell, a pair is donated to someone in need.

Blumenthal also introduced the newly opened Warby Parker flagship store in SOHO, NYC. The space is designed to give customers a sense of what Warby Parker stands for, while continuing the excellent customer service record of their online sales.

Warby Parker

Image Credit – Catalina Kulczar