Inc. Magazine – September 2019

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94 ● INC. ● SEPTEMBER 2019 ● ● ● PHOTOGRAPH BY HEAMI LEE

Glass(es) Half Full

When Ben and Laura Harrison’s son Jonas was born blind, navigating 21 eye surgeries and four

corneal transplants was beyond overwhelming. Where could Ben, who worked as a graphic designer

and photographer, exert some control? “If Jonas was going to need glasses, I wanted him to look like a

little stud,” says Ben of his son, now age 6. Ben started designing frames himself, and used personal

savings to manufacture prototypes. The startup’s breakthrough came in 2015, when the co-founders

connected with the former CEO of LensCrafters, who offered them seed funding. Suddenly, the

Harrisons could fill prescriptions in-house instead of mailing parents empty frames, and launch

try-on kits for consumers. “That,” says Ben, “was our pivotal moment.” —KATE ROCKWOOD

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Kids Are Hipsters Too

“There’s no real adult aesthetic for kids”

when it comes to glasses, says Ben

Harrison. Specs for the younger set tend

toward primary colors and superhero motifs,

so the Harrisons’ designs take a cue from

geek-chic retro-inspired adult eyewear.