Handcrafted DESIAR Eyewear: Now at the Pre-Order Stage

Jamal Robinson (left) & DESIAR Eyewear, LLC. [PHOTOS: COURTESY]

If you follow Fort Wayne-native Jamal Robinson, founder and CEO of DESIAR Eyewear, LLC., on social media, he recently posted a milestone moment for his company: the first year where all of his failures and learning turned into a successful achievement...the product launch.

The Fort Wayne Ink Spot Newspaper asked Robinson, now living in Washington D.C., to recall those moments.  In his own words…

2013: Idea + Vision: Establish manufacturing & production for glasses in Indiana.  I had a vision to manufacture my DESIAR product…handcrafted eyewear.  From a business and practical standpoint being able to produce the product we sell, with no middleman, made sense.

2014: Failed & Learned: Lesson – Keep your eyes open for opportunities. I researched what machines were needed to manufacture glasses.  By happenstance, I met with a local furniture company that had these machines.  I proposed and asked if they’d be willing to do a side project to see if their team could produce glasses, and they agreed – so the journey began. 

2015: Failed & Learned: Lesson – Trial & iterations. Manufacturing glasses was new for everyone involved.  I had no technical drawings but those shared with me from my factory in China.  A lot of trial and iterations.  

2016: Failed & Learned: Lesson – Say yes. I attended IVY Tech and was told about their entrepreneurship class which had a competition at the end to win $35K.  I knew this could help me A.) with my business acumen and B.) win $35K to start production, so I said “yes” and enrolled.

2017: Failed & Learned: Lesson – Build the right team. We did not make progress as planned so the company I began working with in 2014, and I decided to part ways.  I turned to a friend and entrepreneur who focused on crafting wood products to manufacturer the glasses, thankfully – he agreed.  I won the $35K from the New Venture Competition and purchased equipment to get started.

2018: Failed & Learned: Lesson – Make it the best you can.  We had product that we could’ve released, but it wasn’t the best product.  There were still production processes that needed to be streamlined, frame and lens quality that could be enhanced.  We knew it wasn’t the best we could do yet, so we didn’t release anything.

2019: Success & Learning: Lesson – It always works, at the right time. After years of learning and progressing each step – we’ve got a product I am proud to release.  It’s perfect timing for so many reasons to share, but the vision to sell glasses all over the world, made in Indiana, is closer to reality.  We’re shipping pre-orders only for the first 30 days so if you’d like to get on that list, feel free to email me before they’re available online: Jamal@Desiar.com.

And, I’m still learning.