Challenges of category creation

Andy Bilinsky, Lensabl

Andy Bilinsky is the co-founder of Lensabl, which offers vision benefit plans and online prescriptions.

I want to find out how his time at HauteLook inspired him to launch an eyewear brand and leveraged the growth enabled by flash sale sites.

But flash sale sites trended down right as Warby Parker came to the market. We’ll hear how he decided to copy his well-funded competitor and pivoted to DTC.

 

Andy Bilinsky

Lensabl

Andy Bilinsky is the co-founder of Lensabl, which offers vision benefit plans and online prescriptions.

Andrew: Hey there, freedom fighters. My name is Andrew Warner. I’m the founder of Mixergy, where I interview entrepreneurs about how they built their businesses for an audience of ambitious entrepreneurs. Joining me is Andy Balinsky. He is the founder of lendable. It’s a one-stop shop for all things optical online.

They’ll even, do you get tired of me being so fascinated by this, Andy? They even let me like do an eye test on their website. And if I want to get lenses for my old glasses, I can get that. And if I want to contact from them, I could get that. And if I need, um, insurance for my eyes and go see a local doctor and have it covered, they do that can you give me a sense of the revenue that you’re producing right now at lendable? How big is the business?

Andy: We’ve, uh, we’ve helped over a hundred thousand customers with vision care products

Andrew: over how many years.

Andy: about four years, launched a...

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