Warby Parker: Dave Gilboa & Neil Blumenthal (2016)

Home Try-On

Warby Parker's innovative home try-on program revolutionized the eyewear industry by addressing the challenge of buying glasses online. Dave Gilboa and Neil Blumenthal recognized the need to let customers try on glasses at home to overcome skepticism about quality and fit. This approach not only removed barriers to purchase but also built trust with customers by offering free shipping and returns 1.

We just want to get our product on people's faces, and we think people will buy afterwards.

--- Dave Gilboa

This strategy was pivotal in establishing Warby Parker as a leader in the eyewear market, setting a new standard for online retail 1.

   

Media Strategy

Before Warby Parker's official launch, Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa focused on gaining media attention to build credibility. They invested in public relations, targeting prestigious magazines like GQ and Vogue to secure coverage 2. Despite being business school students with no live website, their novel approach to selling glasses online at a $95 price point captured media interest.

PR is, I think, 30% the messenger, 70% the message.

--- Neil Blumenthal

Their efforts paid off when GQ dubbed them "the Netflix of eyewear," highlighting the uniqueness of their business model 2.