HEYWEAR

HEYWEAR is a New York-based optical company aiming to streamline the experience of purchasing prescription eyewear. Founded in March 2019 by Jaclyn Pascocello and Alexandre Jais, with its official launch in March 2021, the company positions itself to make vision care more accessible and immediate. Pascocello, serving as CEO, established the company on the principle that obtaining prescription glasses should be an affordable and on-the-spot process, removing inflated costs and unnecessary markups. The venture has successfully raised $4.99 million in funding from investors including Techmind, Founders Future, and Stella Capital.

The company's core business revolves around a vertically integrated, direct-to-consumer model centered on its physical "Optical Studios". These studios combine a showroom, exam rooms with modern technology, and an on-site optical lab. This setup enables customers to receive an eye exam, select frames, and have prescription lenses cut and fitted, all within a visit as short as 30 minutes. This significantly reduces the typical multi-day turnaround time common in the industry. Revenue is generated through the sale of all-in-one eyewear packages, which bundle the eye exam, frames, and single-vision prescription lenses. Pricing is structured to encourage multiple purchases, with offers for bundled sets. In addition to its brick-and-mortar stores, HEYWEAR operates an e-commerce website where existing customers can order glasses using a valid prescription on file.

HEYWEAR's primary offering is a same-day service for prescription glasses and sunglasses. Customers can walk into a studio, get a comprehensive eye exam, and choose from over 100 different frame styles. The key feature is the in-house lab that crafts and assembles the eyewear while the customer waits. This model directly addresses the inconvenience of waiting days or weeks for new glasses. The brand emphasizes a combination of style and function, aiming to bridge the gap between the technical aspect of optometry and the self-expression of wearing glasses. While most sales occur in their New York stores, the company also facilitates online sales, shipping made-to-order eyewear on the same day for customers with a recent prescription from one of their studios.

Keywords: optical studio, same-day glasses, prescription eyewear, eye exams, direct-to-consumer eyewear, vision care, eyewear brand, New York optical, Jaclyn Pascocello, Alexandre Jais, vertically integrated retail, on-site lab, affordable eyewear, prescription sunglasses, eyeglass frames, retail optical, vision health, accessories, direct to consumer, D2C, omnichannel retail