Konrad Billetz, Frameri
If Huey Lewis and the News taught us anything worthwhile, it's hip to be square. Glasses are chic. Frameri (which has nothing to do with Mr. Lewis or his band) engineered interchangeable frames for prescription lenses. For any of our four-eyed readers, this is an exciting development as they're given the opportunity to buy only one pair of lenses and run the gamut of different frames. Konrad Billetz developed this innovation and is nearly ready to open up shop.
Where did you get the idea for your business?
I've worn glasses since I can remember, and I hated being stuck inside the same frames for months or even years. So, I asked myself, "Why hasn't anyone created an easy way to change out frames the way we change out our other accessories—for special occasions, the seasons or just to be fashionable?" After researching it extensively and talking to hundreds of people who felt the same way, we decided it was time to go back to the drawing board and redesign the eyewear experience.
What were you doing before Frameri?
I started working on Frameri while earning my MBA at the University of Notre Dame. Immediately after graduation, I moved to Cincinnati, the home of CPG, to join
The Brandery and accelerate our product to market.
Prior to my MBA, I worked in the glorious life of door-to-door sales. And prior to that, I had earned my bachelor of science in biochemistry, where I researched anticancer drugs and taught college chemistry labs.
Which local resources have you utilized? Why did you seek them out?
We wouldn't be as far along if it weren't for several awesome companies. First off, we would want to thank Noel and Bertholt at
The Launch Werks (part of the
Losantiville design collective) for helping us make our products amazing.
Hyperquake has been invaluable in helping us establish our branding and our message. And most recently,
BrandHUB sponsored a design contest we are hosting at
frameri.com/contest. Above all, we wouldn't even be down here if it weren't for The Brandery and the great guys over at Taft. I would say that we've had touchpoints all over the city, so it's tough to list them all!
How does Frameri distinguish itself from other businesses in the field?
We created a company that makes boutique-quality frames (handmade in Italy) that fit the same set of lenses. Our customers can change out their frames inexpensively and indiscriminately. We give them one lens and many frames. There really is no other product that does what ours does (and it's because it's really, really, really hard to figure out).
When can we expect Frameri to launch?
We are excited to announce our pre-order campaign will go live on the popular crowdfunding platform
Indiegogo on
September 17! For more info, or to give us support, go to
frameri.com and sign up for our newsletter!