Culture
We have a couple of ground rules at Warby Parker.*
*Nothing crazy.
Our customers, employees, community and environment are our stakeholders. We consider them in every decision that we make.
Got questions? Here maybe we can answer ’em.
Where does the name “Warby Parker” come from?
The stork. (Just kidding.)
In May 2009, our co-founder Dave was wandering around the New York Public Library when he stumbled into an exhibition about Jack Kerouac. The four of us had long been inspired by Kerouac, who spurred a generation to take the road less traveled.
The exhibit included some of Kerouac’s manuscripts, drafts, and journals. In one of the journals, Dave noticed two characters with interesting names: Warby Pepper and Zagg Parker. We combined the two and came up with Warby Parker.
In May 2009, our co-founder Dave was wandering around the New York Public Library when he stumbled into an exhibition about Jack Kerouac. The four of us had long been inspired by Kerouac, who spurred a generation to take the road less traveled.
The exhibit included some of Kerouac’s manuscripts, drafts, and journals. In one of the journals, Dave noticed two characters with interesting names: Warby Pepper and Zagg Parker. We combined the two and came up with Warby Parker.
Where does the name “Warby Parker” come from?
The stork. (Just kidding.)
In May 2009, our co-founder Dave was wandering around the New York Public Library when he stumbled into an exhibition about Jack Kerouac. The four of us had long been inspired by Kerouac, who spurred a generation to take the road less traveled.
The exhibit included some of Kerouac’s manuscripts, drafts, and journals. In one of the journals, Dave noticed two characters with interesting names: Warby Pepper and Zagg Parker. We combined the two and came up with Warby Parker.
In May 2009, our co-founder Dave was wandering around the New York Public Library when he stumbled into an exhibition about Jack Kerouac. The four of us had long been inspired by Kerouac, who spurred a generation to take the road less traveled.
The exhibit included some of Kerouac’s manuscripts, drafts, and journals. In one of the journals, Dave noticed two characters with interesting names: Warby Pepper and Zagg Parker. We combined the two and came up with Warby Parker.
So your name comes from a book, huh. Will you recommend a book for me to read?
Sure! Jack Kerouac’s Dharma Bums is one of our favorites. (Employees get a copy on their first day, as part of our standard secret initiation rites.) If you like adventure, try A High Wind in Jamaica by Richard Hughes. If you’re the nonfiction type, John Jeremiah Sullivan’s Pulphead will knock you flat. (In a good way.)
How is it possible to sell high-quality prescription glasses for $95?
Most high-end brands do not produce their own eyewear. Instead, they sell those rights to massive companies who design, manufacture, and sell branded glasses directly to optical shops. Those optical shops tack on additional mark-ups to frames and lenses before selling them to you.
We cut out the middleman by designing and producing our own eyewear, then passing on the savings to customers. We effectively sell glasses wholesale (because it makes no sense for customers to pay for multiple mark-ups).
We cut out the middleman by designing and producing our own eyewear, then passing on the savings to customers. We effectively sell glasses wholesale (because it makes no sense for customers to pay for multiple mark-ups).
Who started Warby Parker?
Meet our founding fathers.
Neil Blumenthal
As the former director of non-profit VisionSpring, Neil spent the better part of five years distributing glasses to people living on less than $4 per day. A native of New York City, Neil is a Leo and enjoys long walks in the park. With Dave, he is co-CEO of Warby Parker.
Dave Gilboa
Like a Viking from his native Sweden, Dave spends his free time seeking adventure. Two recent conquests include trekking across Antarctica and becoming the fastest person ever to run a marathon in a flamingo costume. With Neil, he is co-CEO of Warby Parker.
Andy Hunt
Andy has studied eyewear design in more than 40 countries. Rumors that he conceived the idea for Warby Parker at a temple in the jungle city of Angkor Wat remain unsubstantiated but plausible. Andy is currently continuing the adventure at Highland Capital Partners.
Jeff Raider
A bespectacled man for life, Jeff wanted to start Warby Parker because he couldn’t find any frames on the market that fit his quirky yet impeccable taste. Because his passion for glasses is matched only by his enthusiasm for a baby’s-bottom-caliber shave, Jeff went on to co-found Harry’s.
Why do you distribute glasses to people in need?
When we started the company, we had two goals:
1. Offer an alternative to the overpriced and underwhelming eyewear that was available to us.
2. Build a business that could solve problems instead of creating them.
In our efforts to fulfill requirement #2, we work with nonprofits to train individuals across the globe to give basic eye exams and bring glasses to their communities. You can get a step-by-step breakdown of the process here.
1. Offer an alternative to the overpriced and underwhelming eyewear that was available to us.
2. Build a business that could solve problems instead of creating them.
In our efforts to fulfill requirement #2, we work with nonprofits to train individuals across the globe to give basic eye exams and bring glasses to their communities. You can get a step-by-step breakdown of the process here.
How do you calculate the impact of your Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program?
Excellent question. One of our main sources is the World Health Organization, an agency of the United Nations that focuses on public health worldwide. If you’re interested in exploring the topic of vision impairment, here’s a paper that goes into great depth on the subject (put on your thinking cap!). Another great resource is the website of one of our primary partners, VisionSpring. There you can find more stats, stories, and research.
I want to work for Warby Parker. Where do I sign up?
Well, that makes our day. Head over to the jobs page to learn about openings.