We all have it in our closet, a pair of sunglasses that always comes handy when the sun is shining outside or when we just want to go about our business and not mind others.
The eyewear industry has grown immensely throughout the years. In 2018, it was already valued at over $131.32 billion with sunglasses, spectacles and contact lenses being the most popular items in this market.
But with the wide array of eyewear now available, there’s still a huge craving for eyewear that can compete with the bigger brands without putting a hole in the pockets of consumers.
This is where Purpyle, one of the newest brands in the market, found its success. And the man behind this eyewear business is Gregory Grishayev.
The back story
Gregory Grishayev is no stranger to business. In fact, he’s a veteran at it, having established several successful businesses at just 34 years old. Being the son of immigrants, Grishayev knew the value of hard work early on. He had to work as a busboy in an Italian restaurant at a young age and that’s where he found his passion, business.
What started as a small online business selling clothes on eBay eventually became a full-fledged vape business that dominated the market for many years, earning Grishayev and his partner millions in the process. But after battling several legal issues and with the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the market, the entrepreneur had to throw in the towel and close his business.
“It was hard for us because we worked so hard to take Eonsmoke, our brand, to where it was. To give everything up was an emotional experience for everyone in the business, but we reached a point where we didn’t have any option but to close our doors,” he explained.
The birth of Purpyle
After suffering a huge loss from his vape business, Grishayev wasn’t ready to give up on entrepreneurship just yet. So, he set out to look for new ideas again. “I realized that there was still a gap in the eyewear industry since a lot of products that are available in the market are too expensive. The cheaper ones also don’t have the best quality,” he said.
This gave Grishayev the inspiration to start his own eyewear business: “I wanted to fill that gap and create stylish, polarized sunglasses that consumers can buy for $50 or less.” Together with his long-time business partner, Grishayev started Purpyle.
Each Purpyle sunglasses is individually hand crafted to produce the best wooden frames and it is also fitted with the best quality optical mirrored lenses that offer both style and comfort.
These sunglasses are guaranteed to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays and it’s also water resistant, which means that you can enjoy your sunglasses for a long time.
The growth and success of Purpyle
It didn’t take long for Purpyle to gain traction in the eyewear market. Just a few months after it was launched, the brand already gained a steady stream of customers who are looking for high quality sunglasses that don’t break their bank. Purpyle is especially popular for its flat lens technology and mirrored styles that can fit any mood, fashion preference and budget.
“To be honest, I didn’t expect that Purpyle would be so big this soon. I knew there was a hunger for this type of sunglasses, but I didn’t realize the magnitude of customers who want to own a pair of sunglasses that they can wear anywhere without worrying about the hefty price tag,” Grishayev said.
Today, Purpyle is one of the most popular mid-priced sunglasses in the American eyewear market and Grishayev is determined to work harder to offer more products to its loyal customers. “This is just the beginning for Purpyle. We still have a lot more to offer in the future,” he explained.
The takeaway
As someone who’s been through a lot of ups and downs in running a business, Grishayev is now finally enjoying the fruits of his labor. He’s been through successes and failures as an entrepreneur, and he has no plans of stopping anytime soon. The man also wants to share his success to others who are in need, which is why he’s passionate about philanthropy.
“Cancer research is very close to my heart because my father died of cancer a few years ago. It was hard for us as a family because my father worked so hard after we migrated to give us the life that we have now,” Grishayev said.
