In just two weeks, Ellison Eyewear has become the fastest growing company to participate in equity crowdfunding – raising over $65K on the Republic platform. US-based Republic takes the Kickstarter model and applies it to ownership stakes in private companies. Since launching its equity crowdfunding campaign on December 14, 2016, Ellison has captured the attention and support of over 100 investors, a number that is increasing daily.
Ellison was created under the notion that we should embrace the natural act of loss, rather than punish the consumer for what life unexpectedly throws at us. It took Founder, Aristotle Loumis just one adventure and one pricey pair of designer sunglasses, now at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, to realize that it’s not healthy or practical to have anxiety about losing a mass-produced piece of plastic. From that experience, he set out to change the status quo of the monopolized, billion dollar eyewear industry.
Ellison has recreated the customer path to purchase cycle with its innovative Club Ellison concept. This unique customer service model allows the consumer to buy in for a one-time fee and in return gives them lifetime insurance on their frames. Should a Club Ellison members glasses be lost, stolen, or broken they will have access to the entire collection at exclusive membership pricing.
“I think that our success on Republic has stemmed not only from our Club Ellison model, but also our commitment to building an honest relationship with our loyal community, passion for quality and our integrated social mission,” says Loumis. “We’re solving your lost glasses problem while bringing back true craftsmanship and giving back to a greater good.”
Loumis spent three years in Italy and Greece scouring the areas for the highest quality materials and manufacturing available. Today, every pair of Ellison frames is handcrafted in a family-owned workshop in Greece and uses the highest quality Italian materials and metals. What’s more, Ellison provides a tangible way for its membership community to help change the world. Not only does a portion of each Ellison sale go to Aravind Eye Care System, but members are also given the opportunity to participate in annual impact-travel excursions where they can immerse themselves in philanthropic experiences while exploring some of the most beautiful corners of the earth.
“To date, our membership community has built 40 news homes in Nicaragua for families in need,” states Loumis. “This June 2017 our community will be heading to Greece to work with local refugee camps, serving food and delivering goods to families.”
This trip to Greece is also an added perk of select Ellison investors. To find out more about Ellison equity crowdfunding investment opportunities on Republic visit https://republic.co/ellison. To see and shop the current Ellison collection visit http://www.wearellison.com.
