# Warby Parker: Dave Gilboa & Neil Blumenthal (2016)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2018-02-19
- Length: 31m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-02-19-warby-parker-dave-gilboa-neil-blumenthal-2016

## Summary

Wharton students Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa, along with co-founders Andy Hunt and Jeff Rader, launched Warby Parker to disrupt the eyewear industry dominated by Luxotica. They bootstrapped the company with $120,000 of personal savings, leveraging Neil's nonprofit contacts to source frames from factories in China. The founders implemented a novel home try-on program and a $95 price point to overcome consumer skepticism about buying glasses online, resulting in a rapid sell-out of initial inventory and a 20,000-person waitlist within weeks of launch.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-02-19-warby-parker-dave-gilboa-neil-blumenthal-2016#t=0) Introduction: Warby Parker's Origin Story
- [2:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-02-19-warby-parker-dave-gilboa-neil-blumenthal-2016#t=150) Identifying the Luxotica Monopoly and Pricing Gap
- [6:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-02-19-warby-parker-dave-gilboa-neil-blumenthal-2016#t=387) Bootstrapping with $120,000 and Wharton Business Plan
- [8:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-02-19-warby-parker-dave-gilboa-neil-blumenthal-2016#t=518) Solving the Try-On Problem with Home Try-On Program
- [11:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-02-19-warby-parker-dave-gilboa-neil-blumenthal-2016#t=680) Naming the Brand and Securing PR with GQ and Vogue
- [14:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-02-19-warby-parker-dave-gilboa-neil-blumenthal-2016#t=844) Launch Day: Selling Out Inventory and Building Waitlists
- [19:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-02-19-warby-parker-dave-gilboa-neil-blumenthal-2016#t=1182) Managing Customer Service and Early Scaling Challenges
- [24:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-02-19-warby-parker-dave-gilboa-neil-blumenthal-2016#t=1487) Securing Financing via SBA Loan and Creative Deals

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Warby Parker (company)
- Luxotica (company)
- Rayban (product)
- GQ (other)
- Vogue (other)
- Vision Spring (company)
- Bellyak (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [044: Turning customizable jackets into a multi-million dollar business, Elyse Daniels of Exodus Wear](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-14-044-turning-customizable-jackets-into-a-multi-million-dollar-business-elyse-dani) (Product Startup)
- [021: Using Public Research to Develop WINK Lash and Brow Oil with Megan Cox of Amalie Beauty](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-10-04-021-using-public-research-to-develop-wink-lash-and-brow-oil-with-megan-cox-of-am) (Product Startup)
- [052: The business model behind custom window coverings, Alice Orozco of Pret-a-Portiere](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-05-09-052-the-business-model-behind-custom-window-coverings-alice-orozco-of-pret-a-por) (Product Startup)
- [159: Build a Community to Sell Your New Product Invention](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-01-18-159-build-a-community-to-sell-your-new-product-invention) (Product Startup)
- [134: Kevin Kelly Remains Undefeated](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2026-06-24-134-kevin-kelly-remains-undefeated) (Thoroughly Considered)

## Citing this page

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