Neil Blumenthal is co-founder and co-chief executive of Warby Parker, a brand created to cut out the middleman and sell high quality, beautifully designed eyewear online at a reasonable price. Warby Parker has since expanded to more than 50 retail locations across the US and Canada; and grown to over a thousand employees. Prior to its launch in 2010, Blumenthal served as director of VisionSpring, a non-profit social enterprise that trains low-income women to start their own businesses selling affordable glasses. He now serves on the board of RxArt, a non-profit which promotes the visual arts to heal children, and is a member of the United Nations Global Entrepreneurs Council. Blumenthal has received a number of accolades including Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Career History
VITAL STATISTICS
Warby Parker and Wall Street’s Verdict On DTC
Warby Parker’s stock market performance will test if investors buy into the direct-to-consumer playbook of prioritising growth over profit.
Warby Parker and Wall Street’s Verdict On DTC
Warby Parker’s stock market performance will test if investors buy into the direct-to-consumer playbook of prioritising growth over profit.
Case Study | The New Four Ps of DTC Marketing
The direct-to-consumer fashion and beauty space has flourished over the last decade, but the once fool-proof marketing rubric has aged in that time. BoF outlines how to update the DTC marketing playbook so brands can break through the saturated market.
Case Study | The New Four Ps of DTC Marketing
The direct-to-consumer fashion and beauty space has flourished over the last decade, but the once fool-proof marketing rubric has aged in that time. BoF outlines how to update the DTC marketing playbook so brands can break through the saturated market.
How to Build a Successful Start-Up Board
Alongside founders and investors, independent directors can play a key role on a young company’s board, helping to shape strategy with insights and advice based on their own experiences.
How to Build a Successful Start-Up Board
Alongside founders and investors, independent directors can play a key role on a young company’s board, helping to shape strategy with insights and advice based on their own experiences.
American Fashion Executives on What Happens Now
Post-election, industry executives sound off on what they need to focus on next.
American Fashion Executives on What Happens Now
Post-election, industry executives sound off on what they need to focus on next.
Case Study | Tapping Into the Future of Physical Retail
In the age of e-commerce, defining the role of the store is as daunting as ever. But a brick-and-mortar experience is vital to brand building. A store is still the most important touchpoint between consumer and product, and the right interaction could create a lifetime of loyalty. From Warby Parker’s digital-to-physical evolution to Neiman Marcus Group’s investments in customer service, BoF examines the importance of the store — and how it complements the online experience.
Case Study | Tapping Into the Future of Physical Retail
In the age of e-commerce, defining the role of the store is as daunting as ever. But a brick-and-mortar experience is vital to brand building. A store is still the most important touchpoint between consumer and product, and the right interaction could create a lifetime of loyalty. From Warby Parker’s digital-to-physical evolution to Neiman Marcus Group’s investments in customer service, BoF examines the importance of the store — and how it complements the online experience.
Drive Episode 5: Warby Parker Founders on Forging Their Own Path
In episode five of BoF’s podcast series Drive, delivered by DHL, the co-founders of Warby Parker discuss how being industry outsiders helped them in their entrepreneurial journey, and why the opportunity keeps growing as the company does.
Drive Episode 5: Warby Parker Founders on Forging Their Own Path
In episode five of BoF’s podcast series Drive, delivered by DHL, the co-founders of Warby Parker discuss how being industry outsiders helped them in their entrepreneurial journey, and why the opportunity keeps growing as the company does.
How to Fund Your Fashion Business
Funding is one of the most perplexing aspects of growing a fashion start-up. BoF outlines what to know when going to investors.
How to Fund Your Fashion Business
Funding is one of the most perplexing aspects of growing a fashion start-up. BoF outlines what to know when going to investors.
Warby Parker Raises Another $75 Million, Declares Profitability on Road to IPO
The disruptive eyewear company is now valued at $1.75 billion, with a public flotation on the horizon.
Warby Parker Raises Another $75 Million, Declares Profitability on Road to IPO
The disruptive eyewear company is now valued at $1.75 billion, with a public flotation on the horizon.
Optimising for Impact: Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age
Married entrepreneurs Neil Blumenthal of Warby Parker and Rachel Blumenthal of Rockets of Awesome talk leveraging data and building consumer relationships on stage at #BoFVOICES. Watch now.
Optimising for Impact: Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age
Married entrepreneurs Neil Blumenthal of Warby Parker and Rachel Blumenthal of Rockets of Awesome talk leveraging data and building consumer relationships on stage at #BoFVOICES. Watch now.
Fashion Companies Need to Rethink Their HR Function
While most fashion companies are lagging behind in the “race for talent,” a few are getting ahead by investing in innovative HR strategies.
Fashion Companies Need to Rethink Their HR Function
While most fashion companies are lagging behind in the “race for talent,” a few are getting ahead by investing in innovative HR strategies.