Float this idea past your eyes
Laguna Beach in the summer is a hub of recreational water activities: Sailing, sport fishing, surfing, water skiing - you name it. It's also a prime spot for losing sunglasses.
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That's what La Quinta resident Jeff Taylor realized, as he vacationed in Laguna Beach nearly two years ago. The more people he talked to, the more they told him how they'd spent hundreds of dollars on sunglasses, only to lose them in the water, as they invariably sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
A successful real estate agent, Taylor had always thought about owning his own sunglass company but never had the time or money. He knew he would need a unique angle.
And then he had an idea: Floating sunglasses.
So when the real estate market withered, Taylor figured it was a good time to set his innovative idea in motion. "It's been a crazy ride ever since," he said.
He sketched the design himself, implementing the elements of modern style: quality polarized front lenses with peripheral vision and wraparound side lenses. The glasses also should be lightweight, capable of floating with rubber temple tips to keep them from slipping off faces.
But he hit a roadblock when it came to finding a manufacturer that could meet his qualifications. After 10 months of visiting nearly 100 factories, Taylor almost gave up, until an importer finally called.
He started the company, FishGillz, and named the various sunglass styles after towns in California - the Monterey, the Santa Barbara, the Malibu, that retail for $50 to $60 each.
He sold his first pair Jan. 15, 2007, and now distributes the sunglasses to six countries. The goal is global distribution.
"All the positive feedback - how much everyone just likes them - has been a pleasant surprise," Taylor said. "They're high-quality, lightweight glasses that also happen to float."
But when asked what the secret is to his sunglasses' buoyancy, Taylor just smiled.
"I can't tell you that," he said.
Jeff Taylor has started a company named Fishgillz that sells "floating polarized sunglasses." Taylor is hoping water sports enthusiasts will appreciate his products.
For more info about Jeff Taylor and his sunglasses, visit his Web site at www.FishGillz.com.
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