Written by: Gabby Huffman
What started as a frustrating problem (constantly breaking expensive sunglasses and having to settle for low-quality shades) quickly turned into a business venture for Texas NICA student-athletes Jack and Daniel.
Motivated by their love of cycling and the outdoors, the duo launched RideLens, a sunglasses company that provides high-quality, stylish eyewear at an affordable price.
Identifying the problem
Jack and Daniel connected as avid cyclists in NICA’s Texas league. Both are members of the South Austin Bulldogs, and both struggled to find the right pair of sunglasses for riding.
“Good glasses are all just too expensive and easy to lose or break, and the cheap ones just don’t cut it,” Jack explained.
Daniel echoed this sentiment. “We realized there was a wide gap in the market, so we thought we should do something about it.”
The athletes’ shared frustration led to the idea for RideLens, a company they co-founded to source “high-quality sunglasses that won't break the bank or feel like a huge loss if you lose or break them.” Oh…and they’re stylish too. The goal: affordable shades that don’t compromise quality and great looks.
Overcoming challenges
Starting a business as teenagers came with its fair share of hurdles, requiring collaboration with family members to establish the business entity, and managing legal paperwork ensuring they kept in line with all Texas regulations.
Another major challenge was finding the right manufacturer.
“We worked extremely hard to choose the best styles, materials, and lenses that fit what riders actually require,” Daniel said. “We tested a lot of them to make sure they were durable, lightweight, and could withstand actual trail and ride use.”
Durability wasn’t their only concern: they wanted to ensure their product would be versatile and not just a “throwaway” should users need to do a simple repair.
“We made sure to include options to change lenses and be able to fix your own glasses, too,” said Daniel.
Beyond logistics and product design, gaining credibility as a new brand was another obstacle. “At first, getting people to believe in a new brand was tough,” Daniel admitted. “But once riders tried them out, word started spreading quickly.”
THE NICA AS A TEST MARKET
The Texas league community played a crucial role in the success of RideLens, offering ways to bolster the new business and athlete entrepreneurs. The league helped spread the word on social media, and offered space for them to set up a booth at event weekends. “The support has been incredible, from letting us sell at races to providing us with high-quality race-day photos,” Jack said.
“NICA has been an enormous part of our journey,” adds Daniel. “The [Texas] staff were some of the first to put RideLens to the test, and their feedback helped us ensure we were giving people something legit. They believed in us.”
As for the league? Helping the two riders with their endeavor was a no-brainer. “We genuinely love supporting our student-athletes—not just on the bike, but in all the ways they grow as leaders, creators, and innovators.” says Texas co-league director Kim Topp. “Our NICA athletes are the future of cycling across the country. Jack and Daniel's passion, ambition, and the quality of what they’ve built with RideLens make it impossible not to support them.”
"It has been really cool to see Jack and Daniel take this from an idea to a full-fledged business,” added co-league director JJ Cawelti. “We are proud of them and proud of the way the TX NICA community has supported their endeavor. The TX NICA teams, parents, and student athletes love wearing the glasses that their friends made!"
Aside from physical product testing and sharing their new glasses with their community, the two founders credit their experience on two wheels for some of the more nuanced challenges of running a business, too.
“Racing in the [Texas] league taught us how to keep grinding, how to adjust when things don’t go as expected, and how to always look for ways to improve,” said Daniel.
“These skills have proven to be just as useful in business as they are on the trails.”
What makes RideLens special
Jack and Daniel are proud of the product they’ve created. RideLens sunglasses are designed around the needs of cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts, using the athlete’s own experiences to guide their development. “They’re light, they don’t budge on hard rides, and they feature high-clarity, anti-fog lenses with complete UV protection,” Daniel explained. “We selected styles that look good but also perform well for cycling, running, and other outdoor activities.”
Both riders also wanted to make sure their product was accessible to anyone who wanted to try them: “[RideLens glasses] cost a whole lot less than many brand-name products, so more riders can have good eyewear without overspending.”
What’s next for RideLens
Since launching in November of last year, RideLens has rapidly grown. Jack and Daniel have been selling their sunglasses at Texas league races and other local and regional cycling events, setting up a tent to connect with riders and new customers directly. Looking ahead, they have plans to expand their reach by getting RideLens into bike shops and outdoor retailers.
“We’re excited to announce our new retail partners soon,” Jack hinted.
In addition to increasing availability, they’re also developing new colors and styles to give riders even more options. “We have some exciting plans in the works, from new colorways to different styles that fit even more riders’ needs,” Daniel said.
For now, RideLens sunglasses are available at events and on their website, RideLens.bike, where anyone can order and have their glasses shipped straight to their doorstep.
From racing bikes to running a business, Jack and Daniel have combined their love for cycling with their entrepreneurial spirit. And with the Texas league showing their support, showing that with determination, creativity, and the right support system, anything is possible.
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