How to Start a Sunglasses Line

A sunglass line is usually a luxury line of eyewear for upper-crust buyers. Sunglasses generated close to $3.6 billion in revenue in 2016, making this an attractive career for many. The owner is generally responsible for designing and marketing their sunglasses on their own. They may either produce the sunglasses on their own, or work with a manufacturer to complete the job. Sunglasses may be sold either online or in a brick-and-mortar store. Owners will also usually work with distributors to have their goods sold in other retail stores.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

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Start a sunglasses line by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Sunglasses Line
  2. Form your Sunglasses Line into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Sunglasses Line for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Sunglasses Line
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Sunglasses Line
  7. Get Sunglasses Line Insurance
  8. Define your Sunglasses Line Brand
  9. Create your Sunglasses Line Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your sunglasses line. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Sunglasses Line Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a sunglasses line?

Your personal costs will be dependent on your location and the materials you choose to use. Higher end materials, such as acetate or plating, will inherently cost more to use in your production line. When it comes to your website, you’ll likely want to invest in a professional design if you hope to attract those with higher incomes. A basic DIY website may run you only a few hundred dollars a year (or less), but it may not be as welcoming for your customers.

What are the ongoing expenses for a sunglasses line?

Sunglass line owners can prepare their budgets based on the following:

  • Raw material costs
  • Retail space costs
  • Salaries for employees
  • Production space
  • Manufacturer rates

Who is the target market?

Usually the people who buy designer sunglasses are those who are devoted to fashion and have a good deal of disposable income. Those who want the cheaper sunglasses are likely to buy knock-off luxury brands at kiosks, or to shop at major retailers such as Wal-Mart or Target.

How does a sunglasses line make money?

Sunglass lines make money by charging a profit margin on each pair sold. The more popular and rare a particular product is, the higher the profit margin can go.

How much can you charge customers?

The top sunglasses can be sold for $400,000 or more, though the average line sells for between $100 and $300.

How much profit can a sunglasses line make?

Sunglasses famously have some of the best profit margins a business owner could hope for. Luxottica famously makes about $.52 of profit for every dollar spent on their sunglasses — and that’s including all of their marketing and royalty expenses. If you operated at roughly the same profit margin, you’d only need to sell 1,000 pairs at $150 to make $75,000 in profit.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Sunglass line owners may also consider designing their own clothing or other high-end accessories to supplement their line. Be aware though that making your own clothing requires state or local licenses.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your sunglasses line is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your sunglasses line were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?

Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a sunglasses line. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Sunglasses Line needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Sunglasses Line.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a sunglasses line

You should be marketing your sunglass line in a way that fits your brand and speaks to your particular audience. Websites usually show fashionable, young people looking sporty or chic in their frames. Set your frames apart by finding a unique angle. For example, donate a portion of sales to countries in need of better eyecare for their people.

Ensure that the retailers you form a relationship with promote your particular brand values, so your goods aren’t confused with lower-end brands. Update your website with new looks, and consider an email list for every new design you debut on the market.

How to keep customers coming back

Your sunglasses will first and foremost have to strike a nerve with the fashion sense of your audience. You’ll also need to offer consistent and excellent customer service, as well as quality sunglasses that last for years.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

The right owner will have an excellent eye for design and style. Sunglasses are as much about fashion as they are about protection from UV rays. An ideal owner will create a unique look that still manages to fit the popular trends of the day. An owner should also have a certain amount of people skills, as they may need to network with manufacturers and distributors.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a sunglasses line?

A sunglass line owner may have the following daily responsibilities:

  • Designing eyewear
  • Production of sunglasses
  • Creating/maintaining relationships with distributors
  • Researching new methods of production
  • Marketing the line
  • Updating website

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful sunglasses line?

You do not need to be an eyewear designer in order to start a sunglass line, though you should understand the process of how a sketch of an idea turns into a packaged product. Successful people may have a design background in clothing or even in furniture. The key is to understand the supply chain so that you can maximize your profits.

What is the growth potential for a sunglasses line?

The world of fashion is a fairly competitive one, though there is always a need for quality designers offering a viable product in their industry. The public is open to embracing a new brand if they can market themselves correctly and prove themselves to be trendy enough.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a sunglasses line?

A smart sunglass designer understands how different faces benefit from different designs. They’ll study facial features, head shapes, and color contrast to get a solid idea of who benefits from what. Even the cheapest pair of sunglasses offers protection from the burning sun above, which manes people are usually buying designer shades to complete an outfit or to complement their overall look.

A small pair of sunglasses may be right for a conservative work outfit, while a larger pair will look right paired with a bathing suit. The differences between brands are measured in millimeters, so designers need to have a high degree of accuracy. To face their competition, concentrate on how to make your eyewear interesting enough to stand out but not so unusual that it turns the public off.

A sunglass line will take a lot of precision to get off the ground. Each manufacturer will have their own take on the production process, and it’s imperative to understand the nuances between each type. You also need to find the right distributors for your sunglass line. A lone store will only be able to be so successful, so either diversify by going online or by having your shades sold in high-end department stores or fashion boutiques.

Finally, be careful about entering this industry. Designer sunglasses lost some of its luster due to the popularity of prescription pairs, and it’s also had the market cornered for many years. Most designer brands are actually owned by the same umbrella brand (Luxottica). This domination can be difficult to find a foothold for an up-and-comer. The good news is that it also creates a bit of a vacuum in terms of the variety on offer. Look for ways to connect with your audience, whether it’s by promoting social change or challenging the standards of your business today.

How and when to build a team

Most sunglass line designers can operate on their own until they have a large enough client base to sustain themselves. Once they outgrow a one-man operation, a designer will need either associate designers to keep up with new demand, or retail employees if they have their own stores.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading