How Two Young Entrepreneurs are transforming the local Eyewear industry

Image Credit: Pott Glasses

When it comes to eyeglasses, most Malaysians see them as a vision corrector tool rather than a fashion element. Unlike in Europe where people wear different glasses to match their outfits, most Malaysians hardly conceive this concept. For Hau, this dissimilarity gave him inspiration. After discussing his revolutionary plans to transform the local eyewear industry with his childhood friend, Hoong, Pott Glasses was created.


About Pott Glasses

Established in March 2015, Pott Glasses is a locally founded eyewear brand that focuses on Asian fit design such that the nose pad of the glasses are more protruding in order to sit well on Asian’s faces.

Image Credit: Pott Glasses
Image Credit: Pott Glasses

While Pott Glasses is dedicated to bringing quality and modern design glasses, they aim to be the “Optical Stylist” whereby they will help customers choose glasses that complement their looks or for a change of styles.

“A pair of glasses that fit well may not have the design you want or the design you like may not fit you well. This is where our product and service come in. As much as possible we make sure that the fitting of glasses is good and come in nice design.” says Hau.


Revolutionizing the local eyewear industry

Conventionally, optical shops in Malaysia collate different brands of glasses and offer them along with optical services through brick-and-mortar retail store. The duo at Pott Glasses are doing more than just that.

Image Credit: Pott Glasses
Image Credit: Pott Glasses

Firstly, Pott Glasses does not sell ic! Berlin nor Oakley. They sell Pott Glasses. Insisted to produce its own brand, the duo told TallyPress that by them doing so, they can get involved in the designing part, therefore allowing them to ensure all their glasses are fashionable and Asian-fit. More importantly, they also get to work directly with the manufacturer to cut down the cost of the frame.

Pott Glasses vends beyond brick-and-mortar store. Inspired by Warby Parker, they have an online store where consumers can buy glasses straight off the web too. Thus, spectacle wearers have both offline and online options when it comes to buying Pott Glasses’ eyewear.

Image Credit: Pott Glasses
Image Credit: Pott Glasses
Image Credit: Pott Glasses
Image Credit: Pott Glasses

Pott Glasses also provides Door-to-door try on service. As much as Pott Glasses wants to introduce the concept of buying glasses online, they acknowledge that many still want to have a physical feel of the product they buy. With this service, customers can choose 20 pairs of glasses from the web and arrange an appointment to meet up.

Pott Glasses thinks every little touch matters. For every pair of glasses that you buy from Pott Glasses, they will donate one to those in need. Taking the Kelantan flood for instance,  the duo at Pott Glasses have donated more than 50 pair of glasses to the victims. In addition, every purchase at Pott Glasses also comes with a mystery gift. It could be a coffee voucher, a dinner and other things.

“We think everyone deserves small little surprise in the life that’s why we come out with these ideas hoping to make our customers happier.” Hau says.

Image Credit: Pott Glasses
Image Credit: Pott Glasses

The Founders

Hau and Hoong are friends since childhood who both believe glasses are more than just mere vision corrector tool. While Hau possesses entrepreneurship in his blood, he likes fashion very much and has always been passionate about starting his own business.

Image Credit: Pott Glasses
Image Credit: Pott Glasses

“I sort of surround myself with many entrepreneurs and businessman and it makes me feel like starting my own business is something I am destined to do. I saw the opportunity in growing an online glasses business, so I thought ‘why not’.” Hau tells TallyPress.

Hoong on the other hand, is a passionate and seasoned optician with more than 7 years’ experience. He is a believer of providing professional service for long term business sustainability.

“I really like serving customers especially when I get good feedbacks from the customers. After all, this is what keeps me persisting in the industry for 7 years and able to become the youngest branch manager of an optical chain store.” Hoong says.

When asked what are theirs plan in the next five years, the duo commented that they would like to donate more glasses to those in need, strengthen both offline and online presence in order to build a complementing O2O commerce and hopefully one day to expand Pott Glasses to abroad.

We hope to anchor ourselves in the fashion field, build up the brand, and subsequently bring Pott Glasses overseas.

— Hau and Hoong of Pott Glasses