Sunglasses entrepreneurs put the major brands in the shade

Innovators due to speak at next month’s Entrepreneurial Scotland conference

Cutting a dash in the world of high fashion is no easy feat.

But Scottish entrepreneurs Marty Bell and Kris Reid are doing exactly that by introducing real innovation into the multi-billion-pound global sunglasses sector with their new brand, Tens.

The pair will document their business journey at the Entrepreneurial Scotland conference at Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire on May 4.

The idea for Tens – a range of sunglasses featuring a custom filter lens that works with natural sunlight to produce a vivid colour experience for the wearer rather than just blocking out rays – came when the duo from Beauly, and their friend Tom, took a road trip through the Highlands.

As photographers and filmmakers with a love for adding rich, warm colours to their work, they saw an opportunity to enliven the experience of wearing sunglasses. The name of their firm came from the ambition to make sunglass 10 times better.

In May 2014, the company launched to market on the crowdfunding platform Indigogo and the concept struck a chord around the world. The crowdfunding campaign was a huge success, raising more than £370,000 from customers in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Last year, the growing brand received a further boost when Virgin supremo Sir Richard Branson put his money where his mouth is and invested in the now Glasgow-based firm.

“Being a digital business we sell to international markets every day so as we scale our business we are focusing on collaborations and markets in countries that have sunnier climates,” Kris said.

“It’s been a steep learning curve so far, but one that we are passionate about continuing and we look forward to sharing that with the fantastic business community based right here in Scotland.”

Street smarts – Entrepreneurs Kris Reid and Marty Bell of sunglasses firm Tens.