2017 - I (Laine) found a pair of funky sunglasses while on vacation with my family. They were big round purple frames with silver glitter; in place of hard plastic arms, the glasses had thick silver chains with matching sparkly purple disks attached to the bottom. I bought them for $20 and quickly fell in love with how comfortable the design was. As a migraine sufferer wearing sunglasses has always been a pain for me. Any pressure on my temples leads to a headache. My new antique purchase kept me comfortable and looking stylish.

I dropped my funky sunglasses and the vintage plastic cracked. They were no longer wearable so I went online to look for a new pair. I learned that they were produced in Lancing, Michigan in the 1960s and 70s by a company called Je-Dol. And I was not the only person who loved them; vintage resellers had them listed for upwards of $300, which was too rich for my blood. But it gave me an idea: What if I made my own sunglasses?

I started my research. As an environmental educator by trade, sustainable production was my top priority. I wanted to make a product that did not add to the growing waste problem our planet faces, so I partnered with a company that turns trash into treasure.

Visual Gumbo became partners with Tide Ocean SA, the Swiss company behind #tide ocean material®. They put us in contact with their long-time business development partner, Isaac Ma, who oversees the sustainable production of goods in Asia using the recycled ocean-bound plastic.

Over the next two years we make and test small batches. Friends and family wear the sunnies around town, while working and running errands. I wear many versions of the sunnies. Version one comes with me on daily dog walks for a year. Version two makes its way to Alaska. Version three rides in a homemade coffin-shaped derby car during my bachelorette party and sits on my face as I marry my best friend in Las Vegas. We fine tune the details, work out the kinks and finally are ready to launch.