The Retail Pilot

Framing Success: Tim Parr on Building CADDIS, the Anti Anti-Aging (Eyewear) Brand

Aug 6, 2024

Tim Parr, CEO and Founder of CADDIS, is on a mission to redefine aging through eyewear. He critiques the eyewear market for neglecting those over 40 and shares personal experiences on embracing age rather than shunning it. Tim discusses the economic power of the 50+ demographic and innovative marketing strategies, including storytelling and in-person engagement. He reflects on his journey from bluegrass musician to entrepreneur, emphasizing authenticity in branding. Plus, he highlights the importance of mentorship in fostering creativity within business.

34:57

Creator website

Episode guests

Tim Parr

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Tim Parr founded Caddis to fill the gap in the eyewear market for people over 40, emphasizing authenticity and transparency.

Caddis’s marketing strategy challenges ageism by promoting aging as a positive experience while tapping into the lucrative 50+ demographic.

Deep dives

The Journey from Music to Eyewear

Tim Parr transitioned from being a touring bluegrass musician to founding Caddis, an eyewear brand that challenges age stereotypes. His journey began when he personally needed reading glasses and became frustrated with the poor customer experience and limited options available on the market. Recognizing a gap in the eyewear industry, particularly for those over 40, he launched Caddis to provide high-quality products that cater specifically to an older demographic. By leveraging his past experiences in business and brand strategy, he developed a clear vision for Caddis that prioritized customer needs and transparency.

Intro

3min

From Music to Eyewear: The CADDIS Journey

14min

Launching Success and Future Growth in Eyewear

2min

Building an Authentic Eyewear Brand

10min

Emphasizing Innovation Over Speed in Leadership

2min

The Evolving Landscape of Mentorship in Entrepreneurship

3min

Ken Pilot interviews Tim Parr, CEO & Founder of Caddis, for this flight of The Retail Pilot podcast.

Tim Parr is the CEO and Founder of CADDIS, an eyewear brand that crushes age stereotypes. He believes in defying our society’s addiction to youth and fueling getting older and owning it. Tim is an entrepreneur who has also worked for some of the most respected brands. Patagonia, L.L. Bean, Filson. Tim has lectured at the Stanford School of Design, Modern Elder Academy, San Francisco Academy of Art, and the California College of Arts. In 2013 he formed a bluegrass band and hit the road touring the Western United States.

Summary

Tim Parr, the founder of CADDIS, shares his journey of starting a lifestyle brand focused on eyewear for people over the age of 40. He discusses the broken customer experience in the eyewear market and the opportunity to create a brand that is authentic and transparent. Tim emphasizes the importance of owning one's age and challenges the ageism prevalent in society. He also talks about the size of the 50+ demographic and the potential for growth in the market. Tim shares his approach to marketing, including the use of in-person experiences and tangible materials like catalogs. He highlights the significance of strong design, brand position, and storytelling in attracting customers. Tim also mentions his mentors and the challenges of maintaining innovation and creativity in the business.

Takeaways

The eyewear market for people over the age of 40 has a broken customer experience, creating an opportunity for a brand like CADDIS to provide authentic and transparent products.
Owning one's age is a powerful message that resonates with the 50+ demographic, which controls a significant portion of household income and spending power.
In-person experiences and tangible materials like catalogs can be effective marketing tools for a lifestyle brand, allowing customers to connect with the brand on a deeper level.
Strong design, brand position, and storytelling are essential for attracting customers and building a successful brand.
Having mentors, both male and female, can provide valuable guidance and support in building a business.
Maintaining innovation and creativity is a challenge for leaders, but it is crucial for the long-term success of a brand.

Chapters