‘Iolani teens sell sunglasses to help the blind

With a career in management in mind, ‘Iolani School student Taylor Spencer enrolled as a sophomore in Kimi Frith’s business and entrepreneurship class, which called for a semester-long project in developing a viable business plan.

While follow-through was not a class requirement, Spencer couldn’t let go of his plan to deliver stylish eyewear to the fashionable while raising funds for the blind. Now a senior, he launched his company, SIFTE (Sunglass Initiative for Tomorrow’s Eyes), this fall.

“We started with an introduction to economics and entrepreneurship, but as the class continued, it was geared toward social entrepreneurship and ways we could use our talent to help the community and world in some way,” Spencer said.

His role models included businesses such as Toms and LSTN Sound Co. Toms is known for its “one-for-one” concept of giving a free pair of shoes to a needy child for every pair of Toms shoes sold. LSTN provides hearing aids to those in need for every purchase of one of its vintage-inspired headphones.

“I wanted to focus on a cause that needed my help,” Spencer said. “There’s already a lot of financial support for big causes, like fighting cancer, but I learned there are a lot of people living with visual disabilities today, including veterans coming home from war, who don’t get enough care and support.”

All profits from SIFTE’s sunglass sales will be donated to the­ American Foundation for the Blind, Helping Hands for the Blind and the Foundation for Blindness.

Spencer was advised by his teacher that his development team should include not just his friends, but also classmates with skill sets that would help the company grow. Spencer teamed up with Cameron Pascua, a football teammate and creative artist with engineering ambitions, and Ashlyn Okamoto, a web designer who is planning to continue her computer studies.

It took a year for the students to flesh out their business plan, design their sunglasses and create prototypes. The products are $14.99 and feature a plastic frame in white or black, with bamboo arms and scratch-resistant UV lenses.

“It was also an opportunity to play before we get into our majors, to see if it’s what we really want to do,” Spencer said.

If the business takes off, Spencer and his partners will face a dilemma. All the students plan to attend college on the mainland and likely won’t have time to continue running the operation.

“I was told I could pass down the business to upcoming ‘Iolani students to run and do it in a way where we could still be advisers. I really like that idea, but I haven’t considered all options yet.”