Meet Ravi Jhangimal | CEO & FOUNDER OF RADS EYEWEAR

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ravi Jhangimal and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ravi, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
The answer to this question has changed for me throughout my life as my business and life hit different stages. I started my business a few years before I got married and there was no real balance, I worked 24-7to startup my business and make ends meet so one day I could get married and support my soon to be family. Once my business started kicking off and I met my now wife, I realized I couldn’t do this alone and needed help so I could have a life outside of work. Therefore, I hired help and at this point my business was also in rhythm where I didn’t need to attend to it 24-7. However, after Covid hit and like every business my business took a hit and I needed to focus more. I needed to find ways to encourage people to buy a non-essential item. i.e. run promotions, offer giveaways, focus on social media.

What should our readers know about your business?
My company RADSWEAR started in the year 2015 with my father, Dipu Jhangimal. It was started as a side venture but now has turned into my primary business. Living in Miami, sunglasses have always been a primary fashion accessory. Prior to this, I was a music producer and was fortunate enough to produce a song for Daddy Yankee. My father and I noticed celebrities would switch out their sunglasses multiple times a day and this is how we came up with the idea to make high quality, affordable, polarized and fashionable line of sunglasses. RADS started as an all Wooden sunglasses brand that would float in water. In order to attract a wider audience, we decided to incorporate other materials such as metal and acetate to enhance the wooden concept. As time went on we expanded our collection and introduced a line of only metal and acetate frames. We now carry blue light glasses as screen time has increased during the pandemic. Our collection of sunglasses can be used for not only sun protection but for fashion and sporting activities. Just like with any other business, I have faced both ups and downs. In the beginning, social media was one of our main outlets for sales and building a social media network was a challenge in itself, but with determination, I am lucky to have a good group of followers and now have stores all over Florida carrying my brand. Another challenge I am currently facing and along with many other businesses, is this pandemic. However, I try to come up with ideas i.e., promotions and giveaways to boost sales.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to visit my first stop would be Sergio’s for a Cuban coffee. I would definitely take him/her to all the “must see” spots, I.e. design district, Wynwood, Miami beach. We would have to eat at some of my favorite restaurants which would be Zuma, Novikov, Prime Italian, and we cannot skip my go to local spots like Tropical Chinese, Samurai, and Café Versailles. Then we would end the night with some of the best desserts in town like night owl cookies and the Miami Baked food truck!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The name RADS stands for the first initial of each member in my family. R myself, Aarti, my sister, Dipu, my father and Sonia, my mother. They have all been a support system to my business. As well, a big part of my success is due to my beloved wife, Sheena Jhangimal, who has supported my ups and downs during this venture. I greatly appreciate my staff, who continues to work hard and recruit different retail outlets to promote and sell our brand and most importantly the person who makes RADS content stand out, my childhood friend and photographer Julian Gomez. I am also fortunate to have current NFL and NBA clients like David Njoku, Emmaunel Ogbah, Kendrick Nunn, Marquez Valdes Scantling and many more who continue to support, wear and buy RADS.

Website: www.radswear.com

Instagram: @radswear

Twitter: @radswear

Facebook: www.facebook.com/radswear

Image Credits
Photography credit- Julian Gomez