Meet Shalandria McGlown-Allen | Owner|CEO Hot Commodity EyeWear

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shalandria McGlown-Allen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shalandria, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Thank you. Back in 2011, I realized fashion and eyewear were my love languages. Why not blend them together and make a living doing what I love?! We specialize in men’s eyewear, women’s eyewear, and coming soon, children’s eyewear. Still making my childhood dreams come true in the fashion industry. Excited and ambitious to share my vision in the eyes of others.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The categories are sunglasses and optical frames. Our customer seeks to be fashionable, vibrant, with visionary style, and a class act. Pushing the boundaries with style that is unapologetically authentic.

Our collection reflects this year’s sunglasses trends. It includes both old school, large cat-eye sunnies as well as modern takes on them. American glamour is in an all-time full effect with eyewear trends. We’re currently seeing bigger, thicker, and bolder shapes really coming to the forefront of eyewear trends.

I added optical frames because it was necessary and essential. I didn’t have the working capital to do so. However, it pushed my business to another clientele, showing growth doing my worst time in business. If you can’t count on anyone just know you are your best asset. The pandemic has shown me that digital marketing is so important. It helps with reaching out to customers globally.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love everything Miami! However, a great dinner and view is Smith and Wollensky. With USDA Prime dry-aged steaks, an award-winning wine list, and some of the best views in South Beach, this restaurant is a favorite of locals and visitors alike.

Of course boat parties are a most in Miami. Ride out in style with your friends with
VOYAGER Miami Yacht Charters. Then off to a great night at club Story. The hottest celebrities give the best performance here.

Everyone loves that Miami color is pink. You can enjoy your best pink outfit at Inter Miami DRV PNK Stadium, a 50,000-square-foot training center and seven fields in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In addition to the MLS team, the Club fields the MLS NEXT Pro team Inter Miami CF II and a youth Academy for ages U-12 to U-17 as part of the MLS NEXT program.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My cousin Simia and I had the dream of having a shoe and sunglass line. We refocused and started Hot Commodity EyeWear by adding crystals to the glasses in 2009. However, she had new business goals and I continued the dream with full control of the brand in 2011. Starting a company alone isn’t easy. My friend Toni Porter became a business owner around the same time. We both had similar stories. When it comes to inspiration, it’s important to stay consistent. Toni is my go-to.

I am self-driven to make a high-profile name for my community. A legacy for my family. Lastly, I’m proud to present a quality eyewear collection as a woman of color in Detroit, Michigan.

Website: www.hotcommodityeyewear.com

Instagram: @hceyewear

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/company/hot-commodity-eyewear

Twitter: @hceyewear

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/HC.WEAR/

Other: Tik Tok @hceyewear

Image Credits
Photo Credits: Ricardo Thornton from RT. Studios, Detroit MI, Getting Images UK, Mariya Nicole Productions NYC, and Weston Mosburg NYC.