Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rene Burden. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Rene, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The idea for Foreyez came from my personal love affair with eyewear. For years, I was known for my frames I was a self-proclaimed designer frame snob. I believed that only high-end brands could deliver the style and quality I wanted, so I spent hundreds of dollars on frames that matched my outfits or served as my go-to everyday pair. I even convinced a few friends to join me on the designer bandwagon.

Everything changed when Warby Parker opened in North Hills. Curious about their mission and business model, I stepped out of my comfort zone and purchased a pair. To my surprise, I received just as many compliments if not more than I did with my designer frames. That experience was eye opening. Soon after, coworkers introduced me to websites selling trendy frames for a fraction of the cost of local retailers. I ordered a few pairs, and again, the compliments poured in.

That’s when I realized something important: it wasn’t the designer label that made the frames stand out it was the confidence of the person wearing them. This insight sparked the idea for Foreyez: an eyewear brand that offers stylish, high-quality frames without the designer price tag. My goal is to make eyewear accessible, fashionable, and empowering for everyone.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve been an Operations Manager for over 10 years, and it’s a role I truly enjoy and excel at. I’m passionate about outreach and financial literacy, which is why pairing mortgage operations with entrepreneurship felt like a natural fit. I’ve always been solutions-driven whether the challenge involves finance, legal matters, fashion, or organizational structure. If you bring me a problem, I’ll either find a solution or connect you with someone who can.

One of my proudest accomplishments is taking the leap to start a business during a challenging economic climate while balancing a busy personal life. My company, Foreyez Eyewear, is still in its early stages—what some might call the testing phase but it’s proof that pursuing your dreams is always possible, no matter how long it takes. Starting over is okay, as long as you start. Foreyez Eyewear is a labor of love, and while I sometimes complain about the late nights negotiating with vendors, dealing with tariffs, and handling broken samples, I genuinely love the process. Every challenge is part of building something meaningful.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was that everything will not move at the same pace I expected. When I first started my business, I assumed it would be simple: purchase samples, have my friends test them out, get feedback, order products, build a website, and post on social media. Easy, right? Wrong.

I quickly realized that my pace wasn’t reality and honestly, it still isn’t (lol). I had to scale back and truly learn the process of business ownership. That meant understanding the eyewear industry, building a brand, creating a marketing strategy, and connecting with like minded people and reliable vendors. It wasn’t just about moving fast; it was about moving smart. Slowing down taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of laying a strong foundation for long-term success.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Funding a business is a deeply personal decision, and opinions on the best approach vary widely. Some advocate for saving up and starting small purchasing your product with your own money and growing gradually. That’s the path I’ve chosen, especially since I have a full-time job and minimal overhead.

Others suggest taking out a loan and going all in from the start. But ultimately, you must assess what’s financially feasible for your household. It’s tempting to invest heavily in your dreams, but if doing so jeopardizes your ability to meet personal financial obligations, it can create stress that undermines your business efforts.

As my late mother used to say, “Never rob Peter to pay Paul.” Protect your financial peace. A strong foundation at home will support your success in business.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ForeyezLLC
• Facebook: Rene N Burden

Image Credits

Pictures by: Laing: IG @original.laing & Nekeyetanewkirk: IG @nekeyetanewkirk