Interested in building a VisionSpring Franchise? VisionSpring's Franchise Partner model leverages the existing capacity and deep local knowledge of local organizations already providing goods and services in rural communities. A partnership with VisionSpring generates income for partner organizations as well as for local entrepreneurs selling glasses.
Based on its own proven best practices, VisionSpring provides qualified Franchise Partner organizations with a full VisionSpring franchise, including:
- Business in a Bag kits
- Inventory of Eyeglasses
- Training and Technical Assistance
- Management Systems
- Support to implement an ongoing, successful eyeglasses sales program
Success Stories
This model has proven successful with a variety of organizations, from small NGOs to large multi-national corporations, in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
- In Bangladesh, VisionSpring partners with BRAC, one of the world's largest NGOs, to train their network of over 60,000 community health workers to sell eyeglasses.
- In Ghana, VisionSpring has partnered with Freedom from Hunger to launch a network of entrepreneurs selling health products. Freedom from Hunger's "HealthKeepers" sell eyeglasses along with other health products and services, such as insecticide-treated bed nets, condoms, and oral rehydration salts.
- In Paraguay, VisionSpring works with the microfinance institution Fundación Paraguaya to train their network of borrowers to market and sell eyeglasses.
- In India, VisionSpring has also trained the Corporate Social Responsibility department of Vedanta Resources, a multinational company, to implement VisionSpring's Business in a Bag model in communities where they work.
Criteria
VisionSpring seeks to work with partners that fit all or most of the following criteria:
- Provides quality, affordable products and services to the rural poor.
- Employs market-based solutions to reduce poverty and/or improve health.
- Exhibits a professional, entrepreneurial culture that emphasizes problem-solving, open communications, and strong work ethic.
- Demonstrates sufficient human and financial resources, including a local infrastructure capable of identifying and training entrepreneurs; managing inventory; and maintaining a motivated sales force.
- Operates in areas with little access to quality, affordable eyeglasses.
- Located in an environment with safe transportation infrastructure and a culture receptive to women traveling alone.
Franchise Partners are responsible for covering all start-up and inventory costs.
For more information, please view the documents in the sidebar to the right.
Steps to Becoming a Franchise Partner
- Apply on our Website
Follow the link on the right to fill out a basic application form. If your organization fits our basic criteria, we will respond via email with a full application form.
- Feasibility Study
VisionSpring conducts one-week on-site feasibility studies with qualified organizations.
- Pilot Program
Qualified organizations launch a 6-month pilot with VisionSpring, including in-depth training and support in VisionSpring sales techniques and management systems.
- Full Franchise Partnership
Organizations that have successfully completed the pilot are empowered to run their own VisionSpring Franchises and to continue to scale their program.
