Hundreds of millions of the world's poor lack access to eyeglasses, a basic, low-cost health product that allow people to work and support their families.
VisionSpring empowers local entrepreneurs to launch their own businesses selling this powerful, affordable product in their communities. Each "Vision Entrepreneur" receives his or her own Business in a Bag, a sales kit containing all the products and materials needed to market and sell eyeglasses. Vision Entrepreneurs undergo a three-day training in basic eye care and business management and receive close, ongoing support from staff.
Vision Entrepreneurs learn to:
- Conduct eye care marketing and awareness-generating campaigns;
- Host one-day "vision campaigns" in underserved villages;
- Sell a selection of affordable, high-quality, stylish, VisionSpring-branded eyeglasses;
- Refer those in need of advanced eye care to partner clinics.
Tools to Earn and Empower
VisionSpring empowers entrepreneurs with a proven business model and opportunity to sell a high-impact, high-margin product. Unlike microcredit, which creates access to capital, VisionSpring loans entrepreneurs the Business in a Bag itself. Vision Entrepreneurs repay VisionSpring for the glasses once they have been sold.* VisionSpring's Business in a Bag provides local entrepreneurs with tested, proven products and positions them to tap into a vast and underserved market.
With blueprints for success, Vision Entrepreneurs run profitable businesses from day one, earning additional income to support their families. Vision Entrepreneurs set their own hours, making VisionSpring the ideal job for women juggling multiple responsibilities.
By employing these proactive sales techniques, Vision Entrepreneurs gain skills and self-confidence and develop as business owners. Before conducting a vision campaign in a new town, they approach the mayor or leader, who refers them to their first set of customers and often offers to co-host the campaign. Vision Entrepreneurs learn to employ innovative marketing techniques, such as hiring radio announcers, acting troupes, or drummers to announce campaigns. Top-performing Vision Entrepreneurs have the opportunity for promotion to manage other Vision Entrepreneurs.
As knowledgeable providers of health services and products, Vision Entrepreneurs also gain standing, trust, and respect in their communities. The vision products they sell have an immediate health and economic impact on their customers, and while conducting screenings, Vision Entrepreneurs wear branded VisionSpring uniforms and IDs, utilize professional eye charts, and carry letters of credibility from government and health officials. Through the familiar faces of local Vision Entrepreneurs, VisionSpring glasses reach the people who need them most, creating a ripple effect of improved health, income, and productivity in the world's poorest communities.
* Micro-consignment model developed in partnership with VisionSpring partner Social Entrepreneur Corps
