BUSINESS

What's new since Frameri went on 'Shark Tank'?

Bowdeya Tweh
btweh@enquirer.com
Konrad Billetz, CEO and co-founder of Frameri

Over-the-Rhine-based startup Frameri is getting prime-time treatment again this week, with ABC re-airing the company's appearance on the show "Shark Tank."

Frameri founders Konrad Billetz and Kevin Habich initially appeared on an episode in May where they declined an investment offer in the company. That episode was filmed in June 2014, but officials say the attention from the show has accelerated the growth of the company founded in 2012.

Frameri produces eyewear that allows prescription lenses to be installed in interchangeable frames.

Billetz, who is Frameri's CEO, recent gave an update to The Enquirer what has happened since the episode initially aired:

  • Frameri built a retail showroom space in its headquarters at 1308 Race St.
  • The company has raised more than $1 million in seed capital and was recently approved for a $750,000 loan from the state of Ohio. Billetz said the loan will help the company make product improvements and build Frameri's 10-employee team.
  • Among the company's newest hires are Greg Lechner, who joined the company as chief operations officer, and Halie Schottelkotte, who is as an eyewear stylist. Lechner has worked in the eyewear industry for several years and has executive experience from his roles at Luxottica and Coastal Contacts. Schottelkotte, who is an optician, is granddaughter of the late Enquirer reporter and WCPO-TV news anchor Al Schottelkotte.
  • The company now has 64 frames in four collections and it working to bolster relationships with industry partners, Billetz said.

Inside the retail showroom at Frameri’s Race Street headquarters near Washington Park.

"Everything comes back to the core vision of the company – to create the best customer experience in eyewear," Billetz said. "We use that as our compass to decide if partnerships are in the best interest (of the firm)." Next month, Frameri will participate in the industry conference International Vision Expo West 2015 to forge relationships with eye care providers and other entities to carry Frameri products. Billetz said more industry partnerships should be announced soon.

Frameri followed Tom+Chee and Mensch on a Bench as Greater Cincinnati-based companies that have made appearances on the show and scored investments from the entrepreneurs.

Frameri is also a graduate of the Cincinnati startup accelerator The Brandery. The company has landed investments from CincyTech and AOL founder Steve Case, among others.

Billetz said the Shark Tank episode is expected to air on Friday at 8 p.m.