Meet Hannah Oliver | Founder & CEO of Blue Eye

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah Oliver and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting my own business came from a deeply personal place. I lost my eye in a car accident after the sunglasses I was wearing shattered into it. That experience completely changed the way I viewed safety, confidence, and how much we take our vision for granted.

After the accident, I went on a hunt to find sunglasses that were both stylish and protective. What I found was honestly disappointing. The majority of sunglasses on the market are made with lenses that can shatter into your eyes on impact. And the ones that were built for protection all looked bulky and sporty. There was nothing that felt classic, elevated, or something I’d actually want to wear every day.

That’s when the idea for Blue Eye was born. I wanted to create a sunglass brand that made people feel confident, protected, and seen. Our lenses are shatter resistant and polarized, and the designs are timeless and wearable. I wasn’t just creating a product. I was filling a gap I wish had been filled before my accident, and giving others something I didn’t have. Peace of mind with style.

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?
Blue Eye is a sunglass brand born from one of the hardest moments of my life. After losing my right eye due to my designer sunglasses shattering, I made it my mission to create stylish, shatter-resistant sunglasses that prioritize both safety and style. I quickly realized that most sunglasses on the market could do exactly what mine did: shatter. The few that were actually protective looked sporty and bulky, not like something you would want to wear every day.

What sets Blue Eye apart is that we do not ask you to choose. You can have both protection and style. I wanted to create what I wish I had been wearing that day, and I wanted to make sure others never had to sacrifice one for the other.

What I am most proud of is how many people we have helped feel seen, protected, and empowered. Whether it is someone buying their first truly safe pair of sunglasses or someone with a vision impairment who feels understood by our mission, it means everything to me.

Getting here was not easy. I had some experience in sales and had worked in an optical office during college, but I had no idea how to run a business, design sunglasses, source materials, or manufacture protective eyewear. I did not know how to build a brand, create a product, or grow something from the ground up. I taught myself everything. And on top of that, I was adjusting to life with a disability and grieving the loss of my eye. I was building a business while also learning how to accept a new version of myself.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that you do not need to have all the answers to begin. You just have to care enough to start. If there is one thing I want people to know about me and Blue Eye, it is that this brand was built from experience, resilience, and a genuine desire to protect others. It is about more than sunglasses. It is about turning pain into purpose and proving that style and safety can absolutely go hand in hand

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.
If my best friend was visiting Atlanta for a week, I’d keep it real and show them all my favorite spots—definitely the places I go to regularly, not just the touristy stuff. Since I live in Smyrna, we’d probably kick things off at The Battery. Whether or not there’s a Braves game, it’s always buzzing with energy, and if we can catch a game, even better. There’s just something special about being in that stadium on a warm night with a hot dog in hand and the crowd going wild.

For food, I’d take them to Village Burger in Dunwoody for a laid-back, super satisfying meal. It’s one of those places that never lets you down. And I’d have to bring them to the Old Brick Pit BBQ in Chamblee—such a good, classic spot. If we’re craving tacos, Superica hits the spot every time.

During the day, we’d probably head to do a little shopping at Perimeter Mall or Cumberland Galleria. I love a good thrift shop too, so I’d find a local one to dig through—those little treasure hunts are always a favorite of mine. If my friend has never been to Atlanta before, I’d make sure we hit the Georgia Aquarium. It’s one of my favorite places in the city. I could honestly stand and watch the beluga whales for hours.

I think the best way to experience Atlanta is to explore the surrounding neighborhoods, go a little off the beaten path, and mix in local favorites with a few of the bigger attractions. That’s what makes it feel like home.

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?
There are several people and organizations I want to shout out, because I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. After I lost my eye, the care I received at Grady Memorial Hospital and Emory Health Care was truly life-changing. They not only saved my life, but gave me the strength and resources to begin healing physically and emotionally. I also want to recognize Atlanta Eye Prosthetics, where I received my prosthetic eye. Their compassion and expertise helped me take one of the hardest moments of my life and begin to move forward with confidence.

In fact, the impact these places had on me was so meaningful that I named the first three Blue Eye sunglass styles after them—Grady, Emory, and Toni (after Antonio L. Alcorta who made my prosthetic eye). Each name is a tribute to a place that played a key role in my recovery and helped shape the mission behind my brand.

Website: https://www.blueeyesunglasses.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahnoliver/

Linkedin: https://www.facebook.com/blueeyesunglasses/

Other: Blue Eye’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/blueeyesunglasses/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hannahnoliver?

Image Credits
image credits to Scottie Mae Photography : Macy Sorrell