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Ophélie Vanbremeersch, a student in MSc in International Business at IÉSEG Lille, founded “Lunettes de ZAC” (ZAC’s glasses), a company committed to collecting and refurbishing glasses in an eco-responsible way, and who won the CSR Challenge of IĖSEG CONSEIL Lille. We met with this young entrepreneur to learn more about her experience and her start-up.

Could you introduce us to “Lunettes de ZAC”?

When I was 19, I found out that more than 110 million glasses were unused in France, hidden in a drawer. My wish was to develop the refurbishing of glasses, like we do for smartphones. “Lunettes de ZAC” was therefore born in February 2020 and works in three stages: collection, refurbishment and return to the market.

First of all, we collect glasses everywhere in France thanks to collection boxes. We work a lot with BNP Paribas and Aushopping (the large shopping malls managed by the real estate company Nhood), and we are currently in a testing phase with other companies such as Decathlon and Boulanger and with the Higher Institute of Optics (ISO). The aim is to raise awareness of the over-consumption of glasses and to collect them to give them a second life. For the refurbishing, we work with an adapted company – AlterEos – based in Tourcoing, where four jobs for people with disabilities are developed with ZAC. Each person spends 20 minutes per pair of glasses, so when we sell 3 pairs of glasses, we have had a person with disability working for an hour.

Currently, our store is based in Roubaix and is 100% eco-responsible. All the machines we use are refurbished and we try to limit water consumption (we use 6 liters of water on average per frame, against 18 to 30 liters for the manufacture of traditional glasses). 70% of the glasses we sell are refurbished, and the remaining 30% are made from recycled materials (bottles, scallops, metal). All our reconditioned frames are available at prices that allow for full reimbursement by the health insurance. We aim to become the first eco-responsible optician in France.

What is your role within the company?

When you are an entrepreneur, you get to deal with everything. Today, I try to dedicate a large part of my work to the development of partnership contracts, exchanges with suppliers, team management, financing strategies and defining our development strategy.

Why the name « Lunettes de ZAC” (ZAC’s glasses)?

When I was 17, at the end of a philosophy class, I wondered what we were doing with the old glasses, and I mentioned it to my mother, whom I unfortunately lost that year. Despite her illness, she was creating pieces of art and books that explained what certain diseases were, and she signed them ZAC. So, I decided to pay tribute to her by using her artist’s name, a name that for me embodies all the social and environmental values she taught me.

You are an entrepreneur but also a student at IÉSEG, how do your courses help you with your project?

First of all, I chose a Master’s degree that really met my needs and completed my initial training. For example, I had never done marketing or Human Resources. These courses help me a lot in the development of my company. In addition, beyond the quality of the course content, the professors are caring and attentive. I was able to turn to them several times to talk about concrete issues related to my business. The international dimension of the School and of my program in particular is also a great asset: there is a great diversity of cultures, backgrounds and personalities that complement each other.

And conversely, what does your entrepreneurial project bring to your studies?

It allows me to really understand the logic and the link between each course. I understand better what is expected and it allows me to make what I learn in school really concrete.

Why did you choose the optical sector to launch your start-up?

First of all, the use of glasses is a personal concern because I am short-sighted and since I was little, we stored many pairs of glasses at home without using them. I concluded that there was a real problem. On the other hand, getting people with disabilities to work comes from my history and my education. My mother had a sister with a disability and I realized that in the world of work, there are still so many things to be improved in order to properly integrate these people. In terms of social and environmental values, we have always been very committed in my family. As for entrepreneurship, my personality has something to do with it: I have always had this urge to take action, to work a lot while being passionate and to create a project that makes sense.

You are currently raising funds, how does it work?

I am a member of the IÉSEG Incubator, which is supporting us in this venture by helping us get advice and develop a network of people who have already had this experience. Today, we are very well supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI). The fundraising process is divided into several stages: the search for subsidies and then the equity financing. It seems crucial to me to be well supported by people who have already been through this process because it is not easy to find your way around, whereas it is a major step for your development.

How do you manage to balance your student and entrepreneurial life?

I force myself to take breaks, it’s essential. I realized that I also need time just for myself, so I always make sure to enjoy the present moment. It’s not always easy to do, but since I work every day, I feel the need to take a break too, and to cut off from my business.

Any advice for a future entrepreneur?

First of all, you have to know yourself. This will allow you to last over the long term and not to burn out. It also allows you to know with whom to collaborate for your project, to find the right people who will complement you with similar values.