Mouqy
About the Company
Mouqy, founded by Daren Low, is an online retailer specializing in affordable eyeglasses that combine fashion with functionality. The brand is built on the principle of making high-quality eyewear accessible to everyone without breaking the bank. It addresses a gap in the market for glasses that offer comfort and utility without a hefty price tag. Mouqy operates with a strong digital presence, offering features like free shipping and a Virtual Try-On experience to attract customers, particularly in the American market.
The brand emphasizes a minimalist approach, focusing on essentials like quality lenses and comfortable frames. Daren's personal experience wearing glasses since childhood, and the frustrations he faced with expensive but ineffective products, played a key role in shaping the company's philosophy. This focus on affordability and practicality reflects the brand's tagline, "See what matters," emphasizing that good vision shouldn't come at a high cost.
Mouqy also integrates its business with content marketing, with certified optometrists creating or reviewing content on its website. This dual approach helps drive sales and positions the brand as a resource for eyewear tips and advice. Currently, the company offers over 170 unique frames and has plans to expand its offerings significantly by the end of 2022.
Idea Behind Company
Daren's entrepreneurial journey began with a shift from a 9-to-5 job as a Project Engineer to freelancing in 2008, driven by a desire for more control over his work and financial independence. He gained experience through his digital company, Bitcatcha, which became a leading resource for online business solutions with over 80,000 monthly visitors. This success in the digital world set the stage for his next venture: Mouqy.
The idea for Mouqy stemmed from Daren's personal struggle with eyeglasses. Since he started wearing glasses at the age of nine, he encountered numerous issues with fit, comfort, and price. After years of researching lenses and speaking with various professionals in the eyewear industry, Daren realized that high cost didn't necessarily equate to better quality. He wanted to create a brand that offered glasses suited to individual needs without the premium price tag, leading to the founding of Mouqy.
Through his experience with Bitcatcha, Daren learned how to leverage digital tools and affiliate marketing to build a brand from the ground up. He applied these lessons to Mouqy, focusing on building an online business that could cater to customers worldwide while maintaining a strong emphasis on quality and affordability.
Creating the Company
Designing and manufacturing Mouqy's first product involved significant caution and attention to detail, especially considering the impact prescription glasses have on health. Daren and his team met with various lens providers and labs to ensure they could deliver high-quality lenses that met the needs of their customers. They also focused on extensive product testing, partnering with external experts to refine their offerings, leading to the creation of the "Power Matrix" lens technology.
Finding the right frames was another challenge, particularly during the pandemic when travel restrictions made it difficult to inspect potential suppliers in person. Despite this, Daren and his team managed to source frames by purchasing samples, hand-picking the best options, and ensuring they passed internal quality checks. This meticulous approach ensured that every frame met Mouqy's high standards.
The company also invested in creating a seamless online purchasing experience, focusing on the American market. Mouqy offers features like free shipping within the U.S., a Virtual Try-On tool, and a user-friendly website. This digital-first approach allowed the company to operate effectively during the pandemic and positioned them well for future growth.
Launching the Business
Daren bootstrapped Mouqy with $200,000 from his earnings from Bitcatcha, pushing through various challenges to launch the business. Despite his experience in scaling Bitcatcha, Daren faced unforeseen costs, logistics issues, and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, his approach remained methodical, testing the logistics and operations by sending products to friends and family in different countries and gathering feedback on quality, delivery times, and customer satisfaction.
Mouqy’s launch was marked by careful attention to logistics, quality control, and customer service. Daren used his network to conduct test buy campaigns in the U.S., Australia, and Europe to ensure the product and shipping processes met expectations. Early customer feedback was positive, with many praising the quality of the eyeglasses and packaging, setting the tone for the brand's growth.
To attract and retain customers, Daren applied the same content marketing strategies that made Bitcatcha successful. Mouqy’s blog features content that resonates with its target audience, including articles about eyewear culture and tips on choosing the best glasses. This content-driven approach not only attracts new customers but also helps retain them by offering valuable insights beyond just selling products.
Earnings
Since its launch, Mouqy has grown to generate $40,000 in monthly revenue and continues to expand its product range. The brand currently offers 172 unique frames, with a target of reaching 1,000 by the end of 2022. Daren also plans to differentiate Mouqy from competitors by introducing custom lenses, which will further enhance the brand's ability to serve its customers in the U.S. and beyond.
Bitcatcha remains stable, providing a solid financial foundation for Daren's ventures, while Mouqy continues to scale. Daren’s experience in the digital space, combined with his focus on process optimization and quality control, positions Mouqy for long-term success. His approach to business emphasizes careful planning, efficient processes, and investing in the right people to ensure scalability and sustainability as the brand grows.
Mouqy is expected to continue expanding both its product offerings and its customer base, with a focus on maintaining high standards of quality and affordability. As the brand grows, Daren remains committed to streamlining operations and helping his team develop their skills, ensuring that Mouqy stays competitive in the global eyewear market.
