THE CENTER OF GRAVITY FOR ENTREPRENEURS IN TEXAS

Jonathan Coon
Partner

Started 1-800 CONTACTS / contacts.com in my dorm in 1992 with $50 (originally called Eye Supply)
$414 million revenue in 2012 (about what Google does in three days – we know we’re small)
Public CEO for 10 years (1998 to 2007)
Had to get federal law passed to give Americans a right to their contact lens prescriptions (The Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act became law in 2004). Personally invested over 300 days in DC over 5 years before we succeeded. Had to sue Johnson and Johnson to compel them to sell to us (big anti-trust case)
Made a successful movie with my younger brother called Napoleon Dynamite. My wife and I put up 100% of the money. Jeremy did all of the work (produced the movie and edited it in Final Cut Pro on his Mac at home)
Sold 1-800 CONTACTS in June 2012 for $900 million. Still full time CEO at 1-800 CONTACTS / contacts.com / glasses.com, but investing in other startups.
I have been an Entrepreneur since I was 8 years old and have been married for 22 years. Also a 12-time TEDster
Favorite quote “The difficult we do now. The impossible takes a little bit longer.” – US Army Core of Engineers
No Appointment Necessary
Stop by for a tour any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday at 4pm. We're located at 7th and Brazos in the middle of downtown Austin. Get Directions
