LensRXLab was founded in 2023 by Anthony B. Miles.
Locations/Headquarters: Jacksonville, FL; Philadelphia, PA
Business Accolades:
SBA Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), NaVOBA Certified VBE, Small Business Enterprises (SBE), Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE): Maryland, Small Business Reserve (SBR): Maryland, Minority-Owned Small Business (MBE), Qualified Opportunity Zone Business (QOZB), HUBZone
LensRxLab is a proud minority-owned and certified service-disabled veteran-owned business specializing in the production and distribution of premium prescription eyewear. Founded by Dr. Chelise Firmin, OD, and veteran Anthony B. Miles, their mission is to enhance visual clarity and provide unparalleled safety protection to service members, veterans, and employees across the US and its territories. Through a diverse range of ANSI-approved frames and lenses, they're dedicated to reducing visual impairments and ensuring robust protection against various workplace hazards.
Learn more about LensRxLab by visiting their website at https://www.lensrxlab.com
What services do you provide?
"LensRXLab specializes in the manufacturing, sale, and delivery both dress and safety prescription eyeglasses to include fitting services provided by a licensed optician. We provide dress and safety frames, as well as single vision, bifocal. trifocal, and progressive lenses. In addition, we offer an online and mail order service offering lens replacement, optical products manufacturing, and prescription lens replacement."
Who are your primary customers?
"Federal, State, Municipal, Military VA Healthcare Integrated Network, Construction, Engineering, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Laboratory, Life Sciences, Automotive
Aerospace, Airline, Industrial, Mining, Offshore Oil & Gas, Food industry, Chemical, DOE and Education worksites in in 50 States, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and US Territories.
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When and how did you start your business?
"The business was conceived in 2021 and incorporated in 2023"
What were some of the challenges in starting your business?
"The biggest challenge was learning the prescription lens side of the business. I then mentored for 1.5 years under an Optometrist, Dr. Chelise Firmin to learn this aspect of the business."
What is the key to the success of your business?
"With a production capacity of 980 lens and 860 coating per day securing government and corporate contracts to supply safety eyewear and becoming a preferred lab to process prescriptions."
What lessons learned can you share with people to make their business succeed?
"Building relationships and strategic partnerships are the key to make your business a success and avoid pitfalls."
What pitfalls should they avoid?
"Missing key learning opportunities by delegating too many critical tasks in the first 3 years."
What other information about you and your business would you like to share with the NaVOBA Community?
"LensRXLab safety's family of brands may be viewed at lensrxlab.com (joint venture with Tioga Diabetic Optical Labotories), an online service offering lens replacement, optical products manufacturing, and prescription lens replacement."
Branch:
United States Navy
Service Years:
1985-1991
Highest Rank Attained:
E-5
Why did you join the military?
"To further my education and to strengthen my leadership skills."
Military Occupation:
"Military service included USS Alaska (SSBN 732) a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine and Submarine Group 9, at Naval Submarine Base Bangor, Washington. Post military Miles, an engineer provided manufacturing and process improvement contract support to Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Keyport, Washington."
Any significant military achievements / experience you would like to mention?
" Received my bachelor's degree in education, Training & Development (Southern Illinois University).
Biography/Fun Facts
"I appeared as a cast member in 3 episodes on a Shark Tank show called The Wolf Pac"
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NaVOBA’s mission is to create corporate contracting opportunities for America’s Veteran’s and Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprises® (VBEs/SDVBEs) through certification, advocacy, outreach, recognition and education.
Thank you for your interest in the National Veteran Owned Business Association’s Certified Veteran’s Business Enterprise® (VBE) and Certified Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprise® (SDVBE) programs. This initiative creates a nationally recognized gold standard in certification for veteran-owned businesses of all sizes and enables corporate America to proactively source and confidently utilize businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by U.S. military veterans.
