EMPLOYEE NUMBER 1

 

Cordina Eyewear is the younger sibling to Shades of Charleston, both owned and operated by the Cordina family. With decades of eyewear industry knowledge behind them, launching their own brand was the natural next step. And from the beginning, I’ve been there—literally from day one.

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We’ve called my role “Employee Number One” for a reason. I’ve worn just about every hat you can imagine: warehouse management, product development, marketing, sales, account support, repairs, inventory, and 3PL logistics. It’s a dynamic, all-hands-on-deck kind of position that shifts based on the brand’s evolving needs. Some weeks I’m only needed for a few hours, and other times I’m clocking 40+ hours on top of my other work.

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My primary focus, however, is quality control. I make sure our products arrive from manufacturers in perfect condition, with proper packaging, and in the right quantities. I also ensure everything moves efficiently through our 3PL and ultimately lands in our accounts’ hands with speed and confidence. Whether it's a new product launch or a re-stock, I’m the last line of quality control before it reaches the shelves.

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Being this close to every stage of the process has given me a unique, ground-level perspective on the eyewear industry. I’ve learned the business inside and out—not just from a retail standpoint, but from the behind-the-scenes mechanics that make a brand actually work. Cordina Eyewear has been a crash course in brand building, logistics, and precision—and I’ve been in the thick of it every step of the way.