Today we’d like to introduce you to Coyote DeGroot.
Coyote, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Back in 1999, I was kicked out of college for being a troublemaker, so my mother made a simple demand: get a job or move out of the house. I’ve always been attracted to medical and technical trades, so I randomly got a job working in an optical lab. 18 years later, I have my own small, but successful business. After working for corporate optical shops for about a decade, I began to do work on the side for extra money, and work quickly spread.
Courageous, naive, and a little bit dumb, I gave up my full-time job in 2010 and started Lab Rabbit Optics. My first days were spent working out of my apartment, but I soon found a tiny storefront and have been there ever since. In 2016 I launched my Lab Rabbit frame brand, which has also been an exciting and educating journey. Later this year I plan on distributing them nationally to other small optical shops and boutiques.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Fortunately, my business has grown very slowly, but very steadily over the past eight years. One of the most difficult challenges was finding an appropriate storefront since Chicago doesn’t have many small, affordable retail spaces.
The neighborhood is growing up around my shop, as older/disused buildings are being demolished or converted into condos… I suppose that my building’s days are numbered as well. If I need to relocate, it will simply signify the start of a new, exciting chapter in Lab Rabbit’s history.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lab Rabbit Optics story. Tell us more about the business.
Lab Rabbit Optics specializes in handmade eyewear, prescription lenses, and radical custom sunglasses. I don’t have any employees, so the initial consultation, fitting, and lens cutting is all done by me, a Certified Optician. This very personal style of business is one of the reasons why my shop has been so popular; my customers know that they will be dealing directly with a business owner who cares about keeping his customers happy.
I am also very particular about sourcing: none of my frames are made in China, they are all handcrafted by skilled artisans (in Japan, Austria, Germany, Italy, and the USA) who earn a living wage for their craft.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe much in luck. Almost all of the things that have happened in my life were the result of my own action or inaction.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1104 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60622
- Website: www.labrabbit.com
- Phone: 7739574733
- Email: info@labrabbit.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labrabbitoptics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lab-Rabbit-Optics-119585561429412/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LabrabbitOptics
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lab-rabbit-optics-chicago-2
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
