New Smyrna Beach Company
When Al Perkinson visualizes the future , his head isn ’ t in the clouds but on the water .
The founder and owner of Bajio Sunglasses in New Smyrna Beach , Perkinson is as focused on promoting the company ’ s values of sustainability as he is on the bottom line . And for the target market of anglers and boaters , both are important .
“ It ’ s not that profitability isn ’ t the purpose , but it should not be the goal ; it should be the result ,” he said .
After earning a graduate degree in arts management ,
Perkinson got a job in advertising with New York agency Ogilvy
Al Perkinson and Mather . In 2000 , he started working with sunglasses manufacturer Costa del Mar and eventually headed up the company ’ s marketing department .
“ It was a $ 6 million brand and we grew it to $ 160 million ,” he said .
Like many industries , consolidation changed the sunglasses manufacturing landscape and Costa del Mar was purchased by a French company that eventually merged with luxury sports eyewear firm Luxottica .
“ I could see where they were going and decided to leave ,” Perkinson said .
Taking a break from the corporate world , Perkinson moved to Montana with his wife and worked for a small fishing company . But he kept an eye on the sunglasses industry and saw that his old company was focusing on other eyewear lines .
Working for a small fishing company in Montana with his wife , Perkinson said the Costa del Mar brand was “ vacating the fishing space ” and he saw an opportunity to fill that void .
“ My wife and I decided it was time for us to jump in and create our own sunglasses business ,” he said .
| 8 | EVOLVE BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE