The Secret to Surviving a Century!
Zyloware, spanning three generations, is the longest-running
family-owned eyeglass frame supplier in the U.S. So how did they make it to an eye-popping 100 years?
Did you know that only around 1,000 companies have survived more than 100 years in the United States? That’s less than half of one percent of all businesses in this country, according to Chris Mayer, portfolio manager of the Woodlock House Family Capital fund.
One family-owned company defied those odds. Zyloware, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is clearly a one-percenter… in more ways than one.
So what does it take to survive, and thrive, for a century? Grit? Hustle? An innovative spirit? Family values and impeccable standards? Actually, all of the above! Many factors contribute to a company’s overall success, but here’s how they did it.
A strong corporate mission and culture
“Everyone at Zyloware believes we’re making a difference,” says Jamie Shyer. “We’re all contributing to helping people see a beautiful day every day. Whether you’re answering the phone in customer support, handling product in our distribution center, no matter where you are in the company, you are making a difference. And we talk about this purpose all the time.
“As a company we bring that forward, resulting in the end-user getting a product that’s made with expertise, care, true American spirit, and a love for what we do.”
Unique core strengths and management style
Family ownership brings a competitive advantage in situations that demand resiliency rather than rapid growth. And that’s one of Zyloware’s core strengths, the Shyers believe. “We think long term and work short term,” Jamie says. “We reinvent ourselves every three to five years. When the landscape of our market changes, we’re able to pivot very quickly. We’re not beholden to stockholders, we’re beholden to each other. And when I say that, it’s not just Chris and me, it’s to everyone within Zyloware, and everyone we do business with.
“We’ve established relationships with some of the largest and most successful retailers in optical, and one of the reasons why they work with us is because of how fast we can react to market needs. Plus, we’re an open-minded, honest, trustworthy company of really good people!”
Close relationships with our business partners
“We are focused on supporting the needs of our retailers,” says Chris Shyer. “One of the most important things about our company is that we actually partner with retailers to serve their businesses. For instance, many of Zyloware’s current brands are designed to fill retailers’ specific needs and help them grow their business.
“Our partners want to do business with us because they know we’ll help them be successful,” Chris says.
Jamie’s dad Henry, one of the second generation of Shyers, established a legacy that continues to this day: placing a premium on personal relationships. “My dad made friends all around the world, from Australia, Europe, the Far East,” Jamie says. “They were customers & suppliers and they’d come stay at our house. He’d introduce them as ‘Aunt this’ or ‘Uncle that,’ they were family. He created a business out of relationships—it wasn’t just transactional. His feeling was, no matter what technology brings, there’s nothing more important than the interpersonal, face-to-face relationship, what he called nose-to-nose and toes-to-toes.”
Long-term employee relationships
Many people in the work world would agree that they often spend more time with their coworkers than their own family. Supporting and encouraging their employees and making sure they’re happy is a priority for Chris and Jamie.
“Recently customers have asked us about our diversity and inclusion initiatives, and we were way ahead on that. It’s part of our family DNA,” Jamie says. “We have diversity at an executive level, and our employees are from different religions, races, ethnicities. We support a diverse culture of talented people working in roles that are best suited to their individual skills. We cultivate our family of employees — many have been with us going on 30 years!
“We also encourage camaraderie, teamwork, and ‘purpose’ — feeling like you’re part of something bigger.”
Active in our local community
As well as being top-notch employers, studies show that family-owned companies are often better community citizens than their non-family-run peers.
Zyloware founded National Eyewear Day in 2016, to be celebrated on June 6, the birthday of company founder (and Chris and Jamie’s grandfather) Joseph Shyer. The day is a reminder for everyone to get their annual comprehensive eye exam.
Every year, Zyloware opens its doors to members of the Port Chester, N.Y. community who are in need, for free vision screenings, testings, and eyeglasses. National Eyewear Day serves as a reminder of the importance of being proactive in your eye health.
