At just 28, Vaibhav Dwivedi has achieved what many entrepreneurs strive for in a lifetime. A college dropout with an unshakable resolve, he built a thriving eyewear retail empire from scratch, facing formidable industry giants and overcoming legal battles along the way. His story is one of grit, calculated risks, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence, making him a standout name in India’s startup ecosystem from an unlikely state, Chhattisgarh.
The Journey: From OLX Deals to Industry Leader
Vaibhav’s entrepreneurial journey began with nothing more than his savings from tutoring students and trading on OLX. He used this modest capital to buy a sizeable stock of Luxury eyewear Goods, marking his first major step into the industry. However, the path wasn’t smooth. Early in his business, he fell prey to counterfeit products. Instead of succumbing to the setback, he turned the situation around—relabeling the stock and selling it at cost to a local optical store, ensuring a breakeven.
With his unwavering determination, he reinvested his earnings and secured loans from his family and government schemes to open his first store in 2016. Unlike many new business owners, Vaibhav chose a disciplined approach—spending only where revenue justified it. He even avoided hiring an accountant in the early days, as the cost outweighed the fines he would have paid for minor financial discrepancies. This frugality, coupled with strategic reinvestment, became the cornerstone of his business model.
Scaling Without External Funding
One of the most remarkable aspects of Vaibhav’s journey is his ability to scale without external investment. Instead of raising funds, he channeled every bit of profit back into expansion. Within six months of launching his first store, he opened a second. By 2017, his business had 10 employees; by 2019, he had served over 1 lakh customers.
His commitment to organic growth paid off, and in 2022, his 10th store was launched. The year 2023 saw the introduction of an e-commerce platform, taking his retail presence beyond physical stores. By 2024, he had served over 10 lakh customers—an extraordinary feat for a young entrepreneur competing in a market dominated by legacy players.
A Leader Who Builds Teams, Not Just Businesses
Vaibhav’s leadership style is another aspect that sets him apart. He cultivated a company culture where employees weren’t just workers but part of a larger family. Each team member took on multiple roles, ensuring operational efficiency while fostering a deep sense of belonging. As a result, many of his employees have grown alongside the business, achieving personal milestones like getting married, having children, and buying homes.
The Future: Franchising and Startups
Now, Vaibhav is preparing for the next phase—turning his retail empire into a franchise-driven expansion. He is also working on a startup incubation program in Chhattisgarh, providing seed funding and mentorship to budding entrepreneurs while building a strong fan following for his brand, Lenstrack.
His journey is a testament to the power of resilience, smart decision-making, and unwavering belief. Now at just 28, Vaibhav Dwivedi has already become a force to reckon with in the eyewear industry—and this is just the beginning.
Learn more – www.lenstrack.com
