Tina Arroyo, the founder and owner of Spectacle Society, had a vision that was fueled by her entrepreneurial spirit and empathetic desire to create an eyewear experience like no other. Having gained experience in the optical industry, Tina found herself becoming increasingly disillusioned with the fast-paced, profit-driven culture many optometrists and optical stores had adopted. She was driven to create a more personable eyewear experience by taking the time to connect with individuals, making sure they feel incredible in their eyewear.
Spectacle Society, Tina’s brainchild, is far from an ordinary boutique. Located in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood, Spectacle Society offers a unique collection of artisanal, handcrafted frames designed to complement all face shapes, sizes, and skin tones, showcasing a diverse range of eyewear unparalleled in the city.
Tina said, “appointments that used to last an hour have now been shortened to 25 minutes. I realized that such a short time isn’t enough to help someone truly discover and express their identity through eyewear. This was one of the reasons why I started thinking it might be time for a change.”
At an industry event, a panel of women opticians who owned their own eyewear lines inspired Tina. This experience motivated her to pursue her entrepreneurial dream of opening an optical store further.
As I listened to all these amazing individuals, I realized I had turned 40 that year, and I am 46 now. I thought to myself, if all these people could take the risk and pursue their passions, then why couldn't I? What was I waiting for? Did I want to start my dream in my 60s? No, the time is now.
When Tina decided to take the leap, she was determined to create something unique and game-changing in the eyewear industry, something that would make a real difference in people’s lives. So there was no turning back.
In 2020, while developing her business, Tina encountered a major obstacle: COVID-19. After securing a business loan and investing her life savings, she was ready to bring her dream to fruition. However, the onset of the pandemic brought unforeseen chaos and disruption, causing everything to slow down, and the cost of supplies and equipment to skyrocket. What was once a well-planned budget had to be reassessed and adjusted to accommodate the new reality.
Tina found support when she connected with ProsperUs Detroit’s Lending Director, Matthew Bihun, who partnered with her through this challenging period.
“He told me not to worry about it.” Said Tina, “And that we’re going to make this work. Let’s go through the process together.”
With Matthew’s support, Tina secured a gap loan, enabling her to complete the necessary preparations and open Spectacle Society’s doors on December 26, 2020.
Tina values the quality of the products and their ethical manufacturing process. Spectacle Society carries only handcrafted independent eyewear in the store, which sets them apart from the many mass-produced options found elsewhere. Tina is committed to working with companies that have ethical production methods, ensuring that her customers receive nothing but gorgeous, well-made, and sustainable pieces.
Tina’s carefully curated collections come from various places like Denmark, Japan, London, and California. Her favorite line she carries is called Francis Klein, fashionable eyewear with hand-carved etchings and stone produced by a family-owned company in Paris.
