All Eyes on JJ
JJ Lamb is a force. While small in stature, make no mistake: she is mighty! As the owner and president of Fairhope’s designer eyewear boutique JJ Eyes, she shares her journey as a local small business survivor.
By Hayley Hill | Photos Stevye Photography, 228.547.1191 | Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, YouNeedBlush@gmail.com
Long before I relocated to the Bay and started Access, I read about this one-of-a-kind boutique in Fairhope. This cool chick, JJ Lamb, had decided to open a high-end designer eyewear shop and shared everything – from securing funds from perplexed bankers, to landing those oh-so-hard-to-get brands. Knowing in her gut it would work, she jumped in head first. I was an instant secret admirer from afar.
Fast forward a decade, and JJ feels like a sister from another mister. Just as I had imagined, she is strong, funny, smart, and all with that little edge I just love. Most importantly though, she’s incredibly honest. Having blazed oddly similar trails, it was refreshing to hear the ups (as well as the downs) of building her “fempire.”
Her success wasn’t overnight. “It’s like having a baby: you have to do everything for five years before you realize any independence,” she jokes. “It’s about survival – sometimes life gives you lemons, so you make lemonade… and I make great lemonade,” she quips. And as local brick and mortars work tirelessly to compete with big box chains, the internet, and more, her story was about first surviving, and then thriving. And thrive she did. With a proven plan, JJ opened a second shop in Birmingham.
As wife to Chip and mom to Zoe Janë and Joe Dixon Vanche, JJ has mastered the b-word: balance. Hailing from Luverne and Troy, her path was set in motion a long time ago. “My grandfather and parents were all eye doctors, and as a kid my parents made me work at their offices and maintain the yards of their buildings,” she laughs.
Naturally, we wonder about being a woman in business. “There have been times that being female has made it tougher, and times it has helped,” she says. “My parents reared me with very strong ethics, and I think as long as you’re a person of your word and do what you say you’ll do, you will ultimately succeed,” JJ shares.
Living by the motto of treating people how she wants to be treated, JJ and her business are in a good place. Listing the relationships she’s built with her employees as her favorite part of owning her business, she adds, “I hire super smart, conscientious people, and we are a family!”
In addition to offering some of the biggest designer brands such as Prada and Chanel, JJ’s other favorites include frames by the funky but oh-so-comfortable Orgree; Dita’s cutting-edge and quality options; those fabulous lenses by Vuarnet that take her back to college; Barton Perreira frames that are the best buy for the craftmanship; and, of course, the fun-yet-affordable Krewe line.
And while you might be tempted by those seemingly simple online offerings, keep in mind that not all frames and lenses are created equal. “Glasses are like shoes: you get what you pay for,” JJ says. “Not only do we get exact measurements ensuring the perfect fit by using cutting-edge technology with state-of-the-art lens brands, but we help clients choose frames that best suit their face, coloring, and personality and happily make adjustments and repairs well after purchase as well. We also have on-site optometrists and eye care services ranging from comprehensive eye exams to preventative care and contact lens fittings,” she adds.
Although many dream of the day when drones drop online goods at our door, most local business owners would tell you that supporting local is crucial. Somewhat numb to the message, consider what our streets would look like with empty stores. JJ’s take? “Oh my goodness, I could write a novel,” she says. “First and foremost, we pay taxes in this community and employ a lot of people. I would rather shop in Fairhope than any other place on the planet. I have clothes from East Bay Clothier that I love and are older than my youngest child. I have spectacular shoes and clothes from CK Collection. My daughter has a better wardrobe than me because she is beautiful in everything and loves Sway, Sadie’s, 7 South, and Lucca at The Wharf. I love to eat in Fairhope’s Dragonfly and Red or White, and hit the Tongue & Groove for a great cocktail. The Fairhope Inn is my favorite place for a ‘girls’ lunch.’”
We’re also pretty sure you can’t buy confidence online. “Nothing feels better than helping customers feel more confident in a new look, especially when they come back for another look,” JJ says. “It is our joy to find that one perfect pair or to build eyewear wardrobes for those who want a lot of looks,” she adds.
When not working, the outdoors call to her. “I love to paddleboard, do yoga, read, and hang with my family,” JJ says. “We love great food, sports, and games. My family are all super smart and sarcastic and they keep me laughing. I get so much joy from doing for them.”
As for her relationship with ACCESS? “I would like to add how much I appreciate ACCESS,” JJ says. “They produce a NYC-quality magazine for our area. I am so impressed with Hayley and her team. Working with them reminds me of how hard being a business owner and single mom was. Hayley is a Rockstar with an amazing vision,” she says. While blushing, I’m extremely touched and remind her that because I knew she did it, I knew I could, too. If hindsight is 20/20, I guess we’re not only building businesses.
JJ Eyes Optical Boutique | 7 S. Church St. Suite D Fairhope, AL |\251.929.0015
PHOTO 1 Top, $320; Pant, $275; Gold Bangles, $70 each; The Holiday, 251.342.4911. Earrings, $165; Debra’s, 251.343.7463. Dita Frames
PHOTO 2 Earrings, $165; Debra’s, 251.343.7463. Pant, $295; Gold Bangles, $70 each; The Holiday, 251.342.4911. Lindberg Frames
