A Conversation with A/J Jackson, Founder of AVIEW
You might know A/J Jackson as the frontman of the multi-platinum band Saint Motel, who has performed on stages from Madison Square Garden to festivals across the globe. But when he isn’t writing, performing, or producing music, he’s focused on a different kind of vision.
In 2021, A/J founded AVIEW, an eyewear brand that sells frames with multiple interchangeable lenses. Soon after, A/J established a charitable partnership with SEE International so that every pair of glasses sold helps restore sight to someone in need.
We recently sat down with A/J to learn more about him and his company for the first installment of our quarterly Corporate Sponsorship Highlight series!
How AVIEW Started
The idea for AVIEW came from A/J’s personal frustration with having to carry multiple pairs of glasses wherever he went:
“As a glasses wearer, I’d always have a pair of sunglasses and a pair of glasses. And then as a frontman in a band, I also had lots of random colored glasses. So I ended up having like four pairs of glasses on me at any given time,” he said.
This sparked an idea for a company: “I thought, what if I could have one pair of frames and just change out the lenses?”
And so AVIEW was born. While the brand was created out of a desire for convenience, A/J knew from day one that he wanted to use his company to make an impact.
Why SEE?
Many startups wait for “the right time” to start giving back. But A/J committed to the Pledge 1% model from the very beginning:
“People like to be a part of something that helps in some way. Even if it is just a small portion of your purchase going to an organization, it is incredibly beneficial. We didn’t want to wait,” he said.
When searching for a partner through Charity Watch, SEE International’s proven track record and overall mission stood out to A/J immediately. For a company focused on enhancing vision, partnering with an organization dedicated to restoring it was a natural overlap:
“Our mission is to give you the freedom to constantly change the way you see the world, and when I found a charity that was highly regarded, and that literally restores sight to blind individuals. . . I couldn’t think of a better partner than that.”
AVIEW’s investment in color theory is evident on their website, which provides visitors with detailed information regarding the benefits of each individual lens color. As mentioned on the site, “Color affects your mood, your productivity, and your performance. As your needs change, you should be free to change with them.”
Making an Impact
The connection between AVIEW’s business model and SEE’s work is clear; we both want to help people see the world. When asked about the long-term change he hopes to see through this sponsorship, A/J simply noted that he wants SEE to reach more people in need:
“I chose SEE because I hope to help the organization grow and keep doing more of this great work. More surgeries, more people being helped, more areas being reached.”
AVIEW’s sponsorship of SEE is driven by inspiration and the desire to change lives for the better:
“To witness firsthand someone who hasn’t been able to see the world finally have that experience. . . There’s not many things as profound as that” said A/J.
We’re grateful to A/J and the entire AVIEW team for their sponsorship of our work! Together, we’re helping bring vision and opportunity to individuals around the world.
About AVIEW & Saint Motel
A/J met his bandmates at film school in Orange County, and they’re now known for turning live shows into immersive experiences:
“We have always had a hyper-creative approach to everything,” he said.
Even better, half of his bandmates are eyewear users! Saint Motel recently collaborated with AVIEW in creating lens colors based on their album for “The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack”
Want to learn more about how your next pair of glasses can change a life? Explore the AVIEW Collection and see how they are working with SEE International to restore sight worldwide.
