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“I never really wanted to be in front of the camera with my brand because I wanted to be an eyewear brand, not a black -owned eyewear brand. I didn't want to be pigeonholed into something in people's mind.”
In this episode of Startups in Stilettos, hosts Ingrid Zapata-Read and Carlyn Bushman sit down with Entreprenista League member Dionne Ellison, Founder and CEO of Vuliwear, an elevated eyewear brand redefining how we think about sunglasses. Inspired by macro photography of insect eyes, Dionne transformed hidden beauty in nature into bold, Italian-made, lens-driven designs that lead with both purpose and style.
Dionne shares her deeply personal entrepreneurial journey—rooted in family creativity, influenced by years in corporate leadership, and shaped by her own cataract experience. Together, they explore what it takes to disrupt a saturated market, why Vuliwear leads with the lens instead of the frame, and how education, health, and fashion can coexist in one powerful brand.
What we talked about:
Macro Inspiration [4:17]
Focus on the Lens [9:09]
Blending it all Together [15:23]
The Biggest Challenge [19:04]
Why Invest in Good Glasses [26:40]
Join hundreds of ambitious, purpose-driven founders at The PGA National Resort for a life-changing weekend of inspiration, motivation, and transformation for the 2026 Founders Weekend!
Connect with Dionne:
InstagramConnect with Carlyn:
@carlynbushmanconsulting on Instagram
Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn Carlyn Bushman Consulting
Connect with Ingrid:
@itsingridsworld on Instagram
Ingrid Zapata-Read on Linkedin
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Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!
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Guests
Dionne Ellison
Hosts
Carlyn Bushman
Carlyn Bushman is a seasoned business consultant, entrepreneur, and advocate for female founders. She founded POP Business Academy to empower women entrepreneurs with tools for building sustainable, profitable businesses. As CEO of Carlyn Bushman Consulting, she specializes in helping product- and service-based business owners navigate financials, marketing, and growth strategies. With extensive corporate experience, Carlyn, a mom in a blended family and lifelong learner, has been featured on Good Morning America and in Times Square. She's here to help you make money and stay in business.
Ingrid Zapata Read
Ingrid Zapata Read is a community strategist and founder of Grow With Community. She helps businesses get closer to the people they serve and build stronger, more intentional relationships around their mission.
After building a global community for moms of over 200,000 members, and through her experience in sales, startups, and customer experience, Ingrid brings a people-first perspective to growth across industries. She’s known for her thoughtful, practical approach and believes community building should be a part of every business strategy.
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