We had the good fortune of connecting with Marissa Caggiano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marissa, every day, we think about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for my business was very organic. I am a lover of vintage and items that are one of a kind or different. As a visual artist as well as an entrepreneur I am very inclined to appreciate the small details of a design. My dad is an optician and has collected high quality eyeglass frames over the years. I felt very bored of the options offered at the eye doctors and the repetitive online retailers so I would start to dig into his collection for my own frames. I would get so many compliments on my glasses. Eventually the idea hit me, I should be selling these vintage frames. I knew others who were similar to me and looking for something unique and different, they would love to own a pair of their own. So I got together with my Dad and eventually “Dad’s Vintage” was born. My love for glasses fashion was definitely inspired by my father and being around his profession and collection over the years so the name honors him in that aspect. I also feel that we need more positive male leaders, so on a deeper level the name Dad’s represents my hope to see that. Vintage itself is something I am proud to curate as it is much more sustainable than newly made items. This is a part of circular fashion, cutting down on the waste and pollution created by giving and item a longer life cycle. Finally items created 30 plus years ago were created with finer materials and processes than products today. All of these concepts and ideas are my values and the backbone to my brand.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business excites me because these are the frames that I wear day to day myself. This business started with me meeting my own need to have a unique beautiful pair of glasses, and then seeing that others might appreciate something similar. My business is still growing but I got to where I am today by following through and being patient. The hardest obstacles you will face as a creative or business owner are your own blocks and limiting beliefs. There isn’t a quick fix for these, but as you move forward regardless you will be empowered to move beyond them. Grit has been something I have valued along this journey as well. I hope Dad’s Vintage can be a reminder to be yourself, and enjoy your journey. With the unique and many times out of the box nature of some of our styles I hope customers of Dad’s feel the same playful and special feeling I do wearing frames from our collection.

Any great local sports you’d like to shoutout?
When I have had a friend visit Dallas I love to take them out for great food. Dallas is a gem when it comes to restaurants. Petra and the Beast is a favorite spot so we would go there for sure. Chef Misti Norris is an award winning chef who creates dishes utilizing produce from local farms. The pasta is all made in house too, the creativity and quality of her food is unmatched. We would also stop at Sandwich Hag during their stay for Chef Reyna Duong’s fantastic Bahn Mi. We would definitely check out the murals in Deep Ellum especially the huge Tristan Eaton piece! We’d also check out some of the smaller art galleries in Deep Ellum. We would definitely go thrifting as Dallas has some of the best thrift stores around. We’d hit the Arboretum for a picnic, and take a stroll on the Katy trail. Another day we would take a trip out to Lake Whitney to go cliff jumping. I’d love to take them to a show by the Ochre House theater too, a smaller theater company that was recently reccomend to me. We could check out Deep Ellum art co and see what events they were hosting as well. Finally we could finish a later evening with some Korean BBQ from San Jang, my favorite late night spot.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shout-out is to my Dad. He inspired a huge part of this business and I couldn’t do it without him. At a young age I used to go to bring your daughter to work day with him. I would see him making the lenses for eyeglasses, and fitting patients with frames. All of the patients truly loved him. He would help them find something that looked great on them and feel cared for in the process. With my strong artistic inclination, even as a child, I would admire all the shapes and styles of frames and try them all on at his workplace. This formative experience shaped my appreciation of eyeglasses and my inspiration to later go out on a limb wearing more unique vintage styles. My Dad, and his inclusion of me for the bring you daughter to work celebration was the start of all of this. To all the father’s out there who take the time for their children and expose them to new and enriching experiences this shout-out is for you too! You never know what seeds you may be sowing in your child and what they might grow into.

Website: www.dadsvintage.com

Instagram: @dads.vintage

Facebook: Facebook.com/dadsvintageframes

Other: TikTok @dadsvintage

Image Credits
Photographs by: Miriam King
Jonathan Hernandez
Cesar Maya
Alexandra Hulsey
Marissa Caggiano

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