Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Stroud.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chelsea. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I always knew I wanted to go into the fashion industry since I was in high school. I even was on the board of our fashion club in high school. I remember traveling to New York & LA growing up and that was exactly what I wanted for myself. This was before social media even had an influence to our generation. I can think back to ordering my clothes out of catalogs when I was 12 years old. I attended and graduated from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. It was an experience that I am truly grateful for. The amount of people I met and the connections that were made, led me to where I am right now.
In 2012, I was hired by Topshop and managed their VIP service in Los Angeles. During that time, I worked on collaborations such as Kate Moss, Kendal & Kylie, Kate Bosworth, etc. I also was fortunate to have worked with Demi Lovato, 5th Harmony, Bea Miller, etc. on multiple projects. I can think back to the day I met Anna Wintour & her daughter in our VIP showroom on Melrose Avenue. I knew right then that I was where I wanted to be. My career with Topshop led me to New York & I was managing the same service in the city. From Fashion Week to private events in The Hamptons… it was my dream job. My five years with Topshop was some of the best years in my career.
In 2017, I was approached by a company called Suitsupply to help start and launch their women’s brand that is now called Suistudio. We opened a private showroom in Soho and started a “roadshow” all over the US doing pop-ups in different cities. Suistudio now has stores all over the world from Paris to Berlin, Soho, Downtown Manhattan, Amersterdam, etc. We also launched a collaboration with Vanessa Hudgens in 2018. I was on their PR & Marketing team, which put me in contact with Vogue, Elle, Glamour, etc. on a daily basis. It was a dream come true. Moving to New York also led me to my now Fiance, Ben.
In 2018, I started to get really sick. I had a mass sticking out of my neck for almost 8 months. I knew something was wrong with me, but doctors could not figure out what exactly it was. I finally was put in contact with a surgeon at Columbia University who removed the lump. I remember waiting days to get the biopsy results & how nerve-racking it was. If I rewind back almost three years, my mom died from Cancer in 2015 at age 48, so the thought of having cancer seemed unreal & not possible. I felt like I was finally getting in a place of healing and happiness until this was sprung on me. Unfortunately, I did get results back that were positive for cancer. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Large B Cell Lymphoma that metastasized to my bone marrow. I remember being in the oncology department at Columbia & having to be hooked up to a heart monitor because I was going into a state of shock and losing control of my body. I was terrified but knew I was going to have to fight through what I was being faced with.
My Fiance, Ben, had moved to Denver for a job offer he received in 2017, so I was planning on moving to Denver when my lease was up in 2018. This sickness led me to moving a few months sooner than I had expected. The oncologist in New York found me an amazing doctor in Denver at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center. The team at RMCC helped me stay so positive through the entire process and gave me hope every day. I am truly thankful for them! I started treatments in September of 2018 and finished my last treatment in January of 2019.
Literally the week after my final treatment, I met Mike Hollenstein, the CEO of eyebobs. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the brand, eyebobs is a premium eyewear brand that specializes in readers, perscription & blue light glasses. Our motto is “You supply the personality, we frame it”. Mike and I met at a hotel in Cherry Creek for coffee in preparation of them wanting to bring the brand to Denver. I told him about my previous experience in New York & LA. He thought it would be a great idea to bring a similar position to eyebobs that would execute in-market activations. In April of 2018, we opened our first store in Colorado at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. From there, we created two more positions similar to mine, that would own the east coast territory and the midwest territory. The brand has opened stores in Washington DC, Boston, & Minnetonka since the Denver opening. By creating this position, we have come together as a team & had some of the most successful months as a business.
After my treatments, going back to work seemed frightening to me, because I had major changes to my body. I wore a wig, was constantly exhausted, had major anxiety about the future, the list goes on. When I started working with eyebobs, I felt more confident than ever. I even ditched my wig and embraced my short hair. My position grew and I too grew as a young professional. This brand is truly amazing and I can’t wait to see where the future takes us!
You’re going to go through highs and lows in your lifetime, but it will all lead you to where you are supposed to be. I never imagined myself ever going through what I did, living in Denver or being where I am right now, but I am so fulfilled and thankful every day!
Has it been a smooth road?
It was not a smooth road personally or professionally. Professionally, there were a lot of late nights, tears, & hard work. I feel like my “never say no” attitude really helped me get to the next steps of my career. I wouldn’t necessarily call them struggles, but it wasn’t an easy road.
Personally, when you deal with loss (my mom), changes, putting yourself before your relationship, cancer, and the unknown… it’s quite difficult to balance those things with your professional life. I think overcoming that balance is a victory itself.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Eyebobs – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Eyebobs was founded in 2001 and we’ve grown so much in those 19 years. We now have six retail stores across the US and are planning a continued expansion in 2020. Eyebobs is a premium eyewear brand that has readers, perscription, blue lights, polarized sunglasses, etc. we do it all– any frame any lens. Our vision is that we have a frame for everyone who walks into our retail stores — “You supply the personality, we frame it.” I think the company itself is for EVERYONE internally and customers. It’s great to work for such a diverse company that caters to all.
In addition to my day to day job, I have been working on a website for post-cancer patients. Unfortunately, cancer is a common thing now & when you’re hit with it, you’re not sure what to expect. I have had so many people reach out to me asking how to get through the process. There isn’t really an answer for that, as everyone deals with it differently. But I do have advice for what helped me through. The littlest things made the biggest difference for me. It’s not just a physical adjustment, but emotional and mental as well.
My vision is to work with different hospitals around Colorado & be a positive force to young girls like me facing something so heavy at a young age. I went from being able to run miles at a time to being sore after walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes. Everything post-chemo is a huge adjustment. I also have been on both sides of the fence — patient vs. caretaker. I truly think it’s harder watching someone go through cancer/lose someone (like my mom) vs. going through it yourself. I would love to talk about coping strategies that helped Ben & I and my family as well.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Moving to Denver seemed terrifying after living in the two biggest cities in the US. I didn’t know what to expect, but ended up being so thankful I did make the move. I immediately became in touch with myself and personal growth. You can really forget to take care of yourself when you’re caught up in the work hustle of NYC & keeping your social life on top of that. Being around good people, nature, and a healthier lifestyle was such a nice change.
I think one of the hardest things for me to see on a daily basis is the amount of homeless people in the city. I would like to become more involved to help change that.
Pricing:
- $89 readers
- $129 blue lights
- $199 single vision
- $299 progressive
Contact Info:
- Address: Cherry Creek Shopping Center
3000 E 1st Avenue Suite 145
Denver CO 80206 - Website: www.eyebobs.com
- Phone: 3107747478
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @eyebobs
Image Credit:
Alicia D’elia Photography
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