Sir Richard Branson has hailed the “tremendous entrepreneurial spirit” of a group of friends from the Highlands who created a new brand of sunglasses.
The entrepreneur and Virgin Group founder has now promised to make a “significant investment” in Tens, after discovering the firm through a friend on his exclusive Necker Island retreat in the British Virgin Islands.
The brand was created by three friends while on a road trip through the Highlands in February 2014.
Kris Reid and Marty Bell are both from Beauly, while third founder Tom Welsh is from Sheffield.
The company already ships to more than 100 countries through its online store, having launched with an online campaign which generated almost £400,000 in pre-orders.
Mr Branson said: “Kris, Marty and Tom have shown tremendous entrepreneurial spirit to get where they are today;
they’ve done an amazing job bringing their ambition to life.
“Tens have come in and disrupted the sunglasses market, a tactic I’m all too familiar with.
“And I love the product, no matter where I am in the world I can stick on a pair of Tens and feel like I’m right back on Necker Island.”
The founders are all keen photographers and filmmakers, designing their sunglasses to work as a filter with natural light.
Mr Reid said: “Richard’s investment will help significantly to elevate Tens to the next level.
“Currently our strongest market is here in the UK, but we see huge potential globally and look forward to this next chapter of growth.”
He added: “To think that just two years ago we were hatching a plan in a bedroom in the Scottish Highlands, where – quite frankly – the sun rarely shines, it’s almost too far fetched to believe. But here we are.”
Mr Bell added: “It’s fantastic Richard has invested in Tens.
“His spirit of adventure and entrepreneurship is completely aligned with the brand and we are thoroughly delighted to welcome him to the team.”
