Bethesda 'Yes Man' Launches New Product: Sunglasses

College student and entrepreneur Nathan Resnick of Bethesda spoke to Patch recently about his new invention -- affordable, handcrafted hybrid bamboo sunglasses that don’t break the bank.

The sunglasses are the latest product from Resnick’s Yes Man company. He spoke to Patch in January about his first invention, the Yes Man watch.

Resnick, a junior at the University of San Diego studying finance, graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in 2012. He has been an entrepreneur since childhood, and his passion resulted in the Yes Man watch that has a special buckle that doesn’t damage the band’s leather, he told Patch in January.

Resnick, who spent a year in Beijing in 2010, speaks fluent Mandarin. During a recent trip to China, he came across Zhang Shi Hong, a man who organically grows his own bamboo -- the bamboo that will form the arms of the Yes Man Sunnies.

“It’s a way to expand our product line,” Resnick said of the glasses. “It was always in the back of my mind. When I was in China this past summer, what ended up happening is I checked out all these suppliers, and I came across this bamboo supplier who’s basically growing the bamboo in his backyard. It’s sustainable and reliable.”

The arms of the glasses are handcrafted from bamboo, but the frames are made of plastic. Hong told Resnick that bamboo could not be shaped and curved into frames.

Resnick launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the new endeavor.

“We reached the $5,000 goal in under four days,” Resnick said.

The campaign has raised $8,808 to date. Those choosing to donate can still get the Yes Man Sunnies at a discounted price for contributing to the kickstarter.

Yes Man will continue to sell pre-orders through the website after kickstarter ends in nine days. Orders will hopefully be fulfilled in mid-October, Resnick said.

Photo courtesy of Nathan Resnick.