Community Highlights: Meet Daniel Hack of Gr@titude Lenses

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Hack.

When Daniel Hack’s father took his own life, Hack was at a crossroads: he could let his sorrow consume him, or he could use the tragedy as a catalyst for leading a more gratifying, authentic life. He chose the latter. That’s why he’s dedicating his life to the power of choice and to bring others up with him.

In order to help others live a life of fulfillment, he first had to look inward to make sure he was living a life authentic to himself. “I had become who I thought others wanted me to be,” says Hack. “I was seeking external validation looking to impress people with material things.”

In light of this realization he decided to flip the script. He turned everything upside down; he sold his condo and moved into a van with his dog Jackson.

During this period of self-reflection, he heard something that would change the course of his life. It was a quote from Nick Santonastasso, a motivational speaker, athlete, and internet star who was born with no legs, an undeveloped right arm, and a left arm with one finger. Santonastasso said, “The world would be a better place if everyone lived life through a lens of gratitude.”

At that moment, an idea sparked within Hack. He decided to start a sunglasses company to serve as a vehicle to facilitate the gratitude mindset out into the world.

His movement brand, Gr@titude Lenses, pairs a quality product with a profound purpose: to encourage one billion people to join the fight for mental health.

The sunglasses serve as everyday reminders that, in any situation, our reality is determined by the lens through which we view life and that, just like the sunglasses, each of us is made by design and put here for a purpose. We have the choice to make it a great day. For every pair of sunglasses bought, Gr@titude gifts a pair to a family affected by suicide.

Daniel Hack was born in Washington State and moved to sunny San Diego a decade ago. He is the founder of the movement brand Gr@titude and invests in real estate across the country. He’s raised over $16 million for San Diego athletic teams and programs through an online platform called Snap Raise SD. He is a leader in Pathfinders, a business ministry helping people leave a life of external affirmation to create a pathway of success. You can usually find him playing beach volleyball or visiting the dog park with his stud of a pup Jackson!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
2021 started off rough for the Gr@titude Team but that didn’t stop them from pushing the movement out into the world. A shipment of Gr@titude sunglasses worth $25,000 was expected to arrive at their headquarters. FedEx says they delivered the package but nothing showed up. They were stolen.

If you know San Diego, you know people are going down every alley looking for free stuff or something to steal. While the Gr@titude Team reached out to the community for their help to find the sunglasses, they let this moment serve as a reminder of our core value, live life through a lens gratitude.

They were thankful that this was a small package stolen instead of a large shipment later down the line. This was an eye-opening moment to update their shipping systems to be more secure.

They refused to let a brick in the road destroy their faith. After two weeks of searching for the glasses, there was light.

They were found outside the wrong address! Even though they were delivered to the wrong address, every pair of glasses was still found perfectly secure and intact. They sat outside for two weeks untouched.

What they saw so clearly was the difference between faith and belief. What they found was belief is what we can physically understand. They believed the sunglasses would come back. Where faith actually brings in trust. So they had faith all things work together for good and the action they can take is to physically believe everything will work out.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Gr@titude Lenses offers high quality, polarized sunglasses crafted from acetate material in two popular styles. Inside the arms of each pair are empowering quotes: “Live life through a lens of Gr@titude” and “Make it a great day!” For every pair of sunglasses sold, the company gifts a pair of sunglasses, along with other resources, to a family impacted by suicide.

The sunglasses serve as everyday reminders that, in any situation, our reality is determined by the lens through which we view life and that, just like the sunglasses, each of us is made by design and put here for a purpose.

“We have a quality product with a message of gratitude that people resonate with,” Hack said. “Our sunglasses spark real conversations and serve as reminders to live life through a lens of gratitude.”

Additionally, those who join the Gr@titude Movement get exclusive access to a Daily Gr@titude Affirmation app and an online community of positive-conscious people who provide encouragement and reminders to slow down and be grateful. We all have the power to choose gratitude, and it’s what the world needs now more than ever.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The lens through which we view our experiences in life can have a profound impact on how we react to the world around us.

Following his father’s death by suicide, Daniel Hack had a decision to make. He could choose to be defined by the tragedy or use it as fuel to elevate his purpose and lift millions of others with him. He chose the latter.

Daniel embarked upon a period of self-reflection, looking inward to uncover his authentic self and to cultivate a gratitude mindset — not just for himself but also for everyone he could reach.

His vision materialized, resulting in Gr@titude Lenses. Founded by Daniel Hack in 2020, Gr@titude Lenses is a movement brand for life-seekers who desire daily reminders to be in a place of joy, to live healthier and to live a life of purpose. The company’s vision is to transform communities by inspiring people throughout the world to live joy-filled lives while practicing gratitude and being fully present.

Pricing:

• I AM JOY Black: $87
• I AM JOY Tortoise: $87
• I AM LOVE Black: $87
• I AM LOVE Tortoise: $87

Contact Info:

• Email: daniel@gratitudemovement.co
• Website: https://gratitudemovement.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gratitudemovement.co/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/489152749

Image Credits
3 Product shots: From Morgan Ervin 10 Model Shots: From Mike Finn