Meet Shelby Perry

We were lucky to catch up with Shelby Perry recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shelby , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Honestly… it wasn’t some big, “aha” moment. It was a series of jolts, moments that shook me, pushed me, and didn’t let me stay the same.
I lost my eye snowboarding 4.5 years ago. In that instant, my life as I knew it stopped. Everything I thought I was, everything I had planned… gone. I felt small, scared, and completely unsure who I even was anymore.
But somewhere in the chaos, I realized something: my story wasn’t over. If anything, it was just beginning. And if I could turn my pain into something that helped just one other person feel seen, heard, or understood… that would be my purpose.
I started small, sharing my story online, connecting with people who had been through similar experiences, learning how to show up unapologetically even when it felt uncomfortable. Slowly, those small actions built momentum. I realized purpose isn’t always a giant lightning bolt. Sometimes, it’s just choosing over and over to show up, share your truth, and use what you’ve been through to create something bigger than yourself.
Now, I run EYEHESIVE, host the Eye Connect Virtual Conference, and have built a global community where people with one eye find connection, empowerment, and possibility. I sell high performance adhesive eye patches. My purpose isn’t just mine anymore, it’s hundreds of people’s too. And every time someone says, “I saw your story, and it gave me hope,” I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Purpose, for me, wasn’t found. It was built, piece by piece, story by story, choice by choice.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m Shelby Perry, founder of EYEHESIVE, a global movement and brand dedicated to empowering individuals with eye loss to step into radical ownership of their story, build community, and create impact. What excites me most about what I do is seeing people transform, taking what could feel like a limitation and turning it into power, confidence, and influence in their own lives and the lives of others.
Through EYEHESIVE, we’ve created spaces, programs, and experiences that help people share their stories unapologetically, build businesses, grow audiences, and connect with others who truly “get it.” Our flagship event, the Eye Connect Virtual Conference, brings hundreds of one-eyed individuals from all over the world together for connection, inspiration, and life-changing conversations.
On the product side, I’m especially proud of our high-performance adhesive eye patches. These aren’t just functional, they’re designed for comfort, style, and confidence. People tell me all the time how much easier they make daily life, travel, and even creative expression.
Right now, we’re expanding our community and product line, hosting more virtual experiences, and helping even more people harness the power of their story to create impact. Everything we do is about making eye loss not a limitation, but a launching point for something extraordinary.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, there are three things that were absolutely game-changing in my journey:
Never giving up. No matter how hard, uncomfortable, or uncertain things felt, I just kept showing up. Even when it felt scary or impossible, I refused to quit. That persistence created momentum I couldn’t have planned.
Trusting my heart and intuition. I learned early on to listen to my gut, even when it didn’t make sense to anyone else. Following that inner guidance has led me to opportunities, connections, and breakthroughs I couldn’t have imagined.
Moving big before I was ready. I stopped waiting for the perfect timing, the perfect plan, or permission from anyone else. I leaned into action, even when it felt reckless or confusing, and it accelerated everything in my life.
Some key mindset add-ons that helped too:
Always remember your current situation doesn’t define where you’re going. What feels small, stuck, or limited right now isn’t the end of the story.
Surround yourself with people who already have what you desire. Learn from them, absorb their energy, and let it push you further than you could go alone.
My advice for anyone early in their journey: Trust yourself, take bold action, and never, ever underestimate the power of persistence. Your story, your impact, and your purpose are waiting, sometimes you just have to leap before you’re ready.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

The single most helpful thing on my journey has been long-term, consistent mentorship. I’ve had a handful of mentors, each with different skill sets, and they’ve been the reason I’m still in the game today. Mentorship isn’t just about the investment, (which is important) it’s about learning strategy, and most importantly, mindset. Business is 99% mindset, it’s the energy you bring, the standards you hold yourself to, and the frequency at which you operate. Beyond mentorship, simply watching other leaders lead, seeing those who have gone first and paved the way, has been incredibly inspiring and instructive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://eyehesive.com
• Instagram: eyehesive
• Facebook: eyeheisve
• Linkedin: Shelby Perry
• Youtube: eyehesive