# Roger Hardy

> Roger Hardy is a Vancouver-based Canadian entrepreneur and investor, co-founder, chairman and CEO of KITS. He previously co-founded Coastal Contacts, acquired by Essilor in 2014 in a transaction with an approximately C$430 million net equity value. His career also includes Hardy Capital and the footwear venture Shoes.com, which closed in 2017. His public interviews and writing cover customer service, company culture and learning from failure.

- **Role:** Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at KITS Eyecare Ltd. (TSX: KITS)
- **Organizations:** KITS Eyecare Ltd., Hardy Capital, Coastal Contacts Inc. (former co-founder and CEO), Shoes.com (former chairman and CEO), Hardy Family Foundation, Bishop’s University Foundation (former board member), LIVO (investor and board member), eyewa (investor and former board member)
- **From:** Toronto, Canada
- **Nationality:** Canadian
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts, Bishop’s University
- **Known for:** Co-founded Coastal Contacts and led it through growth, public listings and its acquisition by Essilor in 2014., EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Business to Consumer category, in 2006 and 2016, according to KITS filings., Co-founded KITS, which completed a C$55 million IPO in 2021.

## Career timeline

- **1993** — Graduated from Bishop’s University.
- **2000** — Co-founded Coastal Contacts with his sister Michaela Tokarski.
- **2004** — Coastal began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
- **2008** — Coastal expanded into eyeglasses.
- **2014** — Essilor acquired Coastal; the announced net equity value was approximately C$430 million. Hardy became chairman and CEO of Hardy Capital and moved into footwear acquisitions.
- **2016** — His operating tenure as CEO of Shoes.com ended, according to KITS filings.
- **2017** — Shoes.com shut down in January. Hardy met future KITS co-founder Joe Thompson that year.
- **2018** — Became chairman and director of KITS in October; co-founders included Joe Thompson and Sabrina Liak.
- **2019** — Hardy Capital announced the acquisition of LD Vision Group, a foundation for KITS.
- **2021** — KITS completed its initial public offering and began trading on the TSX.
- **2026** — Remained KITS chairman and CEO as Joe Thompson transitioned to an advisory role in October.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Coastal Contacts and led it through growth, public listings and its acquisition by Essilor in 2014.
- EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Business to Consumer category, in 2006 and 2016, according to KITS filings.
- Co-founded KITS, which completed a C$55 million IPO in 2021.
- Named to Vancouver Magazine’s Power 50 for 2025 and 2026, according to KITS’ 2026 management circular.
- Established the Hardy Endowment Fund at Bishop’s University.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — On October 15 KITS announced Joe Thompson’s move from COO to advisor. Hardy continued as chairman and CEO, responsible for strategy, capital allocation, capital markets and long-term direction; president Tai Silvey led operations.
- **2026-10** — On October 7 KITS reported preliminary unaudited Q3 revenue of approximately C$63.7 million, up 21.6% year over year, and approximately C$30.6 million cash with no debt. Full results were expected in November.
- **2026-08** — KITS reported Q2 revenue of C$58.4 million and a 65.5% share of revenue from repeat customers.

## Links

- Website: https://www.hardycapital.com/
- LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/rogerhardy
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rogervhardy

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/roger-hardy
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-20