You need to call the police about the stuff you have evidence of.

Fastest option would be social media profiles.

good quality of eyewear

Lifelong wearer of glasses. I don’t buy frames at optical stores anymore. I know the the “scam” of how it’s really just one big company selling everything for whatever prices they want.

I buy bootleg and “off the truck” frames online and I bring those to have fitted with lenses. If I was in your shoes I’d reach out to these online dealers of cheap frames and see if you can work up an “affiliate code” to give to your customers so they get a little discount on cheaper lenses and you get a cut back.

Drop your inventory of frames and cut your overheard. Market your self as the cheapest frames in town.

Btw this is the second time an employee has done this after we’ve paid for training. Husband said those contracts don’t hold up

Then this is a leadership problem not an employee problem

If your industry is niche enough I think you would benefit from your husbands strategy. Keep your self known as a place for talented up and comers to be noticed and get experience. That said I do feel that moving forward you include some thing in a contract about the cost of training vs time spent at business.

What research did you do before starting the business?

When ever he asks something go into a long rambling story about a weird once-in-a-lifetime event that happened to you and that’s the only reason you know what you know. Keep notes so you don’t mix up your stories.

Severance

2 months is hardly enough time to see a turn around on ad expense. That said it sounds like maybe you’re overpaying. I would seek out a ramp up type of marketing. Start small that grows as you grow.

My drug dealer mailed me a like 300 bucks of weed once. It got lost in the mail. He sent me a replacement out of his own pocket. It’s just good business.