In this episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, Despina Karatzias ventures into the heart of small business at the Brentford Shopping Centre in Victoria, featuring an inspiring conversation with Mel and Penny from Eyewear Architects. Discover how these small business champions bring a unique blend of passion, expertise, and community spirit to independent optometry.
Mel and Penny share their journey from the early days of their careers to becoming spectacle makers with a rare skill set. They delve into the differences between independent and corporate optometry, highlighting the personalised care and deep knowledge they offer to their clients. The conversation explores the importance of lifestyle dispensing, where understanding a client’s daily activities and needs leads to better vision solutions.
Learn about the challenges and rewards of running a small business, from marketing and social media to building a strong team and community connections. Mel and Penny’s story is a testament to the power of collaboration, continuous learning, and the courage to take the leap into entrepreneurship.
Eyewear Architects Story Highlights
- 02:18 – Mel and Penny’s Passion for Optometry
- 08:51 – Importance of Care Factor for Business Success
- 10:27 – Biggest Obstacle in Launching Optometry Business
- 16:53 – Content Creation Process
- 17:38 – Brentford Association vs. National Associations
- 27:22 – Challenges and Learnings
- 28:05 – Marketing as a Learning Curve
- 30:02 – Marketing Journey
- 34:22 – Common Glasses Myth
- 39:13 – Importance of Eye Health Checks
- 41:16 – Myopia Epidemic Linked to Screen Use
- 51:05 – Local Support and Collaborations
- 53:58 – Challenges in Finding Small Business Support
References:
Eyewear Architects: https://www.eyeweararchitects.com.au
Business Victoria: https://www.business.vic.gov.au
Monarch Institute: https://www.monarch.edu.au/
Women of Whitehorse: https://www.womenofwhitehorse.com.au
Connect with Eyewear Architects:
Website: Eyewear Architects
Instagram: @eyeweararchitects
Facebook: Eyewear Architects
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The show is hosted by Despina Karatzias and brought to you by Institute of Excellence.
Stay passionate, stay excellent, and keep your fire burning!
