By Staff
Thursday, September 12, 2019 11:29 AM
NEW YORK—Brick and click software resource
ShopKeep offers a getting-down-to-basics small business guide for startups—but the ideas are useful even for long-term small business owners. The free guide can be
downloaded here. In addition, ShopKeep site's Small Business Hub offers a roster of resources that can be helpful on topics ranging from operations to merchandising to learning how to offer gift cards to customers. While the site offers advice and expertise for all types of businesses, retail and small service businesses can learn, too, and connect via text or webinar with experts.
By Staff
Wednesday, September 11, 2019 4:03 PM
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—This year, independent eyewear brand
l.a.Eyeworks is celebrating its 40th anniversary. A staple of the independent eyewear scene for over a generation now, l.a.Eyeworks has spread far beyond its Californian roots. To celebrate 40 years, the brand is leading an international window display campaign, which kicked off on September 9. The campaign art will appear on the facades of more than 80 optical retailers in seven countries, and features a custom graphic design, printed on transparent vinyl. The graphic depicts two signboards which say “Raise Your Glasses!” and “Uncensored Visions Since 1979,” floating above the l.a.Eyeworks logo, which has been modified to add a decorative “40.” L.A.-based artists Nina Palomba designed the placard artwork, and graphic designer Mike Fink created the logo.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Wednesday, September 11, 2019 4:00 PM
SAN DIEGO, Calif.—Independent optometry is part of the Chinn family's DNA. Thirty years ago, Stephen Chinn, OD, opened his very first independent private practice in San Diego, after graduating from U.C. Berkeley School of Optometry in 1972. Throughout his career, Dr. Chinn has had up to three private practices at once—but these days he focuses his attention on one in particular. Today, he and his daughter, Jennifer Chinn, OD, who graduated from the University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry in 2015, practice together at
Dr. Chinn’s Vision Care, in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood. Their independent practice is a member of the VisionSource Network.
By Staff
Tuesday, September 10, 2019 10:28 AM
Today’s families are facing an eyecare health crisis. Studies
1 show nearly half (49 percent) of children with myopia have difficulty in the classroom, and 41 percent of parents with myopic children said their children struggle with everyday activities. To add to this growing issue, many parents are unaware that not all eyeglasses are the same and that there is a difference in lens quality and features that can impact their child’s visual outcome.
By Staff
Wednesday, August 28, 2019 8:00 AM
Depending on who you are, these late days of summer either inspire you to daydream of cooler days to come, or have you clinging to what’s left of the sunny season. Either way, as of this weekend, summer is (unofficially) over. Fall weather hasn’t quite hit in most of the Northern Hemisphere yet, and we still have a month to go until the seasons officially change, but many of us are beginning to look toward shorter days, cozier evenings and chillier weather.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Wednesday, August 28, 2019 8:00 AM
ASTORIA, New York—Team work makes the dream work, or so they say. But what if the dream is doing it all yourself? Rajat Shetty, OD, knows what that’s like; his practice,
Astoria Park Eyecare, is a one man show. Located in Queen’s trendy, family-oriented Astoria neighborhood, Astoria Park Eyecare sits on the edge of Astoria Park, a large, waterfront park with green space, a public pool, a skate park, a playground, and stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. It’s a prime, peaceful location for a small business—and almost everyone who visits Astoria Park also lives in the neighborhood, so you’re likely to see the same faces—or the same frames—over and over again. That’s what Dr. Shetty, who’s lived in Astoria for six years and grew up just 15 minutes away, likes about it.
By Staff
Wednesday, August 28, 2019 8:00 AM
Lauren Van Winkle, OD, of Viewpoint Optometry celebrates her 4,352nd day of "eye doctoring."
By Staff
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 8:00 AM
Essilor designed the “Varilux® Challenge” to reinforce the message that, when it comes to progressive lenses, “good enough” just isn’t enough. The optical dispensary at Frisco Eye Associates in Frisco, Texas took that message to heart. And it’s changed the way the staff recommends and dispenses progressives. According to Steve Osorio, optical manager, the four-location optometric practice in the Dallas Metroplex didn’t have a go-to progressive prior to signing up for the “Challenge” earlier this year. Like all participating practices, Frisco Eye Associates committed to fitting the majority of its presbyopic patients with Varilux® lenses—and they’ve noticed a difference.
By Staff
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 8:00 AM
NEW YORK—From a range of articles exploring the best sources to host a terrific Grand Opening event, to features that explain the newest mobile payment trends or tactics for the best store layout and visual merchandising ideas,
FitSmallBusiness/Retail is a dedicated resource section with tons of helpful info and pointers for independent retailers.
By Staff
Wednesday, August 14, 2019 7:00 AM
NEW YORK—Three innovative independent optometry innovators will discuss the ways they are bringing new ideas to vision care retail and office environments. They'll share best ways to address today’s customers and patients who expect easy, seamless interactions, speedier, more convenient service and new experiences in both retail and health care environments. Brief presentations and a conversation among the three practices will be a featured highlight of
Vision Monday's Sept. 18 VM LIVE forum, "Smart Solutions at the Speed of Sight," to be held just prior to the opening of Vision Expo West in Las Vegas.
By Staff
Wednesday, August 14, 2019 7:00 AM
GLENDALE, Calif.—Building and maintaining a network is important for anyone in any business, but not everyone can say they’ve turned their network into a family. For
Brand Optometry, an independent practice in Glendale, California, however, family is at the center of everything. Brand Optometry calls themselves a family practice, and they mean it in every sense of the word, referring to their employees, patients and community as part of their extended family. The ability to do this is central to their being an independent practice, explained Ivon Jimenez, an optician at the practice.
By Staff
Wednesday, August 14, 2019 7:00 AM
Back at the beginning of July, we geared up for
Indie Retailer Month, a time set aside for celebrating and supporting independent retailers. Indie Retailer Month encouraged consumers to support independent retailers from all industries, including the optical community, who embraced it with open arms. Now that August is speeding toward September, let’s take a look back at how some of the optical community celebrated this Indie Retailer Month, and maybe even take a few notes for next year.