Unlocking Emotional Intelligence: Why the Elevate EQ 4-Step Approach is the Key to Professional Growth

Jade Bodzasy Unlocking Emotional Intelligence

The ability to understand and manage emotions, creates better communication, collaboration, and decision-making—qualities that every high-performing team needs. However, while the benefits of EQ are well-documented, many professionals still struggle with building these essential skills. My Elevate EQ 4-step approach offers a streamlined, practical framework that makes it easier than ever for you to increase your EQ and enhance your professional relationships.

Good news, today I’m going to walk you through how it all works!

Remember, the goal is to increase your ability to apply EQ, and in order to do that you need a strategy that will guide you to your goal. So, let’s have a have a look at…

Elevate EQ 4 Step Approach: Foundation

Step 1: Self-Awareness

Understand yourself before you can understand others.

Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence. This step encourages you to explore your own emotions, motivations, and behaviors on a deep level. When you become more self-aware, you’ll start noticing patterns in your thoughts and reactions. For instance, you may realize that you tend to withdraw during team meetings or become defensive when your ideas are challenged.

Step 2: Self-Regulation & Management

Transform awareness into positive change.

Once you become aware of your emotions and behaviors, the next step is to manage them. Self-regulation and management involve learning to adapt emotional responses to achieve desired outcomes. It’s about making conscious adjustments to influence how one is perceived and how they interact with others.

Step 3: Social Awareness

Understand the motivations and emotions of others.

Social awareness is the ability to recognize and understand the emotions of those around you. This skill is key in building empathy, a core component of EQ. In the workplace, social awareness means picking up on social cues, understanding others’ needs, and showing empathy in a way that strengthens relationships.

Step 4: Relationship Management

Influence work relationships positively and constructively.

The final step in the Elevate EQ framework is relationship management, which builds on the skills learned in the previous steps. It involves actively influencing relationships to promote teamwork, trust, and respect. This step empowers you to navigate conflicts, provide constructive feedback, and strengthen your reputation within the workplace.

Why Elevate EQ is the Easiest Path to Higher Emotional Intelligence

The Elevate EQ 4-step approach stands out because it breaks down emotional intelligence into manageable, actionable steps. By focusing on one stage at a time, professionals don’t feel overwhelmed by trying to improve all aspects of EQ at once. Each step builds upon the last, ensuring a smooth, natural progression that fosters confidence and motivation. This structured approach also aligns seamlessly with busy work schedules, as it can be incorporated gradually without disrupting daily responsibilities.

In a world where technical skills alone are no longer enough to guarantee success, the Elevate EQ approach provides a powerful, easy-to-follow path to developing the emotional intelligence skills that professionals need. By investing in self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and relationship management, individuals can elevate not only their careers but also their personal sense of fulfillment and purpose in the workplace.

What’s Next?

Enhancing emotional intelligence is an ongoing journey, and the Elevate EQ framework offers a practical starting point. By focusing on self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and relationship management, professionals can build the foundational skills to navigate challenges, foster collaboration, and strengthen workplace dynamics.

Whether you’re aiming to improve team dynamics, advance your leadership abilities, or simply cultivate a more balanced professional mindset, prioritizing EQ can be transformative. By taking small, intentional steps, you can unlock a deeper understanding of yourself and others, leading to greater success and satisfaction in your career.

Elevate your potential—start by integrating these principles into your daily interactions and watch the ripple effect of emotional intelligence shape your professional relationships and outcomes.

Jade Bodzasy

Jade Bodzasy, Founder of Emotional Intelligence Consulting Inc., is a dedicated Coach and Consultant for Optometric Practices. Her extensive background includes over 20,000 hours of expertise focused on customer relations, work structure refinement, training method development, and fostering improved work culture within Optometric practices.

Certified in Rational Emotive Behavior Techniques (REBT), Jade possesses a unique skillset that empowers individuals to gain profound insights into the origins of their behaviors, as well as those of others. Leveraging her certification, she equips optometry practices with invaluable resources and expert guidance to establish and sustain a positive, healthful, and productive work environment.

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Revenue RX – Episode 32: Uncensored Anonymous Conversations

Practice, Revenue RX

After more than 30 episodes of Revenue RX, I felt it was time to do something different. Up to now, I’ve shared a lot of what I’ve learned about the commercial side of optical retail: how to grow revenue, how to improve the dispensary experience, and how to build a business that supports both profitability and quality of life. But I kept coming back to one thought: there are voices in this industry we don’t hear nearly enough.

This episode introduces a new segment I’m calling Uncensored Anonymous Conversations. It’s an open invitation for eye care professionals to speak honestly about the realities of working in optical retail, without fear of repercussion. No names. No titles. No consequences. Just real conversations about what’s actually happening on the ground.

The premise is simple. Many people carry ideas, frustrations, insights, and solutions that never get voiced. Not because they aren’t valuable, but because the risk feels too high. Fear of upsetting an employer. Fear of being judged. Fear of stepping outside what feels like an invisible boundary. Over time, that silence adds up, and it limits growth, innovation, and job satisfaction across the board.

I believe progress requires honesty. Marketing tactics, sales strategies, and operational frameworks all matter, but they only work when the underlying culture allows for trust, communication, and accountability. When those foundations are weak, even the best ideas struggle to take hold.

This new segment is not about ranting or venting for the sake of it. It’s about constructive, solution-oriented conversations around the commercial realities of optical retail. Topics might include conversion challenges, customer and patient engagement, leadership gaps, lack of trust, training needs, micromanagement, or the emotional pressure that quietly affects performance at work.

Fear plays a bigger role in our workplaces than we like to admit. Fear of making mistakes. Fear of being seen as incompetent. Fear of challenging complacency. Fear of speaking up when systems clearly aren’t working. When those fears go unaddressed, they don’t disappear, they just show up in other ways: disengagement, frustration, missed opportunities, and high turnover.

By offering anonymity, this podcast removes the personal risk that often silences meaningful conversation. You can share a challenge you’re facing, offer a solution based on your own experience, or contribute an idea that could help someone else. If you prefer to be identified, that option is always there, but anonymity is respected fully.

The format is intentionally audio-only. No video. No identifying details. Just a conversation focused on clarity, improvement, and moving the profession forward in a practical way. I truly believe meaningful change doesn’t require a crowd. Often, it starts with a single voice willing to speak honestly.

This episode marks a shift toward greater community participation within Revenue RX. Some of the most valuable insights in optical retail aren’t found in presentations or reports, they live in the day-to-day experiences of people working on the floor, behind the scenes, and at the point of patient interaction.

If this resonates with you, I encourage you to listen, reflect, and consider joining me for an uncensored anonymous conversation of your own. One voice at a time is how real change begins.

Joseph Mireault

Joseph Mireault, Optical Entrepreneur, Business Coach, and Published Author.

Joseph was the owner and president at Tru-Valu Optical and EyeWorx for 16 years. During his tenure, he consistently generated a sustainable $500K in annual gross revenue from the dispensary.

He now focuses on the Optical industry, and as a serial entrepreneur brings extensive experience from a variety of different ventures.

Joseph is also a Certified FocalPoint Business Coach and looks to work directly with ECPs in achieving their goals.

Through his current endeavour, the (Revenue RX, Optical Retail Wins podcast) he shares the challenges and solutions of running an Optical business.

His insights are shared with optical business owners aspiring for greater success in his new book, “An Entrepreneur’s Eye Care Odyssey: The Path to Optical Retail Success.”

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How to Cope with Depression: An EQ-Based Guide for Professionals

Human Resources

Jade Bodzasy depression busy-office-people-and-a-black-woman-with-a-headache

In today’s workplace, stress isn’t just common, it’s constant. Shifting expectations, increased workloads, ever changing schedules, difficult colleagues, and the pressure to “perform with a smile” can stretch even the highest-achieving professionals thin. And when coping skills aren’t strong enough to match the stress load, people don’t simply get tired, they get overwhelmed. That overwhelm, left unaddressed, can slowly slide into burnout, disengagement, and eventually depression.

While it’s very important to acknowledge that depression is a clinical condition that requires medical care, there is a powerful truth every professional needs to know: your emotional habits either move you closer to depression or protect you from it. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) isn’t just a nice to have skill; it’s a preventative tool.

Using my Elevate EQ Framework, we will look at the two internal areas of Self-Awareness and Self Management. With these, professionals can strengthen their coping strategies, stay resilient, grounded, and emotionally well, even during high-pressure periods.

Know What’s Changing Before You Reach a Breaking Point

Depression rarely arrives suddenly; it builds in quiet ways. The challenge is that most professionals don’t notice the shift until they’re already deep in it.

Self-awareness is your early-warning system.

We have 3 A’s of Self-Awareness to catch those changes earlier and today we are going to look at the first one:

Assess –Notice what’s happening in your body, thoughts, and energy.

Ask yourself:

What am I feeling emotionally? (anxious, flat, irritable, overwhelmed)
What physical signs are showing up? (tight chest, headaches, poor sleep, tension)
What thoughts are on repeat? (“I’m failing,” “I’ll never catch up,”)

Assessing yourself physically and psychologically, helps you notice emotional shifts before they turn into emotional overload. When you can see your inner state clearly, you’re far better equipped to cope, ask for what you need, and take preventative action.

Self-awareness isn’t about judgment. It’s about information. And information empowers you.

Shift from Reaction to Regulation

Professionals often believe they have to “push through,” but coping isn’t about endurance, it’s about emotional regulation. And when stress begins to climb, your ability to regulate becomes one of the strongest protective factors against sliding into emotional exhaustion or depression.

In my Self-Management framework, there are 3 B’s and today we are going to focus on:

Buffer – creating space before you react

When you’re overwhelmed, trying to change everything at once isn’t realistic. But building one reliable coping skill is.

Buffering is the intentional pause that protects you from reacting on autopilot. It gives your brain a moment to reset and prevents stress from stacking into emotional heaviness.

Simple ways to buffer include:

Taking three slow breaths before responding
Walking away from your desk for two minutes to reset
Sitting back in your chair and releasing your shoulders

These micro-pauses may seem small, but physiologically, they stop the stress-response snowball from gaining momentum. When you buffer consistently, even in tiny doses, you prevent emotional overload from becoming emotional shutdown.

Use my Enjoy, Evolve, Earn Philosophy

Your emotional wellbeing directly affects your performance:

Enjoy: Coping skills help you reduce emotional pressure and create more ease in your workday.
Evolve: You build emotional agility and resilience, skills that strengthen professional potential.
Earn: You protect your productivity, reputation, communication, and long-term career trajectory.

Emotionally healthy professionals make emotionally healthy decisions.

A Final Thought

You don’t need to wait until you’re in a dark place to start coping. EQ is your first line of defence. When you strengthen your emotional awareness, regulation, you build a workplace experience that supports your mental wellbeing, not one that silently erodes it.

If you want to help your team build these skills, I’d be honoured to support you through my website https://www.emotionalintelligenceconsultinginc.com/ were you can find free resources and more on Elevating your EQ!

Jade Bodzasy

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Succession in Optometry: Planning for a Career and a Legacy

Planning, Resources

When I graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1978, fewer than 10 percent of practicing optometrists were women. Today, over 75 percent of new graduates are female—a dramatic shift that reflects both progress and new challenges in the profession. One of the most critical challenges—and often the least discussed—is succession planning.

Decisions That Shape a Career

Early in your career, you face a choice that will shape your professional life: Do you want to own a practice, work as an independent contractor, or remain an employee? It matters. Ownership comes with autonomy, responsibility, financial risk, and potential reward—but also long hours, staff management, and ongoing operational costs. Your decision will dictate not just the work you do, but the path your succession plan will take, and whether you leave a meaningful legacy.

Breaking Barriers in the Early Years

I learned these lessons the hard way. After graduating, I faced student debt and a profession dominated by men. Practices were reluctant to hire women, often citing pregnancy or family plans as “risks.” Interest rates for business loans were double digits and rising, and banks required co-signers simply because I was a woman.

But I was determined. With mentorship and support from a lab manager at American Optical, who “took a risk on me,” I began building my first practice in Regina, Saskatchewan. That experience taught me the importance of mentorship and giving back, values I carried throughout my career.

Forty Years of Growth and Grit

I worked tirelessly, travelling to five small towns in Saskatchewan, visiting nursing homes, opening Saturdays when others did not, lecturing at the University of Regina, running philanthropic programs like “Anna’s Vision,” and even examining patients in correctional facilities.

My husband, an engineer, supported our family and became a full-time house dad, allowing me to focus on the practices. Together, we shared a vision for success and commitment that spanned 40 years. Having the right people who see the same vision is essential for success, as it is never built alone.

In 1999, we moved to Calgary. I purchased a struggling practice and opened a second office closer to home, while continuing to travel regularly to Regina to maintain my original practice. For years, I managed these two Calgary locations and the Regina office simultaneously. With three full-time associates and a dedicated team who shared our vision, the practices thrived. I learned firsthand that success depends on people, preparation, and clarity of vision, not just clinical skill.

When Suddenly Everything Changes

Yet succession planning was always in the background. You work for decades developing a practice, making it a career, only to realize that life can change in an instant. On May 1, 2025, my husband passed away suddenly, leaving me to navigate family and business responsibilities alone. Circumstances had changed overnight. What I thought would be a gradual plan for reducing hours became an urgent need to secure the future of my practices.

This experience highlights a hard truth: succession cannot be postponed. Markets are volatile, costs rise, competition increases, and managed care can change the landscape of private practice. Owning a practice is a long-term commitment, and the most critical decision you can make is to plan your succession path early, knowing that a health event, diagnosis, or accident can occur in the blink of an eye.

Succession as a Professional Imperative

For today’s optometrists, there are valuable lessons:

Decide early on your career path. Will you own a practice, work independently, or be an employee? Each choice carries long-term implications.
Understand the actual cost of ownership. Beyond financial investment, consider time, energy, and emotional commitment.
Plan for succession from the start. Identify potential associates, mentorship opportunities, or partnership structures. Gradual buy-ins and shared ownership models can provide continuity and protect your legacy.
Expect the unexpected. Life can change rapidly. Your succession plan should account for health, family, and market volatility.
Build the right team and share the vision. Success depends on having people around you who understand, support, and share your professional values.

Passing the Torch with Purpose

Succession isn’t just about selling a practice; it’s about continuity, care, and legacy. Early planning allows you to maintain control, make strategic choices, and ensure that the life you’ve built in optometry continues to make an impact.

And finally, remember that succession is not an ending—it is the culmination of your work, vision, and sacrifice. It is the bridge between the career you’ve built and the legacy you leave behind. Start early. Plan well. And remember that the greatest reward in optometry is not just the patients you see, but the future you help create for the profession.

Dr. Diana M. Monea, OD

Dr. Diana M. Monea is an award-winning optometrist, author, and keynote speaker with more than four decades of leadership in clinical practice, business ownership, and professional education. Founder and former CEO of Eye Health Centres, she now focuses on consulting, mentorship, patient care, and public speaking.

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What If the Next Step in Your Career Was a Partnership with IRIS?

sponsor, Sponsored Posts

IRIS sponsord post number 3 Jan 2026 woman talking

Across Canada, optometrists and opticians face the same questions. How to grow without giving up their professional independence. How to access cutting-edge technology without sacrificing personal, patient-centred care. How to build a sustainable, stimulating career that aligns with their values. At IRIS, we believe that the answer lies in partnership.

The IRIS partnership is much more than a business model.

It is a shared vision of eye care practice. It is the opportunity to become an active player in your professional community, while being supported by a solid and structured network. It is the balance between clinical independence, technological innovation, and human support.

Becoming a partner means participating in decisions that matter.

It means having a voice. It means contributing to the evolution of your clinic, your team, and the patient experience.

It means building a professional future that reflects who you are, without being alone.

Innovation is at the heart of our DNA.

At IRIS, technology is never an end in itself. It is a lever for improving the quality of care, supporting professionals, and enriching the patient relationship.

Lenses designed to meet the real needs of patients.

Apogée lenses are developed with a personalized approach. They take into account the lifestyle, visual habits, and specific expectations of each patient.

For professionals, this is an opportunity to offer a distinctive solution based on expertise and precision.

A powerful ER designed for modern practice.

The electronic record used at IRIS facilitates day-to-day clinical management. It improves the flow of consultations, continuity of care, and interprofessional collaboration. Less administrative tasks. More time for the clinic and patients.

State-of-the-art equipment.

Advanced diagnostic tools.
Integrated digital platforms.
Scalable clinical environments.

Everything is in place to support an efficient, up-to-date, and forward-looking practice.

But innovation would be nothing without people.

At IRIS, corporate culture is a real priority. We believe in the strength of teams, listening, and collaboration. In respecting each person’s journey and ambitions.

A network that values people over titles.

Whether you are a recent graduate or an experienced professional. Whether you want to establish yourself, grow, or pass on your expertise. Every career path is recognized and supported.

The support is real, structured, and ongoing.

Mentoring.
Continuing education.
Sharing best practices.
Operational and strategic support.
The IRIS partnership is not limited to a signature.
It is a long-term commitment.

A Canada-wide network, rooted in local communities.

IRIS operates from coast to coast. A national network with a human touch.

What if the next step in your career was a partnership?

A partnership that respects your expertise.
That supports your ambition.
That allows you to grow, professionally and personally.

At IRIS, we are looking for professionals who want to go further.

Passionate optometrists and opticians. Ready to build the future of eye care, together.

Your professional future can live up to your vision.

We would be happy to discuss this opportunity with you.

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Reset for the New Year

Leadership

The start of a new year has always held a kind of quiet power for independent optometrists. It’s not just about flipping the calendar, but rather it’s a mindset shift. A call to pause, reset, and reconnect with the “why” behind what we do every day. As business owners and clinicians, we straddle the line between science and service, clinical precision and compassionate leadership. January gives us a moment to recalibrate both.

Looking Backward to Move Forward

Before we can effectively set new goals, we need to reflect on the past year, honestly and without judgment. What did we do well? Where did we fall short? This isn’t just about revenue growth or frame board turnover. It’s also about patient outcomes, team morale, and how we navigated the ever-evolving challenges in healthcare.

At Cowichan Eyecare, we begin each year by examining our core KPIs: medical billing patterns, capture rates, and staff engagement surveys. But we also ask deeper questions: Did we stay true to our values? Did our patients feel seen and cared for? Did our team feel inspired or merely exhausted?

The best reset comes not from reinvention, but from realignment.

Mindset Matters More Than Metrics

One of the most important tools a practice owner can carry into the new year isn’t a spreadsheet; it’s a healthy mindset. Leadership fatigue is real. Burnout is real. And if we’re not intentional about our outlook, we can slip into survival mode, stuck in the day-to-day without seeing the bigger picture.

That’s why I view January as a mental reset. A chance to release the frustrations of last year: staff turnover, missed targets, unexpected curveballs and step into the new year with renewed purpose.

Remember: as leaders, our mindset is contagious. If we show up energized and focused, our teams will feel it too.

Culture is the Real Competitive Advantage

If you want to build a practice that thrives long-term, you need to prioritize culture as much as strategy. This time of year is ideal for reconnecting with your team and not just about workflow goals, but about vision and values.

At Cowichan Eyecare, we have a tradition called Bluenotes; these are shoutouts that staff give each other for going above and beyond. A simple gesture, but one that reinforces our culture of gratitude and positivity. It costs nothing yet pays massive dividends in morale.

As you reset this year, ask yourself, how are you investing in your people? Because no marketing plan or piece of equipment will ever outperform a motivated, connected team.

Embrace Innovation, Stay Independent

In today’s landscape, staying independent doesn’t mean doing it alone. It means making strategic, values-aligned choices that give you freedom and strength. That could mean joining a buying group, investing in dry eye technologies, or partnering with like-minded colleagues for shared learning and support.

This is the concept of independence through interdependence: a mindset that’s allowed my practice to grow from a single cold start to five thriving locations. By standardizing product offerings, collaborating with select vendors, and empowering our associates with clinical protocols, we maintain both quality and autonomy.

And let’s not forget, innovation isn’t just about technology. It’s also about how we show up in our communities through patient education, DEI initiatives, or just offering a wider range of eyewear styles that reflect the diversity of our clientele.

Reset Your Legacy, Too

As the father of a soon to graduate optometry student (shoutout to Nyah!), I’ve been thinking more about legacy. Not just the legacy I’ll leave behind, but the one I’m building now. Every interaction, every system, every hire all feeds into the future of your practice.

Legacy doesn’t start when you retire. It starts today with mentorship, meaningful succession planning, and creating an environment that future ODs will want to be part of. If you’re lucky enough to have a new grad working with you, don’t just give them a job; give them a pathway to leadership.

The Power of the New Year

The beauty of January is that it gives us permission to dream again. To refine. To reset. Not just as optometrists, but as people. This year, take a moment to ask yourself:

* What’s the one thing I want to do better this year?

* How can I show up differently for my team, my patients, and myself?

* Day by day, exam by exam, what legacy am I building?

The answers may not come right away. But the act of asking is where the reset begins.

Here’s to a new year, a renewed mindset, and the continued evolution of independent optometry in Canada.

DR. TREVOR MIRANDA

Dr. Miranda is a partner in a multi-doctor, five-location practice on Vancouver Island.

He is a strong advocate for true Independent Optometry.

As a serial entrepreneur, Trevor is constantly testing different patient care and business models at his various locations. Many of these have turned out to be quite successful, to the point where many of his colleagues have adopted them into their own practices. His latest project is the Optometry Unleashed podcast.

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Revenue RX Episode 31: Secret Shopper – Uncovering the Truth

Practice, Revenue RX

This article only scratches the surface. In the full Revenue RX episode, I walk through this secret shopper experience in greater detail and connect the dots between customer engagement, staff behaviour, conversion rates, and sustainable growth.

If you want to know what your customers are actually experiencing when they walk through your door, and what you can do about it. Listen to the full episode now.

When I walk into an optical store as a secret shopper, I don’t answer the usual greeting the usual way.

When someone says, “Hi, how are you?” I reply with:
“Have you got an hour?”

It’s part humour, part instinct, but mostly it’s a test. A test of presence. Are you actually listening to me, or are you already moving me into your sales process?

In this episode of Revenue RX, I share what I discovered after visiting seven different optical businesses as a secret shopper. I wasn’t just looking for a frame. I was looking for engagement. Curiosity. A sense that someone genuinely wanted to understand me — not just sell something to me.

What I found should give every optical business owner pause.

The First Missed Opportunity

Across most stores, the opening interaction followed the same pattern: a polite greeting, a scripted question, and then frames. Lots of frames.

What was missing was conversation.

Many staff moved immediately into what they believed was a “safe” or “non-pushy” approach. Take your time. Let me know if you have questions. On the surface, this feels respectful. In practice, it is often disengagement disguised as courtesy.

Eyewear is not a self-serve product. It’s part medical device, part fashion, and part identity. Without thoughtful questions and genuine discovery, the experience quickly becomes transactional — or worse, forgettable.

When Service Turns into Self-Service

One of the most common experiences I encountered was what I call assisted self-service. Staff were physically present but mentally checked out. The expectation seemed to be that I would lead the conversation, define my needs, and guide the process.

But if you don’t ask questions, you don’t learn anything.
And if you don’t learn anything, you can’t guide the customer.

Without understanding prescription type, lens history, lifestyle needs, screen use, light sensitivity, or even how long someone has been unhappy with their current glasses, frame selection becomes guesswork. Frames get “thrown” at the customer, rejection leads nowhere, and no insight is gained.

That’s not selling, but it’s not service either.

Inventory Isn’t the Differentiator

Some of the stores I visited were beautifully designed with strong brand assortments. Others were long-established practices relying on loyal patients. A few were clearly struggling.

The common denominator was not inventory.
It was engagement.

Stores that rushed to the frame board skipped trust-building. Stores that avoided questions to avoid “selling” removed themselves from the value equation altogether. And stores that assumed returning patients required less attention quietly put retention at risk.

In optical retail, the emotional experience determines whether someone buys — and whether they come back.

Short-Term Transactions vs. Long-Term Wealth

In several locations, there was an unmistakable sense of urgency. Close now. Move the sale forward. Finish the transaction.

That pressure is understandable, but it’s limiting.

Real wealth in optical retail is built over time. It comes from relationships, not rush. From customers who feel understood and return year after year, bringing family and friends with them.

When the focus shifts from closing the sale to guiding the journey, conversion improves naturally.

Working IN the Business vs. Working ON It

Some encounters revealed another challenge: stagnation. When business slows, many owners wait. They hope traffic improves. They blame external factors.

Hope isn’t a strategy.

When a business plateaus, it’s rarely a traffic problem, it’s a clarity problem. Growth requires stepping back, examining systems, and being willing to change how things are done. Sometimes that means coaching. Sometimes consulting. Always it means working on the business, not just in it.

What This Episode Is Really About

This secret shopper exercise wasn’t about criticizing stores. It was about exposing blind spots, the small, everyday moments that quietly erode conversion, retention, and long-term value.

It’s a reminder that:

Customers want to be understood, not sold
Questions are more powerful than pitches
Employees are your most valuable asset
Emotional experience drives financial outcomes

And ultimately, every optical business should operate as if it were for sale, because that discipline forces excellence.

Joseph Mireault

Joseph Mireault, Optical Entrepreneur, Business Coach, and Published Author.

Joseph was the owner and president at Tru-Valu Optical and EyeWorx for 16 years. During his tenure, he consistently generated a sustainable $500K in annual gross revenue from the dispensary.

He now focuses on the Optical industry, and as a serial entrepreneur brings extensive experience from a variety of different ventures.

Joseph is also a Certified FocalPoint Business Coach and looks to work directly with ECPs in achieving their goals.

Through his current endeavour, the (Revenue RX, Optical Retail Wins podcast) he shares the challenges and solutions of running an Optical business.

His insights are shared with optical business owners aspiring for greater success in his new book, “An Entrepreneur’s Eye Care Odyssey: The Path to Optical Retail Success.”

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Your Career, Your Way: How Dr. Sandra Chiu Built the Independent Life She Never Expected

A Pandemic Reframe, and the Way Forward

During the first months of the pandemic, when nearly everything shut down, Sandra experienced the same disorientation everyone did. But beneath the uncertainty surfaced an unexpected clarity about what her life actually required. “If I’m just going to go to work and go home and go to work and go home… I could do that from anywhere,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be Toronto, and it doesn’t have to be in this practice context.”

Suddenly, options she had once dismissed as impractical now looked, at minimum, worth reconsidering. Every option was suddenly on the table.

She looked at career paths outside optometry, exploring science roles, pharmaceutical roles, even the possibility of stepping away from clinical work altogether. Still, a quieter instinct kept drawing her back. She wanted to build something of her own.

As the primary breadwinner in her household, she couldn’t afford the slow-build trajectory of a cold start. A new clinic might take months or years to generate stable patient flow—time she simply didn’t have. She needed it to be profitable right away.

So she shifted her focus to something far more practical, a route many new grads never think to consider. Instead of building a clinic from zero, she searched for a business that already had momentum.

The search eventually led her to a long-established optical run by a husband-and-wife team in Port Elgin, Ontario—a small but growing community that, until now, she never would have pictured as home. But the numbers made sense and the patient base was solid. If she stepped in, she could pay herself from day one and build upward from there.

She purchased the establishment and gave it a new name: Lake Views Eye Care.

Where Textbooks End and Real Practice Begins

The experience presented her with a different kind of learning curve; one no amount of textbook training prepares new grads for. She shares, “Initially, I had zero knowledge of the dispensing side of things. I thought I knew, but I didn’t. I didn’t about the different lenses out there, what different designs mean, the different suppliers… like truly, truly zero.”

All of it belonged to a part of the profession she had never been asked to engage with in corporate settings. Thankfully, she wasn’t navigating it alone. As part of her purchase agreement, the previous owners stayed on for two months, giving her hands-on transition support and grounding her in the realities of optical operations before stepping back.

In addition, she bridged the experience gap by leaning on lens reps and consultants along with OSI’s one-on-one support and toolbox of resources. “All you have to do is ask questions,” she says. “You’re not alone.”

Reading the Momentum of a Growing Town

As her confidence grew, so did her sense of what was possible in a town whose population was expanding faster than its optometric services. Many new grads imagine rural work as a temporary compromise or a professional slowdown. Sandra saw the opposite.

Rural communities often offer the quickest path to autonomy (clinical, financial, and personal) because they hold unmet demand. In her case, unmet demand meant an opportunity to grow ahead of corporate chains that would eventually arrive.

Rather than waiting for a large retailer to establish a foothold, she moved first—putting everything in place to meet the needs of the community.

She found a new space, rebuilt it, and is now preparing to open a second location with two exam rooms.

Finding Clarity in the Numbers

Indeed, this kind of planning requires a strong grasp of one’s finances, something many young ODs feel unprepared to confront. Sandra doesn’t romanticize that reality, but she does refuse to let it dictate the limits of a career.

“Stop worrying about the big number,” she tells students who think that debt disqualifies them from making bold decisions. She encourages them to talk to a financial planner, calculate the monthly payment, and treat it like any other fixed expense, “like a car payment or phone bill.” Once the number is concrete rather than abstract, the overwhelm loosens.

That monthly number brings clarity, and with clarity comes room to think. Sandra encourages us to ask questions: “Are you practising optometry the way you want? How many weekends or evenings are you working? Will your employer mentor you? Will they market you? Do they want you to take over one day?”

Financial clarity gives structure to the earliest steps of a career, replacing desperation with discernment and helping new grads move toward roles that genuinely fit.

Paying it Forward

Now expanding, Sandra is preparing to open a second location with two exam rooms. The pace of growth has prompted her to think about the support that shaped her own transition. Wanting to give back, she now serves on the NECO alumni board and mentors students, inviting new grads to reach out when they feel stuck on next steps, curious about ownership, or unsure where independence fits into their plans.

For students and new grads, the through-line is simple: a willingness to ask questions and a habit of testing assumptions can turn a career from something that happens to you into something you shape purposefully. “Keep an open mind,” she reminds us. “Especially about rural optometry.”

OSI’s Role in Making Independence Possible

Much of Sandra’s transition was supported by OSI—its training resources, vendor relationships, consulting support, and the collective buying power that gives new owners room to breathe. OSI’s model reflects the same message Sandra shares with students: independence isn’t about doing everything alone; it’s about having a community that strengthens your decisions.

If you’re curious about private practice, buying a clinic, exploring rural opportunities, or simply figuring out your next steps, OSI Group can help you map the path. Your future and your freedom can all start with one conversation.

Start the conversation with us at info@opto.com — we’d be happy to connect.

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Win-Win: Strengthen Professional Relationships with Emotional Intelligence

Human Resources, Managing Others

Successful collaborations—whether within teams or with external partners—thrive on mutual benefit. A win-win mindset ensures that all parties feel valued, heard, and supported, leading to stronger, more productive relationships. However, achieving this balance requires more than good intentions; it demands emotional intelligence (EQ).

EQ enhances self-awareness, empathy, and adaptability, helping professionals build exceptionally strong collaborations that foster trust, innovation, and long-term success.

The Power of a Win-Win Mindset

Why is this so important?

Imagine this, you are playing a cooperative game with your friends, you don’t want to be the person at the table shouting “I win” when in fact we either win as a group or lose as a group. You certainly won’t be invited back to play next time if you keep that up!

A win-win mindset means approaching partnerships with the belief that both sides can achieve their goals without one party feeling shortchanged. This approach creates goodwill, strengthens trust, and ensures long-term sustainability.

Emotional intelligence plays a key role in this by helping professionals recognize their own needs and perspectives while understanding those of others. Instead of viewing collaboration as a competition, EQ allows individuals to align their goals, negotiate effectively, and create solutions that benefit everyone.

Strengthening Trust Through EQ

Trust is the foundation of all strong collaborations. Without it, communication breaks down, and partnerships struggle to thrive. Emotional intelligence builds trust by creating transparency, consistency, and active listening.

Could you imagine someone asking to collaborate with you when they have barely taken the time to get to know you, when they have repeatedly held vital information from you in the past? Or when they never follow through with what they say they will do? Doesn’t make you feel very motivated to work with them, does it?

When trust is present, people feel safe sharing ideas, providing honest feedback, and working through challenges as partners rather than opponents.

Effective Communication for Mutual Success

Clear, respectful communication is a cornerstone of collaboration. Miscommunication can lead to misunderstandings, frustration, and lost opportunities.

Emotionally intelligent professionals adapt their communication style based on their audience and are mindful of their tone, body language, and word choice.

By prioritizing empathy and clarity, professionals create an environment where collaboration leads to innovative, well-executed solutions.

Conflict as a Growth Opportunity, not a Barrier

Conflict is inevitable in any collaboration. However, a win-win mindset transforms conflict from a barrier into a valuable growth opportunity. Instead of focusing on “winning” an argument, emotionally intelligent professionals seek to align interests and find solutions.

This mindset prevents small disagreements from escalating into damaged relationships and ensures that conflict strengthens rather than weakens collaboration.

Adaptability: The Key to Long-Term Collaboration

A true win-win approach recognizes that collaboration is dynamic. Goals shift, challenges arise, and expectations evolve. The ability to adapt without losing trust or efficiency is what separates strong partnerships from those that collapse under pressure.

Emotionally intelligent professionals remain flexible and proactive, ensuring that as circumstances change, the collaboration remains strong.

A win-win approach to collaboration ensures that both sides gain value from the relationship. Emotional intelligence is the key to making this happen.

By creating trust, communicating effectively, embracing conflict as a growth opportunity, and staying adaptable, professionals create collaborations that are not just productive but deeply rewarding.

Whether working internally with colleagues or externally with partners, leveraging EQ ensures that professional relationships thrive, innovate, and drive long-term success—for everyone involved.

Jade Bodzasy

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Giving Back: A Core Privilege of Our Profession

Independent SightLines

As eye care professionals, we are incredibly fortunate. We work in a field where we help people see life more clearly and protect their long-term vision. On top of that, we enjoy the financial rewards of a well-compensated profession.

When I speak to optometry students, I remind them to quickly pivot their mindset. You’re no longer a debt-burdened student. (Still debt burdened but now a doctor!). You’re stepping into a respected career with incredible earning potential and opportunities to make a real difference. A scarce mentality simply doesn’t align with the life ahead of you as an optometrist.

It’s important to embrace an abundance mentality and give back throughout your journey. Not just once you’re “comfortable.” Don’t wait until the mortgage is paid off or the kids finish university. No matter where you are in your life or career, there are always meaningful ways to contribute.

What You Can Give Back

The Gift of Time
Volunteering is a powerful way to contribute. Whether you’re active with Rotary, coaching a soccer team, or serving on a committee for your provincial association, your time and expertise are valuable. These roles also help you build leadership skills, broaden your network, and strengthen your business and community presence.

The Gift of Money

Charitable donations go a long way. Many organizations struggle to get initiatives off the ground. A simple financial contribution can be the difference between a stalled project and a successful one. It doesn’t need to be large. What matters is consistency and intention.

The Gift of Eyecare

This one comes naturally to us. Donating a pair of sunglasses, a gift certificate, or a dry eye gift basket for a local charity auction is a low-cost, high-impact gesture. The product has a high perceived value, costs you little thanks to wholesale pricing, and brings new patients into your practice. It’s a win for the community and your clinic.

Who You Can Give Back To

At Cowichan Eyecare, we set an annual giving budget. You can’t say yes to every request, and that’s okay. Choose causes that resonate with you and your team.

Start with organizations aligned with our field.

Optometry Giving Sight
Third World Eye Care Society (TWECS)
Canadian Vision Care (CVC)

These groups bring vision care to underserved communities around the world.

Support local causes.
Food banks, women’s shelters, the SPCA, and Rotary Clubs are all strong candidates for regular giving. These are organizations your patients and staff already care about.

Remember your roots.
Give back to your optometry school. Whether it’s through alumni events, scholarships, or mentorship, helping the next generation strengthens the profession as a whole.

Look inside your own team.
Support staff-led fundraisers or sponsor the sports teams that their kids are involved in. At Cowichan Eyecare, we offer bursaries to staff whose children are graduating high school to help with their post-secondary plans. These small gestures build loyalty and community within your workplace.

Mentor generously.
Sharing your experience with new grads is one of the most impactful things you can do. Help them avoid your early mistakes, learn the ropes faster, and find their passion within the profession.

Our Internal Fund

We’ve set up an internal fund that allows our team to cover exam and eyewear costs for community members in real financial need. It’s not used often, but it’s there when someone needs a hand. Patients apply through a simple process, and doctors have discretion to offer no-charge services in exceptional cases.

This initiative reinforces our belief that access to vision care is a right, not a privilege.

The Bigger Picture

Giving back isn’t just a feel-good strategy. It reinforces gratitude, strengthens empathy, and keeps us connected to our communities and our purpose. It also improves morale within your clinic and builds a stronger team culture.

Adopting an abundance mindset allows you to lead with generosity, clarity, and confidence. It’s not about giving everything away, it’s about giving meaningfully and consistently, in ways that lift others and renew your sense of purpose.

If you’re fortunate enough to be in a position to give, you’re also in a position to lead.

Let’s lead well.

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