Author: dpietrobon

By Joseph Mireault
Optical Retail Entrepreneur, Podcast Host, Certified Business Coach

In this episode of Revenue RX: Optical Retail Wins, I explore how simple, grassroots ideas can unlock new opportunities for your business—no complicated SEO, website tricks, or expensive social media campaigns required.

Sure, those digital tools are important, but sometimes the most effective strategies are right in front of us. Innovation isn’t reserved for the tech-savvy; it’s about being curious, thinking differently, and taking the time to notice opportunities around you.

Discovering Opportunities Next Door

One of my favorite lessons in innovation started with a vacant storefront next to my optical shop. For months, the empty space was doing me no favors. But one day, during one of my walkabouts, I stumbled across a nail salon struggling in a nearby, run-down building. They were always busy, fully booked, and operating on a month-to-month lease.

I saw an opportunity. I armed the salon owners with information about the vacant space next to my store, helped them negotiate better terms with the landlord, and within 60 days, they had moved in. This wasn’t just luck—it was a deliberate move to create a synergy between our businesses. Their clientele, mostly women aged 35-65, overlapped perfectly with my customer base.

We took it a step further: I provided the nail salon with discount vouchers to hand out to their customers, encouraging them to visit my optical shop. I also placed signage on the salon’s back entrance, leading to a shared parking lot, with exclusive offers for their clients. This simple partnership brought in new customers without the need for expensive ads—just a bit of legwork and old-school marketing.

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Leveraging Hotel Room Directories

Another opportunity came from the two hotels within a block of my store. Hotel directories often feature local business ads and promotions, but none of my competitors had taken advantage of this space. So, I approached the hotels with a proposition: I’d be the exclusive optical business in their directories.

Many hotel guests stay long enough to purchase new eyewear, and for those who didn’t, we offered free shipping. It was a low-effort, high-reward strategy—tapping into a new customer base with minimal expense. Innovation doesn’t need to be groundbreaking; sometimes it’s just about being the first to notice an overlooked opportunity.

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Cross-Promotion with Hearing Services

My next big win came from recognizing the connection between vision and hearing. I noticed that many of my older customers could benefit from hearing screenings. Instead of setting up a hearing business myself, I partnered with a local hearing company that needed a place to conduct tests.

We set up a small hearing booth in the back of my store and advertised free screenings on our windows and sidewalk signs. The hearing company paid a monthly fee for the space, and I gained foot traffic from people seeking hearing tests—most of whom also wore glasses. It was a win-win. When the original hearing company pulled out, I quickly partnered with another one, ensuring the continuity of the service.

This collaboration didn’t require hiring new staff or investing in expensive equipment—just a bit of creative thinking. It was about staying in my lane while leveraging partnerships to increase customer visits.

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Empowering Customers with a Photo Comparison Studio

One day, I noticed customers taking selfies while trying on frames, but they struggled to compare multiple looks. I invested in a specialized camera system that displayed four images side-by-side, allowing customers to see themselves from different angles. It also featured easy-to-understand content about lens coatings and eye health.

This simple setup, which I called the “studio,” transformed the shopping experience. Customers could sit comfortably, compare their looks, and feel empowered to make informed decisions. This wasn’t just about selling glasses—it was about enhancing trust and building customer confidence. The ROI from this interactive tool was immediate, paying for itself almost daily.

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Innovation: A Continuous Process

Innovation isn’t complicated—it’s about trying new things and acting on ideas. It’s not enough to have good ideas; execution is what sets successful businesses apart. Whether it’s moving in a new neighbor, advertising in hotel directories, or partnering with a hearing company, the key is staying curious and open to opportunities.

I learned early on that holding onto ideas without sharing them stifles growth. As a kid, I was told, “He who tells all he knows, knows little.” But I’ve found the opposite to be true—when we share what we know, we create opportunities for others to share with us, and we all benefit.

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In this episode of Revenue RX, I remind you that what got you here today won’t get you where you want to go tomorrow. To grow, you need to keep innovating. Innovation isn’t always high-tech; it’s about seeing what’s already around you, reframing problems, and finding solutions in unexpected places.

Tune in to this episode for more insights, and stay tuned for future episodes where I’ll explore the power of trust, communication, and image in driving conversions. Because at the end of the day, innovation is simply doing new things.

By Joseph Mireault
Optical Retail Entrepreneur, Podcast Host, Certified Business Coach

In this episode of Revenue RX: Optical Retail Wins, I explore how simple, grassroots ideas can unlock new opportunities for your business—no complicated SEO, website tricks, or expensive social media campaigns required.

Sure, those digital tools are important, but sometimes the most effective strategies are right in front of us. Innovation isn’t reserved for the tech-savvy; it’s about being curious, thinking differently, and taking the time to notice opportunities around you.

Discovering Opportunities Next Door

One of my favorite lessons in innovation started with a vacant storefront next to my optical shop. For months, the empty space was doing me no favors. But one day, during one of my walkabouts, I stumbled across a nail salon struggling in a nearby, run-down building. They were always busy, fully booked, and operating on a month-to-month lease.

I saw an opportunity. I armed the salon owners with information about the vacant space next to my store, helped them negotiate better terms with the landlord, and within 60 days, they had moved in. This wasn’t just luck—it was a deliberate move to create a synergy between our businesses. Their clientele, mostly women aged 35-65, overlapped perfectly with my customer base.

We took it a step further: I provided the nail salon with discount vouchers to hand out to their customers, encouraging them to visit my optical shop. I also placed signage on the salon’s back entrance, leading to a shared parking lot, with exclusive offers for their clients. This simple partnership brought in new customers without the need for expensive ads—just a bit of legwork and old-school marketing.

---

Leveraging Hotel Room Directories

Another opportunity came from the two hotels within a block of my store. Hotel directories often feature local business ads and promotions, but none of my competitors had taken advantage of this space. So, I approached the hotels with a proposition: I’d be the exclusive optical business in their directories.

Many hotel guests stay long enough to purchase new eyewear, and for those who didn’t, we offered free shipping. It was a low-effort, high-reward strategy—tapping into a new customer base with minimal expense. Innovation doesn’t need to be groundbreaking; sometimes it’s just about being the first to notice an overlooked opportunity.

---

Cross-Promotion with Hearing Services

My next big win came from recognizing the connection between vision and hearing. I noticed that many of my older customers could benefit from hearing screenings. Instead of setting up a hearing business myself, I partnered with a local hearing company that needed a place to conduct tests.

We set up a small hearing booth in the back of my store and advertised free screenings on our windows and sidewalk signs. The hearing company paid a monthly fee for the space, and I gained foot traffic from people seeking hearing tests—most of whom also wore glasses. It was a win-win. When the original hearing company pulled out, I quickly partnered with another one, ensuring the continuity of the service.

This collaboration didn’t require hiring new staff or investing in expensive equipment—just a bit of creative thinking. It was about staying in my lane while leveraging partnerships to increase customer visits.

---

Empowering Customers with a Photo Comparison Studio

One day, I noticed customers taking selfies while trying on frames, but they struggled to compare multiple looks. I invested in a specialized camera system that displayed four images side-by-side, allowing customers to see themselves from different angles. It also featured easy-to-understand content about lens coatings and eye health.

This simple setup, which I called the “studio,” transformed the shopping experience. Customers could sit comfortably, compare their looks, and feel empowered to make informed decisions. This wasn’t just about selling glasses—it was about enhancing trust and building customer confidence. The ROI from this interactive tool was immediate, paying for itself almost daily.

---

Innovation: A Continuous Process

Innovation isn’t complicated—it’s about trying new things and acting on ideas. It’s not enough to have good ideas; execution is what sets successful businesses apart. Whether it’s moving in a new neighbor, advertising in hotel directories, or partnering with a hearing company, the key is staying curious and open to opportunities.

I learned early on that holding onto ideas without sharing them stifles growth. As a kid, I was told, “He who tells all he knows, knows little.” But I’ve found the opposite to be true—when we share what we know, we create opportunities for others to share with us, and we all benefit.

---

In this episode of Revenue RX, I remind you that what got you here today won’t get you where you want to go tomorrow. To grow, you need to keep innovating. Innovation isn’t always high-tech; it’s about seeing what’s already around you, reframing problems, and finding solutions in unexpected places.

Tune in to this episode for more insights, and stay tuned for future episodes where I’ll explore the power of trust, communication, and image in driving conversions. Because at the end of the day, innovation is simply doing new things.

 

 

By Joseph Mireault
Optical Retail Entrepreneur, Podcast Host, Certified Business Coach

How do you attract more customers to your optical store? The answer might be right in front of you. In this episode of Revenue RX: Optical Retail Wins, I’m sharing insights from my journey in the optical retail world—and beyond—that helped me uncover hidden opportunities. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to make a difference in your business.

Sometimes, the smallest changes, if done with intention, can yield the biggest results.

 

When I took over the store, I wasn’t just facing competition—I had eight other optical stores on the same street. Outspending them wasn’t an option, but out-thinking them was.

I wasn’t an optician or an optometrist; I was an entrepreneur, and I knew my first challenge was visibility. One rainy day, a bright yellow DHL truck drove by, and I thought, You can’t miss that thing! That’s when the idea hit me: if the truck can grab attention, why not the store? I got permission from the landlord, bought the paint, and turned the store into a bright yellow beacon.

Innovative (and Cost-effective) Marketing
But I didn’t stop there. I had a yellow Toyota FJ Cruiser at the time, and I figured, why not turn my car into a rolling advertisement? I wrapped it with the store’s name, address, and phone number, and suddenly, my daily commute became a mobile billboard. Every day, as I drove the same route my customers took, I was marketing the business—creating impressions, rain or shine, without lifting a finger.

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Foot traffic was another challenge. There was a busy bus stop right outside the store, but it faced away from the building, with people lining up with their backs to me. Across the street were parking meters, and I saw an opportunity. Every morning, I parked my branded yellow SUV at one of those meters.

For just $4 a day, I had a prime advertising spot—right where people waiting for the bus could see it, and directly across from my competitors. It was far cheaper than a bus stop poster, and it gave me visibility all day long.

Even with all these efforts, I quickly learned that just being visible wasn’t enough. One day, I asked a passerby if they knew where the nearest optical store was. They looked confused and said, “No idea.” They had just walked right past my store—past the bright yellow paint, the sandwich board sign, and even a bus stop poster. That’s when I realized I needed something extra, a small touch to tie everything together.

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One day, I saw a party nearby with someone carrying a helium balloon, and I thought, That’s it! A balloon catches the eye like nothing else. So I tied a bright balloon to my sandwich board outside the store. The effect was immediate. People who had missed the sign before now noticed it, and once their attention was on the balloon, they saw the board, the yellow store, and everything else. It was all connected. When I asked someone again where the nearest optical store was, they pointed right at my place and said, “It’s the one with the balloon!”

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This episode is packed with lessons from moments like these—ways I found to stand out without breaking the bank. I didn’t just rely on paint and balloons. I also built innovative marketing partnerships.

I also learned the value of taking advantage of slow economies. During the recession, other businesses cut back on marketing, but I doubled down.

Running a business isn’t easy, and I know how tempting it can be to get stuck in the day-to-day operations. But I focused on working on my business, leaving my well-trained staff to handle customer care so I could keep coming up with new ways to attract customers. It’s all about staying creative and finding your own “balloon”—that one thing that makes your store stand out and draws people in.

Because what got you here today won’t get you where you want to go tomorrow.

Keep your eyes wide open, stay creative, and remember—innovation is simply doing new things.

 

 

By Joseph Mireault
Optical Retail Entrepreneur, Podcast Host, Certified Business Coach

In this episode of Revenue RX, we unpack the mindset and strategies necessary to not only keep up with change but to harness it as a tool for success.

Change is not just an option in optical retail—it’s a necessity. In the latest episode of Revenue Rx, we dive deep into the essence of change, exploring why it is the price we pay for survival in this dynamic industry. If you’re standing still, you’re not maintaining your position—you’re falling behind.

The Illusion of Standing Still

Let’s start with a hard truth: standing still doesn’t exist in business. If you’re not moving forward, you’re slipping backward. The world around you is constantly evolving, and if you’re clinging to the status quo, you’re at risk of being left behind. This episode is a wake-up call, an intervention of sorts, urging you to take action before it’s too late. You have a choice: become a maker of change or fall victim to it.

Success in optical retail—or any business for that matter—requires a willingness to embrace risk and do things differently. What got you here won’t get you where you want to go next. Complacency is the enemy of progress. The discomfort you feel when making changes is natural, but it’s also a sign that you’re on the right path. This episode introduces the concept of the Sigmoid Curve, a crucial principle in business that underscores the importance of reinvention at the height of success.

Understanding the Sigmoid Curve

The Sigmoid Curve represents the life cycle of businesses, products, and even personal growth. It has four key stages: start-up, growth, decline, and reinvestment. The latter two are where many businesses falter. As your business matures, growth slows, competition increases, and the market becomes saturated. It’s at this point that reinvestment and innovation are essential to avoid a downward spiral.

The episode highlights the downfall of once-great companies like Blockbuster, Kodak, and Sears—giants who fell because they didn’t adapt in time. The lesson here is clear: no one is immune to failure. Even if you’re riding high now, complacency can lead to a slow but inevitable decline.

The key takeaway? Anticipate the need for change before you hit the decline phase. Reinvestment, whether it’s in new ideas, technologies, or business models, is essential for sustained success. Transform your business to a new curve before the current one goes too far into decline.

The Psychology of Change

Change isn’t just about strategy—it’s deeply psychological. Making decisions, particularly those that involve significant changes, is stressful. It’s no surprise that many people resist change because of the fears associated with it. These fears range from fear of the unknown and fear of failure to fear of loss and even fear of success.

This episode delves into these common fears, encouraging you to confront them head-on. Recognizing these fears is the first step in overcoming them. The episode offers practical advice on how to build confidence and reduce anxiety by taking small, manageable steps toward change.

One powerful example is how we approach major life changes, like marriage or starting a family. We don’t let fear hold us back from these significant life events because we focus on the positive outcomes rather than the potential risks. The same mindset should apply to business. By focusing on the benefits of change rather than the discomfort it might cause, you can push through resistance and make the necessary adjustments to keep your business thriving.

Why Change is Critical in Optical Retail

The optical retail industry is no exception to the rule of change. Markets are constantly evolving, and if you don’t adapt, you risk becoming irrelevant. Whether it’s changing styles, new technologies, or shifting demographics, staying ahead of the curve is crucial.

Innovation is a driving force behind success. In this episode, I share examples from my own business journey, such as giving my stores a facelift every five years to keep the environment fresh and engaging for customers. Simple, thoughtful changes can make a big difference, whether it’s updating your store’s layout, introducing new product displays, or enhancing the customer experience with interactive elements.

But change isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s also about the practical aspects of running a business, like cost savings and resource management. Regularly reviewing your processes and making adjustments can lead to significant improvements in efficiency and profitability. In my case, I made a habit of reviewing balance sheets monthly and challenging suppliers to offer more competitive pricing.

The Bottom Line: Make the Commitment to Change

The path to success in optical retail—or any business—requires a commitment to change. Stagnation is the enemy, and the way out is through strategic reinvestment and continuous innovation. The decisions you make today will determine your future. So, start by setting aside resources for reinvestment, identify one key area of your business that can directly impact your bottom line, and focus on making meaningful changes there.

In the end, thoughtful change is not just about keeping up—it’s about getting ahead. It’s about making your business more resilient, more competitive, and more successful in the long run.

Call to Action

Don’t let complacency be your downfall. Listen to the full episode of  my podcast and learn how to embrace change as the key to thriving in the optical retail industry. Your business’s future depends on the decisions you make today—so make the commitment to change now.