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.”
