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A Dream Come True
By Denis Langlois
Gisele Klein says it was always her dream to open her
own optical shop. That dream came true in 2010 when
Klein, a licenced optician, and her husband Owen, a website
designer, opened Impressive Eyewear in Surrey, B.C.
“Circumstances changed for me where I had been
employed for 19 years. I was searching optical websites
for new employment and saw a posting for a store that
was for sale not toofar from where I live,” she says.
“I always had a vision to own a store that carried
different and high-quality products and saw a need in
the area I purchased in.” In 2011, Klein's daughter Megan
Johnson began working at Impressive Eyewear. She is
now studying to become a licensed optician. Recently,
Klein took some time to chat with Optical Prism about
her business and plans for the future.
Q. What are some of the benefits of operating an independent
optical store?
A. I personally love having the freedom to bring in whatever
brands that I see fit for our customers. I am not tied to one
specific lens manufacturer therefore will offer whatever
I feel is the perfect lens specifications that meets our
customers' needs. Because customer service is a high
priority, I do not rush the sales. We will spend as much
time as needed in order to ensure our customers'
complete satisfaction.
Q. Tell us about the brands available at Impressive Eyewear.
A. Our most popular brands are made in Europe and
include Dilem, J.F. Rey, Pierre Eyewear, Cogan, and Gold
& Wood. The styles we sell the most are different and
unique. This is what our customers tell us when they
come in. They are tired of seeing the same old styles and
brands of frames when shopping for their new eyewear.
What they find here is bold colours, funky and edgy
style frames.
Q. Tell us a bit more
about your clientele.
A. Most of our
customers are looking for
high quality products
and excellent custom er
service. In addition, we
carry less costly products
for those on a tighter
budget. Our aim is to
provide satisfaction for
everyone that walks
in our door.
Q. What kind of
marketing tools do
you use?
A. Our store website
features current
brands and styles that we offer as well as the different
services we provide. Our main source of advertising is
using social media. The most effective marketing tool is our
customers' word-of-mouth referrals.
Q. What are your plans for the future of your store?
A. Running your own business is not an easy task, especially
when you have a totally different and better vision for
the store. I still have some brands that I want to bring in
that would fill in the gaps, broaden the range of styles and
complement the brands we already have. We’ve expanded
our services by offering eye examinations by an independent
optometrist. I would like to see the clientele for him increase.
These services are all to enhance our customers experience.