Valerie, we would love to hear more about your journey as an optician. Could you share some details about your background, including any mentors who have influenced you?
I started working at Optical Arts in Toledo 14 years ago as the receptionist and that’s were my love for eyewear began! I worked as the receptionist while going to college to get my degree in business/marketing and after college I got my what I thought was my dream job at a marketing agency. I was working that job and still working at Optical Arts part time and as I grew in my career, I realized that my heart wasn’t in it as much as it was at Optical Arts. I quit my job and started working full time at Optical Arts and will never look back! I love being able to help style the customers, help explain what is happening with their new prescriptions and so much more. Mary Nyitray has been a huge influence in my life for the past 14 years and I see her passion in what she does, and I hope that others see that passion in me too.