Episode 25: Real Dry Eye Patient Confessions With Anu Chiarelli

In this episode of Eyetrepreneur, Anu Chiarelli shares her experiences as a dry eye patient. Enjoy!

In This Episode:

[3:24] How Anu was introduced to the dry eye support group she is a part of now.

[6:02] What has Anu’s eyecare experience been like?

[10:04] What is Lipiview and how does it work?

[13:22] How healthcare works in Canada versus in the US.

[16:11] What did Anu’s diagnosis look like?

[22:25] Anu’s mental state while suffering from dry eye.

[30:44] SBA24 sea buckthorn oil- what is it and how can it help?

[34:54] The ineffective treatments for dry eye.

[38:02] The lack of standardization of treatment.

[40:52] How are doctors at the collaborative treatment model in Canada?

[45:03] What to do if you’ve had dry eye and have gotten no relief.

About Anu Chiarelli:

Anu Chiarelli got introduced into the world of dry eyes when she developed symptoms in 2017. She was diagnosed soon after and is living well with the condition. Anu lives in Calgary, Canada and is married with two adult children. Professionally she has worked as a registered nurse for over thirty years with people of all ages in hospital and community settings and as a nursing instructor. With a masters degree in counseling, she has a private practice as a nurse-therapist focusing on the health of the whole person.

Important Links:

If you want to know about the SBA24 sea buckthorn oil, the Ophthalmologists Society of Finland refers to these studies: http://www.medicinreferenser.se/Membrasin.html

Here are some more articles about SBA24 sea buckthorn oil:



Ask any questions at drbrill@brilleye.com

Frame Inventory Management + Optician Training With Kayla Ashlee of SPEXY

In This Episode:

Opticals can easily drive 50% or more of an optical’s revenue. Optical educational for staff can be the key to success in staying abreast of sales techniques, technical knowledge, and staying motivated. Doctors invest lots of money in medical equipment, but many times overlook the cash infusion it takes to properly train staff and carry the right product assortment of frames.

Optical has relied on corporate frame and lens companies to provide education, but this obviously is not sustainable since these companies are now competing against small ECPs.

This episode with Kayla Ashlee of www.bespexy.com focuses on showing opticals the importance of frame inventory management (keeping things profitable and smooth) and on-boarding education for new optical hirees. Now, this isn’t your typical boring math-infused and marketing crap you get from everyone else.

Spexy provides video-based content that’s entertaining, engaging, and relevant. Plus, the online educational platform has a guided learning e-course that managers and owners can access to track learning

The optical resource is subscription-based, affordable and with no contracts.

About Kayla Ashlee:

In 2006 Kayla stepped into optical and has sought out ways enhance the magic of our industry ever since. Finding a passion for optics as an optician, she began incorporating her business and marketing education into her love of optics. Developing as business consultant for multiple opticals, she created a unique tool for maximizing the profitability of frame boards. She was asked to work for a lens distributor and used her skills as a speaker to solidify partnerships with the independent opticals they serviced. This expanded her skillset to making a difference in the Northwest United States.

The next step needed to be something big! This is when she joined forces with SPEXY. Sharing the belief that the independent can do more, if they just had access to it. Since uniting with SPEXY she has patented her frame board creation. She has become an international optometric speaker. She has created an online portal for opticals to access education. Most importantly, she has empowered independent opticals to think about our eye-world differently.

Kayla lives in her home state of Idaho, where she and Rook have built a beautiful home for their family in downtown Boise. There, they are surrounded by fantastic friends that have helped them to grow and loads of family that keep them busy and have supported their adventures from the beginning.

Important Links:




SPEXY on Facebook

Kayla on LinkedIn

Connect with Kayla at kayla@beSPEXY.com or at (929) 777-5817

Episode 24: State Optical and Europa’s Frame Pioneer, Scott Shapiro

In this episode of Eyetrepreneur, Scott Shapiro shares how he was able to find success in State Optical and Europa Eyewear. Enjoy!

In This Episode:

[3:31] The family roots of optical.

[8:00] What did Scott do before eyecare?

[10:22] What Europa is, what they do, and how they differentiate themselves in the market.

[15:26] The hardest thing to do within the industry, and how it is necessary for success.

[18:26] How to motivate a sales force to do a good job.

[21:06] Are eyewear events really just a big recruiting ground?

[21:56] The actual manufacturing process of eyewear.

[33:26] Why is the eyewear industry is one of the few that accepts exchanges and returns?

[33:50] How to handle the difficult customers and the crooked customers.

[38:40] What does State Optical mean today?

[48:08] How to shoot the core wire of a frame.

[53:20] How the public reacts to State Optical.

[58:02] Will we all end up online selling direct to consumers?

About Scott Shapiro:

Scott Harris Shapiro grew up in the eyewear industry. His parents founded Europa Eyewear in 1977 and for over 40 years the company has been designing, importing and distributing eyeglasses and sunglasses.

Scott studied journalism in college and spent 10 years on morning radio before finally joining his family’s business.

In 2014 he teamed up with two innovative entrepreneurs to build a first-of-its kind American eyewear factory and produce a new luxury brand called STATE Optical Co. Today he works out of the company’s headquarters just outside of Chicago, IL, but spends a great deal of his time traveling around the country talking to eyecare professionals about the craft of eyewear production.

STATE Optical Co – An Introduction (with Subtitles) from State Optical Co on Vimeo.

Important Links:

Check out State Optical Co and Europa Eyewear.

Episode 23: Spectacle Lens Business Revealed With Daniel Crespo, CEO of Indizen Optical Technologies

In this episode of Eyetrepreneur, Daniel Crespo takes a deep dive into the lens business and technology; with a background as a physicist, he brings a unique perspective to eyewear. Enjoy!

In This Episode:

[4:05] Daniel Crespo, and how he became CEO of IOT.

[10:30] Why freeform lenses are different.

[14:15] Putting freeform lenses into action.

[15:25] How an optical technology company is different from traditional lens companies.

[17:25] What makes a cheap lens cheap and an expensive lens expensive.

[25:50] How should an optician choose the right lens for the right scenarios?

[30:55] Exciting efforts surrounding photochromic.

[39:00] Myopia prevention lens.

[41:10] What private label means in the industry today.

[48:40] IOT sharing their research.

[56:00] The new space of electronic eyewear.

[1:00:20] In-office manufacturing of lenses.

[1:01:00] Where will the lens world be five years from now?


About Daniel Crespo:

Daniel Crespo grew up in Madrid, Spain. He is a graduate of the University of Complutense of Madrid where majored in physics and went on to receive his PhD in Optics with a focus on optical metrology. Dr. Crespo was the founder of several software companies dedicated to mathematical simulation. In 2005 he co-founded Indizen Optical Technologies (IOT) along with University of Complutense professors Dr. Jose Alonso and Dr. Juan Antonio Quiroga. Dr. Crespo has been the president and CEO of IOT from the beginning. He currently resides in California, USA with his wife and three daughters.

Important Links:

Reach out to Daniel and his team at info@iotamerica.com

Check out IOT’s website!

Order the new book Modern Ophthalmic Optics


Episode 22: How To Fit Frames with Alexandra Peng

In this episode of Eyetrepreneur, Alexandra Peng takes a deep dive into the fitting of eyewear and all of the challenges associated with it. Enjoy!

In This Episode:

[5:55] How Alexandra first got into eyewear.

[08:10] The basics of fitting eyewear.

[19:35] Helping people with self frame selection.

[26:50] Alleviating fitting challenges.

[33:00] The next type of challenging fit you must overcome.

[53:15] Establishing your presence as an optician.


About Alexandra Peng:

Alexandra Peng Charton is a veteran of the industry, spending more than 20 years designing and producing eyewear for global brands. However, despite helping countless clients find the perfect eyewear to match their needs, there was one person she could never find the right frame for: herself.

So, with her vast knowledge of the eyewear industry and firsthand experience with difficulty finding well-fitting glasses, she started TC CHARTON in 2009 – the first North American brand that focuses solely on making distinctive, beautiful eyewear for Asians.




Important Links: