Content, Inspiration, 
& New Ideas

My journey was never paved in gold. It was riddled with potholes, twists, and turns both professional and personal. Having a strong work ethic and the openness to learn has shaped a slightly smoother path for the road ahead. “The ability to learn is the most important quality a leader can have.” -Padmasree Warrior Common Obstacles and Why They Matter As leaders and as women, obstacles are inevitable, whether it’s scheduling bottlenecks, team morale, or simply balancing family

Change in our daily lives is constant—we all know it. We switch gyms, update our hairstyles, and pick out new frames at our annual OD checkup. One change that can feel especially disruptive during our eight-hour workdays: inheriting a new boss. Out with the Old You understood your old boss. They were frustrating at times, but they were the devil you knew. Maybe they didn’t respond to your pings or emails unless you reminded them…more than once. Maybe they said something a lit

How a Well-Intentioned Habit Can Limit Patients—and Practices One of the things I love most about our profession is how fiercely opticians advocate for their patients. Some of us enjoy being salespeople, but many of us cringe at that description. We care deeply about the people in our chair and want the very best for them. At times, that can feel at odds with a practice’s financial goals: increasing revenue, capture rate, and average sales price. But what if I told you that y

Founded in 1997, the OWA has years of content from our members! If you haven't logged in recently, here's a preview of what you're missing! One Minute Inspirations Member only content, must be logged in to read Enthusiastically Introverted Written by member Jennifer Trakhtenberg, April 15, 2025 Daring to embrace brave moments, I've boldly shown up more frequently, quieting the shy younger version of myself. Opportunities to network, inclusion in optical social gatherings, tri

In private practice optometry, buying frames can sometimes feel like online shopping after hours. The rep opens the case. The colors pop. Someone says, "I would totally wear this.” Heads nod. The board gets fuller. It feels like progress. Everyone is having fun and excited, but here is the reality check. Your optical is not a vibe, it is a business. When buying decisions are driven more by what we like than by what patients actually purchase, the consequences do not appear ov

The Optical Women’s Association knows how to stop the scroll. From celebrating standout members to spotlighting leadership and moments that matter, OWA’s top social media posts capture the energy, impact, and community at the heart of the organization. In this post, we’re rounding up some of OWA’s most engaging social moments—and why they struck a chord. Here are the top-performing posts across each platform for the first quarter of 2026, created by the OWA Digital Marketing

Clear vision is something many of us take for granted—until we see firsthand what a life‑changing difference it can make. As April marks Global Volunteer Month, it’s a powerful reminder of how giving your time—especially in eye care—can truly transform lives. Volunteering shows how a simple eye exam or a new pair of glasses can restore more than sight; it can renew confidence, dignity, and opportunity. From volunteer clinics serving underserved communities to nonprofit partne

"You can't connect the dots looking forward. You can only connect them looking backwards." -Steve Jobs This quote guided me throughout my career, even when I didn't even realize it. I am going to give you a hint about what you are about to read in hopes that you will take away why the past is so important to your future. We are obsessed with what is front of us, yet we ignore the lessons learned and the one main reason we do what we do. Technology in our industry is incredibl

We were delighted to welcome attendees to beautiful Orlando for our annual Champagne Breakfast , celebrating 2026 OWA award recipients: Susy Yu, OD (Pleiades Award), Liz Friedfeld (Pyxis Award), Alessandra Senici (Polaris Award), and Cathy Firman (Emerging Leader Award). The Champagne Breakfast brought together professionals from across the industry for a morning of connection, inspiration, and celebration. Set in an energizing and welcoming atmosphere, the event offered atte

This year marks Vision Monday’s 24th annual Most Influential Women in Optical report. The Vision Monday editors selected 35 women who are honored in five distinct categories: Executive Suite, Rising Stars, Mentors, Innovators and Above & Beyond. These are women who are continuing to shape the face of our industry from every angle; they are ECPs, executives, sales and marketing professionals, teachers and so much more. But above all, they are women who have had and continue t

MIDO: Milan, Italy The Optical Women’s Association proudly hosted its OWA Global Connection Event at MIDO in Milan, marking an important milestone in the organization’s continued international expansion and its mission to empower women in leadership roles across the global optical industry. The “Leading with Courage: Inspiring Stories of Authenticity” event welcomed a highly engaged audience for a dynamic 45-minute panel discussion followed by an impactful networking session.

This week during the annual OWA Champagne Breakfast at Vision Expo, Susy Yu, OD (Vision Essentials by Kaiser Permanente) was presented the Pleiades Award, Liz Friedfeld (ClearVision Optical) the Pyxis Award, Alessandra Senici (OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation) the Polaris Award, and Cathy Firman (GPN Technologies) the Emerging Leader Award! Learn more about each recipient below: 2026 Pleiades Award Recipient: Susy Yu, OD Vision Essentials by Kaiser Permanente Susy's

To stay discoverable in an AI‑driven world, optical brands and professionals will need to shift from search engine optimization (SEO) to generative engine optimization (GEO). For the optical industry—where consumer decisions are increasingly shaped by digital research, peer recommendations, and clinical credibility—the new entry point for discovery is generative AI. Zero‑click results and AI‑summarized answers are transforming how patients, consumers, and industry partners fi

The Communications and Website Committee is spicing up the OWA Connects blog with a quarterly 'Wrong Answers Only' series. We asked members of the blog-managing committee for their response to, " What's the Best Way to Get a Discount on New Glasses? " — but you guessed it, wrong answers only! Quick disclaimer: these quotes are in no way intended to provide actual suggestions for getting a discount on glasses and are strictly for your entertainment! Do you have your own 'wr

The OWA is hosting a global event at 100% Optical in London, England. Shortly thereafter, the OWA will be hosting two events at Vision Expo in Orlando, Florida. We welcome everyone to join us to network with your colleagues and learn more about what the OWA has to offer. OWA Global Event at 100% Optical! Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026 Time: 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM GMT Location: 100% Catwalk at 100% Optical Excel London Royal Victoria Dock 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL T

The Caribbean breeze hit me as I walked out of the resort lobby. Across the street, Doctor’s Cave Beach was bright and calm under the Jamaican sun. I could smell jerk chicken in the air. It looked like the ideal place to vacation, but I was there to work. For years, I’d wanted to join Canadian Vision Care (CVC), a charity organization committed to delivering thorough, comprehensive, and integrated care in the developing world, on one of its missions. My company has partnered

As we wrap up the launch year of the OWA Full Circle Mentorship Program , we’re proud to celebrate a year defined by connection, growth, and the power of women supporting women. What began as a vision at the 2023 OWA Unplugged Retreat has transformed into a vibrant mentorship initiative making a measurable impact across the optical industry. An Engaged Community: Over 30% Participation One of the most energizing outcomes from our first year is the tremendous level of member e

Did your Barbie ice cream shop come complete with detailed receipts? From the earliest days, there was genuine, personal delight in exploring the world of work. Understanding what adults were doing and why was endlessly fascinating. Designing merchandising materials, helping prepare orders and imagining the customers who would receive them created an early sense of pride and curiosity. So did small opportunities to help at home, learning what relatives were responsible for an

It’s January, and in the northern hemisphere, that means the days are short, the office lights feel harsh, and that last cup of coffee just isn’t hitting the way it used to. But why do we feel so unfocused this time of year? As optical professionals, we know light! We know its wavelengths, its refractive power, and its profound effect on our circadian rhythm. Typically, when we talk about light and our circadian rhythm, we’re focused on the high energy visible (HEV) blue ligh

It's a New Year again. I love a new year… it’s fresh and clean, uncluttered and full of possibilities, like a clean sheet of paper or an empty closet. As I think and begin to plan for 2026, I am finding myself in a different space than past years. Normally, I would be designing a growth plan for myself, both personally and professionally, with lots of details, dates and goals. And where that is always an important task, this year, concentrating on myself will take a back sea

It’s a new Year and OWA Talks is kicking 2026 off with a bang! Listen to this episode as hosts Carissa Dunphy and Tatiana Stewart sit down with new OWA President Megan Molony to hear about her vision for the future of the organization. More about guest Megan Molony: As CEO of Europa Eyewear, Megan Molony oversees the full Europa platform, including Europa Eyewear and eyebobs, as well as future acquisitions, while working closely with the board of directors to set and execut

And just like that, we're at the end of the year. From professional development, to events attended, to personal insights — the OWA's year has been summarized in the weekly OWA Connects blog . A special thanks to our contributors throughout the year — OWA committee members , industry experts and sponsors — without you, this incredible content would not be possible. You are improving our community one blog post at a time 💗 These were the most popular articles of 2025: 10. Ou

The results of the October 2025 Leadership Scholarship nominations are in! The Leadership Scholarship Award recognizes OWA members who have served the OWA with their dedicated committee work and strong commitment to growing leadership roles for women in the optical industry. These grants are used for professional and personal development of the recipients who were nominated by other OWA members. Many thanks go to our OWA Individual Contributors , whose donations help make

There’s something magical about the holiday season. People smile more, hold doors open, exchange warm greetings and wish one another well. A simple "Happy Holidays” or a friendly nod in passing seems to come so naturally this time of year. It’s as if the world slows down just enough for us to notice each other again — to see the humanity that connects us all. Have you ever stopped to wonder why it feels easier to extend kindness in December than it does in, say, February? The