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Amanda Collaso
Company: CEO & Founder of Bookkeeping for Optometry
Posted: 4/27/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Explore passions, gain diverse experiences. Don't rush career decisions. Embrace growth, stay curious. Your journey's just beginning!
Jennifer Valdez
Company: Senior Data Integrity Specialist at GPN Technologies
Posted: 4/12/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
It's okay to be nervous when you're trying something new. Give yourself the opportunity to grow professionally.
Cheryl Berger Sussman
Company: Marketing Coordinator at Art-Craft Optical Company
Posted: 3/28/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Relax, you've got this :)
Holly Gough
Company: Manager, Business Optimization at VSP Vision
Posted: 3/14/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Take opportunities as they come to you. You never know when you'll get another chance.
Lynne Becker
Company: CEO / Founder at Power of Patients
Posted: 2/29/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Pursue a career you are excited & passionate about. This way it never feels like work. But have a skill you can also fall back on, just-in-case....
Rachel DeFriece
Company: Customer Support Lead at GPN Technologies
Posted: 2/15/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable - in this you will grow!
Linda Conlin
Company: Pro to Pro Managing Editor at Jobson
Posted: 2/1/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
The road can take you to many places. Believe in yourself and you'll get to your best place.
Ginny Mercer
Company: Myopia Management Specialist at CooperVision
Posted: 1/18/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Accept positive comments graciously — Others see what I did not at that time.
Sylveena Krezmer
Company: Education Services Coordinator at GPN Technologies
Posted: 1/4/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Time is never wasted if you've experienced something new. Choose to be grateful everyday!
Jennifer Wicks
Company: Executive Director at the Ontario Opticians Association
Posted: 12/21/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Don't worry, there's room in life for a career you love, family AND music.
Brookelyn Sager
Company: National Key Accounts Manager at HILCO
Posted: 12/6/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Be Brave, Be Bold, and never be afraid to be your authentic self.
Robyn Campbell
Company: Provider Communications Manager at EyeMed Vision Care
Posted: 11/22/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Don't stress about the small things or what could happen next. Life is too exciting to worry about things beyond your control. Enjoy the ride!
Kristy Stone
Company: Director of Member Education at PECAA
Posted: 10/25/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Do not be afraid to speak up or stand for what is right. If you feel in your gut something is wrong, listen to that. Know your limits-It's ok to say no!
Bonnie Whitfield
Company: Senior Manager of Member Communications at The Vision Council
Posted: 10/11/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Look for a career where you can love most of what you do. No matter what, work hard and stay humble. Everything happens for a reason. Not every door that you try to open will welcome you, but the right ones will. Don’t be afraid to fail.
Madalyn Moeller
Company: Senior Recruiter at ClearVision Optical
Posted: 8/28/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Be happy you didnt grow-up when Social Media was a thing. Love yourself and be brave! There are going to be bad days but end on a positive note and recharge for the next obstacle. Lastly, failure doesn't exist if you keep striving towards your goal.
Tracy Vontélle Green
Company: Co-Founder, CEO at Vontélle, LLC
Posted: 8/14/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
If you didn't get "it" (whatever it is - job, bonus, partner), it's because it wasn't for you. Something better is coming! Always!
Kayla Groves
Company: Optical Business Advisor at PECAA
Posted: 7/17/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
It's okay to fail. Failure sets the stage for you to reach your goals.
Brandy Yeack
Company: CPOA, Practice Manager, Vision Source Facilitator at Valley Eye Care
Posted: 6/19/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Go to Optometry school and become a doctor. Eye care is your calling.
Chiara Oliviero
Company: WW Online & Offline EMEIA Brand Protection Manager at EssilorLuxottica
Posted: 6/4/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Keep going, an obstacle is often a steppingstone!
Neggie Wright, ABOC
Company: Marketing Associate - Events Planning at ClearVision Optical - Hauppauge, NY
Posted: 5/22/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
You can make a successful career based on what you are passionate about. It's okay to not take the
Allie Glick
Company: CRM Manager & Marketing Operations Specialist
Posted: 5/8/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Identify your interests and find a career that's all about them!
Nicole Joli
Company: Internal Communications Specialist at Visionworks
Posted: 4/24/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
I would say, " Don't try to fit in the mold of what you think you should do or be. There are multiple paths to get where you want to go, but as long as you stay true to you and keep moving forward, you will get there. "
Lisa A. Fromm, ABOC, NCLEC
Company: Certified optician at St. Helens Eyecare dba Columbia Family Vision
Posted: 4/3/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
You are smarter than you think. Keep learning and doing all you can.
Barbra Dey
Company: Consultant at Dey Ophthalmic Consulting
Posted: 3/6/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Don't be afraid to re-create yourself along your career path. It can be a windy road.
Cara Endriss
Company: Brand Marketing Director at National Vision Inc.
Posted: 2/20/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Don't be afraid to take risks if it means following your passion.
Jill Kielas
Company: Field Sales Rep - The House of Tom Davies
Posted: 1/18/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Have confidence in yourself. Take the time to decide what you want from life.
Amanda Pope
Company: Senior Account Executive at Safilo
Posted: 11/22/2022
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Always think outside of the box!
Lauren Wosczyk
Company: Senior Trade Marketing Manager at Thelios
Posted: 5/9/2022
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Don't be afraid to fail.
Ashlee Medart (formerly Queathem)
Company: Wholesale Manager, Independent Distribution Division, EssilorLuxottica
Posted: 3/17/2022
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Carissa Dunphy
Company: Founder, Optician Now
Posted: 2/17/2022
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Get all of your prerequisites out of the way as soon as you can!
Shelley Logan
Company: Ontario Regional Sales at WestGroupe
Posted: 12/7/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Say YES to every opportunity presented - you never know where it will lead.
Mikki Collins
Company: Sales Representative at Morel Eyewear
Posted: 8/5/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Passion is the fuel for success.
Liz Friedfeld
Company: Head of Business Development at ClearVision Optical
Posted: 7/19/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Strut your bikini! Have confidence in yourself & your abilities. Take risks, learn and improve. Seek out job opportunities with supportive cultures and mentors that align with your values and allow the real you to shine bright.
Jennifer Stewart
Company: OD/Partner at Norwalk Eye Care and Chief Vision Officer/Co-Founder at Performance 20/20
Posted: 7/2/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Always set goals- and when you achieve them, set more! You are never to old to reinvent yourself and learn something new.
Nancy Gries
Company: Brand Owner at Coti Vision
Posted: 5/4/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
In every mistake there is potential for growth.
Phaedra Chernoff
Company: Corporate Key Accounts Manager at L’AMY
Posted: 3/22/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
I would never let any person's negative opinions affect me or define me. Because this has happened and it stings for a long time. You need to hear it and let it go.
Manali Patel
Company: Controller at The Vision Council
Posted: 3/2/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Work hard, time and tide wait for no man. Always be nice to everyone. Ask lots of questions.
Bidisha Rudra
Company: Senior Managing Director, Transitions Sales
Posted: 2/1/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Believe in yourself and seek opportunities even if they are outside your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid of failures, because it is inevitable at some point in your life, but failure will also teach you to get back up and be more resilient for the future.
Katherine Lauver
Company: VP of Business Relations at GPN Technologies
Posted: 12/4/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Keep challenging yourself daily and never stop learning and growing! What seems hard now will float away with time as bigger, more exciting things are to come!
Tamara Sanders
Company: Sr. Director, Managed Care at Essilor of America
Posted: 9/9/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Always strive to find ways to better yourself! Grow with every opportunity, but never be content with the status quo. There are no limits!
Beverly Bianes
Company: Optometrist/Partner at Pack & Bianes Vision Care Optometry
Posted: 7/16/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
It's not the destination, it's all about the journey. It is through the journey you'll learn who you are. Stay true to your identity.
Cha-Ling Delgado
Company: Senior Director of Key Accounts N.A. for Luxottica Wholesale
Posted: 6/1/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
There is not one career path that you follow. Your choices along the way can open new avenues to explore and develop. I never would have thought that I could end up in NYC having grown up in SoCal.
Yvette Carranza
Company: Consultant at Digital Vision, Inc.
Posted: 3/3/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Never be afraid to try for any position! I almost missed the opportunity that led me to my career because I didn't throw my hat in the ring. (Thankfully a manager did it for me!) Never be afraid to share your ideas! It may be just what the project needs.
Randee Epstein
Company: VP - Human Resources Wholesale & Retail Corporate
Posted: 1/27/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
"Don't downgrade your dream to accommodate your circumstances."
Stephanie Lucas
Company: EVP & General Manager of Member Solutions for Healthy Eyes Advantage
Posted: 11/17/2019
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Pursue your career with purpose but don't take yourself too seriously; let your personality and your passion shine through in all you do.
Trudi Charest
Company: Co-Founder at 4ECPs
Posted: 7/29/2019
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Start Your Own Business Earlier
Kerri Ann Raimo
Company: Senior Associate Editor / Social Media Curator for Eyecare Business magazine at Pentavision, LLC
Posted: 4/11/2019
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Be open and receptive to new possibilities. Trust your abilities and where they will take you.
Kelly Freitas
Company: Senior Director, Customer Experience & Research at VSP Global
Posted: 2/22/2018
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Care more about what you think of yourself than what others think of you (slightly modified quote from Theodore Roosevelt)
Dr. Ginamarie Wells
Company: Sr. Director Client Services at Cleinman Performance Partners
Posted: 8/16/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Always be kind, be thankful, be generous in a way that makes a connection to the world around you. But, also be smart, be safe, and definitely go for it!
Melissa Parker
Company: Supervisor at VSP Optics Group
Posted: 8/1/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
To do what you love, continually learn and develop, be ok with making mistakes, trust yourself, listen more than you talk, be courageous, take chances and most importantly make friends along the way.
Debra Bulken
Company: Regional Sales Director at Luxottica
Posted: 5/10/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
You will have plenty of time to "work", take this time to "experience!"
Lorinda Fraboni
Company: IS Development & Operations Manager at Walman
Posted: 4/17/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Always go the extra mile because not many do and you will stand out in the crowd! Be kind. Stand up for yourself. Speak your mind softly. Don't say NO and put parameters around your YES. Book time for things important to you. Work out and eat healthy.
Angelina Fifer
Company: Public Relations Coordinator at VSP Global
Posted: 3/3/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Trust yourself - even if you don’t have the skills yet, trust in your capabilities and willingness to learn.
Pamela Capaldi
Company: Director of Professional Services at Brien Holden Vision Institute
Posted: 2/1/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Listen well.
Lorie L. Lippiatt, OD
Company: Optometrist/President at The Salem Eyecare Center, Inc.
Posted: 1/13/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Go for it! Always look ahead and have confidence you can achieve everything you are passionate about.
Laura Dorris
Company: Director of Business Development & HR at Vision West, Inc.
Posted: 11/14/2016
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Surround yourself with people you admire and who inspire you. Stay curious, learn often, go the extra mile as often as you can and be kind to everyone you meet.
