The Optical Women's Association's Connection Series: Connecting Members to Leadership Ideas presents Girl Bosses: Optical Industry Entrepreneurs, a panel discussion featuring female entrepreneurs from the optical industry on Thursday, September 15th, in Las Vegas from noon to 1:30 Pacific time.
Based on the OWA book selection, #GirlBoss by Sophia Amoruso, creator/CEO of Nasty Gal, moderator Christie Walker of Jobson and six panelists from five companies will explore and provide insight into how they decided to run their own business; the challenges they've faced; how they've turned those challenges into opportunities; and how they became Girl Bosses of their own.
Some of the quotes from the book that have inspired the questions for the panelist include:
If you've ever thought of being your own "Girl Boss", this event is a must. Even if you are not your own girl boss, you'll walk away with valuable insights that will inspire, inform and educate anyone in business, whether for themselves or others. Pre-registration and a nominal fee is required for this event, which includes lunch. Register here.
 Corianna Dotson and Brianna Dotson (Coco and Breezy) |
 Corinne McCormack (Corinne McCormack, Inc.) |
 Dr. Ann Rea Miller, OD (Visual Eyes) |
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 Kristin Ellsworth (Peeps Eyewear) |
 Jessica Butler (Eye Power Kids Wear) |
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Corianna Dotson and Brianna Dotson, also known as Coco and Breezy, are the founders of the cutting edge sunglass brand Coco and Breezy. Based in New York City, Coco and Breezy aims to reach new fashion heights and introduce fashion connoisseurs all over the world to their unique sense of style and original accessories. Coco and Breezy designed the brand based on their own passion for making avante garde fashion and accessories available to all retail consumers. The duo are also brand ambassadors for Transitions Optical.
Corinne McCormack, Inc., now a subsidiary of FGX International Inc. was founded by Corinne McCormack in 1993. A former fashion and jewelry executive, Corinne McCormack started her company over 20 years ago and was the first brand on the market to introduce handmade, optical quality, fashionable reading glasses. Today, Corinne McCormack is one of the most recognized names in high-end department stores and eye care professionals. The company designs and markets a collection of eyewear and accessories under the Corinne McCormack brand name.
Dr. Ann Rea Miller graduated cum laude with a Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University in 2008. Dr. Miller traveled on mission trips to Nicaragua in 2006 and 2007 with a group providing free eye exams and glasses to over 1,000 individuals per week. Dr. Miller joined the practice of Optometry with Dr. Stephen CaJacob in Lima, Ohio in 2008 as an associate before opening her own practice, Visual Eyes, in 2014. Visual Eyes offers comprehensive eye care for all ages. The office also offers InfantSEE exams, where infants 6 months to 12 months old are offered their first eye exam at no charge.
Kristin Ellsworth created a children's optical glasses business, Peeps Eyewear, which empowers children to love wearing their glasses and is on a mission to increase awareness about early child vision health. Ms. Ellsworth is the winner of the 2010 Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest--Business Services Division. She is a Board Member of Prevent Blindness Wisconsin and Co-founder of the Great Glasses Play Day with Jessica Butler. Her youngest daughter's vision problems inspired Ms. Ellsworth to create her unique social enterprise.
Jessica Butler is the owner and designer for Eye Power Kids Wear. Her company focuses on creating t-shirts and products for kids and optical shops that make glasses, eye patches and vision awareness fun. She has successfully funded multiple Kickstarter projects and is the Co-founder for Great Glasses Play Day, with Kristin Ellsworth. Jessica is also a mother of young 3 children. Jessica's son Scott was born with a congenital cataract in his left eye and at 4 weeks old had cataract surgery. Her son's vision problems inspired Jessica to create her company to help other parents and children who were dealing with similar challenges.
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