After working in various jobs Leigh Nelson found her niche when she started a role as a dispensing optician.
Read how she became a Retail Director and Dispensing Optician at Specsavers Newtownards
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
I didn’t know what I wanted to do after school but I wasn’t afraid of hard work and I tried lots of different jobs. I moved to Bangor with my then boyfriend (now my husband) and worked in various businesses including a bakery and a factory assembly line and then got a break as a nanny. It was supposed to be temporary but I got on well and proved my worth so the family gave me a job in their cleaning company as an office assistant. I really loved it and took on more duties working my way up to managing the staff payroll system.
After eight happy years I decided to try something very different and 25 years ago spotted a job for a dispenser with Specsavers in Bangor. I did an interview and was offered the job and then worked my way up to a store manager role within five years.
I was then invited to partner with my bosses Dave Maguire and Stuart Douglas in a new store they were opening in Newtownards. I’m thrilled as this year marks Ards Specsavers’ 20th year as well as my own 20th anniversary as retail director. I currently operate the store alongside my business partners Stuart Douglas and Andrea Ridgway.
What was your favourite subject at school?
I loved biology. I had a teacher at school who both inspired and scared me – but despite that I loved most of my classes. She is now a patient of mine.
Did you go on to further/ higher education, if so what did you study and where?
Whilst working at Specsavers I completed an HNC in Computing via evening classes at South Eastern Regional College in Bangor. In my early days as a Specsavers retail director I also studied to become a General Optical Council registered dispensing optician completing a three-year distance learning Foundation Degree at Anglia Ruskin University.
How did you get into your area of work?
I wanted to work closer to home, to get out of the office and do something with people but at that time I had no idea what the job really entailed. I wanted to do something different and I have never looked back since!
Is this what you always wanted to do?
I didn’t know what I wanted to do – but I always wanted to work hard and be my own boss.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
In my role as a dispensing optician and retail director, an FdSc in ophthalmic dispensing is essential alongside experience and skills in customer care, business, retail and organisational management.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
In terms of becoming a Specsavers partner/director there isn’t. The company offers a specific pathway to partnership whether that is as an ophthalmic, retail or audiology partner.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
I hold two different roles as a retail director and as dispensing optician. So good business planning, organisational skills, precision and attention to detail are essential as well as my skills and expertise as a dispensing optician.
What does a typical day entail?
Managing staff and checking everyone is in and ok, reviewing bookings, carrying out equipment checks, completing paperwork as well as supervising dispenses and collections, checking off spectacles and ensuring all customer and staff health and safety procedures are in place and we are fully Covid compliant.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
The best part of my job is growing the store as a business and getting to know my team. We are like a family and it’s wonderful to see the team evolve, complete training and qualifications and gain confidence. It’s challenging when staff leave and we try to encourage them to achieve their very best self and are constantly training them. Ultimately some move on to their own dream jobs. It’s like empty nest syndrome when they go but then there are new arrivals to train up.
Why is what you do important?
We help people’s vision every day. We provide affordable optical and audiology care services to the local community and are open seven days a week with two late nights and are there when our customers need us. We invest in our people with training and team-ship. We also invest in our business, our services and our equipment with some of the very latest technology.
How has Covid-19 impacted your business/role?
During the first lockdown I worked with a small team who had all volunteered to work. This included two optometrists, two dispensers and our store manager. We worked in two teams to cover seven days per week from the very start of Covid-19 in March 2020 whilst the rest of our staff were furloughed.
Our directive was to take over emergency eye care and keep the pressure off hospital emergency departments. I did everything from Covid procedures implementation, staff furlough management to purchasing PPE. As well as running the business from scratch everything was taken back to basics as we all answered phones, implemented the cleaning protocols and looked after patients from dispensing and repairs to glazing glasses. During June 2020 we gradually started bringing staff back in and from July 2020 we were fully staffed and back to full testing as we had the space to do it safely.
What adjustments have you had to make?
Lots! The dynamic of our business has changed – from bookings now made only by phone and online, though of course customers still need to come in and see us face to face for testing and dispensing of glasses and lenses. Our business is constantly changing and we are refining processes. Covid has meant an increased role for our call centre team as they screen appointments to help keep everyone safe whilst informing customers about new procedures in store. We also implement a policy of maximum numbers in store and timed contact with our staff as well as maintaining social distancing, the wearing of PPE and undertaking comprehensive health and safety risk assessments.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
It’s great being your own boss, whilst having the backing of a super, high profile company partner like Specsavers supporting you. My advice would be to go for it – life is certainly never boring.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
I’m not sure, possibly something around greener processes such as helping to clean up our environment or to be involved in a repurposing or recycling business.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
Probably to bring a pen and notepad for names and passwords (I have a terrible memory for names) then just breathe – you got this job on your own merit!
Describe your ideal day off.
To have a lie in, then to walk my dog or to have a pamper session and get my nails done. Then to meet some friends for dinner and a few drinks – but nothing too crazy.
And finally, what’s the key to any successful job search?
Be willing to try anything – stretch yourself and don’t give up. Every job you try is a steppingstone to eventually attaining your dream job.
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