Kids Need Sunglasses. Period.

Did you know that 80% of a lifetime’s sun exposure is obtained by age 18? This is a pretty common stat I’ve seen and heard over the last several years in this industry.

Did you also know that a child’s lenses are more fragile and delicate than an adult’s? That makes sense right?

Soooo you put sunscreen on your baby and your children of any age…Why WOULDN’T you put sunglasses on a child?

I could go on and on with stats I’ve seen and heard but common sense prevails here. Kids need sun protection for their eyes. And it’s not expensive. Come by and talk to our opticians about ensuring 100% UV 400 protection for under $40.

Fendi: Is it worth the money?

The short answer is YES—> Fendi is not only HOT, but it’s well-made. In an earlier blog, I talked about frame quality and how our staff hand-picks each and every frame. That’s definitely something that sets us apart from the chains: they typically order on-line and/or use what “corporate” sends them.

Now to the cost: yes, Fendi costs more, but $400 for a sunglass is way cheaper than $3K for a Fendi bag

It’s not for everyone and there are definitely less expensive frames and sunglasses we carry like ECO (which runs under $150) and Guess (some suns under $100!).  Whether it’s a Fendi, Tom Ford or Dior on the high end or one of the lower cost lines, one thing I can promise you is that the service you get from VisionCare, and many private practice providers, is above and beyond. (PS if you’re reading this from far far away check out the Vision Source network of private practices for a provider in your state).

If you buy a Gucci or Guess sunglass at Macy’s, what do you do if you need it tightened up after a month or 2? If a screw needs to be replaced? Good question. If you buy a Gucci or Guess sunglass (or any other for that matter) at VisionCare  you just bring it in with no appointment and we take care of you on the spot for FREE.

I’m certainly not saying we’re more expensive than other places. I’m saying:

1) you get what you pay for

2) we may be equal or even less expensive (!!!!)

3) you can’t match the service- period

And have you come by and seen our optical? It’s a fun fun place to try frames on (without pressure to buy).  The whole staff and other clients get into it.

Also- we have a really special piece of equipment Drs. Rigel, Vincent-Riemer and Knapp invested in: a camera in our optical area that takes shows up to 4 photos on a monitor so if you have a prescription and can’t “see yourself trying on a frame” or want to email it to your wife, boyfriend, sister or bff for their opinion, you can.

You can’t get this kind of hands-on service… and follow-up like adjustments and repairs and billing your insurance… on-line.

“Care, Education and Service: Our Passion is Your Vision.”

What’s hot in Hollywood? (and I mean eyewear!)

While the staff at VisionCare can’t stress enough the importance of eyewear’s impact on health, safety, and comfort, we also understand STYLE!

We want you to look just as hot in Lansing as Ashton Kutcher and Kim Kardashian look in Hollywood, or Miami or NYC or where-ever else they go!

Sooo…. we are starting a regular feature called Celebrity Sights for the summer. 

We look to celebs for inspiration on clothes and hair, so why not check out their eyewear too? Each feature will contain lines/styles VisionCare has in the office!

How To Make An Eye Appointment at VisionCare

Many.

1) our website’s appointments tab: www.visionsource-visioncare.com

2) call our office at 517-337-8182

3) stop in to check out our eyewear and visit the front desk team

4) DM me on Twitter or send me an email

Just remember, if you don’t speak directly with our Front Desk Team they may be calling to follow up and get the details they need so we can serve you best!

I turned 40 in October & my eyes know it.

Got my annual eye exam from Dr. Knapp yesterday. I’ve been going along for months thinking I turned 40 and it didn’t happen… I didn’t wake up unable to read small print.

Wrong. The numbers say otherwise- I’m in a “gray” area of a bi-focal (yuck! ouch! NO!!) being a way to make my eyes less strained and being able to “see fine” without “going there.” Many 40 year olds (yes, it’s the magic number – you wake up and BOOM it happens) have prescriptions like this… and wait.

Dilemma. Is my headache stress? Weather changes? Or eyestrain because I tore through a 400 page book from CADL on Saturday…

I’m going for it. I may hate the motion sickness of getting used to a progressive lens but thank you Essilor for the Tru-Clear HD design only available at private practices locally owned and members of Vision Source. (That’s what we are by the way, independent optometry in your backyard…)

Time to practice what I preach in the community: why WOULDN’T you want the best clarity for your vision? Why settle for less?

Ohhh, I keep going back and forth- erasing and re-typing if I’m going for it… Should I? Shouldn’t I? No, I will go for it. Not buying progressive lenses will not make make me 39 again.

A Note From Anna As She Graduates

Which by the way… means she’s job hunting in marketing all!  See below… I’m so proud and so should be everyone at VisionCare!

Having not really known anything much about marketing when taking my Internship at VisionCare, I can honestly say that it has given me a strong foundation for my entrance into the real world.  At VisionCare, I have been given my own projects such as coming up with mini-marketing plans and schedules, giving me a guideline of responsibilities and deadlines.  Writing a variety of press releases and articles has not only scared me about missing my annual eye exams but has also taught me how to research, write and edit materials differently than what I would for a class assignment.  As much as my generation may be social media savvy, I did not realize to the extent of which it could be used to market certain products and to specific groups.  Having experience working withTwitter, LinkedIn, Yelp and the many others that exist, has been one of the most common necessary qualifications across job applications that I have seen and it is one more thing that I now have experience with.

            Graduating can be a scary thought but thanks to VisionCare and especially Daphne, the skills and experience that I have acquired throughout my time as Marketing Intern gives me confidence instead of nerves.  I know that I have a strong skill-set from research, writing and creating brochures or flyers to attending events to network or market VisionCare’s wide range of services and products.  I’m excited for the next step and to show off the great things that Daphne has taught me but also very thankful for this opportunity!

Introduce Someone From Another Business

At Turbo networking yesterday, our host had us do something different for a networking event: instead of giving our own elevator speech, we had to spend 5 minutes talking to someone and doing theirs for them.

Honestly – it goes to show how hard it is to get to know someone (and a business) at these things. But here’s the key- you MEET people. If you like them, you ask for their card (I’m a Malinda Barr believer… you do NOT give your card unless someone wants it and says they do) then call them for coffee or lunch or whatever.

Become a raving fan of the people you connect with and introducing them to others when you see them at events and, eventually, (sooner possibly than later) they will be out promoting your business on your behalf. 

Also, introducing them to others will help you learn more about them. It’ll have you asking them the right questions and really understanding their business.

If you use the “lovelansing” hashtag on Twitter, you’ll see that those people I network with, who provide outstanding customer service and products are benefitting from meeting me.  Moral of this story: go network IRL, not just online, and get to know the people in town, there are some fabulous businesses locally, wherever local is to you!