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Eye Q Optical Manor Park Team, From Left: Sherdian Livermore- Frame Stylist, Sandrine Myers-Frame Stylist, Janiece Forbes- Client Services Coordinator, Shabnam Saddique-Dispensing Optician and Dr. Olivia Waller- Optometrist |
“Eyewear goes way beyond being a prescription. It’s like makeup. It’s the most incredible accessory” – Vera Wang
These words are the first thing apart
from the varied trendy frames to catch your eyes as you enter Eye Q Optical’s
Manor Park Location.
from the varied trendy frames to catch your eyes as you enter Eye Q Optical’s
Manor Park Location.
Eye Q Optical is a premiere eyewear
brand in Jamaica that opened its doors 20 years ago! Since then, the store has
seen a steady growth and boasts two (2) locations, one in Manor Park and the
other in New Kingston. The brand prides itself on providing high fashion and
high-quality optical solutions with 68 quality brands, over 30,000 customers
and the latest frame selections and trendy sun wear.
brand in Jamaica that opened its doors 20 years ago! Since then, the store has
seen a steady growth and boasts two (2) locations, one in Manor Park and the
other in New Kingston. The brand prides itself on providing high fashion and
high-quality optical solutions with 68 quality brands, over 30,000 customers
and the latest frame selections and trendy sun wear.
Haute People was able to
have a one-on-one or face a’ face
with the brand’s CEO & Founder Dr.
Aron Wohl just to find out what it means to be in business for 20 years and
what exciting things they have planned for their 20th anniversary.
have a one-on-one or face a’ face
with the brand’s CEO & Founder Dr.
Aron Wohl just to find out what it means to be in business for 20 years and
what exciting things they have planned for their 20th anniversary.
A selection of La Matta frames
Haute People: Tell us about how the brand got started?
Eye Q Optical: Eye Q Optical opened its doors in April 1999 in Kingston with a vision “To be the eye care provider of choice in Jamaica, always preferred for outstanding optical services and fashionable eyewear provided in an environment of care and professionalism by a knowledgeable and caring staff”.
Having arrived in Jamaica from London UK in 1991 to do voluntary work before attending the annual music festival, Reggae Sunsplash, I recognized a lack of optical care and service delivery and very limited frame options. My passion to provide optimal care in a boutique setting with international bespoke frames later mushroomed into Eye Q Optical, revolutionizing the local optical marketplace.
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A section of the Manor Park location
We
started modestly with two team members, new to optics, and myself as Optometrist,
and opened our second store in the Manor Park suburb in 2006. Our staff
complement has grown to 25 and includes two other Optometrists and a
Dispensing Optician (a first in Jamaica). We have invested in coaching and
developing our team through UK-based optical programs, as well as
ActionCoach and Engage & Grow programs, equipping them with the necessary
tools to be effective, and empowering them to make decisions and contribute to
our success in very meaningful ways. We focus on our team member’s individual
dreams and success as we believe that they are instrumental to our success. We
work hard and play harder as a team. Together we’ve developed the following 13
points of culture in alignment with our vision, which we strive to live
every-day: Fun, Ownership, Professionalism, Teamwork, Honesty, Care, Communication,
Dependability, Consistency, Expertise, Respect, Systems, and Balance. We believe
that if we get this right then there’s no limit to what we can achieve.
started modestly with two team members, new to optics, and myself as Optometrist,
and opened our second store in the Manor Park suburb in 2006. Our staff
complement has grown to 25 and includes two other Optometrists and a
Dispensing Optician (a first in Jamaica). We have invested in coaching and
developing our team through UK-based optical programs, as well as
ActionCoach and Engage & Grow programs, equipping them with the necessary
tools to be effective, and empowering them to make decisions and contribute to
our success in very meaningful ways. We focus on our team member’s individual
dreams and success as we believe that they are instrumental to our success. We
work hard and play harder as a team. Together we’ve developed the following 13
points of culture in alignment with our vision, which we strive to live
every-day: Fun, Ownership, Professionalism, Teamwork, Honesty, Care, Communication,
Dependability, Consistency, Expertise, Respect, Systems, and Balance. We believe
that if we get this right then there’s no limit to what we can achieve.
Inside the New Kingston location
Needless to say, we have built a tribe of loyal customers and advocates
who enjoy their experience in our friendly environment, who visit more
frequently than their annual examination warrants, many just passing through
for a cup of Blue Mountain coffee or a glass of wine … they beam whilst
recounting the numerous compliments.
We love enabling customers to not only have a sharper vision but look
beautiful too
who enjoy their experience in our friendly environment, who visit more
frequently than their annual examination warrants, many just passing through
for a cup of Blue Mountain coffee or a glass of wine … they beam whilst
recounting the numerous compliments.
We love enabling customers to not only have a sharper vision but look
beautiful too
Haute People: Will the brand be doing anything special for its 20th year?
Eye Q Optical: Eye Q Optical will be giving back to our customers in a very unique way. We will be hosting Frame Style shows over an 8-day period showcasing edgy eyewear selections by renowned international brands at special price points. Every 2 days the respective stores will feature only selections of the scheduled brands. We have never had such a presentation over such an extended period, and we are very excited about this collaboration with our suppliers.
Haute People: How many locations are there and where are they located?
Eye Q Optical: There are 2 locations.
New Kingston
Shop 22-24,
The Courtleigh Corporate Centre,
8 St. Lucia Avenue, New Kingston, Jamaica
8 St. Lucia Avenue, New Kingston, Jamaica
Shop 10, Lower Manor Park Plaza
Kingston 8, Jamaica
Kingston 8, Jamaica
Haute People: What frame styles are trending now?
Eye Q Optical: Cat-eye, rectangular shapes and anything with vibrant colors and embellishments.
Dramatic red & blue Rapp cat-eye glasses
Haute People: Is there a direct link between “eyewear” and fashion?
Eye Q Optical: As Vera Wang states, “To me, eyewear goes way beyond being a prescription. It’s like makeup. It’s the most incredible accessory. The shape of a frame or the color of lenses can change your whole appearance.”
These Theo glasses are sure to make a statement
Eyewear must be linked with fashion as it sits in the middle of your face and is the first thing anyone notices about you.
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I often ask my female clients how many shoes they own and ask why then they only have one pair of glasses as the eyewear is seen long before the shoes. Fortunately, the message is out and we’re seeing more people investing in multiple pairs of glasses, as we say you need one for work, one for play, and one for the beach!
Kirk Edwards – Branch Manager, New Kingston
Haute People: How have Jamaicans warmed up to wearing glasses?
Eye Q Optical: Jamaicans from all walks of life love fashion and looking good so they’re happy to wear glasses for the most part. We even have clients who don’t need to wear them but do, just for the fashion aspect, including one high-powered attorney and clothing store owner who wears contact lenses to correct her vision but then has a selection of glasses with plain lenses that she wears over the contacts to complete her fashion ensemble.
We love how Jamaicans love to make a statement with their eyewear, which makes our job much more fun and rewarding. Abroad most people just want their specs to disappear or only want black and brown frames – how boring!
Haute People: What can we expect from Eye Q Optical in the coming months?
Eye Q Optical: We have lots planned for our anniversary year and beyond as we are always trying to raise the bar and provide better products and service. Without giving too much away we hope that in the near future you will be able to book your appointment online, and in real time, and hope to launch a loyalty program for our awesome clients.
Eye Q Optical will be having their “Eye”-fashion Extravaganza in the form of Trunk shows over an 8-day period from April 4-13, 2019. It features 11 spectacular brands and 4 consecutive frame style shows. If you are looking to upgrade your glasses or thinking about getting new ones, visit either branch during the show dates to see what they have in store.
Eye Q Optical Ltd
6-8 St Lucia Av (5)
876-906-1493
info@EyeQjamaica.com
www.EyeQjamaica.com
6-8 St Lucia Av (5)
876-906-1493
info@EyeQjamaica.com
www.EyeQjamaica.com
Shop 10 Lwr Manor Pk Plaza (8)
876-925-9298
876-925-9298
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