INSIGHTS Happy ‘Opti-versary’ to Me By Jamie Wilson Monday, March 7, 2016 12:00 AM Happy “opti-versary” to me! In theme with the social media musings I do for Vision Monday, I’m going to do a little #tbt to the July 20, 2015 issue. Some of you may remember, some of you won’t (don’t worry, I forgive you), but that was the issue where I wrote my first opinion piece, “New Kid in Town.” In it, I regaled you with my first four months in the optical industry. Now it seems unreal that a year has already come and gone. During the past year, I’ve not only been able to highlight some of the important initiatives within our community, but I’ve gotten to actively be a part of some of them. I’ve connected with great people, enjoyed the experience that comes with attending trade shows and events and learned more than I could have ever imaged. Like how independent optical retailers, despite stiff competition, continue to enrich the industry with their spunk and style, and what up and coming trends are emerging—from Expo’s showroom floor to the latest collaborations in fashion and frames. While I can honestly say that a year ago I was in “fake it ‘till you make it” mode, the past 12 months have shaped me. I’m no longer that girl whose optical knowledge consisted of a yearly trip to the optometrist for an eye exam and a refill on contact lenses. I’m now covering industry events and running around trade shows writing about you all in VMail and our monthly issues. I’ve even tackled my first cover story, last month’s Optical on Main Street. All of this has gotten me very familiar with the many brands, companies, products and faces that make up the optical world. Although I’ve been absorbing all of this new information, there is still so much left to learn in this ever evolving industry. But I’m all about celebrating the little things. So, happy one-year “opti-versary” to me. jwilson@jobson.com