By Gwendolyn Plummer
Monday, November 20, 2023 8:30 AM
MOUNT PLEASANT, South Carolina—In 2019, Jake Sunkin, OD, achieved a long-held dream of opening up his own, independent eyecare practice. When
Independent Optical debuted in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina that June, things were looking bright and exciting—Dr. Sunkin’s dad, Chris, retired from a 25-year career in the industrial equipment industry and took on the challenge of opening a practice from the ground up alongside his son. The two documented every step of their process, from construction through to opening day, on
Instagram, and in an interview with
The Independent Eye that
summer.
By Staff
Monday, November 20, 2023 8:25 AM
The team at
Draisin Vision Group in Charleston, South Carolina, is celebrating Thanksgiving with a Thankful Tree in the office, which patients are welcome to add to.
By Staff
Monday, November 20, 2023 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—The end of the year is looming. With the holidays just around the corner, things are picking up steam, and we’re all getting busier. It’s easy to let things fall through the cracks in the end of year rush, which is why now is the perfect time to remind patients to use their flexible spending dollars before the year runs out.
By Staff
Monday, November 20, 2023 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—American Express announced that for its 14th annual Small Business Saturday on Nov. 25, 2023 it will introduce
“Door to Shop Small,” an augmented reality (AR) experience to help get more shoppers across the country through the physical and virtual doors of businesses. From Nov. 20-25, 2023, eligible American Express Card Members who make a single purchase of $50 or more by using their enrolled eligible Card at U.S. retailers in the “Shopping” category on the Shop Small Map or online directory, can earn a one-time, $5 statement credit. Enrollment is required and is limited.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Monday, November 6, 2023 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—For independent ECPs taking their practice to the next level, private label eyewear is often a logical and exciting step, allowing ECPs to flex their creative muscles, lean into the design world and connect with their patients in a new and unique way. Now, with the launch of a new program from
Frames Data, in conjunction with private label supplier
Your Brand Eyewear, that integration has become even more seamless. The new program offers practices the ability to display their private label frames from Your Brand Eyewear in an online gallery, but under a custom brand name that is exclusive to the practice. Previously, private label eyewear could only be displayed under the name Your Brand.
By Staff
Monday, November 6, 2023 8:25 AM
The team at Infocus Eyecare in Cordova, Tennessee, celebrated Halloween by dressing up as the “Barbie” movie cast—including the addition of optometrist Barbie.
Image via drerikacox on Instagram.
By Staff
Monday, November 6, 2023 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—In addition to ushering in the holiday season and bringing on the end of the year, November is also National Native American Heritage Month, a time set aside to “celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation,” as the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs
explained.
By Staff
Monday, November 6, 2023 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—Across the country, within many local communities and across the U.S., the
NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan and member-driven. Since its founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses and remains so today. The organization provides general advocacy on a range of issues impacting small and independent business from proposed legislation to utility and tax issues.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, October 19, 2023 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—On October 12, members of the optical community all around the world came together to celebrate World Sight Day. This year, according to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), and as
reported in
VMAIL, the 200+ member groups and companies’ efforts generated more than 13 million eye test pledges, well above the group’s target goal of 10 million for the day, which emphasized the Love Your Eyes at Work theme this year. And, of course, ECPs all around the world did their part, too, this World Sight Day. We’re taking a look at how some indies celebrated World Sight Day on social media, spreading the word to their followers everywhere.
By Staff
Thursday, October 19, 2023 8:25 AM
Tommasina Sideris, OD, of Eyes on Litchfield in Litchfield, Connecticut, showed off her patients’ entries to the db4k Design Duel.
Image via eyesonlitchfield on Instagram.
By Staff
Thursday, October 19, 2023 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—Fall is in full swing, Halloween is on the horizon, and there’s no better time than now to get into the cozy, autumnal spirit. From lighting your favorite pumpkin scented candle to decorating with orange leaves and green gourds, there are countless ways to bring Fall into your office space or onto your work social media accounts this year—and plenty of time left to do it. We’re taking inspiration from some indies who have already gotten started.
By Staff
Thursday, October 19, 2023 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—It’s coming up soon. This year’s Small Business Saturday will be taking place on Nov 25, 2023. Celebrating small businesses’ contributions to the community and economy, the special day has been observed each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Originally founded by American Express, the goal was to encourage people to support smaller independent businesses.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—
Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed from September 15 through October 15 every year, provides an opportunity for all Americans to celebrate Hispanic Americans who have made an impact on our country. Enacted into law on August 17, 1988, Hispanic Heritage Month’s 30-day span covers a number of important days for Hispanic Americans: September 15 is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. September 16 is Mexico’s independence day, while September 18 is Chile’s. Dia de la Raza is on October 12.
By Staff
Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:25 AM
Sydney Madrigal, OD, who practices at The Eye Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month on Instagram. She wrote, “Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich culture and contributions of Hispanics and Latinos."
By Staff
Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—Independents around the country are joining in the annual
Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign to support women who are impacted by the disease. Practices are showing their own individual support, participating in community activities, sharing their stories to support the search for a cure. Throughout the country, members of the optical community are doing their part to increase the number of breast cancer survivors worldwide. Many are encouraging purchases of an increasing number of eyewear and sunwear branded products that donate to the cause and supplementing patients’ commitment with their own donations.
The Independent Eye is showcasing just a few examples here.