WRITER Melanie Kell

Optometrist Sally Stevens and dispenser Jasmine Walters worked together for four-and-a-half years in a busy Brisbane CBD practice. Never did they imagine that one day they would own a practice together.

Life can change in an instant.

And so it did for Ms Stevens when out of the blue, she was invited to buy the suburban practice in her home suburb of Ashgrove, Brisbane, on very appealing terms.

At the time, Ms Stevens was happily consulting in the CBD during the week and at the Ashgrove practice on weekends. She wasn’t even considering business ownership.

However, over coffee the following Monday, she casually asked her colleague, “You don’t want to buy a practice, do you?”.

Ms Walters saw the opportunity immediately. “We jumped in the deep end, and for the past five years, Eyecare Plus Ashgrove has gone from strength to strength,” she said.

A COMPLEMENTARY PARTNERSHIP

Between them, Ms Walters and Ms Stevens had the skills and expertise to build a business. Ms Walters brought small business experience from working with her husband, while Ms Stevens was already an experienced and highly respected optometrist.

Ms Stevens said these complementary skill sets, along with their contrasting personality types and deep professional respect made the idea not only possible – but exciting.

“I could never have imagined going into practice by myself. I had, and continue to have, so much respect for Jasmine’s business skills – from financial administration to marketing and stock management – all areas I would have found far too overwhelming.”

Ms Walters’ admiration for her business partner is equally as apparent.

“I have so much respect for Sally. I’m actually in awe of her clinical skill set. She’s an amazing person and our patients love her. I couldn’t imagine working with anyone better.”

Eyecare Plus Ashgrove.

A strong foundation of trust built during their CBD years also made the leap into ownership feel right.

“We already had such a solid trust base, so we were both confident we could do well in business,” Ms Walters said.

As well as acknowledging each other’s efforts, the business partners attribute their success in building a loyal patient base and achieving consistent year-on-year growth to the support of the Eyecare Plus network.

With 25 years’ experience supporting independent, locally owned practices, Eyecare Plus has provided them with marketing guidance, proven business systems, and a collaborative community of fellow owners who openly share strategies and ideas.

“We’ve had help and felt supported, and we’ve loved the process,” Ms Walters said.

DAY TO DAY

Prior to getting into business, both Ms Walters and Ms Stevens had been warned to choose business partners carefully – advice they now “appreciate more than ever”.

“It’s critical who you partner with, and we’re so well suited. I feel incredibly lucky to be in business with someone as capable as Sally,” Ms Walters said.

Sally Stevens (left) and Jasmin Walters.

Day to day, she oversees dispensing, operations, and business management, while Ms Stevens leads all aspects of clinical care.

“I’m the extrovert,” Ms Walters laughed. “Sally works best one-on-one in the consultation room. It works well.

“I focus on frame selection, administration, and finances, while Sally leads patient care and clinical investments.

“Our decisions are equally weighted, but we generally stay within our areas of expertise,” she said.

CHALK AND CHEESE

When asked about the difference between being an employee and an owner, Ms Walters didn’t hesitate.

“It’s like chalk and cheese. It’s so much better to be in control of your own destiny. We both feel it’s made us love the profession even more.”

From choosing frames, lenses, and equipment to uniforms and marketing, ownership has brought pride, autonomy, and meaningful financial reward.

“My family bought a new house last year – and there is no way we could have done that without this practice,” she said.

Just as importantly, their friendship remains as strong as ever, and both say they become more excited about the practice’s future each year.

They continue to credit the Eyecare Plus network for its role in their ongoing success.

“I don’t think we’ve hit our peak yet,” said Ms Walters. “There’s still room to grow and make the practice even more efficient.

“Eyecare Plus has been incredible. The other practice owners feel like family, always offering advice and ideas, and the national office has given us so much confidence.”

With retail such a critical element of business success, it’s easy to see why an optometrist / dispenser ownership model works so well, and Ms Walters and Ms Stevens are living proof.

This article is sponsored by Eyecare Plus.