Rockstar Road Warriors: Optical Road Warriors: Inspiring Optical Career Transitions
Friday, January 17 2025 | 08 h 28 min | Practice Management
By Suzanne Sendel
In the dynamic world of optical careers, few stories are as inspiring as those of Gemma Gibb and Ruby Lauret. These dedicated professionals have navigated diverse paths, combining their unique skills and passions to make significant impacts in the eye care industry.
Gemma Gibb Persistent Pursuit of Her Passions
Meet Gemma Gibb, a passionate road warrior who studied nutrition to help others make healthy lifestyle choices. Upon graduation, Gemma joined Mead Johnson to fill a maternity position, calling on pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and doctors.
After completing her contract, Gemma joined PepsiCo, traveling to various indigenous
communities. However, she found it challenging to sell products that didn’t align with her core values due to her nutritional background. “Educating others is the most significant component in selling your products well,” stresses Gemma.
At 31, Gemma decided to return to school and enrolled in a sales and marketing program at Red River College in Winnipeg. This certified her with the Canadian Professional Sales Association, broadening her skills.
In 2016, a headhunter who believed Gemma would be a great fit for an optical career introduced her to Nikon, which subsequently offered her a position traveling across Western Canada, developing relationships with eye care professionals. After three years in Vancouver, corporate restructuring cost her job, but her passion for the industry remained unwavering.
Gemma was invited to an interview with The Optical Group. With Ruth Priebe at the helm, Gemma felt an immediate connection to her future mentor and TOG’s values. Gemma joined The Optical Group in 2022 and hasn’t looked back. In her optical career, she covers Western Canada, representing her customers and prospecting for new accounts. “We support our accounts to best grow their business through utilizing our services, including training, vendor discounts, and partnering with RBC for premium business insurance,” Gemma explains.
The Optical Group also offers scholarships to future eye care professionals and constantly seeks ways to support and engage its customers. Despite extensive travel, inclement weather, and canceled flights, Gemma navigates her challenges with a bright smile and fresh perspective, continuing to serve her customers.
In her free time, Gemma enjoys cooking, creating nutritional recipes, and spending time in nature, hiking with her canine companion.
Ruby Lauret: An Optical Career Odyssey from Australia to Canada
The combination of creativity and science inspires many to pursue an optical career. Our Rockstar Road Warrior in BC, Ruby Lauret, embodies these qualities as she travels the globe to support eye care and craftsmanship.
Ruby grew up in Australia and began practicing opticianry in 2012, starting as a receptionist at a private practice. Moving to BC in 2019, she worked in various Vancouver clinics while also pursuing an acting career.
Working with children who needed strong prescriptions and had severe conditions helped best position her. Despite initial hesitation, Ruby moved to HOYA, valuing their integrity and transparency. She found joy and fulfillment in her new role, sharing her skills and expertise with eye care professionals, traveling four days a week, covering Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Pemberton, northern BC, Prince George, and the Yukon.
With mentors, coaches, and trainers, Ruby enjoyed HOYA‘s support in developing her customer base, building trust, and connecting with others. The team-oriented environment, similar to her acting roles, fueled her transition.
HOYA’s innovative products, leadership in myopia control, and hands-off management
allowed Ruby to develop a special interest in dry eye and vision therapy. In her role she gets
to support VT clinics through HOYA’s Vision Therapy program. Though she occasionally attends casting calls, Ruby primarily focuses on making a significant impact in the optical industry. Ruby’s hobbies include mini golf, acting, exploring the outdoors, and discovering more of what Western Canada offers.
Gemma Gibb and Ruby Lauret are shining examples of dedication and passion within optical careers. Their journeys, marked by resilience, adaptability, and a genuine desire to help others, serve as an inspiration to all continuing to make meaningful contributions, ensuring a brighter future for eye care professionals and their patients.
Suzanne Sendel is an optical distributor who left the world of interior design and architectural sales management by falling in love with a pair of hand painted glasses, 10 years ago. Through her travels, Suzanne has inspired many with her independent collections, and her passion for optical fashion, and in sharing her stories and the many sales teams of “Road Warriors“, who have inspired the optical industry. Through her lens, Suzanne will share their journey and what has made them an integral part of the success of our industry. Reach her at suzannesendel@gmail.com.
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