In honour of Entrepreneurs’ Day, celebrated on September 5th in Finland, optical retail chain Specsavers wants to highlight the diverse expertise of entrepreneurs in the optical sector. Entrepreneurs in the sector are healthcare professionals, customer service experts and business builders at the same time. At the heart of Specsavers’ operating model are local entrepreneurs and their professional expertise in promoting eye health in Finland.
Entrepreneurship in the optical sector is about much more than selling glasses. It is about helping people see better, taking care of eye health, serving customers and building trust, as well as developing one’s own business. It is precisely this combination that makes the sector a unique environment for entrepreneurs.
Local healthcare professionals
Entrepreneurs in the optical sector play an important role in supporting vision care and eye health in Finland. Many Specsavers entrepreneurs are licensed opticians or optometrists who lead multidisciplinary teams and ensure that customers have access to high-quality eye examinations and assessments of eye health close to home.
An eye examination is about much more than determining the prescription for glasses. Regular eye examinations play an important role in monitoring vision and eye health. Local entrepreneurs make vision care services easily accessible to customers across Finland.
“Our entrepreneurs are experts in their field who understand both eye health and the customers in their local area. They build trusted customer relationships that often last for years, while also playing an important role in local healthcare,” says Mikko Arosilta, Chief Operating Officer at Specsavers.
A model that supports building and growing a business
In Finland, Specsavers stores are run by local entrepreneurs who understand the needs of customers in their area and their preferences when it comes to eyewear. Entrepreneurs operate under a franchise or joint venture model, giving them access to the expertise and support of the entire chain.
“Our model is based on an effective division of responsibilities. The chain is responsible, among other things, for developing the product range and brand, and supports entrepreneurs with areas such as financial administration and information systems. This allows local entrepreneurs to focus on their core expertise: creating an excellent customer experience, taking care of eye health and leading a multidisciplinary team,” Arosilta says.
The model also gives entrepreneurs a genuine opportunity to build and grow their own business. The support provided by the chain and the shared business risk create a more secure foundation for entrepreneurship, while allowing entrepreneurs to focus on developing and growing their store without having to build everything from scratch on their own. This makes entrepreneurship a viable option both for experienced entrepreneurs and for optical sector professionals considering the next step in their careers.
“We want to thank Finnish entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs in the optical sector create local jobs, develop their own businesses and, at the same time, play an important role in promoting eye health in Finland,” Arosilta continues.
About Specsavers
- Specsavers has operated in Finland since 2007.
- Almost 50 Specsavers stores in Finland are run by local entrepreneurs.
- Specsavers has been ranked among the top five in the Great Place to Work survey on several occasions.
