Entrepreneurial optician scoops international award

Helen Whitaker, International Optician of the Year 2021

Canadian optician, Helen Whitaker, has become the first woman to win the Silmo International Opticians Association (IOA) International Optician of the Year Award.

This innovative award, first given in 2018, recognises the importance of the optician in the optical business and their role in the choice of optimum products for their clientele.

Helen became an optician in 2011, and now runs Secure Vision Optical in British Columbia, Canada. Helen is also the founder of the Secure Vision Mobile Optical Academy.

Commenting on her professional role and business, Helen said: “Our area of expertise is in helping opticians become mobile to get more of the right kind of clients at will and on demand, securing their freedom and job security.

“My working week is never set in hours as I am always available to my clients. I found success in readily streamlining clients with booking individual time for dispensing and fitting. All extra repair work, adjustments or general contact is maintained daily to ensure that my clients receive immediate attention. If they need me, I am there.

“My ‘at home working time’ is spent on developing and marketing my business, as well with my students within the Secure Vision Mobile Optical Academy. This business model works as it has created opportunities for me to constantly strive to improve, to develop a vehicle of exemplary customer service that delivers true optical solutions for my clients.”

Beyond her work in her local area, Helen also supports Innovative Communities, particularly the Kenya Kawangware Initiatives, both sponsoring children and traveling to the community to host an eye clinic for the local learning centre.

Fiona Anderson, IOA president, said, “I am delighted Helen has been awarded this prestigious award. She embodies an optician whose patients are at the heart of all that she does in the beautiful province of British Columbia.

Elaine Grisdale (left) receives Helen’s award in her absence

“Helen’s business model shows entrepreneurship and a dedication to diversifying in order to not only deliver high quality optical services, but volunteer her time to charitable initiatives. A truly worthy winner, she deserves our hearty congratulations.”

Helen’s award was announced during the Silmo d’Or Awards party in Paris last weekend. Unable to be there in person, IOA director of development, Elaine Grisdale, received the award on Helen’s behalf from Silmo president, Amélie Morel.

As well as the prestigious award, Helen has won a trip for two to Silmo Paris 2022.

To find out more about the award, visit the IOA website.