Holly Dare
Peoria
Summary
Dynamic optical management professional with extensive experience supervising daily operations and enhancing team productivity. Proven track record in training staff to provide exceptional customer service and tailored eyewear solutions, ensuring customer satisfaction and operational excellence.
Overview
1
1
Certification
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Licensed Optical Supervisor
VisionWorks
Phoenix
01.2022 - Current
- Supervised associates in daily operations, enhancing productivity and ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Trained associates on retail and optical procedures; evaluated, rewarded, and disciplined associates.
- Guided customers in selecting eyeglass frames and lenses, providing tailored advice on styles and fit based on facial features and optical prescriptions.
- Took frame and facial measurements to ensure correct fit and positioning.
- Checked lenses on delivery to ensure that they met the required specifications, managed finishing lab to produce high quality eyewear.
- Selected, managed and ordered a range of optical products.
- Instructed patients on contact lens insertion, removal, and care.
Licensed Optician
Pearle Vision
Phoenix
05.2021 - 12.2021
- Assisted customers in selecting eyewear and lenses based on individual needs.
- Provided expert fitting and adjustments for frames to ensure proper comfort.
- Educated clients on lens options, coatings, and proper care techniques.
- Collaborated with team members to enhance customer service initiatives.
- Resolved customer inquiries and concerns with professionalism and empathy.
- Educated patients about contact lens hygiene practices, including proper insertion and removal techniques.
Licensed Optical Manager
Luxoticca
Raleigh and PHX
10.2013 - 01.2021
- Managed daily optical operations and staff scheduling for efficient workflow.
- Trained and mentored team members on customer service and product knowledge.
- Collaborated with sales teams to align on promotions and marketing initiatives.
- Facilitated communication between departments to streamline operational processes.
- Provided customers with professional advice on frame selection, lens materials, and contact lenses.
- Documented customer prescriptions, wrote detailed work orders and collected payments to facilitate smooth appointments.
Licensed Optician
ProVision
Roanoke Rapids
10.2012 - 10.2013
- Utilized diagnostic instruments such as auto refractors and keratometers to provide accurate prescription information.
- Diagnosed vision problems by performing tests such as visual acuity screenings and retinoscopy.
- Pretested patients prior to optometrist examination assessing pressures, visual acuities and autorefraction.
- Assisted customers in selecting the most suitable eyewear based on individual lifestyle needs.
- Assisted customers in selecting eyewear and lenses based on individual needs.
- Resolved customer inquiries and concerns with professionalism and empathy.
- Maintained inventory of eyewear and managed stock levels effectively.
Owner/Self Employed
Holly’s Household Services
Cooperstown
09.2010 - 10.2012
- Performed cleaning, seasonal cleanup, garden maintenance, painting, power washing, meal prep, provisioning, and catering.
First Mate, Chef, Stew
Osiana Yacht
Nassau
01.2010 - 09.2010
- Managed interior operations, including service, table setting, bartending, housekeeping, and provisioning.
- Ensured cleanliness and sanitation standards throughout yacht, contributing to guest satisfaction.
- Handled fenders and lines, performed wash downs, maintained watch, and operated tender.
Licensed Optician
Pearle Vision
Albany
07.2008 - 12.2009
- Sold and recommended eyewear products, merchandise and services in retail and clinical settings in order to drive company revenue and meet customer needs.
- Educated clients on lens options, coatings, and proper care techniques.
- Operated optical equipment for lens measurement and prescription verification.
- Performed lens edging, tinting, and coating processes according to prescriptions.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations related to optical equipment use.
- Collaborated with team members to enhance customer service initiatives.
- Sourced specialized lenses from external suppliers.
- Wrote up work orders for grinding lenses and assembling eyeglasses.
District Manager, Licensed Optician
Walmart
Central / Southern NY
01.2005 - 05.2008
- Managed budgets, projected sales, and evaluated financial performance, driving district profitability.
- Plan, supervise, and evaluate operations, merchandise, and financial areas within 9 to 14 stores in New York State, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire to ensure maximum sales growth and profitability.
- Conducted multi-unit interviewing, hiring, training, and coaching for over 60 managers and associates, enhancing sales standards and customer service.
- Ensured a professional and licensed environment by implementing strict compliance measures and regular inspections.
- Built and nurtured relationships with doctors, sales representatives, and potential recruits, expanding business opportunities.
- Honored as District Manager of the Year in 2001 for outstanding leadership and operational excellence.
District Manager, Licensed Store Manager, TSM
National Vision
NY and New England States
02.1994 - 08.2004
- Provided ongoing coaching and training for store managers on how to maximize productivity and profits.
- Oversaw budget management to control expenses and maximize profitability in the district.
- Analyzed financial data for each store in the district to identify areas of improvement or growth potentials.
- Conducted regular store visits to verify compliance with company policies and standards, enhancing operational integrity.
- Design, develop and implement operational plans, merchandising programs and sales strategies that refine operations.
- Performed forecasting and strategic planning to identify operational strengths and deficiencies, guiding decision-making.
- Hired to develop, implement, and maintain companywide training program.
- Generated reports and analyses documenting operational status and program effectiveness to inform strategic initiatives.
Optician
Lenscrafters
Manchester
08.1992 - 12.1993
- Sold and recommended eyewear products, merchandise and services in retail and clinical settings in order to drive company revenue and meet customer needs.
- Assisted customers with selecting frames and lenses that best suited their needs.
- Provided information on lens types, frame styles and materials, lens coatings, and accessories.
- Collected customer measurements such as bridge, eye size, temple length, seg heights, vertex distance, pupillary distance and pantoscopic tilt.
Licensed Optician Manager
Empire Vision
Albany
07.1986 - 07.1992
- Managed daily operations and staff schedules for a busy optical retail environment.
- Supervised and contributed to training student opticians.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff to discuss progress and identify areas of improvement.
- Provided accurate measurements and fittings for customer eyeglasses.
- Communicated effectively with customers regarding their specific needs and preferences.
- Performed lens edging, tinting, and coating processes according to prescriptions.
- Inspected finished eyeglasses to conform to company's quality check process and verified proper fit to customer satisfaction.
- Wrote up work orders for grinding lenses and assembling eyeglasses.
Education
High School Diploma -
RCS
Ravena, NY06-1982
Skills
- Licensed by NY opticians
- Licensed by AZ opticians
- Sales management
- Sales techniques
- Customer evaluations
- Retail metrics analysis
- Operational optimization
- Team performance training
- Team collaboration
- Conflict resolution
- Product expertise
- Time management
- Task prioritization
- Adaptability
- Interpersonal communication
- Reliability
Certification
- AZ Ophthalmic Dispensing License
- NYS Ophthalmic Dispensing License
- ABO Certification
- NCLE Certification
- MOHR Learning for Retail Management
- Basic Boating and Seamanship certified
- Naui Open Water I Scuba Diver
- Certificate in Travel and Tourism – Wilma Boyd Career Schools
Accomplishments
- 2001 District Manager of the year - selected from 45 DM's nationwide
- DM Assessment Review Board -designed and implemented the DM Competency Model for National Vision
- Trained and Mentored 6 new District Managers
- Presenter at National and Regional level seminars
- Advisory Committee -one of six selected from 400 associates nationwide
Timeline
Licensed Optical Supervisor
VisionWorks
01.2022 - Current
Licensed Optician
Pearle Vision
05.2021 - 12.2021
Licensed Optical Manager
Luxoticca
10.2013 - 01.2021
Licensed Optician
ProVision
10.2012 - 10.2013
Owner/Self Employed
Holly’s Household Services
09.2010 - 10.2012
First Mate, Chef, Stew
Osiana Yacht
01.2010 - 09.2010
Licensed Optician
Pearle Vision
07.2008 - 12.2009
District Manager, Licensed Optician
Walmart
01.2005 - 05.2008
District Manager, Licensed Store Manager, TSM
National Vision
02.1994 - 08.2004
Optician
Lenscrafters
08.1992 - 12.1993
Licensed Optician Manager
Empire Vision
07.1986 - 07.1992
High School Diploma -
RCS