A few weeks ago, I took my parents to see the stage version of The Sound of Music in Chichester. This is not necessarily my thing, but it has become something of a tradition now that, each Christmas, we look at what is coming along at the local theatres and book a day out in the summer. For those within driving distance of Chichester, I would thoroughly recommend paying the Festival Theatre a visit. You may be wondering what this has got to do with optics but please bear with me.
There are three reasons why I mention this. The first is that this is my final column as Mentoris and so, after today, it is indeed ‘so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye!’ from me as Optician shakes things up and brings in another columnist for your enjoyment.
I would like to thank Simon Jones, Mike Hale, and Chris Bennett at Optician for giving me the opportunity to speak with you each month over the past three-and-a-half years. This was my first regular magazine column and something I have immensely enjoyed doing.
I would also like to thank you for reading the column and thank the people who have messaged me with their thoughts and opinions on what I have written over the past couple of years.
Many of the musings were pertinent to the time, however, a quick Google of ‘Optician Mentoris’ will quickly link you to the online version of the magazine where you can find all 41 columns.
The second reason is that, pertinent to the storyline of The Sound of Music, sometimes we do need to come clean as to who we really are. David Samuel is my name. I have been privileged to have been part of the optical community since leaving school in 1984. Firstly, as a dispensing optician, then as a contact lens optician, and then, having been fortunate enough to study business, as a practice owner with an amazing bunch of people at Eyesite.
In the past four years, I have turned my hand to helping others through mentoring, coaching and training, as well as chairing several peer-to-peer practice owners’ groups through the fantastic SightCare Premium programme.
I will continue to work in the profession as a business coach for individual owners and their teams. You can contact me at david@davidsamuelcoaching.com. You will also find my website at davidsamuelcoaching.com, where you can book in for us to have a chat and see if I might be able to help you overcome some of your challenges or find new opportunities for your business.
The third and final reason why The Sound of Music is relevant to this month’s column is that, for me, the main message from the musical is to believe in yourself. ‘I’ve always longed for adventure, to do the things I’ve never dared. And here I am facing adventure – then why am I so scared?’ sang Maria as she danced around the stage in the Von Trapp residence.
Over the past 40 years, there have been times when our profession has feared the changes heading its way. Many independents were eager to go for it and set up on their own, yet at the same time scared of what might happen if it all went wrong. Over recent years, I have had the privilege of working with some of those practitioners who, like me, took the plunge and opened their own practices.
One thing they all have in common is an unerring belief in themselves and that they can succeed. We hear continually that the independent sector is shrinking and, while I will leave others to pontificate on what independent really means, what I see now are enthusiastic, entrepreneurial optometrists and dispensing opticians keen to give business ownership a go.
As the adage goes, the speed of change going forward will only increase. There is, in my view, always room for the younger business owners and entrepreneurs to pick up the future of our profession and shape it for the benefit of those requiring eye care assistance in all its guises.
I will be hanging around for a few years yet to help where I can, particularly helping to develop, mentor and coach those who are up for running their own businesses and I look forward to seeing you around the professions as we move forward.
So, for the final time, farewell and thank you.