The Optician Show - Optical Business & Marketing Podcast

Garry Kousoulou FBDO
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The Optician Show is the podcast for opticians, optometrists, and optical practice owners who want to grow. Hosted by Garry Kousoulou FBDO, this show explores marketing, patient experience, and business growth in optics. Learn how to increase footfall, improve conversions, and build a premium optical practice — without competing on price. Each episode features real-world strategies, expert insights, and conversations with leading figures in the optical industry. Topics include: * Social media for opticians * Google Business Profile & local SEO * Optical retail strategy * Patient experie

  1. APR 20

    The international footballer who made me a better optician.

    Yesterday at church, I got talking to a dad whose son plays international football. He told me they measure body fat. Overeat? You get fined. That level of precision doesn't exist in amateur football. But it's what elite looks like. So I started asking myself — what does elite look like for an optician? Here are two things I saw this week that cost nothing but make everything: 👁️ Sit at eye level with your patient.Tiny. Takes zero effort. Feels completely different to the person in the chair. 🤝 Open the door.Literally. Open the door. And then there was the moment that really got me. A Muslim lady came in wearing a hijab. Cartier frames that wouldn't adjust properly. Previous practices had tried and failed — probably too nervous to ask the right questions. We pulled in a female colleague, took her to a private room, looked properly behind her ear, and sorted it. Her response? "In all the years I've worn glasses, no one has ever done that." Her friend — sitting right there — booked an appointment on the spot. We got a Google review too. No extra budget. No new equipment. Just not being mediocre. Here's the thing about mediocrity — you don't always know you're in it. It becomes a habit. And you see it slowly in your turnover, your staff retention, your customer numbers. Marginal gains are free. Being outstanding costs almost nothing more than being average. What's your version of opening the door? #Optometry #CustomerService #MarginalGains #BusinessGrowth #Opticians

    3 min

  2. APR 15

    From Average to Elite in Optical Labs | Kate Child on Lenses, Service & Standing Out

    🎙️ The Optician Show — Extended Episode Description: From Average to Elite: What Exceptional Labs Do Differently | With Kate Child This episode is a powerful reminder of something many in optics forget: The difference between average and elite isn’t clinical skill — it’s experience, communication, and courage. In this conversation, I sit down with Kate Child, Commercial Director at Optimum Lenses, and what unfolds is not just a discussion about lenses — it’s a masterclass in customer service, positioning, team culture, and what truly drives growth in independent optical practices. Kate didn’t come from optics.She didn’t grow up in labs.She didn’t spend 20 years learning lens theory. And yet — she’s built influence, recognition, and trust in one of the most technical industries there is. Why? Because she understands something fundamental: “Wherever I’ve worked, the customer’s really important… not everybody wants to buy the same thing.” This episode is really about one thing: How do you move from average to elite as an optician? Not average: Selling one pairBasic NHS dispensingTransactional servicePlaying it safeLetting patients walk out with unmet needsBut elite: Multiple-pair conversationsLifestyle-based dispensingConfident recommendationsEmotional connectionMemorable experiencesAnd what becomes clear in this episode is: Elite practices don’t do more work — they do better thinking. 🚀 The Core Theme: From Average to Elite

    32 min

  3. APR 11

    Nearly Quit Optometry. Now He's Redefining It." — Anthony Josephson

    Here's a podcast description with pull quotes drawn directly from the transcript: He Nearly Quit Optometry. Now He's Redefining It. — Anthony Josephson | The Optician Show This week's episode is one you won't forget. Anthony Josephson is an optometrist based in Altrincham, South Manchester. On paper, he runs a premium, technology-first independent practice specialising in complex contact lenses, dry eye, myopia control and advanced imaging. In reality, he's one of the most honest, deeply human and quietly extraordinary clinicians working in optics today. In this conversation, Anthony takes us from a childhood lazy eye and a Crohn's diagnosis at 15 through a Master's in Optometry, a pre-reg at the legendary BBR Opticians, solo practice ownership – and the period that nearly broke him entirely. 💬 Quotes from the episode: "When you're 15 with a nasogastric tube in and your mum's coming to school to feed you a couple of times a day, you start to see the world a little bit differently." "I turned from a relatively introverted person to somebody who just went — sod what you guys think, I'm doing what I want. But never in an angry or aggressive way." "Covid destroyed me. The ongoings of 2020 and 2021 absolutely crippled me." "All the good stuff was being massively outdone by a few small bad things. I was ready to throw in the towel." "The passion is not only rekindled — it's better than it was." "My patients are on the whole an extension of my family. If one of them is devastated by something, I'm devastated for them." "Life is too short and the world is too miserable to be doing anything that you don't enjoy." "AI will take over a huge chunk of the profession. But what it won't do is take on the specific individual personalities that we as clinicians can give to our patients." In this episode we cover: Growing up with amblyopia and how lived experience shapes clinical empathyWhy he nearly chose animation over optometryTraining under Nick Rumley at BBR — the experience that lit the fireThe brutal reality of Covid, furlough, and a two year employment tribunalHow joining the Hakeem Group saved his career and rekindled his passionComplex contact lenses, dry eye clinics, OCT and myopia controlThe technology he's excited about right now — including Dr Noon's cardiovascular screeningWhy independents in the middle of the market are disappearing — and what that means for the futureThe role of human connection in a world increasingly s

    52 min

  4. APR 1

    How Great Practices Grow: Ian Cameron on Leadership, Clinics and Culture

    How Great Practices Grow: Ian Cameron on Leadership, Clinics and Culture What does it really take to build a practice that grows, evolves and thrives without being dependent on the owner every minute of the day? In this episode, Garry Kousoulou sits down with Ian Cameron for a powerful conversation about what separates good practices from truly great ones. From leadership and staff empowerment to specialist clinics, culture, innovation and the future of independent optometry, this is a masterclass in how to build a business that is both clinically excellent and commercially strong. Ian shares what a real working week looks like when you are balancing family life, leadership and strategy, and explains why taking time out of clinic is often the very thing that allows a practice to move forward. As Ian puts it: “If you’re working five or six clinical days in the practice, you will never develop your practice.” This episode is packed with practical wisdom for optometrists, dispensing opticians and practice owners who want to stop simply “treading water” and start creating a business with momentum, purpose and direction. You’ll hear an honest discussion around culture, team development, conversion, specialist clinics, dry eye, myopia management, leadership and why independent practices must move in a different direction from the multiples. Ian also shares one of the most important truths in practice building: “The culture that you create internally is the culture that your patients will walk into.” Garry brings his trademark energy to the conversation, drawing out the golden nuggets that can genuinely transform the way a practice thinks and operates. Together, they explore why marginal gains matter, why specialist services are the future, and why practices must innovate if they want to remain relevant. Another standout quote from Ian: “If you want a culture of warmth and friendliness, then you’ve got to create that internally.” And perhaps the biggest takeaway of all: “Don’t just be another practice on the high street doing the same stuff.” This is a conversation about leadership, legacy, innovation and building an optical practice that is fit for the future. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why leadership starts with cultureHow to create a practice that runs smoothly without constant owner involvementWhy specialist clinics are a major growth opportunityHow to think differently about conversion and patient experienceWhat independent practices must do to stand out in the years ahead

    35 min

  5. MAR 30

    “Marginal Gains, Massive Results: The Collection Call Strategy

    Marginal Gains, Massive Results: The Collection Call Strategy | Social Media for Opticians { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "PodcastEpisode", "name": "Marginal Gains, Massive Results: The Collection Call Strategy", "headline": "Marginal Gains, Massive Results: The Collection Call Strategy", "description": "In this solo episode, Garry Kousoulou explains how one simple phone call can transform patient experience, reduce buyer's remorse, increase collections, and generate referrals in optical practice. A practical episode packed with tips, hints, and commercial insight for opticians.", "datePublished": "2026-03-30", "dateModified": "2026-03-30", "keywords": [ "social media for opticians", "optician marketing tips", "optical practice growth", "patient communication", "collection call strategy", "optician podcast", "optometry business strategy" ], "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Garry Kousoulou", "jobTitle": "Dispensing Optician", "description": "Dispensing Optician, Founder of Loving Social Media, Marketing Strategist", "worksFor": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Loving Social Media" } }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Loving Social Media", "url": "https://lovingsocialmedia.com" }, "isPartOf": { "@type": "PodcastSeries", "name": "The Optician Podcast" }, "about": [ { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Social Media for Opticians" }, { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Optician Marketing" }, { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Patient Communication" } ], "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://lovingsocialmedia.com/" } } The Optician Podcast Marginal Gains, Massive Results: The Collection Call Strategy By Garry Kousoulou | Social Media for Opticians | Optical Practice Growth What if one simple phone call could increase collections, reduce cancellations, and generate referrals before a patient even walks through your door? In this solo episode, Garry Kousoulou breaks down one of the most overlooked commercial strategies in optics: the collection call. This episode is packed with practical insight for practice owners, opticians, optometrists, and anyone interested in social media for opticians, better patient communication, and sustainable business growth. Key Quotes from the Episode “If the patient is calling you to ask where their glasses are… you’ve already failed.” “When you call a patient and say their glasses look amazing, that builds anticipation.” “Email is cold. The open rate is terrible. A phone call is where the magic happens.” “People start recommending you before they’ve even collected their glasses.” “This might seem small, but marginal gains make a massive difference.” What This Episode Covers Why calling patients matters more than most opticians realise How to reduce buyer’s remorse before collection Why text, WhatsApp, and phone calls work differently by age group How stronger collections can lead to more referrals Why communication is a growth strategy, not just admin Why This Matters for Optical Growth In a world where patients are used to Amazon updates, Uber notifications, and instant communication, optical practices cannot afford to be passive. A collection call is not just about saying glasses are ready. It is about building trust, reducing hesitation, increasing excitement, and making the patient feel seen. These are the kinds of practical ideas that sit at the heart of modern social media for opticians and optical marketing: the small details that create a better experience and a stronger business. Who Should Listen? This episode is ideal for: Opticians Optometrists Dispensing opticians Practice owners Optical teams wanting better patient communication Anyone interested in social media for opticians and commercial growth Garry Kousoulou is a Dispensing Optician and founder of Loving Social Media, sharing ideas on patient experience, communication, growth, and social media for opticians.

    6 min

  6. MAR 24

    The Optician Who Sees What Others Don’t

    Podcast Description What happens when optics stops being clinical… and becomes creative? In this episode, Garry Kousoulou sits down with second-generation optician Nicos Antoniades to explore what it really takes to stand out in today’s optical world—and why most practices are still playing it safe. From his family’s early beginnings—working long hours in restaurants and warehouses—to building The Optical Gallery into one of the most distinctive practices in the UK, Nicos shares a story rooted in grit, vision, and bold thinking. But this isn’t just a story about optics.It’s a story about transformation. “We’re not just selling frames… we’re creating an experience.” – Nicos Antoniades Together, Garry and Nicos break down the difference between simply dispensing glasses and delivering something far more powerful—an immersive, personalised journey where patients feel understood, guided, and inspired. “You’re not a form filler. You become an expert—and that’s where everything changes.” – Garry Kousoulou This conversation goes deep into what makes a modern optician truly exceptional: Creating a gallery-style environment that elevates perception and valueBuilding genuine relationships that turn patients into lifelong advocatesUsing creativity and storytelling to differentiate beyond priceBringing passion back into dispensingNicos also shares how his background in music, videography, and marketing shaped his approach—giving him a unique edge in showcasing optics through content, social media, and YouTube. “I didn’t set out to be an influencer. I just wanted to show what’s possible in optics.” – Nicos Antoniades From bespoke lens “cocktails” to curated eyewear collections, this episode reveals what happens when you stop following the industry—and start leading it. “You can’t fake what you’ve got. True talent just shows.” – Garry Kousoulou If you’re an optician, business owner, or someone looking to create something truly different, this episode will challenge how you think about your role—and what’s possible. Because the future of optics doesn’t belong to those who compete on price. It belongs to those who create an experience people never forget.

    32 min

  7. MAR 17

    Smart Eyewear, Myopia, Colour & the Next Wave in Optics

    What does the future of optics really look like? In this powerful episode of The Optician Podcast, Garry Kousoulou sits down with one of the most respected and recognisable figures in the global optical industry — David Friedfeld. From leading a multi-generational family business to driving innovation in 3D printing, smart eyewear, and software development, David brings decades of experience, insight, and forward-thinking perspective to the table. This is not just a conversation — it’s a deep dive into where the industry is heading and what opticians must do right now to stay relevant. Together, Garry and David explore the major shifts happening across the optical world. From the rise of AI in eyecare and the explosion of dry eye services, to the growing importance of myopia management, mobile opticianry, and diagnostic-led practices, this episode uncovers the real opportunities — and the real risks. One key theme stands out throughout: differentiation. In a world where many practices are starting to look the same, standing out has never been more important. Whether it’s through bold frame selection, embracing colour, adopting new technology, or rethinking the patient journey, this episode challenges optical professionals to think differently. David shares practical insights on: Why most frame boards fail to capture attention How colour and design can transform retail performance The real role of sales reps as educators The future of smart glasses and wearable tech Why 3D printing is exciting — but still evolving How optical practices can become centres for broader health diagnostics You’ll also hear the personal story behind David’s journey — how he entered the family business, grew it into a global name, and why curiosity, consistency, and investing in people remain at the heart of long-term success. This episode is packed with energy, honesty, and actionable insight. If you’re an optician, practice owner, or part of the optical industry, this is your opportunity to step back, rethink your approach, and get inspired by what’s coming next. Because the future of optics isn’t just about seeing better. It’s about thinking differently.

    57 min

  8. MAR 12

    The World-Class Optician Mindset: Frames, Fashion and Human Connection

    Social Media for Opticians: The Rise of the Mobile Bespoke Optician This episode of The Optician Show is a little different. It’s the first time I’ve sat down with an optician from Canada, and it turns out that although there are thousands of miles between London and Alberta, the fundamentals of our profession are exactly the same. Reputation matters. Trust matters. And the best opticians in the world still build their businesses one relationship at a time. My guest in this episode is Kim Jurina, a mobile bespoke optician who was recently a finalist for one of the biggest honours in global optical. Her approach is fascinating. Instead of waiting for clients to walk into a traditional optical practice, Kim goes to them. She visits their homes, their offices, even cafés and wine bars. She studies their face shape, their wardrobe, their colours and their lifestyle before recommending frames. It’s a very personal way of working. And listening to Kim talk about it took me straight back to the early days of my own career, when I was travelling from practice to practice and sometimes helping people in their homes. Long before social media, long before Google reviews, and long before anyone talked about digital marketing. Back then the only way to build a reputation was simple: show up, do a great job, and treat people well. That principle hasn’t changed. What has changed is how quickly that reputation can spread. During our conversation we talk about everything from frame styling and lens technology to mindset, communication and the little details that make a great optician stand out. We also talk about the role that digital visibility now plays in the profession. Today an optician can share knowledge online, build trust through reviews, and reach people far beyond their local high street. But the heart of the profession is still the same. As Kim says during the episode, “It’s not about sales — it’s about relationships.” That line stayed with me. Because the truth is that the best opticians don’t just sell glasses. They change how people see the world and how the world sees them. This conversation is about craftsmanship, reputation and the future of independent optical. And if you love this profession as much as I do, I think you’ll enjoy every minute of it.

    38 min
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About

The Optician Show is the podcast for opticians, optometrists, and optical practice owners who want to grow. Hosted by Garry Kousoulou FBDO, this show explores marketing, patient experience, and business growth in optics. Learn how to increase footfall, improve conversions, and build a premium optical practice — without competing on price. Each episode features real-world strategies, expert insights, and conversations with leading figures in the optical industry. Topics include: * Social media for opticians * Google Business Profile & local SEO * Optical retail strategy * Patient experie

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