From school leaver to store manager: Ashton optician’s 20-year journey celebrates the power of women in optics

Lois, 37, joined Specsavers straight from high school and has spent more than 20 years building a remarkable career in optics, progressing from lab technician to store manager and qualified dispensing optician.

Following International Women’s Day, she shared her story to inspire other women to consider the opportunities the field can offer.

As a child, Lois found visits to the opticians fascinating. That curiosity stayed with her and, when she joined Specsavers in her teens, the company invested in her every step of the way.

"I feel incredibly fortunate that I came straight from high school and I’ve been supported in my training all the way," she said. "The directors saw the potential in me."

Starting out as a lab technician with little confidence to speak to customers, Lois grew into the role of optical assistant, before being funded through the Dispensing Opticians course and subsequently the Contact Lens Opticians course.

"To be given those opportunities and to come away with those qualifications, without the student debt, you can’t underestimate that," she reflected.

Two moments stand out as career highlights: qualifying as a contact lens optician, a hard won achievement she is immensely proud of, and being promoted to store manager at the new locally owned and run Ashton-in-Makerfield store. "Being asked made me feel very valued," she said.

Outside of work, it is her mother who has been her greatest inspiration. "I definitely get my work ethic from her," Lois said.

"She works in care and takes great pride in it, caring for her residents as if they are her family. I try to do the same, make sure my customers go away having had the best experience possible and receiving the same quality of advice as I would give to a family member."

This philosophy shapes how Lois leads her team and manages her store. She is passionate about creating a welcoming environment and ensuring every visit is a positive one, values which she hopes to pass on to the next generation of women entering the profession.

On recognising women in the workplace, Lois believes visibility matters: "Recognition of women’s value in the workplace is vital to empower women to pursue their careers, whether that be in leadership or clinical roles, thus ensuring that younger women know they are free to pursue their potential"’

Her advice to women thinking about a career in optics is both practical and encouraging.

She said: "It’s definitely worth it. You can take your career as far as you want to. Every day is different. You will continually learn and each customer is unique. You will face challenges but when you get to help someone and can see the impact it has on them, it’s priceless."