This is the first time that there has been really any involvement with anybody outside of the family for 100 years because you do what's best for the business.
For me, I'm delighted that I've done it. My name is James Wheeldon, I obviously work at Wheeldon Opticians, I've worked in the business now for nearly 30 years.
A dispensing optician by trade-in with the patients but at the same time with three practices there's a lot of day-to-day running of the business.
I think Covid for me was an opportunity really to sort of reset the balance and to think about how it was going to change the market, the business, how we come out of it, how do we come out of it stronger?
That's when I sort of thought more about a longer-term business strategy. So I've got a friend outside of work who's an optometrist who had made the switch to the Hakim Group back in 2016 and I'd seen her occasionally and asked her how things had gone so it was always at the back of my mind.
Every one of our partners have enjoyed an attractive profit every year they have been with us.... and now we just can’t get rid of them! In fact many of them have invited their friends and family to join us too. If you would like to meet with one of them in person, we would be happy to make the intro!
Join Gavin Rebello as he shares his journey from optometry to empowering team members. Discover how he helps others reach their full potential.
Established in the heart of Knutsford, Cheshire, Wendy built a business from the ground up with patient care at the core of everything she does.