- Words by Angela Cowan Photography by Don Denton
Licensed optician Laura Draycott had been managing and growing her unique eyewear boutique in Kelowna for six years when a chance encounter pushed her business in a new direction.
She met Dr. Tim Degelman at a 2018 fundraiser for Kelowna General Hospital, and quickly discovered they shared a lot of common ground.
B次元官网网址淗e had recently moved from Saskatchewan, and his wife is a chiropractor,B次元官网网址� says Laura, who was a practicing chiropractor herself years earlier. B次元官网网址淲e hit it off right away, and we had lots to talk about.B次元官网网址�
Tim was immediately interested in the boutique, and inquired whether Laura was looking for an optometrist to join the team. His suggestion instantly clicked for Laura, who seized the opportunity to provide absolute comprehensive care to her clients.
B次元官网网址淲e put a plan together, found a bigger space and joined forces to create a full-service optical shop with a glam-warehouse feel,B次元官网网址� she says.
Designs cover the gamut, with a huge variety of shapes, textures and colours to complement any face and satisfy any style. And combined with a truly impressive selection of eyewear, Wink i Wear Optometry now offers comprehensive eye exams with retinal imaging.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e a complete eye-care centre with a boutique flair,B次元官网网址� says Laura. B次元官网网址淓xams, contact lenses, eye emergencies, medical referralsB次元官网网址e offer it all, and weB次元官网网址檙e actively growing this aspect of the business.B次元官网网址�
Describing the inception of her business, Laura says, B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 been in optical for a while, and I thought IB次元官网网址檇 take a chance. I knew that there was some very fun, unique and creative eyewear out there, so I just took a giant gamble that the stylish folks in the Okanagan would be supportive.B次元官网网址�
The shop was so successful that Laura needed to bring on extra help by her second month, and many of those first customers have kept coming back over the years.
B次元官网网址淥ur clientele is amazing,B次元官网网址� she enthuses. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had customers IB次元官网网址檝e dealt with for eight years. ItB次元官网网址檚 been such a joy, and IB次元官网网址檝e met so many cool people!B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 never thought IB次元官网网址檇 be living here, and I never thought IB次元官网网址檇 be doing this,B次元官网网址� adds Laura, who moved to Kelowna from Alberta almost exactly a decade ago. B次元官网网址淎t the time, I just kept walking through doors.
B次元官网网址淚 couldnB次元官网网址檛 have done it without the support of my hubby, Stephen,B次元官网网址� she adds warmly. B次元官网网址淚 just kind of threw everything into the store and he said, B次元官网网址榊ouB次元官网网址檒l do great!B次元官网网址� HeB次元官网网址檚 been a big fan and a big support, and thatB次元官网网址檚 really mattered in making the business successful.B次元官网网址�
The 7 Sins
Envy:
Whose shoes would you like to walk in?
I think it would be interesting to walk my exact life, but as a man. IB次元官网网址檓 very curious as to how life would have turned out had I not had to deal with the challenges of being female. IB次元官网网址檇 like to imagine life without sexual harassment, misogyny, low wages, disrespect and ageism as I re-entered the workforce in my mid-40sB次元官网网址� Would I have been more confident in my choices? Would I have had more courage to put myself first? Would I have made more money? Would I have been encouraged to become a business leader instead of a cheerleader? ItB次元官网网址檚 an interesting thought experiment.
Gluttony:
What is the food you could eat over and over again?
Hawkins Cheezies, like a true Canadian!
Greed:
YouB次元官网网址檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?
Charter a private jet to England. Buy a convertible Aston Martin and drive around Southern Europe staying at 5-star hotels, eating at Michelin-star restaurants, drinking fabulous wine and seeing everything that France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Malta and Greece have to offer.
Wrath:
Pet peeves?
Poor-fitting eyeglasses and gross, dirty or green nose pads.
Sloth:
Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?
It is really hard for me to sit still for long periods of time. My idea of doing nothing is spending time with a good book, a cold drink and a lounge chair on a warm quiet beach.
Pride:
What is the one thing youB次元官网网址檙e secretly proud of?
I can still do a one-handed cartwheel.
Lust:
What makes your heart beat faster?
At my age, too much caffeineB次元官网网址ut nothing gets it going like a challenging game of Dr. Mario with my hubby!
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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