In existence for seven years, the “Casa dos Óculos” in Setúbal, associate of Spanish company Cione, has a successful story in the city. Its founder, Sónia Ramos, explains in interview the secrets of someone who made it in the optics sector without a specialized base formation.
ÓpticaPro: Having concluded your formation in the pre-primary education area, how did you end up in the optics sector?
Sónia Ramos: It came up suddenly; I had never thought about it until I met people in the visual health area, who challenged me take training in optics because they thought I had a natural appetite for sales in this area. At first I rejected it, it had nothing in common with my area. At that time I was working as a teacher in a school here in Setúbal. I gave it a try, and after a year of training, I was able to conciliate my training area with this.
OP: You promptly decided to venture out with the opening of a venue…
SR: In 2006 I opened my first optical store in the Viso neighborhood, where no one wanted to go. It was called “Ótica Santa Luzia”, the patron saint of eyes with whom I have a deep connection for special reasons.
OP: Why did you decide, four years later, to change location and even the store’s name?
SR: Back then my costumers suggested that I centralize the project, with a new face, given that we’ve been in these facilities for seven years. I can say that I’ve always been somewhat popular around here and that helped. There was a need for change. As I already had an interesting costumer portfolio, I took a chance.
Learn more in ÓpticaPro 172.
