With a 25-year career in the optical sector, Bruno Dias recently created BD Óptico Especializado, a project he describes as “the right project at the right time,” born from “the desire to be different and not become complacent, from the desire to evolve and improve.” Our interviewee adds that the company values “tradition and the language of the optical sector in Portugal, investing in technical training as well as innovative image consultancy specialized in optics and visagism.”
How was BD Óptico Especializado created?
It was born out of the desire to be different and not become complacent in my space or my position. From the desire to evolve and improve, and from the introspection I have been doing over recent years, trying to understand where the optical market is heading and how we can differentiate ourselves along that path. I believe this is the right project at the right time, at a moment when the entire optical sector is undergoing significant transformation. I also believe this is the right time to bring my experience to the market — my entire 25 years of know-how — and, with that, help teams evolve and grow.
After 25 years of experience in several companies in the optical sector, what led you to consultancy?
I was involved in technical training at a Japanese multinational ophthalmic lens company for 13 years, which, in reality, already functioned as a form of technical consultancy. Through these training processes, relationships of trust were established between myself and the teams, which meant that whenever technical questions arose, they would consult me for support. I see the consultancy I am now offering to the market as something similar, but much more developed, because I am combining 25 years of experience with knowledge in image consultancy and visagism specialized in optics. I believe this differentiating factor can help improve teams technically and in defining a differentiated sales process.
How does BD Óptico Especializado help teams stand out in such a competitive market?
Currently, BD Óptico Especializado has partners in all areas who can help scale and improve any company in the optical market. We are part of the Xcreate business ecosystem and have developed a 360º program in which we work closely with each entrepreneur to assess their current situation and address all points for improvement — at the personal, company, and team levels.
I believe we have the method, the tools, and the resources to build a better future and help traditional opticians grow. Many image-related sectors are evolving and expanding, such as barbershops, hair salons, nail studios, and aesthetic clinics. This shows that there is greater demand and care for personal image than ever before.
Now imagine someone who has an excellent image and communicates exactly as they wish, but when they put on their glasses, their communication becomes the complete opposite of everything else. This is a huge contradiction — and believe me, it happens very often. That is why, increasingly, at events, we see people who, when talking to someone or taking a photo, make a point of removing their glasses. Glasses are not just an element to hold lenses; they are a powerful communication tool when used correctly.
I believe that if opticians understand this sooner, the market will perceive them differently, which will help them stand out from large groups and chains with whom they cannot compete.
