AN ORGANIZATION FORMED TO AID INDEPENDENT OPTICIANRY BUSINESSES TO NOT JUST SURVIVE, BUT TO THRIVE!
Exclusively for Independent Opticianry Business Owners and Managers
Note: if your membership has expired you will need to join
again.
Already an ORBA member? Sign
in below. Trouble
logging in? Click
here
The recent STATE OF OPTICIANRY
whitepaper published by FVMG, takes a look at where
opticianry has been, where it is today and where it might go in the
future. Click here to
read - then take the survey and let us know what
you think!
THE YEAR OF THE OPTICIAN. First Vision has
declared 2011 "The Year of the Optician." We'll be featuring a number of
special events (in print, on-line and in person) throughout the course
of the year catering specifically to the role opticianry plays in our
optical community. We'll be handing out these buttons from our VEE
booth, L1-610 to every optician who requests one...be sure to drop
by.
The Optical Retail Business Alliance (ORBA) is a group of independent opticianry business owners and managers who have come together for the purpose of enhancing their personal abilities and the vitality of their businesses. It is not a political society or association; instead, its members have come together in an alliance that’s managed by First Vision Media Group. ORBA’s sole mission is to enhance and promote independent opticianry businesses and the people that own and manage them so that they thrive in the highly competitive eyewear marketplace.
To join the Optical Retail Business Alliance (ORBA), please choose from one of the two options below:
If you are a CURRENT TotallyOptical member, click here (if you have previously registered on TotallyOptical or Essilor Knowledge Bank)
If you are a NEW member to TotallyOptical, click here.
Initiatives include:
Sharing business statistics (benchmarking)
Surveys and polling
Webinars on management, marketing, sales, strategic planning, etc.
Email alerts and notices
Online courses
Information exchange through blogs
Articles
Through these activities; ORBA members will receive expanded business insights and skills that can help them and their staff advance their businesses in a variety of ways. This can help independent opticianry business owners and managers become competent and competitive players in the eyewear marketplace as well as receive the respect they deserve from other optical industry participants and the public.
If you are an independent opticianry business owner, send an email to Ed De Gennaro (ed@visioncareproducts.com) with your contact information to learn more about ORBA benefits and membership requirements, or join by clicking the appropriate link above.
ORBA membership is only $50 for one year. (Note: membership dues are non-refundable.)
THE ORBA ADVISORY BOARD
James Edward Blackburn, III (Jay)
Jay, owner of McBride Blackburn Opticians, an independent optical store located in Lynchburg, VA, became a licensed optician in 1987 after graduating from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, VA. In 1992 he partnered with Buzzy McBride and formed McBride Blackburn Opticians.
Tools to help your business grow. Exclusive products and services for ORBA members
Small business loans
Electronic payment processing
Web hosting/design/development
Insurance services (business/health/liability)
Introductory special: All members will receive a website development package with technical support ($500 Value)
An ABO and NCLE accredited optician, Nikki has worked in the optical industry since her start as a contact lens technician in 1987. Experienced in all aspects of the industry, Nikki currently owns 50% of an optical boutique where she practices. She is a consultant, optical designer, continuing education speaker, and writer for industry publications, as well as the creator behind eyecoalition.com, an industry social networking site.
Madeleine Kruhsberg
Owner of Optique of Denver, an upscale eyewear boutique located in downtown Denver, CO, Madeliene is an ABO Master optician and board member of the National Academy of Opticianry.
