an individual who has shown an ongoing commitment to the mission of OWA by nurturing and promoting the growth of women in the optical industry. Deborah emphasized in her acceptance speech some of the valuable life

June 2007 Volume 8, Issue 23

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OWA Star Sparkles at Award Event By Jeanine Solomon

New York ~ The stars on Broadway were not the only people sparkling in New York City on the evening of March 23, 2007. The Marchon Eyewear Showroom was dazzling and aglow for the 8th Annual Pleiades Award evening sponsored by the Optical Women’s Association where friends, family, industry leaders, and co workers gathered to present Deborah Malakoff with this year’s award.

The festivities began at 6:00 pm with cocktails and a silent auction. Luxury items were graciously donated by Marchon’s licensing partners and included fabulous pieces such as a FENDI handbag, wallet and keychain, Calvin Klein luggage, Michael Kors handbag, Niketown gift card and Coach Classic luggage. The showroom was abuzz with over 220 attendees anticipating “who” would be the winning bidder on these coveted items. All proceeds go to the OWA Professional Development Fund which supports initiatives to provide events, educational programs, new benefits and resources for the ever-growing OWA membership each year.

The award presentation began at 6:45 p.m. Sherrie Rogerson, OWA President presented the 8th Annual 2007 Pleiades Award to honoree Deborah Malakoff. Deborah is Vice President of Trade Shows for Vision Council of America. This award highlights Deborah as

lessons she has learned in her career in the optical industry (see Malakoff article inside).

This award of distinction is named after the star cluster “The Pleiades” in the constellation of Taurus. “The Pleiades” is also known as the “Seven Sisters” referring to the seven brightest stars in the cluster. According to Greek mythology, the stars were named after the seven daughters of Atlas who were turned into stars by Zeus. Together these stars create one of the brightest clusters visible in the northern hemisphere…just as by working together, the women of the OWA have created an organization that is bigger and brighter than the sum of their individual efforts.

POWW event at Vision Expo West

Effective Communication will be the theme of the Professional Optical Woman’s Workshop (POWW) to be held on

Wednesday, October 3rd, 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm in Las Vegas.

Workshop leader Jarrod Davis is the development and communications manager with Wal-Mart and is responsible for training new associates on presenting skills and techniques. This hands-on presentation will include role-playing opportunities, tools

for speaking in public and building better presentations, and tips on how to handle hecklers and troublemakers. Watch for additional information on how to register

for this valuable training.

The OWA would like to thank our sponsors for their belief in and generous support of the OWA mission.

PLATINUM SPONSORS: Essilor, Essilor Laboratories of America, Marchon Eyewear, Safilo USA,

Wal-Mart Vision Center GOLD SPONSORS: Jobson Optical Group, L'amy, Vision Council of America

SILVER SPONSOR: Aspex Eyewear, Marcolin, Transitions

Pleiades Award honoree Deborah Malakoff

2

One Minute Mentor: Attributes of a skilled leader and mentor Continued from Notes on page 8

Deborah believes there are 5 attributes you should have to be a skilled leader and mentor:

1. The ability to identify great talent and build a strong team. Accept that each and every individual has a different style, their own strengths and weaknesses. The challenge is to maximize the strengths and minimize the weaknesses. She has surrounded herself with very bright and talented individuals and tries to instill in them her passion for the industry, along with the MANY lessons she has learned from her own successes and failures throughout her career ...and then she stands back and lets them flourish.

2. Understand the difference between leading people and managing people. Leadership is empowering people, communicating one’s vision and motivating people to work towards the same goal.

3. Integrity/honesty – say what you mean and do what you say.

4. Communication/clarity of purpose – the ability to articulate the vision and to respect the opinions of others.

5. Be passionate about what you do! As mentioned in her acceptance speech, “I have a passion for the industry, the products and for the people that I have grown up with through the years—and for the Vision Expo shows that bring them all together. I consider myself very lucky to have ended up in my role as VP of shows for the VCA.”

Goal setting, both professional and personal, is very important in Deborah’s life. She sets short term and long term strategic goals because “without goals there are no accomplishments.” She also stresses that goals need to be flexible so that you can modify them if they become unrealistic. Unrealistic goals are counterproductive. Become adept at reading the circumstances and adapt your goals, then regroup and refocus on the new attainable goals. She also stresses that you need to prioritize your goals and your time commitments. In today’s “techno-harried work environment” avoid the trap of constantly checking emails, looking at your Blackberry, returning phone calls, etc. Set aside time to do these specific tasks at the beginning or the end of the day. “Work from the strength of being ‘proactive’ versus ‘reactive’ during the course of the work day in order to be and do your very best.”

cancer and won and in memory of those who lost their lives in the fight. Carmen will be participating in the San Diego event on November 9th, 10th and 11th. “I just know so many women in this industry, some of them good friends and clients, that have had breast cancer, that I felt compelled to do something to honor them,” explained Carmen. In order to raise the $2,300 needed to participate in the walk, professional jewelry maker, Christie, has created a limited edition Eye Care About a Cure bracelet in rose quartz and sterling silver beads, pink freshwater pearls and a pink ribbon charm. Anyone donating $50 or more will receive a bracelet, while supplies last. There are two ways to donate: 1) Send a check to Christie Walker at, P.O. Box 1945, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315. Make the check out to: Breast Cancer 3-Day. Your bracelet will be

mailed to you so include your mailing address. 2) Donate online by going to www.the3Day.org. Click on Donate. Select city “San Diego” on the bottom right. Type in participant name “Carmen Renschler.” This will bring up Carmen’s name below. Click on her name to enter her site, then follow the instructions. Make sure to fill out your name and address so we can send you a bracelet. Our goal is to raise $8,000 for a cure and to honor women

Eye Care About a Cure

By Christie Walker

OWA members Carmen Renschler and Christie Walker care about a cure for breast cancer and will be participating in the Susan G. Komen For the Cure, Breast Cancer 3-Day–Carmen as a walker, walking 20 miles a day for three straight days and Christie as her crew. Carmen will be walking in honor of women in the optical industry who have fought the battle against breast in the optical industry who

have fought the good fight. During the opening and closing events of The 3-Day, we will have a sign with the names of optical women–survivors on one side, in memory of names on the other. If you are a survivor and would like your name on the poster, send an e-mail to: cwalker@framesdata.com. If you would like to honor a woman in the optical industry who has died from breast cancer, you can send her name to the same address as well. The names of the survivors and deceased will not be published, and will only appear on the poster during the event.

6 3

And Now, a Word from Our Sponsors…

in the ophthalmic industry. The OWA has significantly raised the visibility of women throughout the optical community and, through networking events, mentoring programs and ongoing peer support, the OWA has provided a multitude of personal and professional growth opportunities that Safilo has only begun to take advantage of and prosper from as a new sponsor. Last year, Safilo Group took an active role in the OWA’s membership party at Vision Expo West in Las Vegas and also hosted a networking event in the Safilo showroom later on in the year. Safilo Group is a world leader in the design, production and distribution of optical frames and fashion and sports sunglasses. Since 1934, Safilo has been producing and distributing some of the most prestigious eyewear collections in the international fashion and luxury circuit, which has spanned seven decades and three generations of the Tabacchi family. Offering a vast array of luxury eyewear collections due to countless licensing agreements, Safilo USA’s most prestigious designer labels include, Alexander McQueen, Armani Exchange, Banana Republic (Spring 2008), BOSS,

Bottega Veneta, Diesel, Dior, Emporio Armani, Giorgio Armani, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Gucci, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Marc Jacobs, Max Mara, Stella McCartney, Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent, to name a few. This rich and varied portfolio of luxury brands shares not only the creativity of their famous designers but also the high quality standards that are synonymous with Safilo: a name that over the years has forged tradition, prestige and technological innovation. These characteristics are also present in Safilo’s proprietary house brand collections such as Carrera, Chesterfield, Safilo Elasta, Safilo Emozioni and Safilo Team, as well as in Safilo USA’s mid-tier fashion brands including, Claiborne, Fossil, Liz Claiborne, Nine West and Saks Fifth Avenue, which demonstrate the quality, design and service for which Safilo continues to be proud. Safilo Group’s eyewear collections are always one step ahead of fashion trends and offer the most progressive products on the cutting edge of the eyewear sector. Countless celebrities are consistently attracted to Safilo Group’s vast selections of luxury eyewear and can often be seen wearing and enjoying Safilo product. The company’s commitment to design, quality, technology, service and distribution allow the company to foresee constant and enduring growth. For more information on Safilo USA products and services, visit www.safilousa.com or call 800-631-1188.

Safilo USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Safilo Group, is proud to join the OWA in its ongoing efforts to enhance and promote the leadership roles of women

From left to right: Dick Bullwinkle, DAC Vision with Linda Little, founding OWA member; Eden Wexler of Safilo and Susan Martonik of VCA; John Olsen, KBCo and Deb Estes bid on the Fendi Purse at the OWA Pleiades Award event in New York, March 2007.

Clockwise from top left: Sandy Likes, Green Tree Capital, Ann Englert, Solutions, Jeanine Solomon, Pinnacle Wellness Solutions; Andrea Gluck saying a few words about Deborah Malakoff; Sherrie Rogerson, President of OWA opening the award event; OWA board members Sandy Likes, Grady Culbreth, Lorinda Fraboni, and Corinne McCormack; Andrea Gluck, Eyewear Designs and Raanan Naftalovich, Shamir Insights; Deborah Malakoff accepting the OWA Pleiades Award; Cindy Swain and Nancy Handel of

The OWA would like to thank all of our sponsors for their belief in and support of the OWA and its mission to enhance and promote the

leadership role of women in the ophthalmic industry.

PLATINUM SPONSORS: Essilor, Essilor Laboratories of America, Marchon Eyewear, Safilo USA, Wal-Mart Vision Center

GOLD SPONSORS: Jobson Optical Group, L'amy, Vision Council of America SILVER SPONSOR: Aspex Eyewear, Marcolin, Transitions

Essilor of America, Inc. (Essilor) is the leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor of optical lenses in the United States. In 1996, with the establishment of Essilor Laboratories of America, Inc.

(ELOA), Essilor became the first fully-integrated optical company in the United States, specializing in ophthalmic lens production, manufacturing and distribution, in addition to wholesale optical laboratory operations. These leading independent laboratories serve opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists nationwide. Through ELOA, Essilor owns the largest and most comprehensive optical laboratory network in the United States. Year after year, Essilor continues to live out its corporate mission. Helping the world see better by providing excellent vision through premium products and services is not just a far-reaching goal to be attained, it is the cornerstone of every product launch, technological advancement, and program the company delivers. As proof of that commitment to the industry, Essilor continues to bring innovation to life through research, advances in lens technology, and educational services to the eye care professional. These three components set Essilor apart from its competitors and characterize Essilor as the world leader in ophthalmic optics. Essilor is committed to the research and development of innovative products, and the company continues to set new standards within the industry. Over the years, Essilor’s R&D teams have created products that have revolutionized the treatment of common vision problems – notably, the company’s development of the progressive addition lenses (PALs). With customers in mind, Essilor works closely with eye care professionals to provide products that fit their lifestyles. The industry's most technologically advanced lenses – Essilor's Varilux®, Crizal®, DEFINITY® , Thin&Lite®, Airwear® and Transitions® – demonstrate the company's ability to respond to consumer demand for quality eyewear that is comfortable, attractive, durable and lightweight. This year marked another year of success for Varilux lenses. Essilor’s Varilux is the world’s leading progressive lens and is the most technologically advanced solution for presbyopia, an age-related eye condition that affects the eyes’ ability to view objects close up. Varilux lenses enable wearers to see near, far and in between without the tell-tale age lines of bifocals. Since the launch of Varilux® Physio 360°™ and Varilux Physio™ in January 2006, Varilux has experienced aggressive growth and the expansion of the product line with the availability of new materials. These lenses introduced wavefront correction in progressive lenses for the first time

4 5

for the industry. In September 2006, the one millionth Varilux Physio lens was sold, proving successful market acceptance for this new lens. But beyond sales, research indicates Varilux Physio lenses provide up to 30 percent greater contrast sensitivity than other standard progressive lenses. Essilor also recently announced the launch of Crizal Sun™, the first integrated anti-reflective coating created specifically for sunwear. This product serves as the solution to a very real need in the market, as there was no ideal coating for sunwear before Crizal Sun. Essilor continues to bring you premium quality with proven results. Essilor proudly supports the Optical Women’s Association (OWA) for its significant contributions to the growth and leadership of women in the optical industry through networking and peer support programs. And Essilor remains committed to empowering women in the eye care industry through comprehensive educational programs throughout the year. EOA and ELOA product training courses, seminars, lectures and training materials are designed to help all eye care professionals effectively meet the unique needs of their individual patients, ensuring quality practice management and success. These educational programs have been met with exceptional success, with ECPs taking advantage of training opportunities including Essilor Academy and the Management Business Academy, in conjunction with CIBA Vision. Through Essilor’s other in-office training modules such as Knowledge Quest and ELOA’s Stimuleye, ECPs can carry out optical training, practice building techniques, dispensing knowledge and more with their staffs. Through training and education, Essilor is equally dedicated to helping eye care professionals provide the most up-to-date solutions for their patients. The company will continue to develop the most technologically advanced products, while focusing on its main objective – helping people see the world better. Throughout North America, Essilor has more than 8,500 dedicated employees located in 116 prescription laboratories, four manufacturing facilities, two distribution centers and one research and development center. Essilor is a fully owned subsidiary of Paris-based Essilor International, S.A., and is the largest business unit in the worldwide Essilor Group, www.essilor.com. For more information on Essilor of America, Inc., visit www.essilorusa.com and on Essilor Laboratories of America, Inc., www.eloa.com. Throughout the coming years, look for Essilor to provide even more comprehensive solutions to help the world see better, through the continuous partnering and educational offerings to which Essilor is committed.

Since the group’s inception, Marchon has supported the OWA’s mission to enhance and promote the leadership role of women in the ophthalmic industry by providing valuable tools and membership services. Marchon recognizes the purchasing power, professional power and fashion power of women, and women recognize the power of its brands. Marchon lends its chic New York City penthouse showroom for the annual OWA party during Vision Expo East every year, as well as helps to raise money by acquiring donations from its licensors to be auctioned off during the cocktail party. This year Marchon’s licensors generously donated Calvin Klein luggage with a cashmere blanket and pouch, slippers, sleep mask and Calvin Klein Collection sunglass; Coach classic signature luggage with a matching travel bag, umbrella, leather gloves and Coach sunglass; FENDI multi logo handbag with a matching wallet, keychain and FENDI sunglass; Michael Kors handbag and a Michael Kors Collection sunglass; and Niketown $150 gift card for running shoes, iPod sport kit, Apple iPod Nano and a Nike sunglass. All the proceeds are donated to the Professional Development Fund. Marchon Eyewear, one of the world’s largest private manufacturers and distributors of quality fashion and technologically advanced eyewear and sunwear, has experienced rapid growth acquiring prestigious licensed brands, patented technologies and expansion into over 100 countries. The company’s portfolio of brands includes: Calvin Klein ck Calvin Klein Coach Disney Emilio Pucci FENDI Flexon Michael Kors MICHAEL Michael Kors Nautica Nike Sean John X Games The company also holds exclusive patents for Flexon memory metal; Airlock a patented lens mounting system for rimless eyewear and exclusive folding readers with telescoping temples. Recently, Marchon signed a highly coveted and exclusive licensing agreement with Emilio Pucci for global distribution of Emilio Pucci eyewear and sunwear.

Headquartered in the New York, Marchon markets and distributes its products globally with regional headquarters in Amsterdam, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Design Centers are located in New York and Italy, with additional resources in the US, China and Japan – all linked by 2-D and 3-D CAD technology. Production facilities are located in Italy, Japan and other countries, allowing maximum flexibility in sourcing a wide range of products that offer innovation, quality and value. Technology is a priority for Marchon and as a result the company is a leader in the industry for service. The company was one of the first in the industry to utilize the power of the Internet for online ordering, account information and marketing tools. In addition to producing excellent products Marchon also invests heavily in marketing to assist with sell through. The in-house ad agency at Marchon, produces point of purchase displays, collateral, advertising materials including TV spots, catalogs and more to create consumer awareness for their collections. Marchon’s Public Relations department delivers celebrity placements and editorial coverage by all leading domestic and international fashion publications. Marchon has approximately 2,000 employees and sales representatives worldwide, all dedicated to promptly delivering high quality products with courteous, responsive service in a manner that makes accounts want to do business again and again with the company.

Grady Culbreth, Laurie Badone, Sherrie Rogerson, and Debby Rebischke at the OWA Pleiades Award event in New York, March 2007

Essilor of America, Inc. (Essilor) is the leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor of optical lenses in the United States. In 1996, with the establishment of Essilor Laboratories of America, Inc.

(ELOA), Essilor became the first fully-integrated optical company in the United States, specializing in ophthalmic lens production, manufacturing and distribution, in addition to wholesale optical laboratory operations. These leading independent laboratories serve opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists nationwide. Through ELOA, Essilor owns the largest and most comprehensive optical laboratory network in the United States. Year after year, Essilor continues to live out its corporate mission. Helping the world see better by providing excellent vision through premium products and services is not just a far-reaching goal to be attained, it is the cornerstone of every product launch, technological advancement, and program the company delivers. As proof of that commitment to the industry, Essilor continues to bring innovation to life through research, advances in lens technology, and educational services to the eye care professional. These three components set Essilor apart from its competitors and characterize Essilor as the world leader in ophthalmic optics. Essilor is committed to the research and development of innovative products, and the company continues to set new standards within the industry. Over the years, Essilor’s R&D teams have created products that have revolutionized the treatment of common vision problems – notably, the company’s development of the progressive addition lenses (PALs). With customers in mind, Essilor works closely with eye care professionals to provide products that fit their lifestyles. The industry's most technologically advanced lenses – Essilor's Varilux®, Crizal®, DEFINITY® , Thin&Lite®, Airwear® and Transitions® – demonstrate the company's ability to respond to consumer demand for quality eyewear that is comfortable, attractive, durable and lightweight. This year marked another year of success for Varilux lenses. Essilor’s Varilux is the world’s leading progressive lens and is the most technologically advanced solution for presbyopia, an age-related eye condition that affects the eyes’ ability to view objects close up. Varilux lenses enable wearers to see near, far and in between without the tell-tale age lines of bifocals. Since the launch of Varilux® Physio 360°™ and Varilux Physio™ in January 2006, Varilux has experienced aggressive growth and the expansion of the product line with the availability of new materials. These lenses introduced wavefront correction in progressive lenses for the first time

4 5

for the industry. In September 2006, the one millionth Varilux Physio lens was sold, proving successful market acceptance for this new lens. But beyond sales, research indicates Varilux Physio lenses provide up to 30 percent greater contrast sensitivity than other standard progressive lenses. Essilor also recently announced the launch of Crizal Sun™, the first integrated anti-reflective coating created specifically for sunwear. This product serves as the solution to a very real need in the market, as there was no ideal coating for sunwear before Crizal Sun. Essilor continues to bring you premium quality with proven results. Essilor proudly supports the Optical Women’s Association (OWA) for its significant contributions to the growth and leadership of women in the optical industry through networking and peer support programs. And Essilor remains committed to empowering women in the eye care industry through comprehensive educational programs throughout the year. EOA and ELOA product training courses, seminars, lectures and training materials are designed to help all eye care professionals effectively meet the unique needs of their individual patients, ensuring quality practice management and success. These educational programs have been met with exceptional success, with ECPs taking advantage of training opportunities including Essilor Academy and the Management Business Academy, in conjunction with CIBA Vision. Through Essilor’s other in-office training modules such as Knowledge Quest and ELOA’s Stimuleye, ECPs can carry out optical training, practice building techniques, dispensing knowledge and more with their staffs. Through training and education, Essilor is equally dedicated to helping eye care professionals provide the most up-to-date solutions for their patients. The company will continue to develop the most technologically advanced products, while focusing on its main objective – helping people see the world better. Throughout North America, Essilor has more than 8,500 dedicated employees located in 116 prescription laboratories, four manufacturing facilities, two distribution centers and one research and development center. Essilor is a fully owned subsidiary of Paris-based Essilor International, S.A., and is the largest business unit in the worldwide Essilor Group, www.essilor.com. For more information on Essilor of America, Inc., visit www.essilorusa.com and on Essilor Laboratories of America, Inc., www.eloa.com. Throughout the coming years, look for Essilor to provide even more comprehensive solutions to help the world see better, through the continuous partnering and educational offerings to which Essilor is committed.

Since the group’s inception, Marchon has supported the OWA’s mission to enhance and promote the leadership role of women in the ophthalmic industry by providing valuable tools and membership services. Marchon recognizes the purchasing power, professional power and fashion power of women, and women recognize the power of its brands. Marchon lends its chic New York City penthouse showroom for the annual OWA party during Vision Expo East every year, as well as helps to raise money by acquiring donations from its licensors to be auctioned off during the cocktail party. This year Marchon’s licensors generously donated Calvin Klein luggage with a cashmere blanket and pouch, slippers, sleep mask and Calvin Klein Collection sunglass; Coach classic signature luggage with a matching travel bag, umbrella, leather gloves and Coach sunglass; FENDI multi logo handbag with a matching wallet, keychain and FENDI sunglass; Michael Kors handbag and a Michael Kors Collection sunglass; and Niketown $150 gift card for running shoes, iPod sport kit, Apple iPod Nano and a Nike sunglass. All the proceeds are donated to the Professional Development Fund. Marchon Eyewear, one of the world’s largest private manufacturers and distributors of quality fashion and technologically advanced eyewear and sunwear, has experienced rapid growth acquiring prestigious licensed brands, patented technologies and expansion into over 100 countries. The company’s portfolio of brands includes: Calvin Klein ck Calvin Klein Coach Disney Emilio Pucci FENDI Flexon Michael Kors MICHAEL Michael Kors Nautica Nike Sean John X Games The company also holds exclusive patents for Flexon memory metal; Airlock a patented lens mounting system for rimless eyewear and exclusive folding readers with telescoping temples. Recently, Marchon signed a highly coveted and exclusive licensing agreement with Emilio Pucci for global distribution of Emilio Pucci eyewear and sunwear.

Headquartered in the New York, Marchon markets and distributes its products globally with regional headquarters in Amsterdam, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Design Centers are located in New York and Italy, with additional resources in the US, China and Japan – all linked by 2-D and 3-D CAD technology. Production facilities are located in Italy, Japan and other countries, allowing maximum flexibility in sourcing a wide range of products that offer innovation, quality and value. Technology is a priority for Marchon and as a result the company is a leader in the industry for service. The company was one of the first in the industry to utilize the power of the Internet for online ordering, account information and marketing tools. In addition to producing excellent products Marchon also invests heavily in marketing to assist with sell through. The in-house ad agency at Marchon, produces point of purchase displays, collateral, advertising materials including TV spots, catalogs and more to create consumer awareness for their collections. Marchon’s Public Relations department delivers celebrity placements and editorial coverage by all leading domestic and international fashion publications. Marchon has approximately 2,000 employees and sales representatives worldwide, all dedicated to promptly delivering high quality products with courteous, responsive service in a manner that makes accounts want to do business again and again with the company.

Grady Culbreth, Laurie Badone, Sherrie Rogerson, and Debby Rebischke at the OWA Pleiades Award event in New York, March 2007

6 3

And Now, a Word from Our Sponsors…

in the ophthalmic industry. The OWA has significantly raised the visibility of women throughout the optical community and, through networking events, mentoring programs and ongoing peer support, the OWA has provided a multitude of personal and professional growth opportunities that Safilo has only begun to take advantage of and prosper from as a new sponsor. Last year, Safilo Group took an active role in the OWA’s membership party at Vision Expo West in Las Vegas and also hosted a networking event in the Safilo showroom later on in the year. Safilo Group is a world leader in the design, production and distribution of optical frames and fashion and sports sunglasses. Since 1934, Safilo has been producing and distributing some of the most prestigious eyewear collections in the international fashion and luxury circuit, which has spanned seven decades and three generations of the Tabacchi family. Offering a vast array of luxury eyewear collections due to countless licensing agreements, Safilo USA’s most prestigious designer labels include, Alexander McQueen, Armani Exchange, Banana Republic (Spring 2008), BOSS,

Bottega Veneta, Diesel, Dior, Emporio Armani, Giorgio Armani, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Gucci, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Marc Jacobs, Max Mara, Stella McCartney, Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent, to name a few. This rich and varied portfolio of luxury brands shares not only the creativity of their famous designers but also the high quality standards that are synonymous with Safilo: a name that over the years has forged tradition, prestige and technological innovation. These characteristics are also present in Safilo’s proprietary house brand collections such as Carrera, Chesterfield, Safilo Elasta, Safilo Emozioni and Safilo Team, as well as in Safilo USA’s mid-tier fashion brands including, Claiborne, Fossil, Liz Claiborne, Nine West and Saks Fifth Avenue, which demonstrate the quality, design and service for which Safilo continues to be proud. Safilo Group’s eyewear collections are always one step ahead of fashion trends and offer the most progressive products on the cutting edge of the eyewear sector. Countless celebrities are consistently attracted to Safilo Group’s vast selections of luxury eyewear and can often be seen wearing and enjoying Safilo product. The company’s commitment to design, quality, technology, service and distribution allow the company to foresee constant and enduring growth. For more information on Safilo USA products and services, visit www.safilousa.com or call 800-631-1188.

Safilo USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Safilo Group, is proud to join the OWA in its ongoing efforts to enhance and promote the leadership roles of women

From left to right: Dick Bullwinkle, DAC Vision with Linda Little, founding OWA member; Eden Wexler of Safilo and Susan Martonik of VCA; John Olsen, KBCo and Deb Estes bid on the Fendi Purse at the OWA Pleiades Award event in New York, March 2007.

Clockwise from top left: Sandy Likes, Green Tree Capital, Ann Englert, Solutions, Jeanine Solomon, Pinnacle Wellness Solutions; Andrea Gluck saying a few words about Deborah Malakoff; Sherrie Rogerson, President of OWA opening the award event; OWA board members Sandy Likes, Grady Culbreth, Lorinda Fraboni, and Corinne McCormack; Andrea Gluck, Eyewear Designs and Raanan Naftalovich, Shamir Insights; Deborah Malakoff accepting the OWA Pleiades Award; Cindy Swain and Nancy Handel of Zyloware.

The OWA would like to thank all of our sponsors for their belief in and support of the OWA and its mission to enhance and promote the

leadership role of women in the ophthalmic industry.

PLATINUM SPONSORS: Essilor, Essilor Laboratories of America, Marchon Eyewear, Safilo USA, Wal-Mart Vision Center

GOLD SPONSORS: Jobson Optical Group, L'amy, Vision Council of America SILVER SPONSOR: Aspex Eyewear, Marcolin, Transitions

7

Death or Public Speaking? By Christie Walker

According to the Book of Lists, most people are more afraid of speaking in public than they are of dying. Even some of the world’s most famous presenters and speakers have admitted to some nervousness and stage fright. As Mark Twain said, “There are two types of speakers: those that are nervous and those that are liars.” So if everyone gets nervous before they have to give a speech or make a presentation, what separates those who can overcome their anxiety from those that would rather die than get up in front of a group of people? The biggest trick to mastering public speaking is confidence: confidence in yourself, and confidence in your message. How do you find this confidence? There are a number of things you can do BEFORE your presentation that can help reduce anxiety and boost your confidence. Lenny Laskowski, a member of the National Speakers Association and president of LJL Seminars on public speaking says, “The best way to deal with anxiety is to first acknowledge that this fear is perfectly normal and you are not alone.” Laskowski goes on to say that preparation and rehearsal can help reduce stress by about 75 percent. Proper breathing techniques can further reduce anxiety by another 15 percent. Laskowski offers these quick tips to reduce your speech anxiety. 1. Know the room – arrive early make sure everything is in

working order. 2. Know the audience – if possible greet some of the

audience as they arrive and chat with them. 3. Know your material – if you are not familiar with your

material your nervousness will increase. Practicing ahead of time helps make the material your own.

4. Don’t apologize for being nervous – most of the time your nervousness does not show, if you don’t mention it, nobody will notice.

5. Gain experience – experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking.

In the OWA, we have several members who are recognized as outstanding public speakers, Rene Soltis, VCA and Valerie Manso, Manso Management Resources. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to hear either of these women do a presentation, you know that falling asleep during their talk is not an option. They speak eloquently, with confidence and keep you on the edge of your seat. How did they hone their skills and create reputations as being dynamic speakers? I asked Valerie how she handles an audience; especially one that feels it is older and wiser. “When I started lecturing within the ophthalmic industry in the late 1970's, there were very few women providing continuing education. In addition, I was still under the age of 30...so to many I had two strikes – gender and youth. My first line of defense was always to be well prepared. I researched and wrote my own material. Secondly, when appropriate I would acknowledge the 'old dogs' in the audience. I would call on one or more of the more mature audience members to provide easy answers. Thus giving them their due.”

“Over the years Manso Management Resources has conducted numerous Train the Trainer sessions and Executive Speaking classes. Today it is wonderful to see how far some of my participants have come. The ability to communicate effectively in a public forum is a phenomenal skill that pays untold dividends in boosting self-confidence.”

Learn more about the OWA at:

Optical Women’s Association 2417 West 105th Street

Bloomington, MN 55431 Call: 612.419.7546

Email: OWA@opticalwomen.com or drebis@comcast.net

Visit our website at www.opticalwomen.com

To join, contact any Board Member for an application or mail a check to Optical Women’s Association for $125 along with your name, company

name, address, e-mail address, and phone and fax numbers.

Note: if more than one person in your company joins, membership is only $95 per person.

Communications Committee Chair Ann E. Englert, Solutions, englertsolutions@aol.com

Communications Committee Members Heather Campbell, Briot, USA

Jenean Carlton, Carlton and Associates, Llc Carrie Damschroder, OfficeMate Software Solutions

Gloria Maccaroni, Alain Milki, Ltd. Christie Rudolph, Eyemaginations, Inc.

C. Jeanine Solomon, Pinnacle Wellness Solutions. Amy Spiezio, BCI/Eyecare Business

Pam Wood, L’Amy America

3 Tips on How to Relax

1) Deep breathing helps your body to relax. Take in a few deep breaths and then release the breath slowly. 2) Memorize the first paragraph of your speech. This assures a solid start and typically the rest will flow from there. 3) Meet some of your audience as they walk into the room. This breaks the speaker/listener barrier.

By Jeanine Solomon

With more than 20 years of experience in the optical industry, Deborah Malakoff shines as a very bright star among the industry’s leaders.

Deborah started her optical career in 1984 as Eye Lab’s marketing and visual merchandising manager. Eye Lab was the career venue in which she met her favorite role model and mentor. “I met Debbie Lochli at the beginning of my optical career. We became very close friends and remain so to this day. Debbie taught me the value of developing good work habits, completing tasks and learning to relax. We worked hard and played hard and laughed till we cried. Laughter is a great release of stored stress that we all feel at one time or another in our daily work.”

Deborah has served since 1999 as V.P. of Trade Shows for the Vision Council of America. Malakoff works closely with Reed Exhibitions to establish and direct the long-range strategic goals and objectives of the International Vision Expo family of tradeshows. At VCA her highly trained and mentored staff is an integral part of her success. She has found mentoring to be very important to her at VCA and mentors the fresh faces coming into the association, some who have little or no optical experience. She strives to instill in them the passion she feels for this dynamic and exciting industry, and draws inspiration from the many eclectic, colorful individuals she has grown up with professionally. She cautions new employees to be patient with their careers, and to invest the time necessary to learn how to be a good leader. She believes being a leader and role model is not a skill one is born with but something that requires experience and hard work. She hopes that her mentoring through leadership will serve as her legacy in years to come.

Industry mentors are “friends,” she says, who she can rely on for expertise and advice. Among them are some of our own OWA Who’s Who - Dana Weeks, Marge Axelrad and Val Scott.

Deborah says her favorite quote is “Remember to live each day to the fullest and keep focused on what is important– sometimes it may even entail learning to multi-task”. She gloriously lived by this quote even on the day of the Pleiades Awards. She and her fiancé Tony Castor realized that all of the most important people in their lives were at the Pleiades award ceremony. So, later that evening, after 7+ years of blissful engagement, they were married at Del Postio’s in NYC. She said this was truly multi tasking at its best! It was the perfect opportunity for them to secretly surprise their friends and family with a wedding on such a special day. It was a night to remember for all! Deborah, your friends at OWA wish you and Tony many years of happiness and success in your new life.

Notes from a Discussion with Pleiades Honoree Deborah Malakoff

THANK YOU to Walman Optical for sponsoring the mailing of this newsletter.

OWA BOARD

President Sherrie Rogerson Doctors Vision Center President-Elect Grady Culbreth Consultant Carl Zeiss, AR Committee Liaison VCA Vice-President Laurie Badone Seiko Optical Secretary/Treasurer Amy Spiezio Eyecare Business Immediate Past-President Rene Soltis Vision Council of America D I R E C T O R S Marge Axelrad Jobson Publishing Ann E. Englert Solutions Lorinda Fraboni Walman Optical Company Sandy Likes GreenTree Capital, LTD Corinne McCormack Corinne McCormack, Inc. Dana Weeks Optical Services Int’l Executive Director Debby Rebischke Mar-Com and Associates

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