Today we’d like to introduce you to Teresa Clay.
Hi Teresa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The optical industry saved my life. I know It sounds extreme but it’s true. At 13, I entered foster care, and at 15, I began to work. At age 16, 1/2, I was in the world alone. But at 19 years old, while holding down an apartment and job an optical manager approached me with a new opportunity. I immediately threw myself into ‘Gift of Sight’ volunteering while learning the craft of opticianry. It was that road that became my passion. For years I worked under seasoned opticians before I was embraced fully by Dr. Kirstein in Cincinnati, OH. He taught me about individualized styling and luxury materials. He’d travel often and would share pictures of opticals in Paris and Italy.
I learned so many things about life, cultures, integrity, and having pride in our craft. It became my mission to share this knowledge and passion with the world. The question of how to succeed in this magical industry weighed on me even more years later when I found myself a single mom. In 2011 I became an ABO Certified Optician. I fell to the floor in tears. Finally, there was justification for my knowledge, and my years. That very moment created a domino effect that lead to today..
Today, I’m a sales rep for one of the most coveted collections in the optical industry, FACE A FACE & Kilsgaard. It is truly my dream career. A career that allows me to live a rewarding life. Owning a home, providing good education and pathway to college for my son, and sharing my passion for handmade eyewear and opticianry with the world, Yes. I’m exhausted and achy some days, yet I wouldn’t change a second of this journey. Working for Design Eyewear Group has been a beautiful highlight to a dark beginning. I will always remember the payoff comes later.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a minority has, at times, been a challenge. However, I have found that you can only control yourself, not others. So I show up with love in my heart and the belief that most people are good.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Face A Face Parisian eyewear is beautifully crafted and inspired by art and architecture. Our shapes are elegant with soft upsweeps that often give a more youthful appearance. While Kilsgaard is the conservative sibling of Face A Face with hand made acetates and aluminum styles in classic core colors.
I specialize in training opticians to select eyewear based on bone structure, browline, and coloring. As a luxury eyewear sales rep, I create an exquisite experiences with our marketing, training and hand picked selections for our accounts that equates to growth and patient loyalty for them.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Minneapolis is an amazing city. Whether I’m enjoying the musical heartbeat of the city or the boutique hotels and art districts, I always leave inspired.
Contact Info:
- Website: Designeyeweargroup.com
- Instagram: Myeyewearlife
