JUMP TO CONTENT
Child_sat_having_an_eye_test

“Don’t let finances hold you back” – Anoop on becoming a Partner

Mike Davidson our consultant managing the role
Written by Mike Davidson
Posting date: 28 Jan 2025

For Anoop, becoming an Optometry Partner at Specsavers was a lifelong dream come true. While buying into a business can naturally come with some concerns, her journey highlights how she overcame those challenges to achieve her goal. Here’s her story, along with key insights into the partnership process at Specsavers.

Opening the door to partnership

Anoop takes immense pride in giving her best, whether as a resident optometrist or a pre-reg supervisor in her previous roles. Her commitment to excellence extended to exploring partnership opportunities, driven by curiosity and open conversations with her store directors.

“I wanted to understand what the role truly entailed,” Anoop shared. “I asked my previous partners candid questions like, ‘What does your day look like?’ and ‘What are the challenges?’” These discussions helped her assess whether the role suited her personality and skillset.

Anoop also engaged in self-reflection about her future. Imagining the life she wanted confirmed that partnership was the right path for her—an exercise she now encourages her own team to undertake.

The path to partnership

Anoop credits the Pathway program, which helps potential partners transition from optometrist to business owner, with preparing her for the change.

Once she became an approved partner, an opportunity arose at Specsavers Stone. “I had just bought a house, adopted a puppy, and wasn’t in the right headspace at the time, so I let it go,” she admitted. However, fate had other plans. The opportunity at Specsavers Stone came up again, and after receiving encouragement from colleagues, she decided to pursue it.

She visited the store, explored the area, and met the existing partners to discuss the opportunity. After attending the formal selection process, Anoop received the good news just days later—she was officially a partner!

Support along the way

Anoop highlights the vital role the partner recruitment team played during the process. Her point of contact, Jane, was especially supportive. “Jane was so open and reassuring. She guided me through every step, answering questions and providing encouragement,” Anoop said. “Having someone in your corner makes all the difference.”

Addressing financial concerns

Anoop acknowledges that the financial aspect of buying into a business initially felt daunting. “It’s like taking on another mortgage,” she explained. However, with the guidance of the recruitment team and support from a finance company familiar with Specsavers’ joint venture partnership model, she gained clarity and confidence.

“They explained the figures and repayment process in detail,” Anoop said. “As long as you’re financially responsible, it’s manageable. I wouldn’t let finances deter anyone from pursuing partnership.”

Ready to learn more?

If you want to learn more about becoming a business owner with Specsavers, the best way to do that is to have a quick chat with our Partnership Team to discuss any questions you might have.

Register your interest
Mike Davidson our consultant managing the role
Written by Mike Davidson
List #1

#FeelsLikeSpecsavers

Celebrating National Payroll Week

Teaser

Support Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/29/2025

Summary

Celebrating National Payroll WeekPayroll might happen behind the scenes, but it’s at the heart of every organisation. Our Payroll Services team is a mix of problem-solvers, people champions, and proce

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Shaping the future of optometry, one conversation at a time

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/27/2025

Summary

Rachel Pointon’s career in optometry has been anything but linear—and that’s exactly what makes it so inspiring. From hospital clinics to high-performing stores, from mentoring pre-regs to influencin

Teaser

Read more
"The most fulfilling part of my role is having the time to connect with patients"

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/27/2025

Summary

Hi, I’m Alan 👋 I grew up on the southside of Glasgow and I’m currently the Lead Optometrist at Specsavers in Sauchiehall Street. How did I get here? To be honest, I was never entirely sure that op

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

From law to lenses: Hannan Qureshi’s story

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/22/2025

Summary

From law to lenses: Hannan Qureshi’s story After years in the legal profession, Hannan Qureshi has made a bold career switch to follow his passion - becoming the new Retail Director at Specsavers Shep

Teaser

Read more
“I’ve found my place here.”: Daniel's story

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/22/2025

Summary

“I’ve found my place here.” Meet Daniel – Optometrist, Specsavers Home Visits Manchester Daniel Morgans didn’t follow the usual path into optometry. His early career included everything from call cent

Teaser

Read more
A career shaped by experience- and instinct: Sara's story

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/22/2025

Summary

A career shaped by experience- and instinct When Saraneeya Sivathas joined Specsavers as an Optical Assistant during her BioMed degree, she had no idea that a part-time job would spark a whole new car

Teaser

Read more
"I'm just happier in this role" - Ella's career story

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/18/2025

Summary

"Home visits is refreshing, it’s fulfilling, and I wouldn’t go back.” Meet EllaElla Helliwell lives in a quiet village in Cheshire with her husband and their cat, Rosie. After moving away for universi

Teaser

Read more
Coming full circle but with a different lens!

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/15/2025

Summary

Parth Shah, Lead Clinical Performance Consultant (CPC), qualified as an optometrist at Specsavers in 2003. Since then, his journey has taken him from the clinic to the classroom, the boardroom, and ev

Teaser

Read more
“I believe that we're not just Specsavers - we are lifesavers.”

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/28/2025

Summary

A career begins with a life-changing moment When Mahnoor Khan joined Specsavers Norton as a pre-reg optometrist, she never imagined her clinical training would be put to the test in such a personal an

Teaser

Read more
Deepali Modha’s unconventional career journey

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/25/2025

Summary

When Deepali Modha first qualified as an Optometrist, she never imagined her career would one day take her far beyond the test room. But over the years, she’s carved out a path that’s as inspiri

Teaser

Read more
View more jobs
List #1

Selected jobs for you

Store Manager

Salary

£30,000

Location

Dartford, South East, United Kingdom

Store ID

1327

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Retail Manager

Locations

Dartford

Description

Are you a motivated manager with an eye for detail wanting to bring your skills to a global, difference-making company? You’ve come to the right place.  As long as you’re ready to lead by example, be

Reference

sf-84765-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Hannah Soutar

Author

Hannah Soutar
View job
Trainee Optical Retailer

Salary

Circa £12.41 per hour

Location

Barnstaple, South West & Channel Islands, United Kingdom

Store ID

0059

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Trainee Optical Assistant

Locations

Barnstaple

Description

Specsavers. A household name and a Highstreet staple. And you could be part of the team.   As a Trainee Optical Assistant at Specsavers, you’ll be the friendly face at the heart of our stores working

Reference

sf-84764-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Nichola Adamson View job
Optical Assistant Apprentice

Salary

£7.75 per hour

Location

Barnstaple, South West & Channel Islands, United Kingdom

Store ID

0059

Contract Duration

Fixed Term Contract

Area of Interest

Optical Assistant Apprenticeship

Locations

Barnstaple

Description

Optical Assistant ApprenticeshipSpecsavers BarnstapleSo, you’re a proactive people person, passionate about retail and offering the best customer service? Sounds like you’d be a great fit here. If you

Reference

sf-84763-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Nichola Adamson View job
View more jobs