A Saturday job that sparked something bigger

At 16, Charlie-Leigh Martin took a Saturday job at her local Specsavers in Chelmsley Wood. Six years later, she’s running her own store in Alcester as a director. “I was still in sixth form and thinking about becoming a paramedic,” she says. “I’d picked a mix of A-levels- business, health and social care, drama, psychology- because I didn’t really know what I wanted to do.” 

Her cousin and cousin’s husband were already in leadership roles at the store, so she had a glimpse of what a career in optics could look like. “I started as a Saturday girl, just to earn a bit of money. But I liked the team, the customers, and the work. I started to get the hang of things.” 

A pivotal conversation 

When university decisions loomed, her store directors sat her down for a performance review that changed everything. “They laid out my options and said, ‘You’ve got the skills to go far here.’ That was the first time I thought, maybe I could do this.” 

Discovering a passion for leadership 

Charlie decided to stay and soon joined the store’s Leadership Academy- a six-month internal programme that gave her a taste of management. “It was a brilliant experience. You learn about KPIs, leadership, and how the business works, but without the pressure of being a manager yet. That was the turning point. I realised I really enjoyed it.” 

From there, things moved quickly. She became a supervisor, then a manager, and eventually joined the Specsavers Pathway programme, which prepares people for store ownership. “I gave myself five years to complete Pathway and get a store. I did it in under a year!” 

Leading with trust and respect 

Now 22, Charlie is co-director of the Alcester store. “I was nervous at first. I didn’t know the area or the team. But I focused on building trust- getting to know everyone individually. That made all the difference. 

She credits her progress to being driven, people-focused, and open to learning. “I’m very goal-oriented, but I also care about how people feel. I don’t just delegate- I lead by example. I’ll always show someone how to do something, not just tell them.” 

Support has been key. “From day one, I’ve had people around me who believed in me. Whether it was my directors showing me the ropes or someone checking in during Pathway, that support helped me grow. Even now, I’ve brought the Leadership Academy into the Alcester store because I know how valuable it can be.” 

Learning through experience 

Charlie also highlights the importance of being allowed to make mistakes. “My old team gave me responsibility and let me learn from it. That helped build my confidence as a leader.” 

One of the most surprising parts of her journey? The last few months. “I’ve never worked anywhere else, and I’ve moved to a completely different area. I still live in Birmingham, but I commute to Alcester, which is a small, community-focused town. It’s very different to what I’m used to, but I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the team and the customers.” 

She’s also found a strong partnership with her co-director, James. “You never know how that dynamic will work, but we get on really well. Specsavers put a lot of thought into those partnerships, and it makes a big difference.” 

Looking ahead, Charlie and James are focused strengthening the store’s culture. “We want to get more involved in the community, do more team-building, and make this a place people love to work. It already has a great culture- we just want to build on that.” 

Advice for future leaders 

Her advice to others thinking about a similar path? “It’s achievable. You don’t have to wait years. If you’re focused and passionate, and you ask for support when you need it, you can get there.” 

And to her 16-year-old self? “You won’t believe where you’ll be in six years. Just keep doing what you love and stay true to yourself.”