From NHS to Entrepreneur: Anum’s Specsavers Journey

Anum’s career in audiology has taken her from the structured environment of the NHS to the entrepreneurial freedom of running her own business. Her story is about finding the balance between professional ambition and family life.

After earning her BSc in audiology, Anum briefly worked in the NHS. “It was stable but quite repetitive,” she says. “I was always thirsty to try something different, I wanted to get myself out there and experience various facets of audiology.” This led her to roles at Phonak and Demont, where she thrived as a regional sales manager. However, the demands of constant travel became challenging. “I wanted stability for my new family, and being on the road five days a week was tough.”

Around this time, she was approached by Specsavers for a Partner in Development position—a chance to merge her passion for audiology with her entrepreneurial spirit. “It just seemed like a win-win,” she says. Anum started her first Specsavers audiology hub in 2016 and expanded to a second store in 2018, just before her maternity leave.

Running her own business means she has the flexibility to balance her professional and personal life. “I can do the drop-offs, the pick-ups, attend school events, and still run my business effectively”. Now, with two thriving businesses and a stable team, Anum enjoys mentoring new trainees. “Seeing their ambition and helping them grow is one of the most rewarding parts of my job,” she says. Many of her trainees aspire to follow in her footsteps, inspired by her journey and success.

As Anum continues her journey with Specsavers, she remains passionate about her work and grateful for the opportunities she has been given. “Every day is a learning day,” Anum says. “I’m still growing, still making mistakes, but I look back and see how far I’ve come. The businesses run smoothly even when I’m not around, and that’s a true measure of success for me.”

“Specsavers has changed my life for the better,” she says, “in ways that I don’t think I would have achieved with another job.”