In this captivating episode of Defocus Media, we spotlight Helen Whitaker, a visionary entrepreneur reshaping the landscape of eye care through her innovative business model in mobile optometry. With a rich background spanning the UK to East Africa, and a seasoned career in medical sales across Europe, Helen’s journey is one of resilience, transformation, and passion. Upon relocating to Canada as a single mother, she carved a new path for herself and her family by venturing into optometry, ultimately pioneering a mobile optometry business that delivers personalized, high-quality eye care services directly to patients’ environments. This episode delves into how Helen’s unique approach caters to the unmet needs of diverse communities and embodies a profound commitment to accessibility, convenience, and the deep-seated relationships between optometrists and their clients. Join us as Helen Whitaker shares her inspiring story, from her early beginnings to creating a business model she deeply adores, offering insights that promise to enlighten and inspire current and aspiring optometrists.

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Introduction to Mobile Optometry and Helen Whitaker’s Journey

Dr. Darryl Glover:

Today, we’re diving into mobile optometry, and we’re fortunate to have Helen Whitaker with us. Helen is a trailblazer in the field—a winner, mentor, and mobile optician. This episode promises to be enlightening as we explore everything there is to know about mobile optometry. Welcome, Helen, to this Defocus Media production. Could you start things by sharing a bit about your background, where you’re from, and perhaps a fun fact about yourself? Let’s get this conversation started.

Helen Whitaker:

Thank you, Dr. Glover. It’s a pleasure to be here. I’m originally from the UK, but as we Brits love to talk about ourselves, feel free to hit the off button whenever you’ve had enough! I was born in the UK but raised in East Africa, in Nairobi, to be precise. A significant part of my heart remains there, which I hope we can delve into later. My journey followed the conventional path of school, college, and university. Afterward, I embarked on a career in medical sales, spending over 22 years working across the UK and Europe. I served as an account manager and group sales manager for major ophthalmic companies like Alcon and Ciba—some might remember the latter, which was quite prominent back in the day. My introduction to ophthalmology involved working closely with cataract surgeons on procedural packs and intraocular lenses—a job that, despite initially terrifying me, allowed me to be embraced by the community with grace and compassion.

In 2007, I moved to Canada as a single mother with two young daughters, aged seven and eight. It was a period of reinvention for me; I sought a career that wouldn’t take me away from my home and children,