Photo courtesy of Denise Smith Photography
Gibbs has sights on optimal career By Paige Cerulli
Shelia Gibbs of Springfield, Mass., knew that she wanted to help people. That desire to improve the lives of others was a major factor in her decision to become an optician and later open Optical Expressions, the business she co-owns and runs with her husband, Derryl Gibbs.
Shelia’s road from a married, mother of five to business owner was a lengthy one; she met and married Derryl while attending Western New England University in Springfield, Mass., and spent the next 10 years caring for her their children before going back to school to earn her degree in optometry. Working as an optician for 13 years gave her the knowledge to finally realize the dream of opening her own practice, Optical Expressions, with Derryl in February 2009.
“[I’m] proud to say that, with Optical Expressions being a minority-owned business, people recognize it as a staple in the Springfield area,” Sheila said, noting that getting funding to start the business proved challenging at first.
Sheila Gibbs with her husband, Derryl Gibbs
In hindsight, Shelia said that she would have looked into possible grants for minority-owned businesses. She admitted that when she and Derryl began the business, she hadn’t known that such financial help and opportunities might have been available. “It’s still a struggle
to get over that starting line [of beginning a business] but we are very happy where we are now,” Sheila said.  The field of optometry is closely tied to the medical field whereas primary care doctors refer their patients for eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses. “When people go see their primary care doctors, the doctors take care of the body as a whole. We take care of the needs of the eyes, which is essential to the whole body. I’ve always wanted to help people. Instead of helping people get well, I am now helping people see the world more clearly and in a new light,” she said.
Optical Expressions, a fashionable eyewear boutique, provides its customers with eyeglasses and contacts. Sheila said the boutique prides itself on carrying a wide range of products and personalized customer service. Frames are available in myriad trendy styles, including designer frames; the large selection ensures that Optical Expressions has frames for every budget, she noted.
Today, Optical Expressions has two locations: Its primary office is on Allen Street in the Bicentennial Plaza in Springfield. Given the business’ initial success, Shelia and Derryl had hoped to expand its accessibility by opening a satellite location in downtown Springfield. However, given the damage the
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LIONESS JULY 2013
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