We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Victoria Kravchenko a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Victoria, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My family immigrated from Russia when I was 13 years old. Being an immigrant it was very challenging the first couple of years with the language barrier and minimum support because I only had my parents, brother and my grandmother here in the United States. I knew that my family brought us to the US for a better future. I knew they wanted their kids to have a bright future. Growing up in Brooklyn , NY which is a heavily populated Russian speaking community, I got to know a lot of kids who were in the same boat as me. It was “fighting for survival “type of attitude and we all wanted to achieve something in our lives. My parents were not familiar with the school system in US, so I really had to find my own way and figure out what I wanted to be in a future. With that being said, I did above average in high school and applied to many colleges. I wasn’t sure what route I wanted to take. Before my high school graduation I knew I wanted to be in healthcare industry and that’s how i picked the college of my choice-Hunter College in NY. While in college I picked my future profession-optometry. Thank god to my former classmates, who introduced me to the idea. Learning experience was not a smooth sailing. My parents decided to move to FL right at the last year of my college. I had a different plan for myself. I was planning to apply to graduate schools to continue my studies after my Bachelor’s Degree to become an optometry doctor. I knew I needed to do whatever it takes to take my optometry admission test, to go through application process, as well as interviews. All that required time and financial investment. I had to take a year off after I got my Bachelor’s Degree, to work and save up so I can continue to carry on with my future plan. And just like that, I did it and applied to 4 optometry schools. The most amazing school that kind of felt closer to my heart was in Boston. I made a decision to move. I made my decision and worked my way to and through optometry school in Boston. My grandmother, may her soul rest in peace, was always my supporter number one and she moved to Boston to take care of me while I was in graduate school, I was very homesick initially. I failed one of the parts of National boards , I knew I had no choice but to retake it if I wanted to become a practicing clinician. I did and passed and got my optometry doctor degree. After graduating, I moved back to NY, where I started practicing optometry. After 13 years of being employed, I decided to open my own practice. It was not an easy process, I had to build out an entire office from ground up. It’s been one and a half years since I opened and it’s the hardest time of my life. I am working through it. Being a primary breadwinner for the family of 5( 3 kids and a husband), juggling my personal and professional life is the toughest thing I ever had to do in my life. My husband was not supportive of my decision of opening my business, he has no involvement in it. I work 6 days a week- 3 days at my own practice and 3 days employed at another practice, so I can have stable source of income coming in until my business takes off. I do believe that my past experiences helped me to become the person that I am today and to keep my head high up. I’m always very positive and became very spiritual. Being grateful and keeping a journal helps me to stay motivated and focused. I love what I do and I truly love making a difference in people’s lives. I am grateful for all the support of people who stayed by my side throughout my journey and lovely people and mentors, who are coming in to my life. My kids are my biggest WHY. You need to have a “Why” when you are striving. Without having a Why it becomes meaningless and makes things difficult to achieve. When you have a strong Why and great support system you can achieve anything in this life.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
-A2Z Eyecare is a stop for all the Eyecare needs. We provide comprehensive eye exams, with diagnostic imaging and have a full eyewear dispensary on site.
AT A2Z EYECARE WE CURATED INDIVIDUALIZED AND LUXURIOUS EYECARE EXPERIENCE. AFTER WORKING AT VARIOUS RETAIL LOCATIONS IN NYC I REALIZED THAT A LOT OF PLACES DON’T DEVOTE QUALITY TIME TO EACH PATIENT, DON’T HAVE SUFFICIENT DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT OPTIONS AND LACK TRANSPARENCY. BY TAKING VISION PLANS MOST PLACES BECOME OVERWHELMED BY PATIENT VOLUME, WHICH REFLECTS IN THE LOWER QUALITY OF CARE AS WELL AS RESULTING IN LOTS OF LIMITATIONS IN PRODUCT SELECTION AND LOWER QUALITY MATERIALS. WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN WORKING WITH MOST REPUTABLE LABS THAT HAVE A LONG TRACK RECORD WITH MOST COMPETITIVE PRICING AND SUPERIOR QUALITY.
-WHAT VISION PLANS DO WE TAKE? WE WORK DIRECTLY WITH VSP PLAN AND FOR OTHER VISION PLAN HOLDERS WE OFFER INHOUSE DISCOUNTS ON THE FRAME AND LENSES AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS ON MULTIPLE PAIRS. BY TAKING VISION PLANS WE LIMIT THE QUALITY AND SELECTION OF PRODUCTS THAT WE CAN PROVIDE TO OUR PATIENTS. WE ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO PROVIDE OUR PATIENTS WITH AN ITEMIZED RECEIPT THAT CAN BE SUBMITTED TO THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY FOR REIMBURSEMENT CHECK, SENT DIRECTLY TO THEM. IN ADDITION TO THAT WE ACCEPT MAJOR MEDICAL INSURANCE PLANS, WHICH NORMALLY COVER THE SERVICES. WE ALSO OFFER TREAT NOW/PAY LATER CARE CREDIT OPTION. IT GIVES AN ABILITY FOR QUALIFYING PATIENTS TO CHOOSE A MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN OPTION WITH 0% APR.
-OUR WARM AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT ALLOWS US TO SCHEDULE OUR PATIENTS IN 1 HOUR INTERVALS. WE HAND SELECTED OUR EYEGLASS FRAMES FROM SOME OF THE INDEPENDENT BRANDS MANUFACTURED IN SWITZERLAND, GERMANY, JAPAN, ITALY AS WELL AS SOME OF THE POPULAR HIGH END DESIGNERS SUCH AS FENDI, CELINE AND TOM FORD TO NAME A FEW.
-OUR TIME ALLOWS PERSONAL STYLING SESSION WITH EACH PATIENT. WE GET TO KNOW OUR PATIENTS ON A PERSONAL LEVEL AND CAN HELP THEM TO ACHIEVE THEIR EYE CARE NEEDS WITH PROPER MEASUREMENTS AND EYEGLASS SELECTION. AFTER WE RECEIVE OUR JOBS FROM THE LAB WE DO PROPER INSPECTION TO ENSURE THAT THE PRESCRIPTION WAS FILLED PROPERLY AND ALL THE MEASUREMENTS AS WELL AS THE TYPE OF LENSES WERE MADE ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPT TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF RE-MAKES AND ERRORS, WHICH A LOT OF PLACES DON’T DO. ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS WE EXTEND OUR SERVICES TO DELIVERING THE EYEGLASSES TO OUR PATIENT’S HOMES. THIS EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE IS NOT OFFERED BY OTHER RETAILERS.
-OUR OFFICE IS EQUIPPED WITH CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY. WE OFFER HOLISTIC APPROACH TO DRY EYE DISEASE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE TRADITIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL AGENTS. WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL RELAXATION TREATMENT ROOM ON SITE. WE OFFER EXFOLIATIVE EYELID TREATMENT-SPECIFICALLY BENEFICIAL FOR WOMEN WHO WEAR EYELASH EXTENSIONS AND WANT TO GIVE THEIR LASHES A BREAK FROM THE CHEMICALS.
WE ALSO OFFER TREATMENT OPTIONS TO ALLEVIATE DIGITAL EYE STRAIN, HEADACHES, DIZZINESS AND SHOULDER PAIN TO NAME A FEW. MOST TRADITIONAL EYEGLASSES SOLD BY MOST RETAILERS WOULD HELP TO BRING THE FOCUS TO A MAXIMUM BUT WON’T ADDRESS THE ISSUE RELATED TO EYE MUSCLE DYSFUNCTION. WITH THE AID OF OUR NEUROLENS DEVICE WE ARE ABLE TO PICK UP MICRO MISALIGNMENTS IN A VISUAL SYSTEM AND CREATE A CUSTOMIZED SCRIPT WITH TREATMENT TO CORRECT THE MISALIGNMENT. THIS IS ONE OF OUR SPECIALTIES!
IN ADDITION, WE OFFER MYOPIA CONTROL FOR KIDS 8-TO LATE TEENS. UP UNTIL RECENTLY NEARSIGHTEDNESS COULD NOT BE SLOWED DOWN OR TREATED OTHER THAN PRESCRIBING DISTANCE VISION EYEGLASSES. IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DECADES WE FOUND WAYS TO SLOW DOWN THE PROGRESSION OF NEARSIGHTEDNESS AND OFFER DIFFERENT TREATMENT OPTIONS BESIDES PRESCRIBING EYEGLASSES.
-WE ARE HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LOCAL EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS. OCCASIONALLY WE HOST FUN EVENTS IN THE STORE SUCH AS PAINT AND SIP NIGHT OR MEDITATION CLASS TO UNWIND AND MAKE NETWORKING CONNECTIONS. IN SUMMARY OUR PRICES REFLECT THE QUALITY OF SERVICES AND PRODUCTS THAT WE PROVIDE.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Have a good financial plan. If you have student loans start paying them off as early as you can. Invest in Roth IRA.
2.You have to make short term sacrifices in order to see long term results. Stay focused and don’t let negativity impact your journey. Celebrate small victories.
3. Form a great support system. Whether it’s your friends, family, mentors, etc.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes, anyone who is in the fashion, jewelry or healthcare industry. Also, any eyelash extension business. One of the most appealing aspects of my field it involves both healthcare and fashion. They can contact me via email
a2zeyecarenj@gmail.com
Or my cell (917)690-4947
Contact Info:
- Website: https://a2zeyecarenj.com
- Instagram: a2z_eyecare
- Facebook: A2Z EYECARE
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
