In the Frame with Eyes On Buderim
From teaching high school to keeping an eye on high fashion – Carlie Wacker chats with the face behind the frames at Eyes On Buderim.
Name
Kim Bohl
Business
Eyes On Buderim
Eyes on Buderim feels like home. How did the business begin?
My optometrist husband, Graham and I opened Eyes on Buderim in January 2013 with the vision of creating a warm, welcoming and homely space that offered a complete client experience from state-of-art technology eye examinations to personalised lens
and frame selections.
We pride ourselves on taking time to get to know our patients, by providing longer eye examinations and one-on-one frame consultations.
As a former high school teacher now high fashion frame buyer, what do you love about your job?
I love looking for beautiful frames and sunglasses and then seeing them on our clients. It is a joy to see people genuinely excited about getting a beautiful new pair of glasses.
My staff and I love helping them find the perfect pair of glasses and take great care and pride in choosing something beautiful and functional.
I also love that we are a family business. I get to work with my husband and my wonderful staff every day.
Being a family business also means that we offer a more personalised service and make decisions that suit our patients.
We meet regularly in store with brand representatives from around the world to carefully select quality eyewear with a mix of fashion, function and style.
What inspires your stock purchases?
I am inspired by our patients and what they want and need so they are always top of mind!
Sunshine Coast clients love colour and I adore selecting unique frames, sometimes with a particular person
in mind.
I buy based on brand stories too. Supporting Australian and family-run businesses is very important and I seek suppliers with beautiful products that are a little bit different and unique and, most importantly, backed up by quality and great after sales support.
We have some products with beautiful brand stories, some that have been family run and owned for generations.
How would you describe your patients and clients?
We see a diverse mix of ages and people see us as much for fashion as eye health. Our optometrist Graham is clinically trained and manages many eye health conditions. Some of our families have been seeing Graham since he first started as a young optometrist on the Sunshine Coast 30 years ago.
It is really a joy to have such a wonderful patient mix from young children to the elderly, we love seeing our patients when they come in.
What do you enjoy most about living and working on the Sunshine Coast?
The Sunshine Coast was my dream location when I moved here 28 years ago and it still is today.
I love the beaches, the hinterland, the parks, walking paths and most of all, the wonderful community. The village atmosphere in Buderim is so special and we are very fortunate to be a part of that.
What advice can you share with fashion start-ups and retailers?
Get to know your market, plan to succeed, be confident with what you offer and try not to compare yourself with others. Source suppliers with a good reputation who offer good after-sales support and seek out fabulous staff who share your values and passion.
What styling advice do you have?
Wear what you love and know your own style. We offer a one-on-one frame selection for every patient so are very happy to offer advice and help… it’s what we love to do!
FAVE FIVE
Fave Colour: Blue
Fave Accessory: Sunglasses
Fave Hobbies: Walking my dog Humphrey, Pilates and being creative with fabric, textiles and paint
Fave Drink: Champagne
Fave Food: Italian
