HerKentucky Business: Stratton Eyes
Here at HerKentucky, we love sharing wisdom from women business owners from around the Commonwealth. Today, we hear from Dr. Dawn Stratton of Stratton Eyes in Lexington.
Why build your practice in Kentucky?
I came to Lexington in 1994 following graduation from Optometry school in Chicago so that my husband could finish a master’s degree. We fell in love with the area and decided to stay. Lexington often weathers recessions and downturns much better than most cities because of an abundance of colleges and universities in the area as well as a thriving healthcare industry and a diverse economy. These factors help small businesses thrive in the Bluegrass. In 2006, Forbes ranked Lexington, KY 21st among the Best Places for Business and Careers
You've been in business for a while now any words of wisdom or lessons learned along the way that you could pass along?
As quoted by John Wooden “Nothing will work unless you do”. It’s amazing what you can achieve when you push yourself. Sometimes success depends on your willingness to devote more personal energy and work longer hours. However, when challenges slow your progress, it’s sometimes hard to remember that something good might come from all your hard work. Self-doubt can leave you wondering if your goals are worth the mental fatigue that you’re enduring along the way. I have found over the last 20 years of small business ownership that almost always, a worthwhile goal requires tremendous effort and commitment. If your goal means that much to you, and if you’re willing to do the tough stuff and not give up, you have an excellent chance of achieving it.
What should people look for when picking out an eye doctor? Should there be different considerations for children versus adults?
A major factor you should consider when choosing an eye doctor is the recommendation of that doctor by friends, family members and coworkers. Word-of-mouth referrals often are the best way to find a friendly, competent and caring eye doctor and avoid unpleasant surprises when you go to have your eyes examined. The little details can make an eye exam a very positive experience for your child. An office with a great play area and scheduled appointments with no wait time, along with a doctor who leaves the clinic coat in the closet provide a friendly relaxed environment for your child to sit back and enjoy their eye examination!
What are the general guidelines for how often people should visit the eye doctor? Does the age of the patient determine how often they should go?
Children should receive their first comprehensive eye examination before the age of 3, unless a specific condition or history of family childhood vision problems warrants an earlier examination. Children ages 3 to 19 should see the eye doctor every year or two, unless more visits are recommended due to specific medical conditions. Adults from the ages of 20 to late 30’s should have an eye exam every two years. Yearly exams become important in the late thirties when changes in vision and focus along with eye diseases are more likely to develop.
I know a lot of people who avoid going to the eye doctor because they don't want to get their eyes dilated, but the past several times I've been, I haven't had to do that. What other options are there?
While eye exams generally include a look at the front of the eye to evaluate health and prescription changes, a thorough screening of the retina is critical to verify that your eye is healthy. This can lead to early detection of common diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration, and even cancer. In the past, dilating the eye was the only way to get a full view of the retina. Thanks to new technology, the Optos Retinal Imaging System is able to provide a digital picture of the back of the eye without the use of dilation drops. The exam is quick, painless, and provides an image that can be saved for comparison at future exams.
Are there any trends in eyewear that you're seeing coming down the line? Will we all still want to wear hipster glasses?
Eyewear has become a must-have accessory for both men and women that provide an exciting way to change your style without having to buy an entire new wardrobe. The newest trends include streamlined cat-eye styles; dramatic patterns and colorful temples with a rounded frame; as well as shapes and retro-keyhole cut bridges. Hipster frames are on the way out, to be replaced by Statement frames in shapes that bridge the gap between rectangular and square; these frames can perfectly frame the face.
Here at HerKentucky, we love to support Kentucky's women owned businesses. What advice do you have for women who wants to start their own business?
Find your passion. Set a goal and go for it. Just prepare to do a lot of hard hammering, chiseling and polishing but the end result can be so worth it.
Quick Fire Round:
I came to Lexington in 1994 following graduation from Optometry school in Chicago so that my husband could finish a master’s degree. We fell in love with the area and decided to stay. Lexington often weathers recessions and downturns much better than most cities because of an abundance of colleges and universities in the area as well as a thriving healthcare industry and a diverse economy. These factors help small businesses thrive in the Bluegrass. In 2006, Forbes ranked Lexington, KY 21st among the Best Places for Business and Careers
You've been in business for a while now any words of wisdom or lessons learned along the way that you could pass along?
As quoted by John Wooden “Nothing will work unless you do”. It’s amazing what you can achieve when you push yourself. Sometimes success depends on your willingness to devote more personal energy and work longer hours. However, when challenges slow your progress, it’s sometimes hard to remember that something good might come from all your hard work. Self-doubt can leave you wondering if your goals are worth the mental fatigue that you’re enduring along the way. I have found over the last 20 years of small business ownership that almost always, a worthwhile goal requires tremendous effort and commitment. If your goal means that much to you, and if you’re willing to do the tough stuff and not give up, you have an excellent chance of achieving it.
What should people look for when picking out an eye doctor? Should there be different considerations for children versus adults?
A major factor you should consider when choosing an eye doctor is the recommendation of that doctor by friends, family members and coworkers. Word-of-mouth referrals often are the best way to find a friendly, competent and caring eye doctor and avoid unpleasant surprises when you go to have your eyes examined. The little details can make an eye exam a very positive experience for your child. An office with a great play area and scheduled appointments with no wait time, along with a doctor who leaves the clinic coat in the closet provide a friendly relaxed environment for your child to sit back and enjoy their eye examination!
What are the general guidelines for how often people should visit the eye doctor? Does the age of the patient determine how often they should go?
Children should receive their first comprehensive eye examination before the age of 3, unless a specific condition or history of family childhood vision problems warrants an earlier examination. Children ages 3 to 19 should see the eye doctor every year or two, unless more visits are recommended due to specific medical conditions. Adults from the ages of 20 to late 30’s should have an eye exam every two years. Yearly exams become important in the late thirties when changes in vision and focus along with eye diseases are more likely to develop.
I know a lot of people who avoid going to the eye doctor because they don't want to get their eyes dilated, but the past several times I've been, I haven't had to do that. What other options are there?
While eye exams generally include a look at the front of the eye to evaluate health and prescription changes, a thorough screening of the retina is critical to verify that your eye is healthy. This can lead to early detection of common diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration, and even cancer. In the past, dilating the eye was the only way to get a full view of the retina. Thanks to new technology, the Optos Retinal Imaging System is able to provide a digital picture of the back of the eye without the use of dilation drops. The exam is quick, painless, and provides an image that can be saved for comparison at future exams.
Are there any trends in eyewear that you're seeing coming down the line? Will we all still want to wear hipster glasses?
Eyewear has become a must-have accessory for both men and women that provide an exciting way to change your style without having to buy an entire new wardrobe. The newest trends include streamlined cat-eye styles; dramatic patterns and colorful temples with a rounded frame; as well as shapes and retro-keyhole cut bridges. Hipster frames are on the way out, to be replaced by Statement frames in shapes that bridge the gap between rectangular and square; these frames can perfectly frame the face.
Here at HerKentucky, we love to support Kentucky's women owned businesses. What advice do you have for women who wants to start their own business?
Find your passion. Set a goal and go for it. Just prepare to do a lot of hard hammering, chiseling and polishing but the end result can be so worth it.
Quick Fire Round:
- Coffee or tea? Coffee
- Bourbon or martinis? Wine red and dry
- One dream you still want to reach? Creating a one stop shop all under one roof for busy moms that includes an optometrist, dentist, chiropractor, gym, gynecologist and, best of all, child care to entertain your kids while you take care of all your appointments.
- Favorite Lexington restaurant? Azur
- Favorite way to spend a Friday night. Dinner, movie and the company of good friends!
Thanks Dr. Stratton for sharing a mix of business insight and practical advice! Make sure to check out our other HerKentucky Business posts here.
Lexington Fall Visitors Ideas
In a little over a week, I have friends from out of state coming in town for the Tough Mudder in Maysville. They're staying with me in Lexington, and I have a very short amount of time to convince them how amazing this city is. Here are some of my initial ideas. Consider using them if you're trying to entertain guests this fall!
I mean, you know that'd be the first thing on anyone's list, right? Thankfully, the Fall Meet runs through October 26th on all days except Monday and Tuesday. First race post time is 1:05 pm daily.
photo credit: Kelley Farms
This year's corn maze at Kelley Farms just out Old Richmond Road in Lexington is a tribute to R.J. Corman. Corman was a Nicholasville native and backhoe operator turned railway magnate. He passed earlier this year, and this is a great tribute. Kelley Farms has the corn maze, goats, hayrides, yummy festival food, pumpkins, and more. The farm is open through October 26th. Hours and prices are on their website.
Going on a tour of at least one distillery is a must-do for visitors and residents alike, but seasonally appropriate is the Ghost Tour at Buffalo Trace. These night time tours are equal parts spooky and interesting. The tours run Thurs-Sat at 7pm, and last 1 hour. Reservations must be made well in advance.
photo credit: Shakespeare & Company
As much as I love my friends, I don't like cooking 3 meals a day for groups. A list of non-chain restaurants is always handy in these occasions. Maybe we'll stop by Nick Ryan's Saloon for The Stirrup Cup Hot Brown plus a little flavor of downtown. Or we could head to my favorite place for southern diner food plus a piece of Missy's Pies: Ramesy's. For a completely different environment, we might go to Shakespeare & Company (photo above) downtown. And if we want some of the best brunch around, a trip to Winchell's on Southland Drive will be on the agenda. Elvis Pancakes, perhaps?
What other fun visitors ideas do you have?
Keeneland
I mean, you know that'd be the first thing on anyone's list, right? Thankfully, the Fall Meet runs through October 26th on all days except Monday and Tuesday. First race post time is 1:05 pm daily.
Kelley Farms Corn Maze
photo credit: Kelley Farms
This year's corn maze at Kelley Farms just out Old Richmond Road in Lexington is a tribute to R.J. Corman. Corman was a Nicholasville native and backhoe operator turned railway magnate. He passed earlier this year, and this is a great tribute. Kelley Farms has the corn maze, goats, hayrides, yummy festival food, pumpkins, and more. The farm is open through October 26th. Hours and prices are on their website.
Ghost Tour at Buffalo Trace Distillery
photo credit: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Going on a tour of at least one distillery is a must-do for visitors and residents alike, but seasonally appropriate is the Ghost Tour at Buffalo Trace. These night time tours are equal parts spooky and interesting. The tours run Thurs-Sat at 7pm, and last 1 hour. Reservations must be made well in advance.
Food
photo credit: Shakespeare & Company
As much as I love my friends, I don't like cooking 3 meals a day for groups. A list of non-chain restaurants is always handy in these occasions. Maybe we'll stop by Nick Ryan's Saloon for The Stirrup Cup Hot Brown plus a little flavor of downtown. Or we could head to my favorite place for southern diner food plus a piece of Missy's Pies: Ramesy's. For a completely different environment, we might go to Shakespeare & Company (photo above) downtown. And if we want some of the best brunch around, a trip to Winchell's on Southland Drive will be on the agenda. Elvis Pancakes, perhaps?
What other fun visitors ideas do you have?
Photo Fanatic: Celebrations Frozen in Time
A couple of years ago, I went to a blogging conference where I encountered the Smilebooth. The event of the night was a party celebrating the release of The Lorax. There was so much happy commotion coming from one side of the room, so my friend Holli and I checked it out.
It's a photo booth, but taken to the nth degree of fancy. You stand in front of the fun backdrop and see yourself on a big screen. You get a remote control, and snap away. As you're snapping, the images all went to an iPad where you could peruse them when you were done. From there, you could email it, Tweet it, or Facebook it. Boom. Instant gratification and really fun photos.
When it comes down to it, photos are the way we tend to remember our lives. For special events or just well-planned soirees, I'm a fan of hiring a photographer. Obviously for most events, the Smilebooth is cost prohibitive, though I found a few Kentucky events that had the Smilebooth. Here are the things needed to set up your own photobooth:
Have you ever set up a photo booth for an event? How did you do it?
When it comes down to it, photos are the way we tend to remember our lives. For special events or just well-planned soirees, I'm a fan of hiring a photographer. Obviously for most events, the Smilebooth is cost prohibitive, though I found a few Kentucky events that had the Smilebooth. Here are the things needed to set up your own photobooth:
- Camera: Obviously you need to capture the photos, so set up a camera at the appropriate height and for the width of the background. Having a remote shutter release is great if you don't have someone on hand to snap all the pics. If you have a fancy schmancy camera that can connect to a TV, you can connect it for people to preview their photos when they're taken.
- Backdrop: Fun, festive backdrops are awesome. Make one by securing holiday garland or streamers to a wall or drop cloth and hanging. Or you can purchase backdrops from Etsy if there's something you're really going for. I love the backdrops that have texture to them. Here's an easy tutorial for a backdrop made of plastic table cloths.
- Props: This is where things get fun. Make or buy props. Funny hats, stick moustaches, balloons, feather boas, picture frames, and more. Lots of Etsy sellers have great prop packs.
- A gallery: You want your friends to be able to access and share the photos, so upload them to a gallery after the event. You could use Flickr, Picasa, Smugmug, or even just Facebook.
Have you ever set up a photo booth for an event? How did you do it?
Kentucky Winery Wedding
If you're like me and got married in the pre-Pinterest age, you probably wish you had it back then. Just think of all those awesome projects you could do!
In reality though, so many of those projects are super stressful, and if I were getting married again, I'd probably take on way too many things and then get frustrated or disappointed when I couldn't do ALL THE THINGS!
I had a small wedding at Chrisman Mill Winery in Nicholasville back in October 2007. Other Lexington-area wineries that have weddings are Talon Winery in Lexington, Equus Run in Midway, and Acres of Land in Richmond. At the time, Jean Farris was offering weddings but I don't think they do them anymore.
To push the fall theme, we used oranges and browns as primary colors to compliment the turning colors of the leaves. Part of the appeal of having an outdoor wedding was the colors and decorations that Mother nature provided. This meant we could use fewer flowers and save some money. Instead of fresh cut flowers along the grass aisle or under the gazebo, we opted for large potted mums, which were really inexpensive and in-season. Some of our guests took them home and planted them, which was awesome because they didn't go to waste.
Since we had a small wedding (less than 80 people), that meant I could do some things like make some of the favors. To continue the wine theme, I wanted to give away wine glasses, but with a personal touch. I found someone on the local message board for The Knot (great resource) who had extra wine glasses left over from her wedding. I purchased all that I needed for about half the price if I would have gone to a restaurant supply shop, and she was happy to get them off her hands.
I bought beads and wire to make wine stem wraps, and my friends and I made all the bead strands in one night. We added a printed tag to the stem wrap that was a note of thanks for attending. That was probably the most DIY project I did, and it was enough for me!
We kept things simple but added some Kentucky flair and personal touches. My husband's aunt made our cake, which we decorated with live flowers. The guestbook was a photo book of our engagement photos that people signed over. It's now a permanent fixture on our coffee table. We had Lexington's famous Spalding's Donuts as our grooms cake. For the ring bearer that was too young to walk, we had our bridesmaid pull him in my old Radio Flyer wagon down the aisle. The day before the wedding, we took some of our bridal party and guests out to Keeneland. We loved that our wine was local from the winery, and we had beer from Kentucky Ale (I worked for Alltech at the time - owners of Kentucky Ale.)
 |
| Caught in the act of donut eating prior to the ceremony. |
All of these things made the wedding more special than anywhere I might have relied solely on Pinterest project suggestions and becoming overwhelmed about not having things perfect enough.
Some considerations when looking at having a Kentucky winery wedding:
- Most wineries have restrictions on serving alcohol, so if you're determined to have bourbon or other spirits at your wedding, check the restrictions of the venue before booking.
- Check that the area is handicap accessible if you have elderly or disabled guests. To get to the area for our ceremony, there was a large hill with steps. We rented a golf cart and had an enthusiastic usher drive those who wanted up and down the hill.
- Have a backup plan. All outdoor weddings are a gamble. Make sure to have a backup plan in case of rain or cold. This means having tents with walls and heaters (or fans in spring or summer) on standby. We had our wedding and reception outdoors, and the threat of inclement weather was probably the most stressful thing about the entire wedding (thankfully it was perfect.)
- Guest safety: Many wineries are located in the countryside where narrow back roads have to be taken. Consider your guests and their alcohol consumption and plan for ways to get them home from your reception safely. We had designated drivers that stayed until the end of the event to drive people home if that was needed. You could also hire a car service to handle this.
What did you do for your Kentucky-themed wedding?
Giveaway: Social Club Dinner
What do you get when you combine a mystery location, food and music, a chance to wear a mask, and help benefit a local charity? You get Social Club Dinner.
Social Club Dinner is a night filled with food, friends, music, and a little bit of mystery; the location of the event is announced 4 hours before the the festivities begins. As guests descend upon the secret location music fills the air, and a large public dinner party under the stars unfolds. These dinners have brought 1,000 people or more in other cities, so we're excited that it's coming to Louisville.
The event is July 26th, and the theme is MASQUERADE! (For any of you other Revenge fans who automatically think about Victoria Grayson's party, I'm with you.) The local charity partner hasn't been announced yet, but a portion of the event earnings will stay local.
You have to request an invitation to this event since the locations and details are kept secret. You can request an invite from their website, and also check the end of this post for a chance to win 2 tickets!
We know how to do Derby in Kentucky - let's show Social Club Dinner how we do masquerade! Here are a few food ideas:
Social Club Dinner is a night filled with food, friends, music, and a little bit of mystery; the location of the event is announced 4 hours before the the festivities begins. As guests descend upon the secret location music fills the air, and a large public dinner party under the stars unfolds. These dinners have brought 1,000 people or more in other cities, so we're excited that it's coming to Louisville.
The event is July 26th, and the theme is MASQUERADE! (For any of you other Revenge fans who automatically think about Victoria Grayson's party, I'm with you.) The local charity partner hasn't been announced yet, but a portion of the event earnings will stay local.
You have to request an invitation to this event since the locations and details are kept secret. You can request an invite from their website, and also check the end of this post for a chance to win 2 tickets!
We know how to do Derby in Kentucky - let's show Social Club Dinner how we do masquerade! Here are a few food ideas:
Hot Brown Casserole (because we love a Kentucky spin)
Masquerade Cookies (cute + delicious)
For table decor, you could go with masks, feathers, flowers, or more. I bet the ladies at Dee's Crafts (my favorite craft store in Louisville) would have some amazing ideas. I'm thinking some sort of masquerade topiary covered in glitter, though everything I ever think of tends to be covered in glitter, so maybe more thinking is needed on my part.
Want your ticket to the Social Club Dinner? We're giving 2 away!
To enter, leave a comment below: What food and/or decor ideas do you have for this event?
For additional entries, you can do any of the optional items in the widget below. Entries close 5/29/13 at 11:59pm.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
What Not to Wear: Keeneland Edition
Ten fashion mistakes to avoid at Lexington's Keeneland Race Track.
I attended Keeneland last Friday, opening day. It was gorgeous - the weather was sunny and just warm enough for shorter dresses and barer sleeves. Opening day is also traditionally College Day at Keeneland, where they give away scholarships. For many of the college-aged kids (um, adults) I saw at Keeneland, it seemed like it was their first time. Slow betting, having trouble using the ATM, and getting sloshy on bourbon by race two. I don't blame them - Keeneland is an exciting tradition unique to Lexington and if you're a UK student who doesn't experience it while you're here, you should consider it a missed opportunity!
Heather shared her "how to dress" tips which are crucial for people especially going to one of the dining rooms or to the clubhouse. They're pretty strict about that stuff. For the rest of us though, there are really no guidelines, so you tend to see a range of outfits. As someone who loves people-watching, it's always a great time.
I noticed quite a few mistakes though when it came to fashion on opening day. So here I present to you: Top 10 fashion no-no's at Keeneland.
- Hem lines: Ladies. If you're wearing a short dress, don't forget that being outside in the spring means breezes. If your dress or skirt barely covers your skivvies, you need to reconsider the look.
- Colors: I am all for colorful outfits. When wearing a colorful print, consider going with a more neutral shoe, handbag, and jewelry. It looks like someone escaped from the Skittles bag otherwise.
- Heels: Anything over a 3" heel is not advised unless you are a supermodel who can take standing in 5" plus shoes for 6 hours. You can look super cute standing still, but the donkey walk of foot pain will get you the wrong type of attention.
- Shoes Required: If you don't take my advice with tip 3 above, please never, ever, ever take your shoes off. The ground is dirty, y'all!
- Coordinate with your friends: If you are going to Keeneland with a group of girls, make sure to see what the other is wearing. You don't have to match, but when two of you show up in the same exact dress with a sailboat pattern, it's kind of awkward.
- Instant ugly: The easiest way for you to look ugly at Keeneland is to be rude. It does not make you look cool to bump into people repeatedly, should obscenities or spill drinks on people without apologizing.
- Reconsider the freebies: If a sponsor is giving away foam hats shaped like whales, reconsider wearing while still at Keeneland. Not only do you look silly, you're also blocking peoples view.
- Tobacco accessories: Popular among the guys at Keeneland opening day were tobacco accessories: cigars and pipes. If you're going to partake in these: 1) Know how to lite them properly; 2) Don't blow smoke in peoples faces; 3) Consider the age-appropriateness of these items.
- Printed pants: Also on the mens side - we understand printed pants are cute and agree some are totally appropriate for Keeneland. Just make sure your printed pants aren't your actual pajama bottoms. No button-down and bow tie can make them look appropriate.
- Bras are meant to be concealed: If your dress goes lower in the back, make sure you pull your bra band down so its covered. I didn't need to know what color your bra was or how many hooks it has.
Hoops and Horses
Spring in the Bluegrass seems to have brought some interesting things this year.
- Lack of UK Men's basketball in the NCAA Tournament
- UK Hoops (Women) making it to the NCAA Tourney Sweet 16
- Snow
I will leave the basketball commentary to our more sports-inclined writers. And luckily for you, I won't spend the next few hundred words writing about how awful snow in late March is. Instead, I'll share something that IS consistent with spring: Keeneland.
Next Friday is opening day of the 2013 Spring Meet at Keeneland, and it comes at a time where we're ready to bust out of our houses in springy dresses and sunglasses. We look forward to betting on gorgeous thoroughbreds and sipping on bourbon in the sunshine.
If you're like me, you've been shopping with Keeneland in mind. Thankfully florals are a huge trend right now, as is the Pantone color the year, Emerald. This means a plethora of options for the month of April and days spent in the sun.
If the sun and temperatures don't cooperate with our outfits, remember to just layer some tights, keep your boots out, and add a cardigan and wool coat over your flowered frock. Keeneland is one spring tradition that should never be broken.