Practicality with Style with Nancy Gries and Julie Hawkins

OWA Talks Podcast

We are Nancy Gries and Julie Hawkins. We are 50+ year old ladies who
met at work two decades ago. Together we have over 50 years’ experience
in the optical industry. Over these years we have been honoured to call
our mentors and colleagues some of our closest friends. A few year’s ago
we both encountered experiences which left us feeling taken advantage of
and vulnerable. We both thought; we can either sit back and accept this
OR do something about it to not expose ourselves to this kind of mistrust
again. So, we ventured out and created our own brand called CotiVision
(COTI being the acronym for Chuckle On The Inside). We set out to create
a different approach to ready reading glasses, to break the old age
perception, and to create a unique and original collection guaranteed to
restore some fun into growing up!
Those 40+ years of age know the stigma around hitting this milestone and
needing to extend things at arm’s length to read small
print. Unfortunately, deteriorating eyesight is a consequence of age.
Ready reading glasses are fundamental for most; however, they never
seem to be there when we need them. So was born our Coti Vision
necklace reading glasses, which are simply worn around the neck and
lifted when needed. Gone are the days of rummaging around to find
them left lying on the desk/counter, in the bottom of our handbag, or
perched on top of our head. Worn around the neck, they are always at our
fingertips. Reading menus, packaging labels, mobile phone messages,
has never been more convenient.
There is an additional twist to this gem. The construction of the necklace
allows the reading glass element to be removed, so the necklace can be
worn on its own. There are additional chain choices offered separately
which offers even more colour and style options.
Growing old doesn’t have to mean being boring! Our approach to reading
glasses can be extended to the issues that face an aging population in
general. This lends itself to topics for a Podcast from hair, make-up, to
menopause, mental health, etc.
One of our prized mentors once said: “we have been gifted two ears and
one mouth, we need to remember to use them in that proportion”. Due
to our experiences and maturity, we have learned to “listen” to situations
and “hear’ with both ears, but we are not afraid to speak up with questions,
ask for clarification and advice. By using the gifts we have been given we
have become people who can be “counted on”. Being a person who can
be counted on builds trust, and this is the foundation for building strong
relationships. We aim to celebrate every day and approach life with a
sense of creativity and fun. We are “normal” middle aged ladies who feel
we have a story to tell and hope to inspire, educate and motivate others.
Here is to our cheeky slogan of “Raise your Glasses”!

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