Jason Kirk, co-founder and CEO of Kirk & Kirk, has hosted a series of special podcasts ahead of Silmo next weekend, in which he interviews industry figures from within and outside optics.
Called The Right Optics by Silmo – the podcasts feature interviews with Nada Vusic, Daniel Feldman, Peter Cross, Louis Fullagar and Lorna Robinson – all designed to be warm and personal as well as offering some inspiring professional tips.
The first interview is with optical retailer Nada Vuksic of Bruce Eyewear in Vancouver. Having built up her business over more than 20 years, Nada recently suffered a fire that destroyed her main store.
Jason also interviewed Daniel Feldman, executive editor at The Optical Journal, who shares his experience of marketing and communication from both within and outside of optics.
Peter Cross was customer experience director at John Lewis and Waitrose before leaving to consult on retail and consumer behaviour. Having worked with Mary Portas at Yellow Door, Peter shares insight into the way that consumers shop and what the next six to 12 months might hold.
Louis Fullagar left his optical role in Australia to work in retail and repped in the US before becoming founder of Luxury Eyewear Forum. Louis talks about his world and shares learnings from before his time in eyewear.
Jason also spoke with Lorna Robinson, head buyer at the Hakim Group, about her experience across different parts of the eyewear world and what a buyer is looking for in their relationship with suppliers.
Jason said: “It is a an honour for me to be the voice of Silmo in hosting these podcasts. I’ve really enjoyed putting them together and learnt loads. Silmo has a pivotal role to play in our industry and several recurring themes in the podcasts really bring this home; community, relationships, human contact.”
Kirk & Kirk recently celebrated the opening of a special pop up shop alongside London Design Festival. Open until 29 September, the shop is part of the brand’s expansion plans after a boom in demand following the pandemic. Located in Shoreditch, the shop showcases Kirk & Kirk’s distinctive style of eyewear – display the entire Kirk & Kirk collection in one space for the fist time.
#TheRightOptics is available on Spotify Music Promotion, Apple and other podcast providers. It was produced by @NickCoffer at Boutique Broadcast.