Beyond the Frames: Celebrating Women in Eyewear - Amber Jackson’s Mission to Redefine Vision with Glitz Optical
1. Let's begin with how it all started. Where are you from and how did your upbringing influence your life today?
I am from Dallas, Texas, USA and my mother is from Ennis, a small town located about 45 minutes south of Dallas. My father is from Guyana, South America. The blend of Southern hospitality and Caribbean culture has given me the ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Witnessing my family's hard work to provide for themselves while also serving others has had a profound impact on me.
2. Can you share more about the exact moment you fell in love with eyewear & eye care and why you decided to take this path?
I have been an optician for many years, but I didn't truly fall in love with the profession until I recognized how often minority features were overlooked in the design process. While I enjoy styling clients, I’ve seen how the industry often fails to provide a variety of eye sizes and nose bridges that accommodate the diverse ethnic features of all faces. During my training with a major eyewear brand in LA, I realized that my perspective on frame design was not being valued. This realization motivated me to create a space where everyone's unique features would be acknowledged in the design process, leading to the founding of Glitz Optical.
3. You’ve been in the eyewear/care industry for 10+ years. What was your experience like joining it as a woman over 10 years ago and how has it changed over the years if at all?
As a woman in the eyewear industry, I often encounter male figures who believe their experience gives them more authority, especially when it comes to understanding the needs of a woman of color. This can be particularly challenging when your superior has more years in the field but lacks the vision to recognize the importance of inclusivity. Breaking into this industry and advocating for representation for everyone has been difficult, but it has also been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
4. Talk to us about your business. How did it get started and why is it important for the community you serve?
Glitz Optical began as a mobile concept, allowing us to see clients in the comfort of their own homes. While working at a high-end optical store in Highland Park, I noticed that many clients would send their assistants, secretaries, or friends to pick up their glasses to save time. However, they often still needed adjustments or had questions about their prescriptions. This highlighted a significant need for accessible optical services for working-class Americans.
For five years, we have served the community by providing optical services through virtual consultations and in-person visits. This approach has been especially beneficial for individuals with disabilities or limited mobility. Additionally, we dedicate a portion of our proceeds to donate up to 100 pairs of glasses to children each year during our annual back-to-school event. We are excited to announce that we now have our first brick-and-mortar location in a major grocery store in an area that has been food-deprived for many years and we’re in the process of building out our second location within their walls.
5. What have been some challenges you have faced? What about rewards?
Building a concept that has never existed before has presented numerous challenges, as we are the first mobile optical service of its kind. Without a blueprint to follow, we've had to trial and test everything, which has been both challenging and rewarding. It’s gratifying to know that we are on the right path and that this service is truly wanted and needed by our community. Helping those who have mobility issues still feel seen with stylish eyewear has been most satisfying.
6. Who / what were some of your female influences growing up? What about now?
My greatest influences come from the women in my life whom I see every day. My mother, who is currently battling stage four brain cancer, has shown incredible strength and resilience throughout the years, teaching my sister and me how to persevere despite life's challenges. I am also inspired by everyday customers—women I meet in grocery store checkout lines, often with five children in tow, who exude determination and hope. It’s these everyday women, who do whatever it takes to care for their families, that inspire me the most.
7. Where do you see your business in the next 10 years?
I envision Glitz Optical as a staple in the community, with multiple locations serving underprivileged individuals and those seeking unique styles they can't find elsewhere. Community is extremely important to us, and we are committed to bringing luxury to places that have been overlooked
8. What advice would you give to any women who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs?
To any woman interested in becoming an entrepreneur, I encourage you to get started today. Each day that passes is an opportunity you won't get back, and it's better to live a life of trying than one filled with regrets. Take action, and remember that you don’t have to do it alone, get out and network. Nurture your idea, pray about it, and stay open to the connections that God will bring into your life to help fuel your purpose.
9. How can people connect with you to learn more about your work?
Visit our website at glitzopticalonline.com, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook at Glitz Optical. You can also stop by our store, located inside the new Joe V grocery store by H-E-B at 4101 W. Wheatland Rd., Dallas, TX 75287.