Profile of The Month: L’AIRE VISUELLE

Read the article on the SOI website

Upon entering L’AIRE VISUELLE, it is hard to imagine that the office celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2017. With ultramodern architecture, a warm welcome, and stylish frames, L’AIRE VISUELLE is an eyewear clinic that has wonderfully adapted to its market.

What is the secret to their success? Continuously rethinking their approach and asking questions to fully understand the present and future needs of their patients.

“I can’t stop thinking that things need to change,” shares owner Dr. Sylvain Duquette. It was in this context of change and improvement that optician Suzie Pelletier joined the practice in 2003. Together, they renovated and modified the office several times, which at that time was located in the Vilamont shopping center. Despite this, their exam room was always full, they could not expand, and contractors felt the office lacked visibility:

“One Saturday morning, we went around the neighborhood and wondered: how is it that these people aren’t our clients? But in the end, it was simply that they didn’t even know we existed,” recalls Suzie Pelletier. They then began searching for a project to continue expanding their practice.

In 2013, they moved into an office that reflected both the owners and their patients. Like any move, they had to face their clients’ apprehension: they feared the office might become cold and impersonal. Suzie Pelletier and Dr. Sylvain Duquette are proud to have met this challenge. They successfully maintained the very familial and warm style of the office. Moreover, the opening of a third exam room was part of their plan… and they wisely accounted for the necessary space during the move! And they are happy with the result.

Additionally, L’AIRE VISUELLE welcomed Pierluigi Merolla as a new associate optician shortly after their move. According to the owners, the optometrist-optician partnership plays an important role in the success of a vision clinic.

In retrospect, Dr. Duquette feels that moving was the right decision, especially in an industry as competitive as optics. Through good management and better discounts from suppliers, they achieved higher efficiency and results.

The owners are proud to be present and actively involved in the practice. They are emotionally invested in the business and firmly believe that this detail makes all the difference in client loyalty.

“There will always be room for people who take initiative — that’s what sets apart a professional who works without questioning things from an independent professional who has no choice but to ask questions!” — Dr. Sylvain Duquette