Willow Glen Resident
Business
Photograph by Vicki Thompson
Clear Vision: Optometrists Julie Ngan and her husband Kevin Trainor (not shown) celebrate 10 years of business in Willow Glen. VisualEyes Optometry provides eye care and eyewear to clients. The business is located on Lincoln Avenue.
VisualEyes Optometry celebrates 10th anniversary in Willow Glen
By Emilie Crofton
VisualEyes Optometry in downtown Willow Glen is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Optometrists Kevin Trainor and Julie Ngan, a husband-and-wife team, attribute their success to "loyal customers and loyal service."
Their success could also be attributed to Trainor and Ngan's strong working relationship.
Not every couple can work together, but Trainor and Ngan are happy with their arrangement. The couple rotates throughout the week, each working three days a week.
"It's unique," Trainor says.
In addition to the medical portion of the business, Ngan handles the books and accounting, while Trainor takes care of the facilities.
"We have the same philosophy on how we treat our patients, and it's easy for us to make decisions together," Ngan says. "We both love what we do."
The optometrists say it is important to the success of the business that they stay current with the latest advancements in their field.
"We keep up with new technology. Our product brands and styles are always up to date. The office and store decor is very modern. I think it's very inviting to patients and customers when they walk in here," Trainor says.
The decor includes a display window with mini popcorn bags and rolls of movie ticket stubs as a tribute to the Garden Theater, which is located directly across the street from the optometry center.
The couple, who live in Fremont, discovered Willow Glen after they attended Dancin' on the Avenue and thought the location would be a great place to do business, especially considering there were no other optometrists nearby.
"Willow Glen is unique, friendly, neighborly and just a great place to run a business and meet new people," Trainer says. "In the past 10 years we've grown with the area."
Trainer grew up in Denver and received his undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado. He attended Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton, where he met Ngan, who also has a degree from UC-Berkeley.
The couple has two daughters, ages 4 and 6.
The couple has established VisualEye Optometry as a one-stop service, offering eye care and eyewear. The sale of eyewear is a convenience for patients, who can get their prescriptions filled at the same location. The health-care service includes eye exams, contact-lens service, refractive surgery co-management and optical dispensing.
Visual Eyes Optometry is located at 1172 Lincoln Ave. For more information, call 408.283.7100.
