Growing Your Social Capital

It's Who You Know, Not What You Know

Dr.Beauchamp – Optometrist who has worked in the business for 40 years

Domain Expert- They are a domain expert because they are an optometrist which is a facet of the business I would like to own and reproduce.

I found this person through shadowing them over Spring Break.

Over Spring Break I shadowed him and asked him questions regarding his profession and how the optical business affects it.

This connection will help me get into contact others that are in the same field.

Bernarda Padilla- Manager at an Optical

Market Expert- She is a Market expert because she has been selling glasses and booking appointments for 20 years.

I found this person because I have been getting glasses from her all my life.

Over Spring Break I shadowed under the optometrist but I was in close proximity to the manager.

This connection helped me understand what goes on behind an optical. Such as the upkeep, finances, what customers expect, the attitude that goes along with the job, how to talk to suppliers. This connection also brings me closer to understanding and knowing the optical’s around the city.

Kim- The Costa Supplier around Kendall, Miami

Supplier Expert- They are a supplier expert because they sell Costa Glasses to Optical’s around the city.

I found this person when I was Shadowing the optometrist over Spring Break. The Lady came in and went to Bernarda, and Bernarda introduced me.

This encounter although brief was a great way to gauge the interactions between supplier and market expert. I saw the relationship they have and the prices that glasses cost.

This connection is beneficial because when I own an optical in the future, I need to have good relations with the suppliers otherwise they wither won’t sell to me or will give me low quality items

This experience was great. Before I never fully invested much time into the business, but since I shadowed I uncovered aspects of the business that most people do not see. Due to my networking, people want to help get an edge and achieve my goal. It seems when you put yourself out there, people want to help out.