A lot can happen in a decade and as they celebrate their 10 year anniversary this November, the family at VisionPoint reflects on how the company has grown over the years.
Ten years ago, VisionPoint consisted of one store, one lab, with 5 employees. Present day, the company has expanded to 5 stores, 2 labs, and over 30 employees, along with launching a sunglass expansion through SunGlass Point, which has “been the focus for the last 24 months,” shared Jennifer Ebersberger. Daughters of owners Atse and Paulette Krstevski, Ebersberger and her sister Amanda Bardoczi handle store operations and marketing.
“With the success of VisionPoint over the last years, and now VisionPoint/SunGlass Point, expansion is in the future,” Bardoczi stated. “We are looking for where there is a need for care.” The family is currently evaluating which community to branch into next, as the stores already serve Valparaiso, Portage, La Porte, Crown Point, and Schererville. When it comes to expansion, the ladies’ parents are the driving force in choosing a new location. “Mom needs to see it on a map, see it geographically. Dad needs to drive through the community and ‘feel’ it,” said Ebersberger.
Why so many locations? VisionPoint is eager to serve their customers and make receiving eye care convenient. “Very few people work and live in the same place,” Bardoczi stated. “To increase service to our customers is to give them more options. It’s nice for them to have their appointment in one place, such as where they work, and for them to be able to pick up their prescription in another, such as where they live.”
“Our core value is that we are locally owned,” Bardoczi continued. To remain true to their values in serving others, VisionPoint gives back to the community in a number of ways. For the last four years, the company hosts a food drive in November, collecting dry or canned goods that are distributed to local food pantries. In return for their donation, customers are offered $60 off a complete pair of prescription eyeglasses. VisionPoint will once again host the food drive and collect goods through December.
The company also is a part of the St. Paul and Immanuel Lutheran School voucher programs, along with holding a sponsorship position with the Boys and Girls Club of Porter County. “These are really good programs for kids,” shared Bardoczi.
VisionPoint also is a big proponent of Opportunity Enterprises. Every Christmas, Bardoczi and Ebersberger purchase company Christmas gifts from OE’s Simply Amazing Market- baskets of popcorn, chocolates, pottery, and more. The company also utilizes local restaurants, such as Strongbow, when hosting their Christmas party.
To continue the “remaining local” spirit, VisionPoint is always on the lookout for local licensed optometrists to join their staff.