“I love running a business as much as my optometry work.”
Laura Reale of Lifestyle Optical Sydney is an optometrist and business owner who has been running her business since 2000, driven by a deep internal pull to create something of her own. She started her first practice in The Galeries Sydney CBD and has since expanded to four practices within the Sydney CBD.
Today, Laura helps adults with demanding visual lifestyles see clearly and comfortably all day. Through holistic eye exams and independent, premium lenses, contacts, and eyewear, she expertly fits and styles solutions for work, screens, and everyday life.
At the heart of Laura’s work is a genuine love for both the technical and business sides of what she does. “The best part is organising your life around the business,” she shares. Over the years, she’s learned that success requires more than technical skill, from navigating compliance and finances to managing people and operations. Each stage has brought new lessons and growth.
“HerBusiness not only guides me in running the business, but it also reassures me that I’m not alone — that my struggles are the same as other women. I get that warm fuzzy feeling — the one you get when you have found your tribe.”
Laura has been a member of the HerBusiness Network for over 7 years. Since joining, she has found connection, support, and a community of like-minded women who truly understand the highs and challenges of business ownership. She regularly attends member events, participates in programs, and has been part of a Growth Group for a number of years, where she has formed lifelong friendships.
Laura is also an international bestselling author and one of ten Australian women featured in Voices of the 21st Century: Wise Women Bringing Light to the World, an international collection celebrating women’s achievements and wisdom. She co-authored the book with her fellow Growth Group member and HerBusiness Member, Marsha Lake. Laura’s chapter shares her journey of growing her business from one store to four while balancing motherhood and is a story of resilience, adaptability, and determination.
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
My late pharmacist who ran 4 stores in the CBD and knew when to grow and when to contract and how to stay in a profitable business until 85 years of age.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
I started in 2000 and it was just a burning desire in me that had to be exited.
Hubby also wanted a business but thought that my career was more stable than his.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
That’s a great question and the answer depends on what stage of the business I was in.
But the best part is organising your life around the business.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- Do a business course before starting to be aware of the other parts of the business. I was the technician and thought that was enough to pull me through but the heavy hand of the institutions you report to like the tax office, landlord, fair trading to employ people properly– all that needed to be done well and consistently… and it wasn’t my forte at all so I had to learn on the go and I was almost resentful that my time was taken up by these compliance issues instead of just being the technician which I loved!!
- Have spare cash in the bank- businesses are like personal budgets where you need savings for a rainy day.
- Don’t be frightened to take time off– I am still working through this…
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
- If it’s in you to do it – just do it but do a business plan and use professionals like accountants and lawyers to check your plan…
- Make sure your passion is business, not just the technician part of your work. I love running a business as much as my optometry work.
- The business part can sometimes need more attention than the technician part or you may be running a charity and will not get paid!!
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
- Accounting, employment, and negotiating skills for costs related to business, such as tenancies, stock, and tools.
- Look at competitors for pricing models.. and do your own …
- Ask your current employer to explain what’s involved in a business especially if that’s the industry you want to stay in…
- Go for it and enjoy the ride… remember it’s your dream!!!
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
My ideal business is me working 4 days a week with a bricks and mortar and online business that generates consistent profit to pay the bills without stressing every month.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
What HerBusiness does for me is stop the loneliness that comes with being at the top of my business and within my circle of friends who can’t relate to owning a business. Owning and leading a business is not everyone’s cup of tea so you will often find that your closest family and friends are not aligned with your thinking.
HerBusiness not only guides me in running the business, but a lot of the content like in the podcasts where Suzi interviews other business women resonates with me and gives me that reassurance that I’m not alone, not crazy, my struggles are the same as other women. I get that warm fuzzy feeling — the one you get when you have found your tribe.
Learn more about Laura and Lifestyle Optical Sydney.
