Utenzi Miller of Elegant Eyes, Inc

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” bg_type=”image” parallax_style=”vcpb-default” bg_image_new=”id^3115|url^https://www.womeneur.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/womeneur-spotlight-utenzi-miller-of-elegant-eyes-inc_650_650_90_ffffffgrayopac-7_s_c1.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^womeneur-spotlight-utenzi-miller-of-elegant-eyes-inc_650_650_90_ffffffgrayopac-7_s_c1|description^null” css=”.vc_custom_1461357181115{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1461357378353{margin-bottom: -2px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

UTENZI MILLER OF ELEGANT EYES, INC

OPTICIAN/OWNERCEO & LEAD COACH[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”5″ accent_color=”#e3672b” css=”.vc_custom_1460496937176{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Website:

Social Media: [dt_social_icons animation=”none” alignment=”default”][dt_social_icon target_blank=”true” icon=”facebook” link=”http://facebook.com/UtenziMiller” /][dt_social_icon target_blank=”true” icon=”twitter” link=”http://twitter.com/UtenziMiller” /][dt_social_icon target_blank=”true” icon=”instagram” link=”http://instagram.com/UtenziMiller” /][/dt_social_icons][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”3114″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There have been many careers that we have covered during our Womeneur Spotlight but the optometry field is a first! Meet Utenzi Miller! She is the driving force behind the daily operations of  centers in New Jersey. Utenzi has been in the optical field since she was very young. As a 1996 graduate of Essex County College’s opthalmic dispensing program, Utenzi Miller marks the third generation of her family dedicated to quality eyewear. Utenzi’s primary goal when assisting customers is to

‘listen to what they want and help them find the right “look”, the right look can be an amazing self-esteem builder.

Utenzi’s additional goal is to ensure the well being of their vision and the overall health of their eyes. Utenzi is a member of the , Association of Women Business Owners, & Woman Association of NJPAC. Utenzi has been featured on , ,, Patch, and Creme-Magazine.

Utenzi and her company brings people great quality in terms of trendy eyewear and the ability to give you the information and expertise to take care of your eyes! Learn more about Utenzi’s journey in business, her fears and whats most rewarding about being a Womeneur.

What inspired your journey into business?
Entrepreneurship is a part of my DNA. My grandparents owned and operated several optical stores, dry cleaners and convenience store, all in Newark, NJ in the 1960’s. So I have always had the desire to go into business for myself. In a sense my career discovered me. It was a natural progression for me to become an optician and eventually open my own business.

What steps did you take to start your business?
After graduation from Essex County College, I decided to really study the optical industry beyond my scope of view by working for my family. A little while later, I became a manager at Pearle Vision for 3 years. It was there I learned how to manage employees, bookkeeping, sales projections, and billing. I believe that experience helped mold me into the businesswoman I am today.

What are your biggest fears?
My greatest fear as an entrepreneur is losing the hunger that got me here and sparked my best ideas. Fear of complacency.

What do you do to stay motivated when you feel like giving up?
Mediation & Pray

What are your weaknesses in business and how have you worked past them? 
Time management. The demands on my time is stretched further & further daily. I have incorporated a very structured to-do list for my schedule. This allows me to not overdo myself in one day.

What’s been most rewarding?
The most rewarding moments are when my customers send say, I love my new glasses. “Happiness begins with vision”.

Who were you before you started your business?
A serial entrepreneur. I’ve always been one to come up with new ideas & start new businesses. I have never been afraid of failing. However, I am afraid of regret. I don’t want to look back on my life and feel bad that I missed an opportunity. I enjoy taking risks and living life to the fullest.

If you had to do it again, what (if anything) would you do differently?
Absolutely nothing

What’s one good software or application you cannot live without?
Google & Quick Books

What’s your secret to cultivating a relationship between you and your customers?
Being my authentic self. Transparency builds solid relationships.

Where do you see your business in 5 years?
Five years from now, I see the Elegant Eyes brand in other retailers. I see a few more locations and our “Eye For Style” personal concierge sister company on the upward slope.

What are 3 tips you can share with budding and current entrepreneurs/business owners?

1. Be Honest and humble
2. Look for mentors
3. Be open to collaborations

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