As a prior employee for Pearle Vision I would often be asked if there was a REAL Dr. Pearle. I would proudly say "Yes, and I know him. He is amazing."

I first met Dr. Pearle in 1987 at an employee meeting in Indianapolis. I was the store manager for a location in Cincinnati and we briefly were introduced. Six months later, I attended a training in Dallas (the one time headquarters for the International company) and he saw me in the hall and said "You're that new manager in Cincinnati, aren't you?"

That was 20 years ago and he was 67 at the time. I remember being amazed by his memory. As a young 30 year old, I must have thought that there weren't many brain cells remaining at that "advanced" age.

Over the years I had many occasions to meet and talk with Dr. Pearle and once I was transferred to New England where his daughter Roberta lives, I had the opportunity to travel with Dr. Pearle taking him to my stores.

To this day I am amazed by his ability to see the business, the industry, with fresh eyes and yet with the perspective from someone who started the industry.

Dr. Pearle opened his first location in 1961 - a retail optical store - a radical thought in those days. Recently his autobiography was written, A Man of Vision.

I would encourage you to check it out. This is a man who envisioned big things before their time and made it happen. Not only that, you'll learn about the love of his life, Elsie. I remember her. They were the sweetest couple - so attentive and loving.

Is there a REAL Dr. Pearle? You betcha - he is one of my all time heros.

Do you have a hero in business? A legend in their own time? Have you told them how important they are to you?

Deborah Chaddock Brown
Professional Writer, Grateful to Say I Know My Hero
AllWrite Ink