Kayla
"There is a sacredness in tears, they are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They are messengers of overwhelming grief and of unspeakable love."
Kayla, Eyewear Consultant/CCOA, was born and raised in Port Alberni. As a child, Kayla had dreams of becoming a musician, and her love for music still plays a big role in her life today. She enjoys playing the saxophone and listening to her favorite tunes. Outside of work, Kayla is active in sports, playing both softball and volleyball, and she also loves watching and reading murder mysteries and true crime stories.
Kayla spent one year at North Island College and is certified in Occupational First Aid Level 3 through Alberni First Aid. She is also a Certified Canadian Optometric Assistant (CCOA), though most of what she has learned came through hands-on experience. Growing up around Valley Vision Optometry, where her mother worked for 30 years, she has a deep connection to the practice.
Kayla loves her job for many reasons, including the opportunity to work with amazing coworkers and interact with the local community. As a Port Alberni native, she knows many of the patients, making it easy for her to connect and provide personalized service. While there were initial challenges—such as overcoming assumptions that she got the job because of her family connection—Kayla has proven herself through hard work and dedication. Her advice to anyone joining the team? The job can feel overwhelming at first, but it gets easier with time and experience.