We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie LeSage and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was feeling burn out and like my professional and intellectual growth was stagnant where I was working. For a career that could last 30-40+ years, I felt like I was too young to feel this way. I figured that if I was going to work this hard, I might as well work for myself so I can structure my clinic and treat my patients the way I believe they deserve to be treated. I wanted a challenge to help me grow both personally and professionally. Being a small business owner is the ultimate challenge!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our passion at Modern Spectacle Eye Care is to provide the best possible vision and eye care to our patients in a sophisticated and welcoming environment. We aim to deliver a seamless and enjoyable experience in everything we do, from preserving our patients’ eye health to selecting the perfect frames to complement each patient’s unique and beautiful features.

Planning and opening your own small business is not for the faint of heart! Since I had almost no experience in private practice, I hired consultants (iCare Advisors) to help guide me. Being comfortable with knowing that I’ll always have a unending to-do list but that I’ll work through it little by little is what keeps my anxiety in check. You can only do so much in a 24-hour day and that’s okay. Prioritize your tasks and do your best!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Dallas has so many neighborhoods to explore!
-Starting the day out at White Rock Lake is always a good idea. We love to grab a coffee at White Rock Coffee before heading to the lake. You get to exercise and enjoy the largest urban lake in the United States. If it isn’t too hot, you can then head over to the Dallas Arboretum to enjoy the many flowers and plants that are growing and blooming there. You can then end the day with dinner and drinks at Smoky Rose where you have to choice to eat indoors or on the patio.

-Another day can be spent in downtown. Start the morning at the Dallas Farmer’s Market where you can grab coffee and pastries while browsing different vendors. Then you can experience American history at Dealey Plaza and The Sixth Floor Museum before heading to The Exchange Hall for lunch. I love the Nasher Sculpture Center because it’s not such a large museum that you feel overwhelmed. If you like fresh soba noodles and other Japanese food, you can’t miss Tei-An for dinner! Then take an after-dinner stroll at Klyde Warren Park.

-Spend the morning at Dallas Zoo and then end the day at Bishop Arts District for dinner – there are so many choices!

-Other places for good food and drinks is Greenville Ave. and Deep Ellum.

-Depending on the time of year, you can catch a hockey or basketball game at American Airlines Center and enjoy a meal in Uptown at Nick & Sam’s if you’re feeling fancy or Katy Trail Ice House if you’re feeling casual.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I couldn’t be where I am today without the love and support of my family. My husband, Jonathan, is my MVP! He’s has done so much for my business, from running the internet wires through the walls to building my website to being an equal partner in raising our daughter. My cousin, Christine Lee, and her husband, Alex Lee, who are also small business owners, drove all the way from San Antonio to help put my optical together and to add finishing touches right before I opened. My parents have been invaluable in helping watch our daughter while my husband and I worked on my practice over many months leading up to the opening. My sister, in-laws, and members of my extended family also provided mental and emotional support during this process. It takes a village!

Website: https://www.modspectacle.com

Instagram: modspectacle

Facebook: Modern Spectacle Eyecare

Yelp: Modern Spectacle Eyecare

Image Credits
Alex Lee

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.