A day in the life

Zahir-Ally Kanji: “I structure my day around my energy”

Zahir-Ally Kanji, optometrist and owner of James Bryan Opticians and Aves Optometrists, both Hakim Group independent practices, on balancing business ownership and family life

Business and practice management

1 day ago 3 mins

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A day in the life of a business owner

Zahir-Ally Kanji: “I structure my day around my energy”

Running an award-winning, sustainable optometry practice in Somerset

“No matter how organised you are, something will always change”

Daily life in an award-winning Aberdeen independent practice

“It’s important that we are communicating”

“Your business will always shout for you”

“Motivating the team is really important”

“Connecting with people you work closely with is important”

“I’ve turned work into more of a hobby”

“We’d like to be one of the biggest providers of domiciliary care in the country”

“The customer wants to be referred to somebody they trust”

“There’s so much you can learn by listening to other successful people”

“People are what make your practice great”

“I truly believe that having a practice is not about making money”

“A clinic day is my favourite day of the week”

“I start the day with gratitude, always”

“Our eyes and our sight are the most important things we own”

“Myopia is our fastest growing sector within the business”

“It’s better to empower the staff to solve their own problems”

Still steering the ship after five decades in practice

“My wildest ambition is fulfilment for the whole team”

“Having longer appointments gives us scope to take things at a slower pace”

“I try to be mindful of the time that I’m spending with patients”

“I love seeing patients at home”

“I love that every day for me is so different”

“It’s important that I’m calm and leading by example”

"The coffee machine goes on before anything else”

Becoming a business owner

“If you’re not pushing yourself, you’re going backwards”

“To be given the opportunity is beautiful”

“I can see myself here for the long term”

“I am a strong believer in always saying yes to a challenge”

“The majority of new patients arrive on recommendation”

“My background is different to a regular optician buying an independent”

“It’s been my dream since I was 14”

“You can have a viable business that doesn’t rely on selling glasses”