Who are you and what do you do in the optical industry?

I am Aziza Arbabzadah. I work for the industry association SPECTARIS. There where we take care of the needs of the optical industry in Germany together with the team.  

Why are you part of the weareopti campaign?

I received the invitation and was surprised, but also delighted, at how it was worded. It created a bracket and let a "we" feeling develop. I thought, maybe it is a good thing to also represent opti this way. It also gives a face to all those who, on a small or large scale, take care of the industry's needs and also keep the industry going.

Imagine that the optical industry was a zoo and you were part of it. Which animal would you be and why?

I am probably a small running bird, but not necessarily seen by anyone, because he does not fly. For this he is quite useful, because he stays on the ground and fulfills the important tasks unnoticed.

Who are you and what do you do in the optical industry?

My name is Giovanni Graffweg, I'm a master optician with passion, I'm 42 years old and I run two very nice optician stores in Essen.   

Why are you part of the weareopti campaign?

Munich is always worth a trip, I think. It also honors you when people call you. I was very happy about it and I'm up for any kind of fun.   

Imagine the optical industry was a zoo and you were part of it. Which animal would you be and why?

I like to rehearse a monkey dance. I used to be laughed at a lot. Many people would think I was a bit of a monkey. In the meantime, I've got quite a good name in optometry and in the industry, so people love me. Maybe I'm as smart as a whip in that respect by now.  

Who are you and what do you do in the optical industry?

I am Sabrina. I'm the ambassador for the optical trade. I've been self-employed for three and a half years and am the publicly appointed and sworn expert in Augsburg (Swabia).  

Why are you part of the weareopti campaign?

I was very happy and I agreed because I am part of all this. I'm a master optometrist, I've been doing this for over 20 years. I've seen a lot in those 20 years: I get to be the ambassador for optometrists, I'm the publicly appointed and sworn expert. I've seen a lot and I think it's nice to be part of all of this.   

Imagine if the optical industry was a zoo and you were part of it. Which animal would you be and why?

I like koala bears, they're social. I think the optical industry is definitely sociable and quite cozy.   

Who are you and what do you do in the optical industry?

I am Sertac Özenir, I currently live in Düsseldorf and have my optician business here. There I sell glasses, contact lenses and magnifying vision aids and help people to look.   

Why are you part of the weareopti campaign?

I was very surprised to be asked. It feels good to do something like that. I actually didn't want to because I had and have so much stress around the store and with the trade fairs. Then Gio called me and he said he's in too. We chatted back and forth and then we said we'd do it. A bit of fame around you and show the industry: we are also here. It's something new, something exciting. I love opti and I think it's very exciting to do something good for opti and to be a part of it.   

Imagine that the optical industry was a zoo and you were part of it. Which animal would you be and why?

I think I would be a chameleon and fit in anywhere.   

Who are you and what do you do in the optical industry?
I'm Sarah, I'm 36 years old and I've been in the optical world since 2005.  

Why are you part of the weareopti campaign?
I didn't have to think twice about it. I'm really passionate about opticians and at opti I can be who I am and completely let loose and feel at home there.Moreover, I have been attending opti since 2008, I know opti from the past and from today, I know it from the perspective of the visitor, the buyer, the dealer and the consultant. Therefore, I know a lot about opti and can pass this knowledge on.   

Imagine the optical industry was a zoo and you were part of it. Which animal would you be and why?
I would definitely be in the direction of cockatoo or parrot, because the optical world is very colorful and diverse.   

Who are you and what do you do in the optical industry?

I am Dagmar Schwall from eyebizz. I am the property manager of eyebizz and do everything from marketing, to strategy, to sales.    

Why are you part of the weareopti campaign?

For me it is very important that the industry has a big and great trade show. In Germany, no one can get past opti. I want it to stay that way and become that way again. That's why I support opti, of course. Weareopti also means to me: I feel part of this trade show. The way you are doing it now, you can feel part of it, you can feel welcome and you have the responsibility yourself that the fair will be good.   

Imagine if the optical industry was a zoo and you were part of it. Which animal would you be and why?

I would be a gazelle. That's the first thing that came to mind, but I think I was going to say Cheetah first. But both would fit quite well: One is a bit tamer, the other a bit wilder, and that's the way I try to keep the industry together and also support opti.    

Who are you and what do you do in the optical industry?

I am Frank Sonnenberg from Wuppertal. I'm a trained optician, but I've been working in journalism for 33 years, after my training, at a specialist publisher for ophthalmic optics I'm also a freelancer for "FOCUS". At the moment, I'm mainly concerned with the topic of sustainability.

Why are you part of the weareopti campaign?

I thought it was great that opti asked me if I wanted to participate and I spontaneously said "yes". I have been a member of IG-Nachhaltigkeit for about a year. I found it totally exciting to experience processes there on the subject of sustainability. Since sustainability is on my mind at the moment, it's a topic that I would like to anchor in the optical industry and also promote.   

Imagine that the optical industry was a zoo and you were part of it. Which animal would you be and why?

One animal that I am very fond of is definitely the koala bear. Otherwise, I would say a dog. I could take that one too, in fact I have a lot of similarities with my dog at home, Fritz. Fritz is a Lagotto and is very curious, is always looking for something new and if I could choose between Koala Bear and Fritz, I would take Fritz.