Become a partner in a thriving business at Specsavers Geelong and Colac

If you’re looking for the next step in your audiology career and want to launch a business within a supportive and growth-focused environment, look no further than partnership at Geelong and Colac in Victoria. With two optical partners, Darren Couch and Colin Sherlock who are eager to welcome audiology services into their thriving practice, this is the perfect opportunity for an ambitious and dedicated audiology professional with the drive to hit the ground running.

“The Specsavers stores at Ryrie St Geelong and Colac have been in business for over 40 years, starting as an independent practice, before evolving into Specsavers in 2008. We are proud to have six team members who have been with us for more than 10 years, which I think speaks volumes about the type of practice we are and how invested we are in our team,” says Darren.

Geelong and Colac optical partners Darren Couch and Colin Sherlock

The pair say audiology is a natural progression for their stores, and a service they are eager to introduce.

“Many of our customers have been asking about audiology services, so we know there is a need in the community, and we are really well placed to meet that demand,” says Colin.

Darren has been a practicing optometrist for almost 30 years. His experience has seen him work across Australia and the UK in both independent practices, as a locum, and now for the past 13 years as a Specsavers partner.

“While working in the UK I did the odd locum day at a few Specsavers stores, which gave me a really strong introduction into the Specsavers model,” Darren says.

“I was very excited at the prospect of returning to Australia with my wife and son and taking on the opportunities, challenges, and rewards of owning a business and being one of the pioneer partners at Specsavers. We started with single testing at Westfield, Ryrie St, and double testing at Colac. We now triple test at Westfield having expanded that store to four rooms in 2018, and just recently expanded both Colac and Geelong to accommodate dedicated audiology test rooms.”

Colin also has experience across both the Australian and UK markets, having lived and worked as an optometrist in the UK. It was there he experienced the Specsavers system in operation – way before the business launched its Australian operations.

With the launch of Specsavers in 2008, he was eager to join the Australian optometry business starting out with a Specsavers store in Northland before coming on as a partner at Geelong and Colac.

“From experiencing life as an employee and a locum and then the transformation into self-employment as a store owner and operator, I can really say that I enjoy the opportunity to have the best of both worlds. Being a Specsavers partner gives you the freedom to own your own business with the structure, security, and support of a global brand,” says Colin.

“In the 13 years since we became a Specsavers, the business has gone from strength to strength. Its systems and equipment are industry-leading. We have developed and trained fantastic teams at our three locations. It is a very rewarding business and it’s extremely satisfying to be able to assist the many people in our communities with high-quality value eyewear and contact lenses along with the highest quality eyecare. The next step in this journey is the addition of audiology,” says Darren.

“I joined Specsavers because I wanted to be an employer in control of my own destiny so I could provide financial security to my family, and Specsavers was the obvious choice. They have a proven toolkit of systems, fantastic marketing, and franchisor support which results in a very competitive business. I saw how successful the model was in the UK and Europe and wanted to be a part of that journey in Australia, and now both Colin and I are really excited to continue that journey with our new audiology partner into the future.”

To find out more about this great opportunity, contact Julia Hewagama on 0409 015 519 or email anz.audiologyrecruitment@specsavers.com.