Lesley’s new journey in Australia as an Audiology partner 

Born and raised in South Africa, Lesley Thyssen carries the values instilled by her parents. Her mother is a retired nurse, and her father, a pastor, who taught her the importance of giving back to the community. These values, combined with her love for the outdoors, animals, and engaging with people, have shaped her path in life and ultimately led her to become an Audiology partner at Specsavers. 
 
Lesley’s journey in audiology began with a Bachelor of Communication Audiology Honours degree from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, completed in 2014. Her passion for helping others guided her into the field. “At a young age, I wanted to help others, and audiology allows me to help and give back to individuals,” she reflects. 
 
Starting her career in 2015 with a community service year, Lesley then transitioned into private practice in 2016, working for various companies until 2023. Over the years, she learned what worked well in the industry and what tested her ethical boundaries. When the opportunity to join Specsavers arose, Lesley saw a perfect alignment with her own values. “Specsavers had core values that are close to my heart. It was an easy decision to join a company that would support me and help me grow as an individual and businesswoman,” she says. 
 
Customer care is key 
 
For Lesley, customer care is paramount in her role as an audiology professional. “Great service from an audiology professional allows the hearing journey to be seamless, and customers can focus on what is important once again,” she says. She understands that hearing loss can isolate individuals from their support systems, causing them to withdraw from social interactions due to the fear of missing parts of conversations. But Lesley is committed to ensuring her customers regain their confidence and reconnect with the world around them.  
 
Specsavers – a natural fit 
 
Before joining Specsavers, Lesley had limited knowledge of the brand. However, after speaking with a former colleague who had made the move from South Africa to Western Australia with Specsavers, Lesley was introduced to the opportunity. After discussing it with her husband, they began planning their future together, with Specsavers offering Lesley the chance to become a business owner, a dream she had long held. 
 
The support Lesley received from Specsavers during her transition has been exceptional. “Specsavers has provided a great support team to help me find my feet in the new role as partner,” she says.  
 
From clinical support to business guidance, the Specsavers team has been there every step of the way. Lesley was particularly impressed by the tailored induction and initial training sessions. “It was great meeting other new partners during induction and having sessions with Annette on the HSP. It was a tailor-made plan to guide me into my new role,” she says. 
 
Lesley appreciates the Specsavers approach, particularly the values it promotes and encourages in its partners to ensure a successful customer journey. “What makes the Specsavers’ model successful is that there’s no targets set and no pressure on the partner regarding sales,” she emphasises. This approach allows Lesley to focus on providing great service without compromising her core values. 
 
Lesley is excited about the opportunities ahead. “Being a business owner is a great achievement, and being able to change people’s lives without compromising my values is a highlight,” she says. Her future goals include growing the audiology department and building customer faith in the brand by delivering exceptional service.  
 
For other audiology professionals considering partnership with Specsavers, Lesley strongly recommends it. “Specsavers enables you to provide great service. Other companies set sales targets that are unrealistic, and Specsavers will give you the tools to run a business that you can be proud of,” she advises. 
 
Now, as she embarks on this new chapter, Lesley is not only fulfilling her dream of becoming a businesswoman but also making a positive impact on the lives in her community.