Six years and counting as a Specsavers partner 

Craig Steel, a dedicated audiologist and longtime resident of Watsonia, reflects on his six-year journey as a partner at Specsavers. Balancing his professional life with his personal passions such as bike riding, family life, and following the Hawthorn Football Club, Craig has found a fulfilling path in the audiology industry, driven by his commitment to improving lives.

Craig’s career began with a degree in Electronic Engineering. After several years working as an engineer, he discovered his passion for improving people’s quality of life and later completed a Master’s in Audiology from Melbourne University.

“Working as an Engineer, I was keen on a career change that helped people’s quality of life. I have a particular interest in using technology to improve the way we communicate with each other, making Audiology an appealing profession,” Craig recalls.

With 18 years of experience in audiology, Craig decided six years ago to join Specsavers as a partner. The move allowed him to take control of his professional destiny. “Becoming a partner at Specsavers gave me the independence to make the best decisions for my customers and provide the very best care at a reasonable price,” he explains. This autonomy, coupled with the strong support from Specsavers, has been a cornerstone of his success.

Customer care has always been at the heart of Craig’s businesses at Heidelberg, Greensborough and Eltham. He understands that hearing loss can significantly affect a person’s life, leading to reduced confidence and social isolation.

“Our customers rely on us for their improved hearing, so we need to be there every step of the way, from assessing their hearing, the fitting of hearing aids, and most importantly, the ongoing support,” he emphasises. Craig is passionate about how hearing aids can transform lives by making everyday interactions, like conversations and watching TV, more accessible and less tiring for those with hearing loss.

Before becoming a partner, Craig was already a loyal customer of Specsavers for his glasses. Impressed by the thorough assessments and quality products, his transition to partner was seamless. “We are very excited that our customers are able to have both their eyesight and hearing looked after at the one location,” Craig says.

Reflecting on the support he’s received from Specsavers, Craig is appreciative. “The Specsavers support team has been there every step of the way, assisting with store setup, training and recruiting staff, marketing, financials of the business, and professional support and development,” he notes. This partnership, which balances his independence with the extensive resources of Specsavers, has enabled him to offer exceptional customer service while running a successful and profitable business.

Looking back on his decision to become a partner, Craig remains confident it was the right choice. “I wanted to have something to show for my hard work and the independence to make what I felt was the best decision for my customers,” he reflects.  

One of the most rewarding aspects of Craig’s journey has been the opportunity to mentor and develop other audiology professionals within his business.

“Being able to hire another Audiologist to support the business and see her develop her skills has been a highlight,” he says. “I’m eager to continue learning and growing alongside my team to ensure we deliver the highest level of care to our customers.”

Looking to the future, Craig’s goals are clear: “To continue training staff in our stores on how to best support our customers and allow myself the time to support the business.”

His advice to other audiology professionals considering a partnership with Specsavers is straightforward: “You will have the independence and rewards of running the business the way that works for you and your customers. You only get out what you put in, but your hard work will be rewarded both financially and in providing great outcomes for your customers.”

Six years on, Craig Steel’s journey as a Specsavers partner stands as a testament to the success that comes from dedication, customer care, and the right support. His experience highlights the benefits of Specsavers’ partnership model, offering both professional autonomy and the backing needed to thrive in the competitive field of audiology.