Unstoppable, Visionary, Risk Taker: Why Dr. Pretty Basra is the Legend Optometry Needs
From a "Proper Fail" to Industry Icon: The True Meaning of Resilience
Unstoppable, Visionary, Risk Taker: Why Dr. Pretty Basra is the Legend Optometry Needs
In the world of optics, the term "legend" is often reserved for those at the end of their careers—the titans who have already built their empires and are looking back. But every so often, you sit down with someone who is right in the thick of it, creating their legacy in real-time. Someone whose energy is so palpable, so "unstoppable," that you realise you are witnessing a future Hall of Famer in action.
I recently had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Pretty Basra for the Legends of Optometry podcast. If you haven't listened to it yet, scroll to the bottom of this page immediately. This wasn't just another polite conversation about frames and lenses. It was a raw, unfiltered masterclass in resilience, business bravery, and the human reality of healthcare leadership.
From failing her A-levels (twice) to securing a business loan against her parents' home while pregnant, Dr. Basra’s story effectively redefines what it means to be successful in our industry. It is a story of grit, "proper" failure, and the kind of innovative thinking that leaves competitors scratching their heads.
Here is a deep dive into the lessons from a true superstar of our industry, and why her approach to business, life, and personal branding makes her the perfect blueprint for the modern optical professional.
1. The "Proper" Fail: Why Academic Struggle Can Build Better Leaders
We live in a curated social media world where everyone posts their distinctions and awards. We rarely see the struggle. But during our conversation, Pretty shared something incredibly vulnerable that I believe every young student, pre-reg, and struggling business owner needs to hear.
She didn't just breeze into optometry. She didn't get straight A's. In fact, she got a "U" in her A-levels. As she put it, "I didn't just fail, Garry, a proper fail."
She had to sit her exams twice. For two agonising years, she watched her friends pack their bags and head off to university to "live the dream," while she stayed behind to rebuild her academic foundation from scratch. It was, in her words, "one of the toughest times of my life".
The "Immigrant Mindset" of No Choice
So, how did she go from a "U" grade to a PhD in Paediatric Visual Screening? Resilience. But not the fluffy kind of resilience you see on Instagram quotes. This was the gritty, "no choice" resilience instilled by her parents.
She credited her parents—entrepreneurs and immigrants who built businesses from nothing—for her tenacity. They gave her a choice: accept the failure or do the work. She chose the work. This period of her life taught her how to mentally reconstruct herself, a skill that would later prove invaluable when navigating the stresses of practice ownership.
The Lesson: If you are terrified of failing, you are terrified of growth. The most successful people in optics aren't the ones who never mess up; they are the ones who fail, learn, and refuse to stay down.
2. The 8-Year-Old Negotiator: You Don't Wait for Permission
You can often spot an entrepreneur before they even know what the word means. One of my favourite anecdotes from the episode was Pretty’s story about discovering her own myopia.
At eight years old, she realised she couldn't see the board at school. She moved to the front of the class, squinting, but it was still a blur. When she asked her parents for an eye test, they were busy trying to build a life and pay school fees—they didn't wear glasses, so they didn't understand the urgency.
Most eight-year-olds would have given up. Pretty didn't. She walked into a local optician on her own and begged for a sight test. When the staff told her she needed a parent or guardian, she didn't walk away. She negotiated.
"My mom's shop is just there. You can see her. If you watch me take the form to her, and she signs it, will you do it?"
She got her test. She was a -2.00D myope, and those glasses changed her world.
The Lesson: Whether you are fighting for your vision as a child or fighting for a new service in your practice as an adult, you cannot wait for permission. Initiative is the currency of success.
3. The "Accidental" Practice Owner: High Stakes Drive High Performance
Many optomet
4. Innovation is More Than Just "Buying Stuff" (The Aesthetics Pivot)
The optical industry loves to sell us gadgets. "Buy this OCT, buy this field screener, and your practice will thrive!" But Pretty understands that true innovation comes from upgrading your skills, not just your hardware.
When the pandemic hit in 2020 and practices were forced to close for routine care, Pretty had a moment of absolute clarity. [cite_start]She realised she couldn't rely solely on optical income to feed her children[cite: 231, 232]. She needed a diversified skill set that was "lockdown proof."
[cite_start]She decided to pivot into medical aesthetics—specifically injectables like Botox and fillers[cite: 238]. But here is where she separated herself from the pack: she refused to take the easy route.
She didn't want a one-day course designed for beauticians. [cite_start]She wanted medical-grade training because, as she put it, she wanted to understand the anatomy deeply[cite: 247]. [cite_start]She faced rejection after rejection from trainers who told her, "No, you're not a doctor... we can't train you"[cite: 245].
[cite_start]She persisted for years until she found high-level medical practitioners (nurses and dental therapists) who would train her[cite: 269]. Now, her practice in Doncaster is a multi-floor health hub. [cite_start]It features a dedicated aesthetics clinic that sits alongside her clinical optometry work and an in-house glazing lab[cite: 309, 311].
The Lesson: Don't just dabble. If you are going to introduce a new service, whether it's dry eye or aesthetics, become the expert. Invest in your knowledge, not just the machine.
5. The "100%" Rule: A Masterclass in Staff Management
During the podcast, we geeked out on staff management—often the biggest headache for practice owners. I shared my "100%" concept with Pretty, and her response showed exactly why she is a leader.
[cite_start]The concept is simple: ask your staff, "What does 100% look like to you?"[cite: 165].
For Pretty, 100% isn't just about sales targets or conversion rates. It is about service behaviours. [cite_start]Her immediate answer was: "Just going and opening the door for the patient as they're leaving"[cite: 167].
It sounds simple, but it changes everything. [cite_start]If you set the standard that "100%" means making the patient feel like a celebrity—opening doors, serving coffee on gold trays (yes, she does that!), and having a "locked door policy" where every appointment is dedicated time—then the sales take care of themselves[cite: 333, 297].
[cite_start]We discussed how you have to repeat these standards over and over again until they become muscle memory[cite: 218]. [cite_start]In my practice, we had the "10 Optical Commandments"[cite: 212]. [cite_start]In Pretty's practice, it's about matching the patient's personality to the right staff member to ensure a genuine connection[cite: 320].
The Lesson: Don't manage by numbers; manage by culture. If opening the door for a patient is non-negotiable, you create a premium experience that big chains can't copy.
6. You Are a Person First (The "Oprah" Moment)
This was perhaps the most important part of the entire interview. [cite_start]Pretty opened up about the "nervous breakdowns" and the mental struggles she faced while trying to build her business and raise three boys alone while her husband worked away[cite: 187, 264].
Her advice to anyone struggling right now is profound:
[cite_start]"Before you were an optometrist, before you were a dentist, before you were a doctor, you were a person. And you still are now... If your cup is not full, then everything that you output is just going to be a reflection of that." [cite: 344, 345, 347]
She spoke about the importance of having an "accountability buddy"—someone you have a pre-agreement with. [cite_start]You tell them, "If you see me slipping into this behaviour, tell me." Because when you are in the storm, you often can't see the triggers yourself[cite: 355].
[cite_start]We ended the podcast with what I called an "Oprah moment"—both of us emotional, breathing slower, and truly connecting[cite: 398, 399]. It was a reminder that behind every "successful" LinkedIn profile is a human being who has fought hard to be there.
7. Why Visibility is Viability: The Loving Social Media Connection
Finally, I have to talk about why Dr. Pretty Basra is a dream example for what we preach at Loving Social Media.
She doesn't hide her story. She shares the "U" grades. She shares the struggles. [cite_start]She has a TEDx talk[cite: 15]. [cite_start]She hosts her own podcast, Women Money Business[cite: 377]. [cite_start]She is prolific on LinkedIn[cite: 375].
In an industry that is often shy about self-promotion, she understands that visibility is viability. By building a personal brand that is authentic and vulnerable, she attracts patients and peers who trust her implicitly.
If there is one thing you take away from this, let it be this: Don't be afraid to be seen. Your story—the failures, the risks, the wins—is your greatest asset. Use it.
The Future Hall of Famer
As I said at the end of the podcast, I truly believe Dr. Pretty Basra's story is only just beginning. She is bringing a new energy to the optical world—one that combines clinical excellence with entrepreneurial grit and a refreshing openness about mental health.
We need more leaders like her. We need more people who are willing to talk about the hard stuff, who are willing to innovate beyond the standard model, and who are willing to be "unstoppable."
This story is still only a third full. We have many more years to watch this amazing human being grow.
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode Now
Don't just take my word for it. Experience the energy for yourself.
4. Innovation is More Than Just "Buying Stuff" (The Aesthetics Pivot)
The optical industry loves to sell us gadgets. "Buy this OCT, buy this field screener, and your practice will thrive!" But Pretty understands that true innovation comes from upgrading your skills, not just your hardware.
When the pandemic hit in 2020 and practices were forced to close for routine care, Pretty had a moment of absolute clarity. She realised she couldn't rely solely on optical income to feed her children. She needed a diversified skill set that was "lockdown proof."
She decided to pivot into medical aesthetics—specifically injectables like Botox and fillers. But here is where she separated herself from the pack: she refused to take the easy route.
She didn't want a one-day course designed for beauticians. She wanted medical-grade training because, as she put it, she wanted to understand the anatomy deeply. She faced rejection after rejection from trainers who told her, "No, you're not a doctor... we can't train you."
She persisted for years until she found high-level medical practitioners (nurses and dental therapists) who would train her. Now, her practice in Doncaster is a multi-floor health hub. It features a dedicated aesthetics clinic that sits alongside her clinical optometry work and an in-house glazing lab.
The Lesson: Don't just dabble. If you are going to introduce a new service, whether it's dry eye or aesthetics, become the expert. Invest in your knowledge, not just the machine.
5. The "100%" Rule: A Masterclass in Staff Management
During the podcast, we geeked out on staff management—often the biggest headache for practice owners. I shared my "100%" concept with Pretty, and her response showed exactly why she is a leader.
The concept is simple: ask your staff, "What does 100% look like to you?"
For Pretty, 100% isn't just about sales targets or conversion rates. It is about service behaviours. Her immediate answer was: "Just going and opening the door for the patient as they're leaving."
It sounds simple, but it changes everything. If you set the standard that "100%" means making the patient feel like a celebrity—opening doors, serving coffee on gold trays (yes, she does that!), and having a "locked door policy" where every appointment is dedicated time—then the sales take care of themselves.
We discussed how you have to repeat these standards over and over again until they become muscle memory. In my practice, we had the "10 Optical Commandments." In Pretty's practice, it's about matching the patient's personality to the right staff member to ensure a genuine connection.
The Lesson: Don't manage by numbers; manage by culture. If opening the door for a patient is non-negotiable, you create a premium experience that big chains can't copy.
6. You Are a Person First (The "Oprah" Moment)
This was perhaps the most important part of the entire interview. Pretty opened up about the "nervous breakdowns" and the mental struggles she faced while trying to build her business and raise three boys alone while her husband worked away.
Her advice to anyone struggling right now is profound:
"Before you were an optometrist, before you were a dentist, before you were a doctor, you were a person. And you still are now... If your cup is not full, then everything that you output is just going to be a reflection of that."
She spoke about the importance of having an "accountability buddy"—someone you have a pre-agreement with. You tell them, "If you see me slipping into this behaviour, tell me." Because when you are in the storm, you often can't see the triggers yourself.
We ended the podcast with what I called an "Oprah moment"—both of us emotional, breathing slower, and truly connecting. It was a reminder that behind every "successful" LinkedIn profile is a human being who has fought hard to be there.
7. Why Visibility is Viability: The Loving Social Media Connection
Finally, I have to talk about why Dr. Pretty Basra is a dream example for what we preach at Loving Social Media.
She doesn't hide her story. She shares the "U" grades. She shares the struggles. She has a TEDx talk. She hosts her own podcast, Women Money Business. She is prolific on LinkedIn.
In an industry that is often shy about self-promotion, she understands that visibility is viability. By building a personal brand that is authentic and vulnerable, she attracts patients and peers who trust her implicitly.
If there is one thing you take away from this, let it be this: Don't be afraid to be seen. Your story—the failures, the risks, the wins—is your greatest asset. Use it.
The Future Hall of Famer
As I said at the end of the podcast, I truly believe Dr. Pretty Basra's story is only just beginning. She is bringing a new energy to the optical world—one that combines clinical excellence with entrepreneurial grit and a refreshing openness about mental health.
This story is still only a third full. We have many more years to watch this amazing human being grow.
Curious to hear the emotion behind the story?
Reading is one thing. But hearing the laughter, the honesty, and the "Oprah moment" at the end is something else entirely.
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode Here