Óptica Ortega Belmonte

When you think about your business, what are you most proud of?

We are the neighbourhood's main optician's, close to our neighbours. They know us and we know them. We have shared joys and sorrows, they know that they can always count on us, that we will find the best option to treat their visual problem and their image.

What is the history of your commerce?

I found out that there was an optician's in the Retiro neighbourhood that, despite having been there for 9 years, was not working due to lack of attention and was being sold. I asked for a loan and renovated it from top to bottom. I must honestly admit that removing the previous image cost me blood, sweat and tears (youthful innocence pays). After 30 years I am proud to have built up a good reputation both as an optometrist and as a person with a great deal of empathy.

What is your professional experience?

I finished university in 1978, and spent 13 years working as an optometrist for others, as what mattered most to me was gaining experience. I started in a neighbourhood optician's shop that had just opened in Zaragoza and they needed an optician, we opened up to three. So, a bit fed up of dancing with the ugly one, I decided to try my luck in the most prestigious optician's in Aragon. They hired me and I was very happy for a few years. But my family lives in Madrid and they were very keen for me to return. I made it a condition that I would not work for a chain. That's why I decided to become self-employed.

How has covid 19 affected your business?

For two and a half months we were closed because although we could open as a health establishment, we did not receive the PPE required by the Health Department and our College to be able to do so. A ruinous year in spite of having obtained an ICO to be able to meet the expenses.