Farewells are never easy, and 32 years of service can make them even harder!
From business start up to a global pandemic, Margaret Bruce, has seen a lot over the last 32 years with Hughes, Macdonald & Davidson Opticians. As this journey comes to an end, we catch up with Margaret for one last chat.
Starting out on her career
Margaret planned to train as a nurse, but as she was about to be measured for her uniform, she says she had an epiphany and realized she was doing the wrong thing as she hated the sight of blood! So, the nursing profession’s loss, was our gain!
Margaret decided to try a career in eyecare, learning her trade in an optician in Aberdeen. She then moved to a local optician in Inverurie to be nearer home and met new graduate, John Hughes and Donnie Davidson, where they all developed a passion for eyecare for which they are now known.
In 1988, Hughes, Macdonald & Davidson Opticians opened their doors in Peterhead, and then in Inverurie the following year. During this time, the guys approached Margaret about working with the old team again, this time in Inverurie.
I asked Margaret what drew her to moving jobs to a company just starting out? She said, “knowing John and Donnie, I didn’t hesitate, I knew their work ethos and knew the great banter that came along with it”. So, Margaret started out in Peterhead learning the ropes for a month before the opening of Inverurie.
Things were quite different 32 years ago
The practice was just starting out with a team of 4 (John (optometrist), Donnie (dispensing optician)
Margaret (optical assistant) and Janet (receptionist)), compared to a team of 8 now. Margaret recalls “It was all about teamwork, we were a small team and everyone just got stuck in”.
I asked Margaret what else has changed over the years? “technology has made a huge difference, your eye exam may be the same, but our opticians can now gather so much information from an image of your eye that helps identify and treat eye disease earlier.
And off course I cannot forget lenses, when I started out the lenses in my glasses, were mega, mega, thick! Thankfully over the years advancing technology has made them thinner, which makes them look so much better!
Trends also change and styles come in and out of fashion, sometimes I recognize new frames from ones I had back in the day” she said.
Stand out moment
When asked if she could recall a stand-out moment, Margaret said “there are too m
any to pick just one, but when patients ask for you by name, because they trust your advice when choosing a frame, it gives you a great feeling of satisfaction.” Another memorable moment, this time for being one of the most challenging experiences, is working and living through a global pandemic. Margaret said “it’s been one of the most challenging times for everyone. The Directors put in place a plan to ensure each stage in our patient’s visit is safe, including wearing PPE, making sure the practice is cleaned down after each patient and ensuring patients follow the new procedures too”.
Any advice?
I asked Margaret if she had any advice to those starting out, she said “Be yourself and enjoy people! I found that patients appreciate honesty, especially when buying new frames, the last thing they want is to get home decide they don’t suit their new glasses, so always be honest”.
Decision to leave
Making the decision to leave was a difficult one for Margaret. She said “when you’ve been with the same company for such a long time, spending as much time with the team, as you do with your own family, makes it a huge decision. But being at home during the COVID-19 lockdown, gave me time to think and probably influenced my decision. Learning to let go control at work and spend my time on other things, helped me make the decision”.
She continues “Now that it’s approaching, it’s getting scary, I keep hoping I’ve made the right decision. I am going to miss the girls & Darren and my morning chats with Andrew. I have been very lucky to have had such supportive bosses, John, Donnie, Alan and Andrew have all been great. I’m also going to miss my patients, who have been too kind, leaving cards and gifts, thanking me for taking care of their family over the years, which is very touching”.
Retirement plans
Finally, I asked Margaret what her plans were for her retirement? “I’m just going to see what happens, she said. “My better half John is retiring too and going self-employed, but he plans to work with my daughter for a few days a week, while I get to spend more precious time with my granddaughter Mia, which I am really looking forward too. Other than that, weekend trips with the girls, catch up on some reading and after the summer, I would like to add a pup to the family!”
Thank you and we’ll all miss you!
Hughes, Macdonald & Davidson, Inverurie will not be the same without Margaret greeting patients as they arrive and after 32 years, we will say a fond farewell on Thursday 29th April. Margaret has been great leader, who has gone above and beyond for her team. We are all very grateful for the work and dedication you have shown over the years and will be sad to see you go.
We will miss you but wish you all the happiness for the future.