Meet Your Opticians

MELISSA

Co-Owner + Certified Optician

If you ask my brother, I was destined to be in optical… You see, when I was a toddler, I threw a glass ashtray at him and “almost made him blind.” He was fine! But he still loves retelling this story, claiming responsibility for my career!

I started at a local optometrist’s office right out of high school (KMHS Cass of 2002)—started, meaning I answered phones and did paperwork. My curiosity got the best of me, and it was game over! I did pre-testing, contact lens classes, and so began my obsession with eyewear! After about 5 years, I moved on to a local ophthalmology practice. For the next 6 years, I learned even more about the amazing eye and was encouraged to become American Board of Opticianry Certified. After a while, I just wanted more!! In 2013, I found a home at Eye Candy! Now co-owning this fantastic, beautiful boutique is an amazing, rewarding experience. I smile everyday and can’t wait to see what the future holds! 

When I’m not helping you become obsessed with eyewear, I love laughing and spending time with my husband Brian and my two wonderfully unique kids, Fred and Elinor. I enjoy baking, playing golf and volleyball, and snuggling with my pup Roger! 

I look forward to building relationships with each of our unique clients and establishing the trust needed to fit them with the perfect pair (or two) of glasses! Let me help you create a one of a kind look. Be you, be Eye Candy!

ROBIN

Co-Owner + Certified Optician

During my formative years, there were 3 things that I really desired: a tattoo, pierced ears… and to wear eyeglasses. To this day, I have only one (or an eyewear wardrobe) of the three! The eyewear world has been a perfect fit for me from day one.

My optical journey commenced after high school graduation, attending Madison Area Technical College (now Madison College) in the Optometric Technician program that also led me to becoming certified with the American Board of Opticianry. Fashion mixed with medical is the ideal place for me!

Fast forward: I was affiliated with a private optometric practice on the west side of Madison, which led to my employment and mastering site management (while working alongside my soon to be husband, who was the lab manager). I loved every minute of it. But, after 20 years, I felt professionally stagnant and procured employment at a private practice in Middleton and part time employment (Saturday Girl) at Eye Candy.  

Within a short time Saturday Girl became a Full Time Girl at Eye Candy, and the rest is history! My husband Tracy and I had always discussed the idea of opening an optical, and that dream has truly become a reality! My passion is still consistent with the merging of fashion and medical aspects, along with assisting with clarity of vision & making you feel beautiful!

In my spare time, I love spending time with my husband Tracy. Adventures together hiking, assisting with his lighting & sound production company, attempting to beautify the world with flower and veggie gardens, and loving my kitty cats, Kito and Pyper. I also enjoy serving on the Madison College Advisory Board for the Optometric Technician program. 

I look forward to seeing you soon at Eye Candy—showcasing the latest trends in fabulous eyewear and sharing the experience with you!

CINDY

Certified Optician

I started in the optical industry in 1982, wow time flies when you’re having fun.  I began my career in a small retail optical in downtown Milwaukee, then progressed to Chicago for a couple years.  I loved working with our customers trying to find just the right pair of glasses for work, play and sun.  I was fortunate to also work as an optical lens sales rep for a few years.  I became a certified optician along the way and I enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise with others.  I missed my customers so I found my way back into a private doctor’s office in Hartland where I stayed for about 8 years, helping customers pick out fabulous eyewear.  Four years ago I met Paula and let’s say the rest is history, I joined Eye Candy and I enjoy every day!   I absolutely love styling people in unique, fun and colorful eyewear as well as providing the best in lens technology.  Selecting eyewear should be a fun experience and that is what I want for everyone who walks in our door.  Putting a smile on your face is my goal.  When I am not working I am walking our two Labrador retrievers Tilley and Zeus, gardening and getting together with my family. I love camping and exploring the great outdoors here in Wisconsin and across our great country with Gregg and both dogs. I can’t wait to assist you with your newest look.

Carolyn

Certified Optician

Hooray! I am where I’ve ALWAYS dreamed of being in all of my 38 years in the optical industry. Styling clients of all age levels with unique, one of a kind eyewear has been my passion from the very start! I’m ecstatic to be apart of an amazing team at Eye Candy where each day is fun-filled! Who could possibly ask for more? Those who know me best say that I am very high energy, love to cook and bake for others, and I am most happy spending time with my amazing husband, daughter, and son. I look forward to meeting you and helping you find the best look ever!

BRANDON

Certified Optician

I like to joke that I fell into this line of work. I saw a job posting for a big box retail optical and thought to myself, “Why not?” So I took a chance and applied for an optician position. And thus, in April of 2005, I began my optical journey. I love to learn, love to use critical thinking, and love a good challenge, so between these traits and my artistic background, being an optician makes perfect sense. I’ve come a long way since 2005. I’ve worked in both retail and doctor-owned practices, I’ve become certified with the American Board of Opticianry, and I’ve worked in a lab cutting lenses. But one opportunity I hadn’t yet had was to work in a luxury boutique like Eye Candy. The Eye Candy experience is unlike anything I had seen before; carefully curated, high-quality eyewear collections, and a full staff of certified opticians ready to help you find your new “eye candy.” When I’m not working I’m usually exploring Wisconsin, trying new restaurants, or gaming with my friends. Oh, and I’m a Hoosier, but please don’t hold that against me.

Melissa - American Board Certified Optician

MELISSA

Co-Owner + Certified Optician

My passion for selling unique eyewear started over 20 years ago, after graduating from Kettle Moraine High School. I’ve worked in both optometric and ophthalmology practices which is how I’ve become the knowledgeable optician that I am today! In 2012, I decided to step it up a notch and become American Board of Opticianry Certified. To further help my obsession with fabulous eyewear, I broke out of the box and found a home at Eye Candy. When I am not helping you become an eyewear addict, I love to laugh and spend time with my husband Brian and my two wonderfully unique kids, Fred and Elinor. I enjoy baking, playing golf and volleyball, and snuggling with my pup Roger! Let me help you create a one of a kind look—be you, be Eye Candy!

Robin - American Board Certified Optician

ROBIN

Co-Owner + Certified Optician

When the opportunity arose to join the Eye Candy’s team, I was filled with excitement! It has always been a dream for me to become part of an optical boutique that is passionate about not only fantastic eyewear but also enhancing the shopping experience. I bring a unique skills set to Eye Candy that started as a student at Madison College within the Optometric Technician program that led to becoming certified with the American Board of Opticianry. Along the way I have gained over 26 years experience at several private practice optometry clinics. In my spare time, I love being in the great outdoors hiking national, state and county parks; rocking out at my husband Tracy’s music gigs; beautifying the world with my flower gardens, and even attempting to grow some veggies (still working on this). I look forward to meeting you soon at Eye Candy—showcasing the latest trends with fabulous eyewear and sharing the experience to a new you!!

Cindy - American Board Certified Optician

CINDY

Certified Optician

I started in the optical industry in 1982, wow time flies when you’re having fun.  I began my career in a small retail optical in downtown Milwaukee, then progressed to Chicago for a couple years.  I loved working with our customers trying to find just the right pair of glasses for work, play and sun.  I was fortunate to also work as an optical lens sales rep for a few years.  I became a certified optician along the way and I enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise with others.  I missed my customers so I found my way back into a private doctor’s office in Hartland where I stayed for about 8 years, helping customers pick out fabulous eyewear.  Four years ago I met Paula and let’s say the rest is history, I joined Eye Candy and I enjoy every day!   I absolutely love styling people in unique, fun and colorful eyewear as well as providing the best in lens technology.  Selecting eyewear should be a fun experience and that is what I want for everyone who walks in our door.  Putting a smile on your face is my goal.  When I am not working I am walking our two Labrador retrievers Tilley and Zeus, gardening and getting together with my family. I love camping and exploring the great outdoors here in Wisconsin and across our great country with Gregg and both dogs. I can’t wait to assist you with your newest look.

Cindy - American Board Certified Optician

Carolyn

Certified Optician

Hooray! I am where I’ve ALWAYS dreamed of being in all of my 38 years in the optical industry. Styling clients of all age levels with unique, one of a kind eyewear has been my passion from the very start! I’m ecstatic to be apart of an amazing team at Eye Candy where each day is fun-filled! Who could possibly ask for more? Those who know me best say that I am very high energy, love to cook and bake for others, and I am most happy spending time with my amazing husband, daughter, and son. I look forward to meeting you and helping you find the best look ever!

Brandon - American Board Certified Optician

BRANDON

Certified Optician

I like to joke that I fell into this line of work. I saw a job posting for a big box retail optical and thought to myself, “Why not?” So I took a chance and applied for an optician position. And thus, in April of 2005, I began my optical journey. I love to learn, love to use critical thinking, and love a good challenge, so between these traits and my artistic background, being an optician makes perfect sense. I’ve come a long way since 2005. I’ve worked in both retail and doctor-owned practices, I’ve become certified with the American Board of Opticianry, and I’ve worked in a lab cutting lenses. But one opportunity I hadn’t yet had was to work in a luxury boutique like Eye Candy. The Eye Candy experience is unlike anything I had seen before; carefully curated, high-quality eyewear collections, and a full staff of certified opticians ready to help you find your new “eye candy.” When I’m not working I’m usually exploring Wisconsin, trying new restaurants, or gaming with my friends. Oh, and I’m a Hoosier, but please don’t hold that against me.

Paula

PAULA

Eye Candy Owner + Certified Optician

Hi! I’m an American Board of Opticianry Certified Optician and the owner of Eye Candy. The concept of Eye Candy was developed from my belief that the experience of selecting eyewear should be as fun and exciting as wearing that great pair of amazing new glasses. My passion is customer service, and I am dedicated to providing high quality eyewear with service that meets or beats your expectations. When I’m not showing you the latest and greatest in eyewear, I love to read and belong to a book club, garden in the summer, enjoy dinner with friends and travel every chance I get. I love animals and my husband, Tray and I have 4 cats: Zoey, Betty Boops, Jesse, and Frankie!

I have over 40 years of experience in the optical industry (boy did I start out young!). I love to bring this knowledge and experience to each of my customers to enable us to find the perfect look and excellent vision they deserve. I’m living my dream at Eye Candy. Come on in and let me share my passion with you—I can’t wait to meet you!

Get to Know Paula – Video Bio