In the heart of Bryn Mawr, Dr. Kayla Volkert is redefining the eye care experience through her innovative practice, See La Vie Eyecare and Eyewear. As an optometrist and business owner, Dr. Volkert combines her passion for vision care with a commitment to community engagement, creating a unique blend of healthcare, fashion, and local entrepreneurship.

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Celebrating exceptional local women making significant impacts in our community.

Our 2024 Women of Influence Award Winners were nominated by peers and selected by the Family Focus Media team based on their achievements and dedication to creating positive change, as revealed through comprehensive questionnaires. Their profiles showcase their inspiring journeys and accomplishments.

Beyond the awards, our Women of Influence Luncheons and Speed Networking Night attendees form our growing “Women of Influence Network,” a community fostering connections, collaboration, and mutual support. We invite you to explore our Award Winners’ stories and leverage our Network Directory in the Women of Influence Guide. Reach out to fellow members to harness the power of our network through shared growth and support. For further engagement, we welcome business and nonprofit leaders to join our Family Focus Media Community Builders Group on Facebook and our NEW Women of Influence LinkedIn Group.

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Nominated by Michael Volkert, Husband

“It was senior year of college when I first met my wife; even then she was driven with a passion for optometry and a desire to be an eye doctor that was an inspiration to those who knew her. Years later, in optometry school she was president of the Private Practice Club and dreamed of one day opening her own practice. And many years later still, when we moved to the suburbs of Pennsylvania, that dream became a reality as she sought to open her own practice that would both aesthetically add to the charm of the community while providing excellent medical eye care to the people of the area. It has not been easy, the challenges of opening a practice are immense, and costly. Over the past two years she has worked every morning, day, and night to care for her patients and pursue her dream. One and a half years ago, when she gave birth to our beautiful son, she managed to care for him while building her practice. When my mother was no longer able to provide childcare due to injury, Kayla sometimes needed to bring him to work, literally being a mother and optometrist simultaneously. My wife Kayla has poured everything she has into her practice, including every cent she has ever made (in addition to the business loans she has taken out). She had a vision for what her practice would look like and made it come to life, and has overcome so many obstacles along the way. While she has done this, she has also taken on the additional responsibility of being treasurer for the Bryn Mawr Small Business Association (an unpaid position) so that she could support other small business owners and help our community grow. My wife is an inspiration to me. She is a visionary, an entrepreneur, a business owner, a volunteer, a mother, and the best person I know. I know if other women knew about her, she would be an inspiration to them as well.”

A Vision Rooted in Personal Experience

Dr. Volkert’s journey into optometry began with a transformative childhood experience. “My initial motivation for pursuing optometry was personally experiencing the transformative power of clear vision as a young child needing my first pair of glasses,” she shares. This personal understanding of how clear vision can impact a child’s academic success, self-esteem, and overall happiness has been a driving force in her career.

From Dream to Reality

Dr. Volkert’s path to opening her own practice was marked by determination and a clear vision for what she wanted to achieve. After years of working in high-volume optical chains, she was inspired to create a more personalized approach to eye care. “I was inspired to open my own practice so that I could tailor my approach to ensure every individual receives the best possible care,” she explains.

The journey wasn’t without its obstacles, though. As Michael notes, “It has not been easy, the challenges of opening a practice are immense, and costly. Over the past 2 years she has worked every morning, day, and night to care for her patients and pursue her dream.”

Innovative Care in a Boutique Setting

See La Vie Eyecare and Eyewear stands out for its innovative approach to eye care. Dr. Volkert has created a space that “feels more like a spa than a sterile doctor’s office,” offering a range of specialized services:

• Myopia Management: Using therapeutic contact lenses to slow down the progression of near-sightedness in children.
• Dry Eye Spa: Offering in-office treatments to provide long-lasting relief for chronic dry eye conditions.
• Custom Contact Lenses: Fitting specialty contacts for patients with complex vision needs.

Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship

Dr. Volkert’s bas beautifully juggled her commitment to her practice and patients with her dedication to her family. “One and a half years ago, when she gave birth to our beautiful son, she managed to care for him while building her practice,” Michael shares. This dedication exemplifies her ability to balance the demands of entrepreneurship with the joys and challenges of motherhood.

Community Engagement and Mentorship

Beyond her practice, Dr. Volkert is deeply involved in her local community. As the treasurer of the Bryn Mawr Business Association, she works to support other small businesses and drive economic growth in the area. “I am passionate about supporting local any chance I get and feel this is vital in keeping our town centers vibrant,” she says.

Dr. Volkert is also committed to mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals. “I welcome any and all students who may be interested in a career in healthcare,” she states, providing valuable shadowing opportunities and career guidance.

A Vision for the Future

As Dr. Volkert continues to grow her practice and serve her community, she remains focused on providing innovative, personalized eye care. Her journey from a young girl experiencing the power of clear vision to a respected optometrist and business owner serves as an inspiration to aspiring healthcare professionals and entrepreneurs alike.

Michael Volkert sums up his wife’s impact beautifully: “My wife is an inspiration to me. She is a visionary, an entrepreneur, a business owner, a volunteer, a mother, and the best person I know. I know if other women knew about her, she would be an inspiration to them as well.”