Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Sheena Garner, O.D..
Dr. Garner, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Goodness, where do I begin? I believe my love for entrepreneurship started as a child as I watched my parent’s start-up business after business. During my last year at Texas A&M University, I was searching for my passion. How exactly does someone decide what to do for the rest of their life?? Throughout school, I aspired to work in the medical field but I realized I had a love for fashion as well. Optometry was one career that seems to marry the two.
Before applying to graduate school, I moved to Houston and got a job working as an optometric assistant. I wanted to make sure I was headed in the right direction. I applied to the University of Houston that year and was accepted on the spot during my interview with the dean. Four years later, in 2010, I graduated with a doctorate degree with no idea what to do next. Luckily, the doctor I worked for prior to optometry school decided to retire. A few months later, I purchased my first practice, InSight EyeCare.
The business ran pretty efficiently already so I was able to concentrate on improvements while learning the day to day operations. Despite having a successful practice, I wanted something more. Why couldn’t going to the doctor be fun? In mid-2014, the EYEBAR idea was born. My family and friends were very supportive so it was easy to push forward. Soon after I met Jentry Kelley with Jentry Kelley Cosmetics while at a mutual friends birthday party. We knew that eyewear and makeup would be a great collaboration.
Afterall, the face is a canvas for both. Everything just started falling into place. A month later, I randomly met my landlord while visiting with my friend in her boutique, Baanou, which was initially located on Shepherd. Late 2014, EYEBAR was open! Before I knew it, I was running two practices. I was worn out. I decided to sell InSight EyeCare in 2016 so I could primarily focus on EYEBAR. In the beginning, I was doing everything I could to create hype around my new business.
Michael Chabala even ran his new soccer-focused workouts, now known as Sphere, in the parking lot behind EYEBAR. It was through him that I met Nancy Ghoubrial. She was an esthetician aspiring to run her own business. From there she created Flawless Studio and joined the EYEBAR team. At this point, my vision was almost complete but I needed a lash technician and a permanent makeup artist. Not too much later, I was introduced to Danielle Kelsoe who did just that.
It really is amazing to watch things fall in place. Don’t get me wrong, there has been a lot of blood, sweat and tears during this process. I have literally cried in my closet before. With my faith in God, I know everything will always work itself out. I am so grateful for all of those along the way who have played a vital role in creating and growing EYEBAR. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. And I can’t wait to add to our EYEBAR family.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It literally has not been a smooth road! A week after I signed my lease in August of 2014, I drove by a sign saying that Shepherd would start construction a month later. What a nightmare! I braced myself and decided to power through despite the chaos. Thankfully my social media presence created intrigue before EYEBAR even opened and people were determined to check us out.
I even began hosting private parties in October 2014, the day after we poured concrete for the driveway. I will say that the scariest of all time was when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston. I was home with my parents in New Mexico praying that all my hard work wouldn’t be washed away. Even though EYEBAR wasn’t physically damaged, the business really suffered.
Everyone was watching their finances. We did everything in our power to replace glasses and contacts for our patients that were in desperate need. There are definitely those moments when all you can have is faith that everything will work out.
EYEBAR has been open a little over three years but there is always a learning curve. Medicine changes. Insurance changes. Fashion changes. Everything changes. I’ve had to learn to adapt and evolve with times. No one really sees what goes on behind the scenes. Over the years I’ve learned that the smallest leaks can sink a ship. You can’t overlook anything.
Please tell us about EYEBAR HOUSTON.
I wanted EYEBAR to be fun! No one really likes getting their eyes examined so I wanted to create a social scene. The vision was also to marry beauty with medicine. It’s very important to get the internal health of the eye examined but I wanted to also focus on the external health and beauty.
That’s were facials, injections and makeovers comes into play. It’s not just an eye exam, it’s an experience. I love all my patients and spend as much time with them as possible. Frame styling is my favorite part of the process, and also a big reason why I started EYEBAR. I love fashion and eyewear is very trendy and fashionable. It’s the best accessory to any outfit in my opinion.
Being a patient at EYEBAR is like being part of a family, which is what makes me the most proud.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have many fond memories, holidays, vacations etc, but I think what stands out the most is the time I spent with my parents after school. Unlike most kids who went home and watched tv or played with friends, I went to help my parents at their pawnshop. Business was life. Not only did I begin to understand overhead and accounting but I also learned to observe and appreciate every one. I think this began my love for people.
People brought in a variety of items to sell or pawn. Every month or so, my father would sit down and decide what we wanted to price everything, my favorite thing to appraise was jewelry. Looking back, this is my favorite memory… learning the ropes with my father.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1211 S Shepherd Dr. Houston, TX 77006
- Website: www.eyebarhouston.com
- Phone: 7135237979
- Email: concierge@eyebarhouston.com
- Instagram: eyebarhouston
- Facebook: eyebar houston
- Yelp: eyebar houston
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
