Julie DeSario, LDO, ABO
Julie DeSario, LDO, ABO, is an accomplished business owner and optical industry leader with over three decades of experience spanning both retail and medical eyecare. Beginning her career in 1992, Julie has worked in nearly every position within the optical field, from clinical roles to retail management, and eventually advancing into field leadership. During her 27-year tenure with LensCrafters, she managed portfolios of 20 to 60 stores, focusing on leadership development, operational excellence, and building high-performing teams. She subsequently led 33 stores across Oklahoma, Dallas, and Austin at VisionWorks, continuing her commitment to training, coaching, and developing talent in every role she assumed.
In her current role at Dr. Bue and Associates on the Fort Worth Naval Base, Julie oversees a team of 18, balancing operational management with patient care while contributing to the practice’s strategic expansion. She works closely with her team to ensure excellence in treating retinal detachments, glaucoma, dry eye syndromes, and other medical eye conditions, while fostering a culture of accountability, mentorship, and professional growth. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes emotional intelligence, proactive planning, and creating healthy boundaries, ensuring both her staff and patients receive the highest level of attention and care.
Julie is ABO certified and holds a California state optician license, maintaining continuous professional development throughout her career. She has been recognized for her achievements multiple times, including being named VisionWorks Territory Director of the Year in 2023 and receiving a nomination for Most Influential Woman of the Year at iMart Express in 2022. Passionate about people and leadership, Julie measures her success by the growth and advancement of her teams, consistently mentoring individuals from entry-level positions to senior management roles and creating leaders who thrive in the optical and healthcare industries.
• ABO Certified
• Six Sigma Yellow Belt
• Interviewing Skills: How to Recognize & Hire The Best
• Territory Director of the Year 2023 (VisionWorks)
• President's Club Nominee (LensCrafters)
• Multiple Recognition Awards (iMart Express)
• Gift of Sight (LensCrafters)
• Eyes of Hope (VisionWorks)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to strong training, embracing diversity, and resilience. Early in my career, I learned the value of observing and listening to people with different perspectives, which taught me how to connect and work effectively with a wide range of individuals. At the same time, I’ve learned that you can’t please everyone, so it’s important to reflect on what went well, adjust where needed, and keep striving to improve. Combining openness, perseverance, and continuous learning has been key to my growth.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to never give up. Success comes with highs and lows, and there will be times when you question your path. But true growth comes from giving your all and persevering through setbacks. Temporary failures are not the end—they are necessary steps toward achievement. Staying committed, learning from challenges, and pushing forward, even when it’s difficult, is what ultimately leads to success.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to develop strong emotional intelligence. It’s essential to make decisions from a strategic, business-focused perspective rather than an emotional one. While being emotional is natural and valuable, effective leadership requires the ability to step back, think critically, and act with clarity and purpose.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is leading and developing a diverse team across different generations and cultures. It requires balancing structure with empathy, staying business-focused while understanding what motivates each individual. Remaining curious, asking thoughtful questions, and adapting leadership to meet people where they are is key. At the same time, the biggest opportunity lies in expanding Dr. Bue’s practice beyond the military base into the competitive Fort Worth and Dallas areas. By building a strong, structured foundation, we can differentiate ourselves in the medical field and scale effectively as we grow.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in work and life are setting and maintaining healthy boundaries. While I am dedicated and committed to supporting my team, I’ve learned that constantly solving problems for others can enable dependence rather than growth. Saying “no” when necessary allows others to develop their own skills while still knowing I am a supportive resource. Boundaries create balance, foster independence, and ultimately strengthen both personal and professional relationships.
Locations
Visionworks of America
Fort Worth, TX 76131