Rhonda Turner
Rhonda Turner is an accomplished Vision Center Development Coach in the Tampa Bay Area, with a remarkable 40-year career in the optical field, including 30 years with Walmart Vision Center. She began her journey as a Vision Center Manager at a single store location, where she honed her expertise in patient care and retail operations. Her dedication to excellence and leadership led to her promotion nearly three years ago into a newly created role as Vision Center Development Coach, where she now oversees 42 vision centers across five markets, focusing on training and developing vision center managers and associates.
In her current role, Rhonda emphasizes a patient-focused care model, training staff to uncover customer needs and recommend appropriate eyewear and services without overselling. She spends several hours at each store coaching teams, implementing strategic criteria, and helping to drive sales and profitability while maintaining a high standard of customer care. Her professional philosophy centers on education, mentorship, and empowering her teams to grow within their careers, ensuring that every patient receives personalized attention and service.
Rhonda holds a business management degree from Hernando Community College and became a licensed optician through a rigorous three-year apprenticeship, passing national opticianry and contact lens exams and state boards. She is a long-standing member of the Professional Opticians of Florida and has received multiple Vision Center Manager of the Year awards throughout her career. Outside of work, she enjoys rollerblading, sailing with her husband, and spending quality time with her border collie, balancing a lifelong commitment to her profession with her personal passions.
• ABOC
• NCLE
• LDO
• Hernando Community College - A.S.
• Vision Center Manager of the Year Award (received numerous times)
• Professional Opticians of Florida (POF)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to over 40 years in the optical field, including 30 years with Walmart Vision Center, where I began as a Vision Center Manager and grew alongside the company. I earned my optician’s license through a three-year apprenticeship, completing both national exams and state boards, and was promoted nearly three years ago to Vision Center Development Coach, where I train managers and support market directors across 42 locations. I stay actively engaged in the industry through networking and events like Vision Expo, and I credit my success to a strong patient-first approach and a commitment to developing associates to focus on genuine patient care rather than sales.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that you can build a successful career you truly love while also making a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering this industry to believe in their abilities, stay persistent, and never give up. With dedication and resilience, success is absolutely within reach—as reflected in my own journey, having been honored multiple times as Vision Center Manager of the Year.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the optical field today is balancing rising costs with delivering high-quality, patient-focused care, as patients are more value-conscious and selective. At the same time, this creates an opportunity to strengthen relationships, focus on personalized service, and elevate team training. My own experience overcoming personal challenges, including rebuilding after losing my home to a hurricane, has reinforced the importance of resilience and adaptability in both life and career.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, I am deeply committed to a patient-first approach, ensuring that every interaction focuses on meeting genuine needs rather than overselling. I am also passionate about training and coaching associates to use thoughtful communication to better understand and serve patients. In my personal life, I value balance and quality time, enjoying activities like spending time with my border collie, rollerblading, and sailing with my husband, which help keep me energized and grounded.