Rene Soltis never wanted to make a million dollars. But, she did want to make a difference. Soltis, who began her opticianry career working in a lab 23 years ago, is now a nationally-known training consultant for Vision Council of America (VICA), where she has the chance to make a difference with hundreds of eyecare professionals every day. She also advises eyecare professionals who want to establish pediatric practices, and has presented many children's programs at schools, libraries, and day care centers. She works for Drs. Brutto and Goundie in Bethlehem, Pa. 12 hours a week, and spends the rest of her time working for VICA. "I love what I do and I think people can feel it when I speak. I hope they take some of my passion with them," she says. When she's not working, she's avidly playing volleyball, skiing, or jumping out of airplanes (with a parachute, of course). Why? "It was something I always wanted to do--a challenge."

How did you become involved with VICA?

I saw the VICA materials on the ABCs of Eyecare and I thought the materials were good, but they weren't really turn-key. So I decided to develop a program to take into the schools. I started that about six years ago, and by the second year, we had a waiting list of schools who wanted the program. We became known as the pediatric specialists in our community. From there, I called VICA--because I'm kind of vocal about what needs to be done--and I said, "You have great materials, but you are dealing with eyecare professionals who really lack marketing skills. You are giving them ideas, but you are not giving them action plans." So, they redid the materials with a lot of the new ideas that I had. Then they invited me to do a presentation to their board about how I reached out into the community using their materials.

How do you balance the work you do for VICA and your work at the practice?

I call it "an organized chaotic lifestyle." I'm also a single parent with a 14-year-old daughter. It can get really crazy. But, it's about priorities. I still maintain my dispensing status by working 12 hours a week in a dispensary because I think you need to stay in touch with what's going on.

Do you still enjoy the time you spend in the dispensary?

I absolutely love it. Because I not only love working with patients, but I have built such solid relationships. I have been at that practice for 13 years. People will come in and bring me salad dressing, baked bread, Christmas ornaments. It's like a family.

What are some hot eyewear trends for children right now?

The plastics have not caught on with kids yet, and that's where it's at with the teens. If you are talking about somebody from 13 and up, they are going to go with real fashion forward looks, tone-on-tones, or thin zyls. But, anybody younger...it is still the matte finishes, the ovals, the thin metal frames.

Do you have any tips for dealing with young children who don't want to wear eyewear?

I have very few challenges of children not wanting to wear eyewear. It's all in the feedback they get from their parents. If it's an immediate positive, it's usually extremely successful. If they detect any negativism, [from the parents] it is so contagious. I recently experienced a mother who was visibly distraught that her child needed glasses. And she turned to her daughter and said, "Sally, what is your dad going to say?" The child's face immediately went pale, and she had tears in her eyes. I just went over and said, "Daddy is going to say you are so beautiful because you are going to have the hottest looking glasses!"

How do you treat pediatric patients different from adults?

With a child you need to maintain control by letting them have a hands-on experience. You are dealing with two sets of needs and wants...the patient, which is the child, and the parent.

Is the children's eyewear market for everyone?

No. First of all, you have to like kids. You do not have to be the Mary Poppins or Mister Rogers of eyewear. But, it does help if you have a genuine fondness for young people. I find that it keeps me young. I'm crawling around the floor with them, I'm playing with the blocks. And it keeps me in touch with what's hot and what's not. Children are very vocal about what they like and don't like. They will tell you...it's like Toy Story--that's out! Or, Beanie Babies--better have 'em! What were you like as a child? I was precocious and assertive. My dad always said I had a heart of gold. I was quite a handful. EB