On Friday, Feb. 21, Vision Expo East welcomed tennis star Venus Williams to the Main Stage location to discuss her career, business ventures, and advocacy work with veteran sports broadcaster Kelly Tilghman.

“We’re all given gifts in life. I’ll never be able to sing like Whitney Houston, but it doesn’t matter what give you have—if you don’t train it, it’s buried,” says Williams. “We’re all the same, but it’s about the effort you’re willing to give to achieve something.”

During the discussion, Williams reflected on her achievements in tennis and the challenges she faced, including her personal battle with Sjogren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that affects the eyes and other parts of the body. She emphasized the importance of perseverance and maintaining eye health while competing at the highest level.

Beyond the court, Williams spoke about her success as a business owner and her commitment to advancing gender equality. She highlighted her ongoing efforts to empower women in sports and business.

“Studying the game, studying what you want to achieve, studying your business and market—it’s crucial,” Williams shares. “It makes all the difference.”

Williams also discussed her recently released wellness book, “Strive,” which outlines key principles for achieving personal and professional goals, drawing from her own journey in sports and business.

Stay tuned for more sports-centric coverage in the April edition of Eyecare Business.