Fara da Costa is a former Fashion Stylist and Style Columnist for The Vancouver Sun. Today, she’s a Licensed Optician, a house music DJ, and the Owner of Vassa Eyewear, which operates out of Hubbards, Nova Scotia.
Da Costa’s talent and creative flair with eyewear came to her at a young age. “When I was a girl of 12 in Tehran, my sister gifted me a pair of vintage Balenciaga sunglasses,” she recalls. “That’s when my love affair with frames and glasses began.”
Da Costa’s appreciation for design and aesthetics deepened as she gained experience in the fashion world. Over her ten years as a fashion stylist, she worked with artists like Michael Bublé, Ne-Yo, Nickelback, and INXS, as well as magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Fashion Magazine, and Nuvo.
Focusing on vision care meant da Costa could marry her passion for style with her desire to make a positive impact. “Eyewear was a natural extension of my passion,” she says. “Combining style with the practical needs of vision care felt like a perfect fit. Eyewear not only enhances personal style but also plays a crucial role in eye health, which makes it both a creative and fulfilling field.”
Da Costa became an optician in Vancouver in 2014, when she also launched her first business: Speedy Specs. “I saw a demand for mobile optician services,” says da Costa. “One of my key markets was care homes, but I faced two major challenges. First, many seniors’ finances were managed by their children, which complicated transactions. Second, a mobile optometrist was required to provide up-to-date prescriptions.”
These challenges led da Costa to take a pause. “I realized the mobile services model wasn’t the best fit for me,” she says. “After taking a couple of years to regroup, I combined my research, market analysis, and extensive background in fashion to launch Vassa Eyewear in October 2019 in downtown Vancouver.”
Da Costa points out that the optical industry has evolved over the years, especially with the rise of online shopping. “However, the personal, one-on-one experience with an optician remains invaluable,” says da Costa. “In-person visits allow for tailored fittings, precise measurements, and personalized service—things that online businesses simply can’t replicate. This personal touch is still the best way to ensure customers get the perfect eyewear and proper eye care.”
The chance to make a difference in people’s lives is what keeps da Costa motivated. “Each day, I’m driven by meeting new people, tackling complex prescriptions, and blending fashion styling with health,” she says.
She recalls a recent experience with a customer who had struggled for years to find the right progressive lenses. “The customer cried tears of joy after I finally got it right for her,” da Costa recalls. “Other opticians had been unable to find a solution for her challenging prescription, so being able to restore her clear sight was incredibly rewarding.”
De Costa has some tips for others thinking about starting a small business in Halifax. “Research the local market, build a strong online presence, and offer excellent customer service,” she says. “Connect with local businesses, embrace uniqueness and inclusivity, welcome customers of all backgrounds and ages, and don’t lose hope—perseverance is key!”
Learn more about Vassa Eyewear at:
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