Optician who 'loves' his job makes national competition final (From Enfield Independent)

Optician Garry Kousoulou of Goodlooking Optics who 'loves' his job makes national competition final

11:07am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in News By Hermione Wright

An optician who “loves” his job has made it to the final of a national competition.

Garry Kousoulou, of Goodlooking Optics in Genotin Road, Enfield Town, is down to the final three of the Dispensing Optician of the Year category.

Mr Kousoulou, who has been in the profession for 17 years, is stunned he has been shortlisted after he was nominated for the annual Association of Optometrists competition by a colleague.

However, the father-of-three, from Ladysmith Road in Enfield Town, is no stranger to the limelight after featuring in Channel Four documentary series Daddy Daycare in February.

The 38-year-old has beaten off competitors by promoting the importance of his trade through social media sites including YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

His blogs on topics including smoking and macular degeneration - a disorder which can lead to blindness, have been seen by thousands of people.

Mr Kousoulou has also taken an active role in teaching young people about optics, and has taken on more than 50 work experience students in the last year.

A total of 11,065 votes were cast across the competition’s 15 categories.

He said: “It’s amazing. I love what I do, I don’t even feel that I am at work when I’m here.

“I am really proud, it makes me think about the first day I went to work when I borrowed my cousin’s suit that was too large.

“I loved the job but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would make it to the top of the profession.”

The winner will be announced during an awards ceremony in Birmingham on Thursday, October 18.