She Didn’t Quit:How One Woman Turned Struggle Into Strength
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
By Rebecca Knezacek
I was with my family, saying goodbye to my stepmother, who we had just lost to cancer. In the midst of all that heartache, I still had to log into an online court session. Doing my best to stay composed while everything inside me was unraveling. The very next day, I flew home and opened my optical shop. My ex wouldn’t allow any extra parenting time, so I brought my young son with me on the ferry, not knowing if the snow-covered roads on the other side would even be plowed. Days like that were more common than most people realized. But I kept going. I had to. I had a little one depending on me and a dream I refused to let go of.
I had wanted to open my own optical boutique since my early years in the industry. After working with eyewear designers and traveling through Europe, the idea became a clear vision. I dreamed of creating a space that celebrated quality over quantity. A boutique where people could find truly unique frames and feel seen. That vision became Eyefinery. It started in a tiny 110-square-foot space, essentially a box with a window and 200 ever-changing frames. Small, but mine.
At one point, I considered buying a retiring optician’s business. Instead, I was told that because my son was still so young, I should stay home and “just be a mom” until he was at least six. That comment didn’t discourage me. It did the opposite, it ignited something. I didn’t want to be boxed in by anyone’s expectations. I wanted to show my son what it looked like to build something from nothing.
About a year into Eyefinery, things were going relatively well on the business front. But in my personal life, everything was falling apart. I found myself in a toxic relationship and made the difficult decision to leave. With no housing options available on the small Gulf Island where my shop was located, I had no choice but to move away. The situation was heartbreaking and overwhelming. I wasn’t ready to give up my business, but I also needed to protect myself and my son.
So, for nine months, I commuted five hours a day, three to four days a week. I balanced life as a single mom, ran my business, and worked part-time at my old job just to stay afloat. It was grueling. There were so many moments I didn’t know how I would make it through, but I never let go of the dream.
Eventually, things began to shift. I found a new, quirky location for Eyefinery in the city. My five hour commute became a five-minute walk. My son’s preschool is just across the street from the shop, and we now live in the same neighbourhood. Life isn’t easy. I still work six days a week, but I’m finally working fully for myself. We’ve got a bit of a Gilmore Girls vibe going on, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
This year, 2025, has brought some incredible milestones. I was one of eighteen entrepreneurs selected for a national grant and summit through Futurpreneur Canada. I flew to Toronto for a two stage pitch competition and came home with the Lexus Experience Award for customer service. And this summer, Eyefinery was voted second best optical shop in Victoria in its very first year in the city.
What I’ve learned through all of this is simple:
you don’t need permission to chase your dream. There’s never a perfect time. If I had waited, Eyefinery wouldn’t exist. My son wouldn’t be watching his mom build a life from scratch. And I wouldn’t be here — tired, yes, but proud.
So don’t give up. And don’t let anyone else decide what you're capable of.
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