In This Together - Nelson & Katie Tin, Rockstar Optical
Nelson & Katie Tin
Interview with Store Owners, Rockstar Optical
In spring 2022, a store name caught my attention as I walked down Moncton Street in Steveston Village—Rockstar Optical. Its retail space was still under construction. “What a unique name!” I thought. At the time, I was also in the market for new glasses, so I felt eager for them to open. I wanted to finally see what was hidden behind the brown paper that covered the store windows.
Then, when the store opened this past summer, I discovered that Rockstar Optical is indeed different from traditional optical stores in the city. The unique rock ‘n’ roll themed interior combined with shelves of both ultra funky and classic style glasses made Rockstar Optical a place where I felt drawn to hang out, relax, and play around with different looks—because it was such a cool and fun place to be!
With the help of owners Nelson and Katie Tin, I picked out a pair of prescription lenses and frames from their store. And shortly after, I asked to interview them for a feature on Steveston People—because, with such an interesting store, I was sure there was a special story to uncover about this kind, professional and soft-spoken couple.
Now, I could spend the next paragraphs getting you up to speed on both Nelson and Katie’s career history and credentials, but you could simply visit their About Us page to read up on that.
When I interviewed Nelson and Katie back in August 2022, we touched on so many topics. But what I want to share with you most is the story of Nelson’s dream and vision for Rockstar Optical, and the support of his wife Katie and two kids that has been essential in realizing it all. It’s a story about being brave, being creative, and being there for one another.
A brief history of how they met
Nelson and Katie both immigrated to Canada from Hongkong in the late 1990’s. Nelson arrived when he was fifteen years old and attended high school in Regina, Saskatchewan before moving to Richmond, British Columbia upon graduation. Katie was twelve when she immigrated, living and studying in Victoria, British Columbia.
The two singles eventually evolved into a pair of lovebirds when they met at Royal Roads University, both pursuing their bachelor’s degrees in business while working their day jobs. At the time, Nelson was already a licensed optician working in an optical store, and Katie was working at the Ministry of Health.
Things happened, sparks flew and eventually Nelson and Katie got married. And now they have two kids—plus their newest “baby”, Rockstar Optical.
A theme to match his dream
Ok, now that you’re all caught up, you really want to find out what inspired the store’s rock ‘n’ roll theme and name, right?
Nelson always dreamed of opening his own optical store but didn’t start taking the steps until a few years ago. While preparing the business plan, he began to imagine what his store would look like.
In his youth, Nelson always wanted to be a rockstar, so his love for rock ‘n’ roll led him to envision walls decorated with images of guitars and skeletons—and a picture of Slash from Guns N’ Roses! “Katie and I would joke about putting a guitar and amp in the corner so I could play when it’s not busy,” recalls Nelson, “maybe even a spotlight to look like a studio!”
“During the planning process, I also considered the objective of our store,” Nelson explains further, “I wanted to give customers the rockstar experience. For example, when I’m singing on a stage, all the attention is on me, and I feel good about myself. That’s how I want each customer to feel when they walk into our store and put on a pair of our glasses—a sense of pride and confidence.”
With this vision for the store, Nelson named it Rockstar Optical to complete the picture. Now that they're open—and as we chat within the walls of his retail space that shines with personality—Nelson looks around the room and says, “It’s like a dream come true, I still can’t believe that I own this place.”
Photo above: Village Curry & Spice Storefront on Moncton Street in Steveston Village
What support truly means
When I asked Nelson and Katie to comment on opening a business together as a married couple, Nelson said, “If it wasn’t for Katie, I wouldn’t have opened up the business myself. It takes a lot of investment and courage.”
And to Nelson’s warm and fuzzy statement, Katie adds, “As a business owner, family support is so important. I want to fulfill his dream and be there as a supporter.”
But what does it really mean to be a true “supporter”? And how are they able to work in harmony without bickering all day—like many married couples would, if they had to work together all the time?
First, Katie says being supportive means to join Nelson on this journey with an open mind and positive attitude—regardless of the unknowns of whether the business will succeed or not.
“Nelson has a dream, but if I say no, the dream will never come true. If he opened a store, but I’m on the side saying ‘I don’t want that’, we’d be fighting everyday.”
She also stresses the importance of having trust and confidence in her partner’s abilities, “I tell myself that I’m not a gambler, I’m an investor. I often say to Nelson, ‘You have years of expertise, so I trust you!’ And I’m here to assist in the background.”
Finally, when it comes to keeping both the business and marriage intact, Katie puts it bluntly, “When we’re at work, we’re not friends. We are professionals, so we don’t take things personally. When we finish our work, then we can go back to family mode.”
Stepping up for mom and dad
Now that you’ve gotten to know Nelson and Katie a little bit—what’s up with their kids?
Nelson and Katie have a son and daughter ages 7 and 11, and at the time of our interview, they were spending summer break at the store with mom and dad.
Both kids are a big help to the family business, often preferring to organize and clean the store, or greet customers versus staying in the back office. “Our daughter in particular is at an age where she is very curious and asks lots of questions about the adult world. So it’s especially interesting for her to see and experience what we do at work.”
As for career aspirations, their son says he should be Head of Security since he knows karate and “can protect the family.” Meanwhile, their daughter thinks Chief Financial Officer would be the right fit for her!
Parenting on-site while running a business is doable, but “not easy,” admits Nelson. Though Nelson and Katie must occasionally step in to mediate sibling conflicts, “Most of the time they are very good kids,” reports Katie. “They are very considerate, and are happy that we can open up our own store.”
No regrets
After reading about Rockstar Optical, what’s going through your mind?
For me, I feel happy for Nelson, Katie and their children as they journey together on their entrepreneurial adventure. But another part of me feels sad about all the unrealized dreams and potential that’s still lingering out in the world.
We often hear people talk about what they wish they could do with their lives. They have the talent, vision, drive, and even the finances to get started—So why not? Maybe it’s because they’re missing that key piece—support from the people who matter most.
So if you know someone with a dream they wish to chase, now might be the time to say to them, “Do it! Cause no matter what happens, I'm here for you!”
Thank you Nelson and Katie for letting me hang out with you. I'm sure your story will inspire others to follow their dreams too!
Start seeing better!
Visit Rockstar Optical today to pick out a new pair of specs. Or get your glasses adjusted and cleaned by donation to the Wigs for Kids BC campaign. So far the store has raised close to $500 in donations towards the cause!
