EYElliance works with entrepreneurs and governments to address one of the world’s most persistent market failures: access to eyeglasses. Through the Optical Enterprise Growth Hub, EYElliance supports optical businesses with practical tools, proven playbooks, and targeted capital to help them scale sustainably. The story of SH Sun Heng Optics in Cambodia shows what this approach looks like in practice, and how the right support at the right time can unlock growth.

Married couple Serey Huy and Ki Kimhour co-own SH Sun Heng Optics, a family-owned optical retail enterprise in Cambodia, built on a brand established by Kimhour's father.

Serey entered the optical sector after a career in tourism, bringing a customer-oriented mindset that, combined with Ki Kimhour’s optical expertise and marketing savvy, has helped the business evolve and grow since they began working together in 2014.

EYElliance connected with Serey Huy in 2024 when he enrolled in the Optical Business Basics Playbook training, which draws on the proven retail model of Ver de Verdad in Mexico. Through this training, Serey gained practical tools to reimagine how SH Sun Heng Optics could attract and convert customers in a competitive, price-sensitive market. He immediately began adapting these strategies within the business and sharing them with Ki Kimhour to apply across their operations.

SH Sun Heng Optics adapted a Ver de Verdad marketing strategy at one of its stores located along a busy road. Moving beyond reliance on walk-in traffic, Serey deployed street-level outreach by distributing simple eye charts to drivers stopped in traffic. This low-cost, highly targeted marketing tactic significantly increased engagement and, within two months, led to a doubling of revenue at that location.

Building on this success, the enterprise applied for and was awarded a $10,000 catalytic grant from EYElliance. The funding enabled SH Sun Heng Optics to invest in equipment, pilot new marketing and eye health campaigns, and test a new store location through a temporary pop-up near a high-traffic intersection. Using insights from the Optical Business Basics training to assess demand, the team validated the location and moved forward with opening a new permanent store. The new site incorporates additional customer-focused features inspired by the training, including a visible eye exam setup that builds trust and draws in passersby.

The grant also supported upgrades to SH Sun Heng Optics' operational capacity through equipment purchases that have improved efficiency, reduced turnaround time, and enhanced the customer experience. Together, these investments have strengthened the enterprise’s ability to serve more customers while operating more effectively.

Today, SH Sun Heng Optics is continuing to grow, with plans to open at least one additional store in 2026. The business has sustained steady revenue growth and built a team that reflects its commitment to inclusive employment, with women playing key roles across the enterprise, including at the ownership level.

Serey’s journey reflects the impact of pairing practical, market-tested business training with targeted financial support and peer learning. By adapting proven models to his local context and continuously testing new approaches, he and Kimhour are expanding access to affordable eyeglasses in Cambodia while building a stronger, more scalable business.

Serey summed up his experience by saying: “Going through the EYElliance [Optical Business Basics training]...is like lighting a candle in the dark. It helped me understand my business deeply, and the continuous encouragement and support guided me in the right direction for growth and impact.”

If you’re an optical entrepreneur ready to grow your business and expand access to affordable eyeglasses, visit the Optical Enterprise Growth Hub and become a member today.

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