For Jennifer Aquino, gratitude is more than a feeling. It is the foundation of her life, her family, and now her role as the new owner of Jan’s Optical, a business that has been serving the Oakhurst community for nearly four decades.
Aquino’s journey to becoming a licensed optician and business owner began unexpectedly on the beach. During a family outing more than 15 years ago, she found herself talking with Jan’s Optical founder, Jan Abbruzzese, who is part of her extended family.
“Jan was explaining optics to me with drawings in the sand,” Aquino recalls. “I’ve always found science intriguing, and her explanations of how lenses were just two prisms either base to base or apex to apex had me hooked.”
What started as a casual conversation turned into an apprenticeship. To qualify, Aquino had to work a minimum of 32 hours per week, attend courses in optics at Essex Community College, and pass multiple state board examinations—all while raising three young sons at home.
“It was a lot to juggle, but I knew this was something I wanted to pursue,” she says. “I’m so thankful my family supported me through it all.”
Aquino has worked at Jan’s Optical ever since. When the opportunity arose in 2023 to purchase the business, she leaned on her family once again for guidance. After many conversations with her husband, Jose, and their children, she decided to take the leap.
“I couldn’t picture myself working for anyone other than Jan,” Aquino says. “And I couldn’t picture our loyal customers walking in and being greeted by strangers. We have the best customers, and I wanted them to feel that the business was staying in the family.”
Now, Aquino runs Jan’s Optical alongside Abbruzzese and optician Lydia, a team she says is dedicated to combining advanced lens technology with the personal service of a boutique optical shop. Her son Diego is training to become a licensed optician, while her other sons, Marco and Lucas, contribute through marketing, fresh business ideas, and managing social media trends.
“My sons have really grown up in this business,” Aquino says. “From the time they were little, helping clean glasses and cases for a few dollars, to now guiding me on TikTok and Instagram, they’ve always been part of the story. Bringing in their perspective keeps us current while staying true to our roots.”
Family, Aquino says, is the core of her gratitude. “I am extremely thankful for my husband, my children, my daughter-in-law, and my granddaughter,” she says. “And when I add in the extended family, I am overcome with pride and gratitude.”
She is also quick to credit Abbruzzese as one of her biggest sources of support. “Jan has been so much more than a boss,” Aquino says. “She is a teacher, mentor, friend, and family. We’ve always joked that she’s my ‘spirit mama.’ She taught me optics, business, and most importantly, how to care for people.”
Caring for people, Aquino believes, is what sets Jan’s Optical apart. “This business is about relationships,” she explains. “Customers don’t just buy glasses and leave—they come back for adjustments, repairs, and advice. Over time, you know their names, their families, even their vacations. It’s not just a transaction, it’s a connection.”
But being a small business owner has not been without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles, Aquino says, is competition from online eyewear retailers.
“Consumers see a low price online and are tempted to purchase without caution,” she says. “But with discounted frames, there’s no guarantee of authenticity and no one to hold accountable. What we offer is personal service, knowledge, and accountability. When you buy glasses from us, you’re starting a relationship. We handle adjustments, repairs, and any issues that come up. That’s something online sellers simply can’t provide.”
Aquino is also deeply rooted in the community she serves. A Long Branch resident, she is fluent in Spanish after living in Argentina with her husband, and all three of her children are fluent as well. This allows her to connect with the large Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking communities in the area.
“I love when a Spanish-speaking customer comes in and realizes they can communicate fully with me,” she says. “It makes them feel comfortable, and it strengthens our connection. That kind of trust is priceless.”
She has also made accommodations for members of the local community, from adjusting schedules to making personal deliveries when needed. “Being local means being flexible and caring for people in ways that go beyond business,” she says.
Beyond eyewear, Jan’s Optical also gives back to the community. The shop collects old eyeglasses for donation through the Lions Club’s New Eyes for the Needy program. In special cases, the team delivers glasses directly to customers who cannot make it into the shop, and they ship eyewear to clients out of state.
As she looks toward the future, Aquino says gratitude is what motivates her most.
“I feel extremely blessed to love what I do,” she says. “I enjoy working with customers, doing lab work on site, buying new products, and learning new technology. And I’m grateful to be training the next generation while continuing to work next to my mentor.”
For Aquino, thankfulness is not just a theme—it’s a way of life and business.
“Gratitude has taught me that you are more capable than you think,” she says. “When opportunity presents itself, make the shift—and be thankful for it.”
“We have the best customers, and I wanted them to feel that the business was staying in the family.” - Jennifer Aquino