Alumni Business Owner Profile
Ahead for Business: Lisa McIntyre BBA’12 MAdmin’18
Lisa McIntyre grew up in a business family. She watched her father and her brothers operate Kemsol Products, a successful janitorial supply company that kept Regina squeaky clean until 2018, when her father retired.
Around the dinner table and at family gatherings, Lisa listened to business conversations and learned the importance of customer service, treating employees with respect, and how to be resilient in the face of challenges. These lessons would serve her well as she got older and delved further into business studies at the University of Regina and began her own business at The Optical Shoppe in Regina’s Cornwall Centre.
“I loved how business combined strategy, creativity, and people, and I knew that studying business at the U or R would give me the skills to pursue a wide range of opportunities,” she explains.
In 2012, McIntyre graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in Marketing, and in 2018, she earned her Master of Administration with a Leadership major. All the while, her business roots grew deeper and stronger. “My second degree offered a chance to dive deeper into strategy, governance, and how to bring out the best in people. It wasn’t just theory — it gave me practical tools I use every day, whether running my business, chairing committees, or serving on boards. It made me a more thoughtful and confident leader.”
McIntyre had many learning opportunities at the U of R and was well-supported by her faculty. She found professors and university staff approachable and invested in her success, and this culture of support gave her the confidence and drive to keep pushing herself; she was encouraged to get involved beyond the classroom, from case competitions to leadership opportunities in the Business Students’ Society.
The Faculty of Business offered priceless learning opportunities, and JDC West, the largest annual university business competition in Western Canada, was particularly influential to her. “The professors and coaches who supported us pushed me to think critically, work under pressure, and trust in my own leadership," she says. "Those experiences shaped how I approach challenges in business and community service today.”
McIntyre feels fortunate to have taken a Women in Leadership class from Dr. Gina Grandy, past Dean of the Hill-Levene Schools of Business. “It was an amazing opportunity to connect with local female leaders and better understand the unique challenges women face in the workplace,” McIntyre explains. “That experience reinforced my commitment to mentorship and supporting other women in business.”
McIntyre’s U of R education inspired her to think beyond herself and see leadership as service and business as a tool for building community. She focused on collaboration and real-world applications, made great connections, and learned that “success isn’t just about profit — it’s about impact.”
With much business insight and experience in sales, marketing, and the knowledge to grow a customer base, McIntyre acquired The Optical Shoppe in 2019, a Regina eyewear staple since 1983. As her first business, The Optical Shoppe brought together McIntyre’s business experience and education and gave her the chance to put her knowledge into practice.
The Optical Shoppe’s tagline, “Celebrating 40 years of optical excellence; blending the expertise you need, with the fashion you crave” brings us to the importance of product. Eyeglasses are not just contraptions worn to see better; they are a part of our presentation and our personality and are often the first thing people notice when they look at us. McIntyre says eyewear should strike the balance of form and function.
“I always say glasses are the most important accessory you wear—they’re on your face every single day!” she explains. “The right frames not only improve your vision but can completely change your confidence and how you feel about yourself. Eyewear is fashion, function, and identity all in one.”
While keeping Regina fashionably bespectacled, McIntyre intends to grow The Optical Shoppe while maintaining its deep community engagement. “My focus is on building a business that supports Regina, whether through jobs, volunteer partnerships, or giving back through (charitable) initiatives like Dress for Success.”
What’s in the future for McIntyre and The Optical Shoppe?
“Looking ahead,” she says, “I hope to keep combining entrepreneurship with community leadership, because for me, the two go hand in hand.”