Optometrists Building Empires

Are you building your practice with intention, or just keeping up with demand? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Ariel Cerenzie, a nationally recognized expert in myopia management and specialty contact lenses. As the founder of the Raleigh and Charlotte Contact Lens Institutes, Dr. Cerenzie shares how she’s grown two successful practices by staying l...

What does it take to scale 92 eye care locations—and still keep your people loyal and inspired? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, Ankit Patel sits down with Bill Noble, the founder of West Point Optical Group and former executive at Luxottica's LensCrafters. Bill shares how he scaled the largest Pearl Vision franchise in the country, managing 92 locations across 14 states, all whil...

What happens when an optometrist trades the hustle of city life for a slower, purpose-driven practice abroad? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Roya Habibi, an accomplished optometrist who left the fast pace of Seattle to build a new life and practice in Costa Rica. Dr. Habibi shares how she’s navigating the challenges of running a cash-based practice...

How can a broken slit lamp spark the journey to building a thriving private optometry practice? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel welcomes Dr. Jaya Pathapati, a seasoned optometrist with over 25 years of experience. From starting next to Sears Optical to creating a leading-edge private practice, Dr. Pathapati shares how embracing innovation, investing in pat...

What does it take to build a thriving practice from the ground up, especially when the odds are stacked against you? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Murtaza Jafferji, a seasoned optometrist with over 17 years of experience and a specialty in dry eye and ocular surface diseases. From his early days volunteering at the Lions Club in Tanzan...

How can passion, community service, and policy leadership build a thriving optometry practice? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel had the honor of talking to Thuy Tran, Owner and Optometrist at Rose City Vision, who also serves as a state representative in Oregon. Dr. Tran shares her incredible journey as a public servant, optometrist, military officer, and a...

What does it take to grow from one practice to a multi-location operation while staying rooted in your community? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Howard Dolman, an accomplished optometrist and partner at Dolman Eyecare and KW Neuro Vision, whose decades-long journey is equal parts professional growth and personal resilience. From navigat...

How do you scale an optometry practice across multiple locations without losing the personal touch? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Trevor Miranda, a passionate entrepreneur, dynamic leader, and the voice behind the Optometry Unleashed podcast. From building a strong team culture to integrating cutting-edge tech like AI diagnostics and t...

What does it take to grow a thriving optometry practice and a successful cooperative network at the same time? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. David Holler, optometrist, practice owner, CEO, and co-founder of Clarity Vision. From specialty contact lenses to strategic vendor negotiations, Dr. Holler shares how he's balanced patient care w...

How can finding a niche like ocular surface disease transform your optometry practice? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Cecelia Koetting, a distinguished optometrist, educator, and assistant professor at the University of Colorado. With deep expertise in anterior segment care, neuro-optometry, and peri-operative management, Dr. Koetting s...

What does it take to grow a cold-start practice into a thriving multi-location empire? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sat down with Dr. Brian Samartino and Tyler Mills, co-founders of Premier Eye Associates, to uncover their journey from opening their first doors in 2014 to running three successful locations. From overcoming early cash flow challenges to...

What does it take to build a thriving optometry practice rooted in strong values and community care? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel had the honor of talking to Dr. Shannon Schaffer, an optometrist who built and successfully transitioned two practices while staying true to his core values of accessibility, hospitality, and reliability. From starting with j...

What does it take to grow a successful optometry practice while leading a strong team and maintaining work-life balance? This week on Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel speaks with Dr. Meenal Agarwal, optometrist, entrepreneur, and podcast host, about her journey in building multiple thriving clinics. She shares her insights on leadership, financial management, and the evolving role o...

Are you ready to transform your optometry practice with bold ideas? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Ian Whipple, an innovative optometrist, entrepreneur, and consultant who isn’t afraid to take risks. From pioneering remote staffing before it was mainstream to integrating AI-driven patient experiences, Dr. Whipple shares how he’s pushing...

How can optometrists leverage technology and leadership to create a thriving, patient-centric practice? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires , host Ankit Patel had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Brianna Rhue, the owner of West Broward Eyecare Associates and CEO of Dr. Contact Lens. Dr. Brianna Rhue shares her journey, leadership insights, and how she integrates technology to...

How can strong relationships with patients and the community drive the growth of an optometry practice? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel had the honor of talking to Dr. Jessica Pugh, a second-generation optometrist leading Eye Associates of Southern Indiana. With nine locations, Dr. Pugh shares how building trust, prioritizing patient relationships, and mai...

What does it take to successfully manage and expand multiple optometry practices while staying true to patient care? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Jeff Neighbors, an experienced optometrist, practice owner, and president of Practice Consultants. Dr. Neighbors shares his journey from working as an associate in a corporate setting to own...

Are you ready to scale your optometry practice and embrace bold career moves? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Harbir Sian, award-winning optometrist, practice owner, and host of The 2020 Podcast. Dr. Sian shares how he expanded from one to three clinics, navigated staffing challenges, and leveraged public education to build a strong prof...

Are you making the most of your practice’s potential? On this week’s episode of Optometric Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Kyle Klute, founder of Good Life Eyecare, to discuss key strategies for growing and optimizing an optometry practice. From defining core values and standardizing protocols to maximizing revenue per OD hour and motivating staff, Dr. Klute shares actionable...

How can strong mentorship and strategic marketing fuel the growth of an optometry practice? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Nataly Gammoh, a dedicated optometrist and entrepreneur who has built a thriving multi-location practice and an advanced optical lab. From leveraging family support to targeting underserved markets and optimizing bu...

How can optometry drive both business success and social impact? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel had the honor of speaking with Dr. Jordan Kassalow, a renowned optometrist, social entrepreneur, and global health advocate. As the founder of VisionSpring, he has helped millions gain access to affordable glasses while generating over $1 billion in economic im...

How do you turn a fresh optometry degree into a thriving multi-location practice? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Zachary Jost, owner of Back Bay Eye Care, to discuss his journey from new graduate to successful practice owner. Dr. Jost shares insights on taking risks, managing multiple locations, hiring the right team, and expanding the...

What does it take to build a thriving optometry practice while staying true to patient-first values? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Shane Kannarr, owner of Kannarr EyeCare, to discuss his journey from a single-doctor practice to multiple locations. Dr. Kannarr shares insights on expanding strategically, investing in technology, and the...

Are you considering expanding your optometry practice to multiple locations? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Nathan Hayes, director of financial services at IDOC, to break down the key factors behind successful growth. From financial benchmarks and operational efficiency to navigating labor costs and evaluating EBITDA, Nathan shares expert i...

How can optometrists successfully expand their practices while navigating challenges like insurance reimbursements and staff retention? On this week’s episode of Optometry Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sat down with Dr. Evan Stout, co-owner of Family Vision Clinic, to discuss his journey from a single-location practice to a thriving three-location business in Mississippi. From overcoming indu...