Optometry: The Ultimate O.D.

Vision First: Why Every Optometrist Needs a 5-Year Plan | E263 Highlights from this episode: Vision First: Why Every Optometrist Needs a 5-Year Plan (00:41) Closing Thought: 2 Keys to Accomplishing Great Things (20:51) In this episode we're talking about what it means to actually lead your practice with vision. I've made some big changes—like bringing on a rockstar associate, down-scheduli...

Navigating Turnover: How to Build a Culture That Thrives on Change | E262 Highlights from this episode: Navigating Turnover: How to Build a Culture That Thrives on Change (01:08) Closing Thought: The only way to do great work is to love what you do (29:42) In this episode we are talking about my journey to reshape my optometry practice into something that truly reflects my passion—focusing on dry...

Authentic Passion Cannot Be Duplicated: Your Secret to Professional Success | E261 Highlights from this episode: Authentic Passion Cannot Be Duplicated: Your Secret to Professional Success (00:59) Closing Thought: Effort and Success (21:36) In this episode we are talking about enjoying your work even amidst challenges like a broken phoropter or a leaking ceiling. Loving what you do makes you unbea...

Small Space, Big Profits: Optometry Practice Growth | E260 Highlights from this episode: Small Space, Big Profits: Optometry Practice Growth (01:12) Closing Thought: Everything has a price (18:46) Today we are answering a listener question that was submitted and I think will give great value to everyone! The question is from an OD couple running their own private practice in a small space and look...

4 Areas of Focus for Practice Success Within 12 Months | E259 Highlights from this episode: 4 Areas of Focus for Practice Success Within 12 Months (00:48) Closing Thought: Delusional Belief! (14:21) In this episode we are talking about a pivotal moment that truly shaped my journey toward becoming the CEO of my practice, shifting my focus from the exam room to coaching staff and growing the busines...

The Growth Playbook: Wisdom from Coaching and Business | E258 Highlights from this episode: The Growth Playbook: Wisdom from Coaching and Business (1:00) Closing Thought: (21:04) I am making the jump back into football, my friends! Coaching that is - and as I have been preparing for the upcoming practices, I am reminded of the amount of mentorship that takes place in sports. There are 5 key princi...

Applying the Disney Standard: Communication & Combustion Points | E257 Highlights from this episode: Applying the Disney Standard: Communication & Combustion Points (01:05) Closing Thought: The power of positive feedback (19:28) One of my practice's main core values is "Care". This value has evolved over the last year as it became clear that we were very good at caring for ou...

The Relentless Pursuit of Practice Growth | E256 Highlights from this episode: The Relentless Pursuit of Practice Growth (00:48) Closing Thought: Happiness Comes From Striving Towards the Mission (18:27) In this episode we are talking about the challenges and strategies of scaling from an early-stage startup to a multi-million dollar practice. Growth is a continuous, demanding process that require...

Practice Management: Lessons Learned | E255 Highlights from this episode: Practice Management: Lessons Learned (00:13) Closing Thought: The Cost (22:53) This episode is a conglomeration of the biggest lessons learned and tools I've used the past few months to lay the foundation for the next level. We are putting things in place for another doctor, another location, and beyond! Learn from my mi...

How to Grow Your Practice Without Destroying It | E254 Highlights from this episode: How to Grow Your Practice Without Destroying It (00:53) Closing Thought: Humble enough to be replaced, wise enough to know there's no one like me (15:07) I have found the age-old adage "if you're not growing, you're dying" certainly applies to optometry practices. If you aren't moving tow...

The True Cost of Poor Management: Your Culture | E253 Highlights from this episode: The True Cost of Poor Management: Your Culture (01:05) Closing Thought: You Don't Learn How to Swim by Reading About Water (19:57) If you have listened to this podcast for any length of time, you know how important culture is in our practice. The issue as of late has been finding the source of a culture breakdo...

How to Become So Valuable, You Are Not Needed in Your Practice | E252 Highlights from this episode: How to Become So Valuable, You Are Not Needed in Your Practice (00:53) Closing Thought: If you always do what you've always done... (27:55) The more meetings I attend with my P3 study group, the more my vision is crystallizing for what I was my practice to become. I have created a 6 month to 5 y...

Critical Moves Today for Your Dream Practice Tomorrow | E251 Highlights from this episode: Critical Moves Today for Your Dream Practice Tomorrow (1:04) Closing Thought: Fear comes from inexperience, not incapability (22:09) The more time I spend with people that are more successful than I and have the kind of life and practices that I dream about, the more I realize all the steps are there, I just...

How to Manage Rising Costs & Thrive | E250 Highlights from this episode: How to Manage Rising Costs & Thrive (00:51) Closing Thought 1: Your Comfort Zone is a Beautiful Place (10:49) Closing Thought 2: Until the Lion Learns to Write, Every Story Will Glorify the Hunter (12:42) Tariffs are the word of the moment right now but not to fear, there are many ways we can position ourselves to mak...

1 Step Back, 2 Steps Forward: The Power of a Break | E249 Highlights from this episode: 1 Step Back, 2 Steps Forward: The Power of a Break (00:52) Closing Thought: Trading Time for Money (21:00) Being out of the office doesn't seem like it would be a smart move when you are trying to grow your practice. On paper it doesn't make sense - however, I'm here to tell you it does! Taking time...

The Power of a TEAM Approach to the Patient Journey | E248 Highights from this episode: The Power of a TEAM Approach to the Patient Journey (00:52) Closing Thought: Success vs. Happiness (14:09) The last office meeting we had was probably one of the best we've ever had in regards to strengthening our efficiency and improving our office culture. We sat down and every department listed out thing...

How Playing the Long Game & Doubling Down on Trust Has Affected My Practice | E247 Highlights from this episode: How Playing the Long Game & Doubling Down on Trust Has Affected My Practice (00:43) Closing Thought: Praise in Public, Correct in Private (14:15) Planning for the future is always a good idea, however for some reason we can forget that when it comes to our patients. Something I'...

How To Stay Motivated in Private Practice | E246 Highlights from this episode: How To Stay Motivated in Private Practice (00:33) Closing Thought: Don't forget to live (17:08) It's easy to fall into a mindless routine in private practice. The problem then is trying to not make stupid decisions (ie. purchasing equipment you don't have a plan to use, etc.) because there's no big pictu...

How to Be A Better Doctor - It's Not What You Think | E245 Highlights from this episode: How to Be A Better Doctor - It's Not What You Think (00:38) Closing Thought: The Parable of 3 Stone Cutters (15:14) There's a lot that goes into being a good doctor. While clinical knowledge is incredibly important, my hot take is there is something else that is the deciding factor on whether you a...

Anatomy of an Effective Office Meeting | E244 Highlights from this episode: Anatomy of an Effective Office Meeting (00:49) Closing Thought: Double the Pleasure, Divide the Pain (19:26) We've talked about the importance of office meetings before but in this episode we are breaking it down to what actually needs to be included to make them worth it. A great office meeting requires preparation an...

How A Scorecard Helped My Practice Have the Best Two Months Ever | E243 Highlights from this episode: How A Scorecard Helped My Practice Have the Best Two Months Ever (01:01) Closing Thought: Manage Your Ego. Manage Your Thoughts. (16:44) Since adding an associate about 6 months ago, we have taken lots of steps to improve my practice. We are all familiar with the phrase "what gets measured ge...

How to Build Trust in Your Practice | E242 Highlights from this episode: How to Build Trust in Your Practice (00:36) Closing Thought: You can't learn what you think you already know (23:14) Trust is the foundation of any practice. Whether it's your patients, your staff, or your associates, rapport must be built before they're going to put any faith in you. I have learned this lesson the hard way a...

5 Critical Steps to Develop Your Team | E241 Highlights from this episode: 5 Critical Steps to Develop Your Team (00:44) Closing Thought: Love of the Journey (21:34) As your practice grows and changes, so must your team! During the expansion season of my practice, I added one doctor and 2 additional staff positions which put me at 8 total support staff. Of those 8, 4 of them have started within th...

5 Tricks to Weathering the Storms of Private Practice | E240 Highlights from this episode: 5 Tricks to Weathering the Storms of Private Practice (00:45) Closing Thought: Mastery is Priceless (22:09) If there's one thing I've learned over the past 13 years it's that there will always be ups and downs in private practice. The way you get through it is by understanding that everything is...

3 Reasons 2025 is Going to Be Our Best Year Yet! | E239 Highlights from this episode: 3 Reasons 2025 is Going to Be Our Best Year Yet! (00:42) Closing Thought: If there's money in the bank, we're not dead yet (23:13) While planning for this year, there are 3 things that keep coming to the forefront in how I run my practice that I believe are going to make this the best year yet and I am ex...