EYE OWN A BUSINESS

Start Over, Start Fresh: How One OD Designed a Practice That Aligns with Her Life

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Stewart returns to discuss her remarkable journey back into private practice after selling her first practice. Reflecting on her initial decision to step away and the motivations behind her return, Dr. Stewart shares insights into what she learned about patient care and business operations. The conversation explores the challenges and rewards of cold starting a new practice and highlights the importance of focusing on what one truly enjoys in the profession. This episode offers valuable advice on decision-making, risk-taking, and seeking support from others in the optometry field. Dr. Stewart's candid discussion provides a blend of success stories and lessons from failures, making it a must-listen for anyone considering changes in their practice or career path.

 

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The Future of Optometry: What the Next Generation of ODs Really Want

The future of optometry is evolving, and today’s new grads have different expectations, career goals, and challenges than ever before. In this episode, I sit down with Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, President and CEO of New England College of Optometry, to discuss what the next generation of optometrists really wants—from practicing to the full extent of their licensure to navigating student debt and business ownership. We also explore the shifting dynamics between experienced ODs and new graduates, the role of AI and technology in optometry’s future, and how seasoned doctors can mentor and attract young talent to their practices.

 

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The Power of Influence: How Communication Transforms Optical Sales

In this episode, Kayla Ashley, founder of Spexy, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of influential communication and how simple behavioral adjustments can notably improve patient trust and practice outcomes. Ashley shares actionable insights into reducing patient walkouts, optimizing team interactions, and enhancing the overall patient experience. The significance of active listening and the impact of non-verbal cues are also highlighted to ensure patients feel heard and understood, thus fostering loyalty and increasing sales. This episode offers invaluable advice to both doctors and optical staff aiming to boost their communication skills and practice effectiveness.

 

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Beyond the Exam Room: Why Optometrists Must Think Like CEOs

At The Connection 2025, Dr. Todd Cohan discusses the importance of integrating a business mindset into optometry practices. He shares insights on balancing patient care with effective business management, highlighting three pillars of his practice: primary eye care, myopia management, and dry eye treatment. Dr. Cohan emphasizes the need for entrepreneurial skills, the significance of valuing staff, and the methods of creating accountability and trust within the team. He also shares his journey of transitioning from traditional eye care to specialized services to ensure sustainable growth and patient satisfaction.

 

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Optimizing Optometry Marketing: Insights from Jeremy Bono

In this episode, Jeremy Bono, a new addition to the IDOC team, delves into his experience in the eye care space, specifically focusing on marketing for optometrists. He emphasizes the importance of defining personal brand values and mission, leveraging SEO, and using AI for competitive analysis and strategy refinement. Throughout the conversation, Jeremy offers actionable advice on creating effective websites, the role of social media, and the significance of both digital and traditional marketing methods.

 

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The CLEAR Sales Model: A Simple Approach to Selling Eyewear

In this podcast episode, we tackle the often uncomfortable topic of 'selling' in the eye care profession. Despite being trained primarily as clinicians, optometrists and opticians can greatly benefit from understanding effective sales techniques. Host Steve Vargo introduces the CLEAR Sales Model - a simple, repeatable system that helps guide patients through the eyewear selection process. The model stands for Connect with the patient, Listen actively, Educate on options, Address concerns, and Recommend the best solution. Through this approach, eye care professionals can enhance patient trust, improve sales without feeling pushy, and ultimately ensure patients walk away with the best vision solutions.

 

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Stop Jonesin’…measure your success against your own purpose, not someone else’s

In this episode originally aired on the 20/20 Money podcast, certified financial planner Adam Cmejla and Dr. Steve Vargo discuss the importance of staying true to one's vision and passion in practice ownership. The conversation highlights common pitfalls such as the temptation to mimic other successful practices and urges optometrists to avoid unnecessary comparisons. Steve shares insights on identifying and focusing on activities that align with one's vision, experimenting with new ideas, and making well-considered decisions in practice management. The episode also emphasizes the importance of learning from failures, finding joy and passion in one's work, and balancing financial success with personal fulfillment.

 

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The Admin Day Trap: How to Reclaim Your Time and Grow Your Practice

Are you stuck in the “Admin Day” mindset, drowning in tasks that keep you from growing your practice? In this episode, Steve and guest Adam Cmejla challenge the way optometry practice owners think about time management, delegation, and productivity. They explore why so many ODs struggle to let go of certain tasks, how opportunity cost affects practice growth, and why saying no to low-value activities can be the key to scaling successfully.

 

Tune in to learn actionable strategies for reclaiming your time, avoiding burnout, and focusing on what truly moves the needle in your business and personal life. Plus, Adam shares his “Next Best Step” framework to help you start making immediate changes.

 

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