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What does your ideal optometry practice look like?
Eye Own a Business is your go-to resource, whether you’re an established owner or aspiring optometrist.
Hosted by Dr. Steve Vargo, this podcast offers expert insights to help you grow your practice, enhance patient care, and so much more. Follow us and keep dreaming big!
Episodes
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Innovation, AI, and the Patient Experience: A Conversation with Newton’s CEO
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
In this episode, you’ll discover what reinvention really looks like when innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a mindset.
Davis Corley, CEO of Newton (formerly Neurolens), didn’t just announce a rebrand. He revealed a bold new vision for the future of eyecare—one that challenges us to rethink how we lead, how we innovate, and how we meet the expectations of a new generation of patients.
We talk about why “innovation” is really just change with purpose, why lagging behind is riskier than ever, and how practices can future-proof themselves by embracing the tools and technologies that patients already expect. From AI-powered staff training to breakthrough lens designs for today’s screen-heavy lifestyles, this conversation isn’t about products—it’s about the future of your practice.
If you’ve ever felt hesitant about change, this episode will show you how leaning into innovation can unlock growth, loyalty, and a patient experience that truly stands out.
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Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
The Myopia Growth Engine: How Two ODs Turned a Niche into a Practice Driver
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
In this episode, you step into the exam room with two ODs who turned “maybe someday” into a thriving myopia management program—without waiting to have it all figured out.
Dr. Alecia Barnes and Dr. Jenn Lyerly share how they moved from dabbling to discipline: simple scripts that spark parent buy-in, a clean consult flow that saves time, pricing built on chair cost (not guesswork), and team training that keeps the message consistent.
No hype. No heroics. Just a clear path from “interested” to “implemented”—so more kids get better outcomes, your team has a plan, and your practice gains a specialty that compounds over time.
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Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
Reimagining Eyecare: The Impact of AI on Optometry’s Next Decade
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
In this episode, you step into a future that’s already knocking on your door—and learn how to meet it with confidence.
Dr. Scot Morris doesn’t talk about artificial intelligence; he tells the story of a profession on the edge of reinvention. If you’ve ever felt buried by admin, boxed in by EHRs, or frustrated by 3rd-party red tape, this conversation reframes what’s possible when you pair human care with technology.
Because the future won’t replace you. The future will reward you—if you learn to lead it.
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Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
From Amazon to Eye Exams: Preparing Your Practice for Tomorrow’s Patients
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
In this episode, you’ll step into the shoes of tomorrow’s patient—and see how their expectations are already reshaping the way you need to run your practice today.
The healthcare world isn’t changing slowly anymore. It’s being redefined by the same forces that transformed shopping, travel, and entertainment. Amazon taught us convenience. Netflix taught us personalization. Uber taught us immediacy. And now, your patients are quietly expecting the same from you.
Through research, stories, and real-world examples, we’ll explore how the “patient of the future” is more than just a phrase—it’s your next appointment. They want transparency in pricing, digital convenience, personalized options, and the human connection that builds trust. They’re not comparing you to the OD down the street. They’re comparing you to every consumer experience they’ve had this week.
If you’ve been running your practice the same way for the past five or ten years, this episode may feel like a wake-up call. But it’s also an opportunity. Because if you understand these shifts and act on them now, you won’t just meet expectations—you’ll exceed them, build loyalty, and future-proof your practice.
The future isn’t five years away. It’s already here. The only question is: are you ready?
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Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
Proven Strategies from the Top 5 Downloaded Episodes
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
To celebrate 100 episodes, we're bringing you the best insights from our top 5 most downloaded shows. From team building and leadership to optical strategy and staff training, this episode pulls the key takeaways that have helped practices scale fast and smart.
You'll hear highlights from:
- Sharon Carter on leadership development and executing what matters most
- Susan Daly on designing an optical that sells for you
- Dr. Joel Tuite on growing a cold-start practice to seven figures in 5 years
- Kayla Ashlee on turning staff training into a growth engine
These are the actionable nuggets that have resonated most with our audience and could be game changers for your practice.
🎧 Listen in, take notes, and revisit the full episodes linked below if you want to go deeper!
Full Podcast Episodes:
Structure Your Optical so the Selling is Done for You:
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-nn4ga-14280fd
Staff Training: A Recipe for Success:
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-jqyyy-1402173
Team Building: The Magic to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Practice:
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-76rqk-13b6557
Becoming a Multi-Million Dollar Practice in 5 Years:
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-whmh6-143e978
Take Your Practice to the Next Level:
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-e9xkt-159e1a5
Additional Links:
Sharon is the owner of ECOC Optometric Consulting. Learn more about her company here: https://ecoc.biz/
Click here to access Kayla’s New Hire Training Checklist

Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
The Secret to Sales—Just Shut Up!
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
In this episode, you’ll discover why the most powerful thing you can say to a patient might be nothing at all.
It started with one piece of advice from a seasoned VP of sales: “Ask a question, and then just shut up.” Simple, but transformational.
We explore how this counterintuitive approach can change everything—from the way patients perceive your recommendations to the trust they place in you. You’ll see how talking less can actually reveal more, leading to better outcomes, stronger relationships, and fewer missed opportunities.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated watching a patient nod politely and walk away from a solution you know they need, this conversation will give you a new framework—one that taps into human psychology, emotional decision-making, and the subtle art of listening.
Because sometimes, the best way to sell, educate, or inspire action is to stop talking and start hearing what matters most.
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Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
In this episode, you’ll discover how small, steady changes can quietly transform a practice—and your future.
Dr. Mariah Smith didn’t make one big leap. Over the past decade, she built a thriving, six-times-more-profitable practice by making intentional improvements—one at a time.
No shortcuts. No flash. Just smart systems, better leadership, and the discipline to keep going.
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to grow without burning out, this episode will show you what’s possible when you play the long game.
Because success isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it looks like quiet momentum that never stops.
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Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Pricing Mistakes That Sink Your Optical Profit—and How to Fix Them
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
You didn’t become an optometrist to feel like a discount retailer. But somewhere along the way, insurance plans took over, patients started price-shopping, and the optical—once the heart of your business—started to feel like a race to the bottom. In this conversation, we step back and ask: What if the problem isn’t the patients? What if it’s how we’ve been taught to sell to them? We explore the emotional side of optical retail—from the silent frustration of presenting options you know are better, only to have patients walk, to the missed opportunities hiding in your pricing strategy, your frame boards, and even your staff conversations. Chris Millet from Modern Optical helps us unpack the psychology of choice, the power of perceived value, and how a few key changes in the patient journey can reignite not just your profits—but your passion for helping people see and look their best.
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