Episodes

Saying No to "Good" to Build Something Great | E268 Highlights from this episode: Saying No to "Good" to Build Something Great (01:22) Closing Thought: Having the tough conversations (20:08) In this episode, I get real about the tension between what we want and what we need as private practice owners. I walk you through the mental tug-of-war I’m in: deciding whether to chase opportunity or stay laser-focused on building something elite. My passion for ocular surface disease and the dream of sc...

From Horse-and-Buggy to Ferrari: Thinking Bigger in Your Practice | E267 Highlights from this episode: From Horse-and-Buggy to Ferrari: Thinking Bigger in Your Practice (00:53) Closing Thought: Courage vs. Confidence (15:29) Success isn’t just about hard work—it’s about raising your standards. In this episode, I break down the difference between confidence and courage, and why courage is what actually moves you into the top 1%. I share the tough decisions I’m facing in my own practice and how ...

Staffing, Patients, Strategy: The Non-Negotiables for Practice Success | E266 Highlights from this episode: Staffing, Patients, Strategy: The Non-Negotiables for Practice Success (00:50) Closing Thought: You can have anything, but you can't have everything (26:44) The three biggest lessons that can make or break your private practice: staffing with intention, attracting the right patients, and knowing what to say “no” to. After 14 years in the trenches, I’m sharing the hard-earned truths, mist...

How I Went from Volume-Based Burnout to Vision-Fueled Freedom | E265 Highlights from this episode: How I Went from Volume-Based Burnout to Vision-Fueled Freedom (00:41) Closing Thought: Don't Get Comfortable (17:47) In this episode we're talking about how my solo cold-start practice grew into a thriving dry eye and ocular aesthetics center—with a team that brings just as much juice as I do. I’ve realized that real growth happens when you stop trying to do everything yourself and start surround...

Building Bigger Than You: Creating a Brand That Outlives the Doctor | E264 Highlights from this episode: Building Bigger Than You: Creating a Brand That Outlives the Doctor (00:34) Closing Thought: Burn the boats. (17:46) In this week's episode it's all about having the tough conversations and making bold moves. I share how I navigated leadership challenges, staff transitions, and the emotional rollercoaster of growth, all while staying true to my core: giving hope, educating, and advising. Fr...

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-scheduling for better patient care, and adding new tech like Tixel and dry eye slit lamps. But more than that, I...

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 eye. It wasn’t just about adding a specialty; it meant building a strong culture, defining clear r...

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 unbeatable. You cannot beat authentic passion. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcast ...

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 looking for ideas to optimize it and work as efficiently as possible. I have 3 main suggestions that I...

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 business. It all stemmed from a question from a potential associate: "What would your goal be fore me at t...

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 principles that I want to share with my team that also are incredibly applicable to our practices. I will...

Applying the Disney Standard: Communication & Combustion Points | E257 Highlights from this episode: Applying the Disney Standard: Communication & Combustion Points | E257 (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 our patients... but we were NOT caring for each other as team members. This led me to implement principles from t...

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 requires resilience, strategic planning, and difficult conversations but let me assure you - it's worth...

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 mistakes and cut some time off your own journey. Join in the conversation and subscribe to the podcas...

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 towards something bigger or better, you are fading away. Growth, however, can bring more than just more revenue - it can be t...

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 breakdown... and it has been located: our management. It's a kick to the gut realizing that the people you ...

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 year plan of attack for making myself so valuable that I am no longer necessary for my practice to op...

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 need to start walking. There are things I've heard for years that I either didn't believe or didn...

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 make it a smooth transition. The key to doing this however is knowing what your costs and numbers are so you c...

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 away from the office has been one of my greatest weapons in my growth and expansion. Let me share what I do a...

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 things that were slowing them down in their workflows along the patient journey through the practice. Eyes w...

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've done for years and just recently pinpointed is that I am all about playing the long game with my patient...

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 picture goal. In this episode we are discussing how I battle this feeling quite often and what I've done to overcome it ...

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 are considered a great doctor or not. Let me know if you agree and if you think you've mastered this in your pra...