What does it take to create a thriving practice while staying true to your purpose? Dr. Susan Truong shares how she built her empire with empathy and intention. In this heartfelt episode of Optometrist Building Empires, Dr. Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Susan Truong, optometrist, speaker, coach, and author, for a conversation that dives deep into personal growth, resilience, and redefining success in the optometric world. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Truong opens up about her journe...
Aug 14, 2025•42 min•Ep. 53
How can practice owners stay competitive in a rapidly changing optometry landscape? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sat down with John Marvin, the transitioning President and CEO of Texas State Optical (TSO). John shares how he helped grow TSO into one of the nation’s largest optical retail networks, insights on shifting industry trends, and strategies for building and selling a successful practice. Whether you're a seasoned owner or just starting out, t...
Aug 07, 2025•42 min•Ep. 52
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 laser-focused on patient care, leveraging virtual staffing, and making strategic business decisions. ...
Jul 31, 2025•34 min•Ep. 51
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 while staying true to his values and team. From navigating COVID-19 challenges to investing in top-tier ...
Jul 24, 2025•53 min•Ep. 50
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 in a new country, like educating patients on the value of comprehensive eye care and managing witho...
Jul 17, 2025•43 min•Ep. 49
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 patient relationships, and mentoring future healthcare professionals have shaped her empire. She dives ...
Jul 10, 2025•49 min•Ep. 48
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 Tanzania to managing multiple practices in Canada, Dr. Jafferji shares hard-won lessons about choosing the...
Jul 03, 2025•27 min•Ep. 47
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 advocate, reflecting on how her values and family support have shaped her career. From rebuilding her...
Jun 26, 2025•40 min•Ep. 46
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 navigating the early days of practice ownership to leading innovative services like myopia management and d...
Jun 19, 2025•43 min•Ep. 45
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 telehealth, Dr. Miranda shares the real strategies that helped him scale his practice while staying t...
Jun 12, 2025•42 min•Ep. 44
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 with long-term business growth. Tune in to hear how divergent thinking and a strong team culture have...
Jun 05, 2025•38 min•Ep. 43
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 shares how focusing on a specialty can elevate patient care, drive business growth, and build long-te...
May 29, 2025•44 min•Ep. 42
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 building a strong culture that attracts top talent, Brian and Tyler share candid lessons learned, in...
May 22, 2025•42 min•Ep. 41
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 just three patients to leading a dedicated team for decades, Dr. Schaffer shares his journey, the imp...
May 15, 2025•32 min•Ep. 40
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 of optometrists in healthcare. If you’re looking for expert advice on scaling your practice and creat...
May 08, 2025•43 min•Ep. 39
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 the boundaries of optometry. If you're looking for inspiration to rethink how you run your practice...
May 01, 2025•43 min•Ep. 38
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 enhance optometry practices. From team empowerment to leveraging data for better patient experiences...
Apr 24, 2025•45 min•Ep. 37
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 maintaining a strong workplace culture have shaped her practice's success. If you're looking for insigh...
Apr 17, 2025•40 min•Ep. 36
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 owning multiple practices, offering invaluable insights on leadership, staffing, financial planning, an...
Apr 10, 2025•36 min•Ep. 35
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 professional brand. If you're looking for insights on growth, resilience, and thinking big in optometry,...
Apr 03, 2025•41 min•Ep. 34
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 insights that can transform the way you run your practice. If you're looking to enhance patient car...
Mar 27, 2025•58 min•Ep. 33
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 business operations, Dr. Gammoh shares the key strategies behind her success. If you’re looking for in...
Mar 20, 2025•38 min•Ep. 32
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 impact. Discover how Dr. Kassalow grew his family practice, pioneered a market-driven approach to visi...
Mar 13, 2025•40 min•Ep. 31
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 scope of optometry. If you're an optometrist looking to grow your practice, or just love a great ent...
Mar 06, 2025•34 min•Ep. 30
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 importance of hiring a team that aligns with his vision. He also opens up about personal experiences...
Feb 27, 2025•35 min•Ep. 29
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 insights on scaling a practice sustainably. If you're looking to optimize your business or prepare fo...
Feb 20, 2025•42 min•Ep. 28
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 industry challenges to investing in staff development and strategic growth, Dr. Stout shares invaluable ...
Feb 13, 2025•29 min•Ep. 27
What mindset shifts can turn a small optometry practice into a thriving business? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Bethany Fishbein, an optometrist and practice management consultant, to explore her journey from a new graduate to a successful multi-practice owner and consultant. Dr. Fishbein shares the pivotal moments that reshaped her vision, the strategies behind building strong patient relationships, and the leadership principles tha...
Feb 06, 2025•46 min•Ep. 26
How can optometrists balance personalized patient care with the demands of running a growing practice, and what strategies help maintain high standards without feeling rushed? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host, Ankit Patel, had the honor of talking to Dr. Ryan McKinnis, a distinguished optometrist with a proven track record in advanced contact lens technology and ocular disease. Discover his strategic insights on practice growth, maintaining high standards of patient ...
Jan 30, 2025•37 min•Ep. 25
How can optometrists balance patient-first care, strategic growth, and operational efficiency while adapting to industry changes and diversifying revenue streams? This week on Optometrists Building Empires , host Ankit Patel welcomes Dr. Joseph Munsell, Owner and Optometrist at Cheyenne Vision Clinic and Laramie Vision Clinic. With expertise in ocular disease, myopia management, and optometric surgery, Dr. Munsell shares how his patient-first approach, strategic growth, and deep community ties h...
Jan 23, 2025•33 min•Ep. 24
