How can optometrists build thriving practices by leading with connection, curiosity, and purpose? Dr. Melissa Barnett, international lecturer, prolific author, and mindful leadership coach, joins the show to explore how personal growth and professional passion come together to elevate the eye care experience. She shares how coaching, community, and continuous learning shaped her career, from overcoming early shyness to speaking on global stages. Dr. Barnett also dives into staff empowerment, burnout, innovation, and the habits that help practice owners reconnect with their purpose. Her perspective blends clinical excellence with human-centered leadership, offering a roadmap for practices that want to grow while keeping people at the center.
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What’s the secret to turning a local optometry clinic into a thriving specialty practice? In this episode, Dr. Ryan Cazares shares how he built Scott Eye Care into a leading destination for scleral lenses and specialty contact fittings in Louisiana. From navigating insurance challenges to keeping long-term staff engaged, Ryan talks about what it takes to grow a practice that thrives both clinically and culturally. He also opens up about the lessons he learned during COVID and why focusing on the right patients, not every patient, changed everything.
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What do six leading ODs say is the real key to building an “empire” in eyecare? In this compilation episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel revisits standout moments, featuring doctors who have each grown their businesses in unique and inspiring ways. Dr. Jessica Pugh, Dr. Shane Swatts, Bill Noble , Dr. Jeffrey Neighbors, Dr. Susan Truong, and Dr. Richard Levin share the defining lessons that shaped their success, from the importance of relationships to the value of empathy, the courage to pivot, and the power of authentic connection with patients.
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What happens when your vision for life becomes the foundation for your practice and the fuel that keeps it growing for decades? In this episode, Dr. Patricia Poma shares the story behind her 20-year journey building Birmingham Vision Care into a multimillion-dollar specialty practice. Dr. Poma explains why today’s optometrists must rethink the future of the profession, define the type of care that energizes them, and rebuild a sense of community in an increasingly isolated world. Her candid reflections on leadership, team culture, burnout, and the changing industry landscape make this an episode every private practice owner needs to hear.
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What does it take to build a thriving, modern optometry practice that patients actually look forward to visiting? In this episode, Dr. Darion Horner, owner of Peaksight Family Eyecare, joins Ankit Patel to discuss his journey from new graduate to successful practice owner and community leader. Dr. Horner shares how he’s built a strong, engaged team culture while staying ahead of industry changes through technology, preventative care, and genuine patient connection. Dr. Horner reveals the practical and personal strategies that make his practice stand out and why adaptability and curiosity remain at the heart of his success.
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What happens when you slow down instead of speeding up to grow your practice? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel talks with Dr. Brandon Walley, owner of Collierville Vision Center in Tennessee. Dr. Walley shares how doing less, spending more time with each patient, working four days a week, and skipping the traditional technician model has actually helped him grow faster and build a stronger reputation in a market full of private equity competition. They dive into how Brandon built his thriving solo practice by prioritizing patient relationships over volume, creating niche specialties in sports vision and dry eye, and leveraging technology to streamline staff workload. His approach proves that intentional simplicity and genuine connection can be a growth strategy of their own.
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What happens when you say “yes” to the right opportunities, even the ones you never expected? When Dr. Jerry Robben graduated from optometry school, his plan was simple: head back home to Kansas and start his career. But a series of unexpected opportunities, and one very fateful externship, led him down a path he never could have scripted. Dr. Robben shares how following his instincts, embracing luck, and working hard turned chance into purpose. In this episode, Dr. Robben joins Ankit Patel to talk about the power of saying “yes,” building an education-based empire, and turning dry eye into one of optometry’s most dynamic specialties.
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What happens when you build your practice on care for patients, your team, and your community? This week on Optometrists Building Empires, Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Viola Kanevsky, founder of Acuity NYC, a leading optometric practice on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Through stories of resilience, leadership, and genuine care, she reveals how empathy and adaptability shaped her 30-year career, and why a positive culture is her proudest achievement. If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with heart while running a thriving practice, this conversation is a masterclass in doing both.
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How do you grow your practice without losing your culture, or your mind, in the process? Dr. Melissa Tada, optometrist, co-owner of Mountain View Vision, and Director of Professional Development for Vision Source, joins Ankit to share her path from warm-start practice owner to multi-doctor leader. She opens up about building a culture rooted in respect, scaling through strong processes, and the surprising role COVID played in sharpening her business operations. Dr. Tada also discusses the future of optometry, from AI to laser procedures, and how Vision Source supports independent practices through collaboration and shared learning.
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How does mastering proactive processes help you scale smarter? This episode of Optometrists Building Empires features the dynamic duo behind Village Vision Center, Dr. Anisha Jacob and Rony Daniel. Anisha is a board-certified therapeutic optometrist and glaucoma specialist, and her husband, Rony, is a digital executive and marketing strategist. Together, they’ve scaled their business from $500K to $4M in revenue while maintaining a strong culture, data-driven strategy, and a thriving marriage. They reveal how tracking metrics, setting realistic stretch goals, investing in coaching, and fine-tuning team communication helped them break through common growth plateaus. Plus, Rony shares actionable marketing insights on Google Ads, ROI strategy, and patient acquisition that every practice owner can apply immediately.
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What role do coaching, mentorship, and values-based leadership play in building a thriving optometry practice? In this episode of Optometrist Building Empires, Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Ben Thayil, owner of Lifetime Vision and Eyecare, founder of Lead OD, and a passionate coach helping practices grow from the inside out. Dr. Thayil shares his journey from struggling new practice owner to industry leader, highlighting the impact of mentorship, values-based leadership, and intentional culture-building. He explains how lessons learned from other industries, especially dentistry, helped him reframe sales and patient care, and why aligning staff with mission, vision, and values is critical to retention and growth.
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How can setbacks and failures become the foundation for building a thriving optometry practice? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Lee Ford, owner of Golden Triangle Eye Clinic. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Ford shares how failure, resilience, and community have shaped his success as an optometrist and business owner. From turning a former Pizza Hut into a thriving eye care clinic to navigating bankruptcy and rebuilding stronger, Dr. Ford offers candid insights into leadership, practice growth, and the importance of serving others.
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In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Tobin Ansel, optometrist and co-owner of Metuchen Vision and Somerset Eyecare. From his early passion for optometry, sparked by ortho-k lenses, to growing two thriving practices with a third on the way, Dr. Ansel shares how myopia management became the cornerstone of his business. He opens up about the mistakes that shaped his mindset, the challenges of staff training and turnover, and why patient education is at the heart of everything he does. Dr. Ansel also discusses building sustainable systems, mentoring associates, and the future of optometry, from scope expansion to innovative treatments. His insights offer practice owners a roadmap for growth rooted in adaptability, empathy, and forward thinking.
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What does it take to turn a shared passion into a thriving specialty practice? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, Ankit Patel sits down with sisters Dr. Sana Malik and Dr. Sairah Malik, co-owners of Pro-Optix Optometry & Dry Eye Center in Houston. Together, they share how choosing a specialty, investing in technology, and building a values-driven team has helped them grow a loyal patient community. From tackling the challenges of marketing in a crowded city to creating a supportive workplace culture, they open up about the realities of running a family-owned practice and what excites them most about the future of optometry.
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What if growing your practice was less about avoiding failure and more about experimenting? In this episode of Optometrist Building Empires, Dr. Brooks Wood shares how he expanded his family’s Allen, TX practice while launching an after-hours urgent eye care network that’s changing patient access to specialty care. From embracing an “experimental growth” mindset to streamlining operations through efficiency and automation, Dr. Wood reveals how he balances clinical excellence with entrepreneurial innovation.
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How do you build a thriving referral-based optometry practice while balancing growth, family, and future innovation? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Richard Maharaj, Managing Partner at Prism Eye Institute and a leading voice in ocular surface disease. Dr. Maharaj shares how he built and sold a niche, medical-only practice that stood out in the Canadian market, why referrals and collaboration were at the heart of his success, and how his journey has evolved into research, teaching, and AI innovation. From lessons on resilience to insights on practice building, he provides a blueprint for creating an empire that goes beyond financial success to embrace peace, purpose, and impact.
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How can optometrists grow thriving practices while balancing leadership, culture, and innovation? On this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, Dr. Larry Golson, founder of Envision Eyecare and Sherpa Consulting, joins host Ankit Patel to share his journey from cold-start practice owner to industry consultant. Dr. Golson opens up about learning leadership the hard way, developing communication skills that truly connect with patients, and navigating the staffing and reimbursement challenges every private practice faces. From embracing a beginner’s mindset to leveraging specialty services and AI, his insights highlight the mindset shifts and strategies needed to build a resilient, future-ready practice.
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Is it time to move beyond primary care optometry and specialize in high-growth services like dry eye and aesthetics? In this week's episode, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Shane Swatts, an entrepreneurial optometrist recognized for his expertise in dry eye disease, ocular surface health, and aesthetics. Dr. Swatts shares his journey from traditional optometry to building a specialized, high-revenue practice that thrives on patient-centered communication, innovative technology, and continuous learning. He opens up about the pivotal decision to step away from primary care, the business masterminds that shaped his thinking, and how simplifying language transformed patient engagement. From expanding into aesthetics to embracing AI tools, Dr. Swatts provides both inspiration and practical strategies for optometrists ready to evolve their practices.
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How do you turn a niche specialty into a thriving, future-focused practice? On this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, Dr. Ashley Tucker, founder of the Contact Lens Institute of Houston and partner at Bellaire Family Eye Care, sits down with host Ankit Patel to share how she built a standout practice by leaning into mentorship, taking smart risks, and focusing deeply on patient care. From launching a specialty clinic inside a pediatric office to becoming a national leader in myopia management, Dr. Tucker’s story is full of insights for practice owners looking to innovate and grow.
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What does it take to scale a patient-first optometry practice while empowering your team every step of the way? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Juawana Hall, optometrist and owner of Hillcrest Vision, to talk about building a thriving, multi-location practice with a deep commitment to personalized care and staff empowerment. From her early days as an associate to leading a team across two practices, Dr. Hall shares powerful insights on culture-building, staff incentives, and how to stay resilient in the face of industry and economic challenges. Her story is not just about business success; it's about leadership with purpose.
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