Cleinman Connect Podcast

Cleinman Performance Partners
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Owning and running a private optometry practice is challenging—but help is here! The Cleinman Connect Podcast offers valuable insights from independent optometrists/practice owners, practice managers, and industry experts. Each episode features top performers or industry experts who share their success strategies for navigating common business and operational hurdles to grow and enhance practices. From marketing tips and team management to succession planning and financial strategies, our experienced guests provide actionable advice tailored to private optometry practices. Tune in for a new episode on the 1st Wednesday of each month and stay ahead of the curve! Subscribe to the Cleinman Connect Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Whether you're an established owner or manager, or just starting out, this podcast is a valuable resource for practice growth and professional development.

  1. 2d ago

    From Kindergarten to the Boardroom Part 1: Lessons in Confidence & Culture

    Dani Driusso is a speaker, consultant, author, and educator specializing in sustainable confidence, ethical leadership, communication, and community building. Through her work with organizations, she helps leaders and teams strengthen collaboration, build trust, and create more supportive workplace cultures. Dani has connected with more than 400 leaders and educators through her initiatives, speaks nationwide on sustainable confidence and compassionate leadership, and is the author of Get Off Your A$$ & Into Your Life. In this episode…Kindergarten classrooms and boardrooms have more in common than they seem. In both, confidence, communication, trust, and the ability to recover from mistakes shape how people work together. What can those shared dynamics teach us about building stronger workplace cultures? According to Dani Driusso, an educator and consultant specializing in confidence, leadership, and community building, adults and children thrive under many of the same conditions: clarity, trust, and space to learn together. Rather than assuming people should already understand expectations, leaders can communicate more clearly, stay curious about different perspectives, and treat team members as collaborators instead of subordinates. Dani also emphasizes that strong leadership means admitting when you are wrong, repairing trust when it is damaged, and working alongside your team when challenges arise. These habits help create cultures where people feel safer contributing ideas, taking risks, and finding meaning in their roles. In this episode of the Cleinman Connect Podcast, Kim Carson talks with Dani Driusso, speaker, consultant, author, and educator, about what kindergarten can teach us about confidence and workplace culture. Dani explores clear communication, collaborative leadership, and rebuilding trust after mistakes. She also touches on finding meaning in your role and showing people what you have to offer.

    From Kindergarten to the Boardroom Part 1: Lessons in Confidence & Culture

  2. Aug 26

    Building Patient Loyalty Beyond the Price Tag

    Cole Currie is the Business Development Manager at Marketing4ECPs, a digital marketing agency dedicated to helping independent eye care practices grow. With over seven years of performance marketing experience, Cole has guided hundreds of practice owners through proven frameworks that drive measurable revenue growth and eliminate wasteful spending. He draws on his background as both a content strategist and copywriter, as well as his deep understanding of optometry and patient behavior, to deliver data-driven strategies that help practices compete with larger corporate chains. In this episode…Patients have plenty of choices for eye care, from independent practices to big-box retailers and online eyewear brands. Price may get attention, but lasting loyalty often comes down to the patient experience. So what makes an independent practice worth coming back to? Drawing from his experience in performance marketing and optometry business development, Cole Currie believes stronger patient relationships begin with listening. Instead of simply selling eyewear or moving patients through an eye exam, practices can learn what matters to each person, offer personalized guidance, and help them find solutions that fit their lifestyle and long-term needs. Cole also points to the value of making patients feel heard, educated, and genuinely cared for throughout every interaction. When practices focus on trust, service, and meaningful connection, they can build patient loyalty without relying on lower prices to compete. In this episode of the Cleinman Connect Podcast, Kim Carson talks with Cole Currie, Business Development Manager at Marketing4ECPs, about building patient loyalty beyond price. Cole shares how listening builds trust, why personalized guidance improves the patient experience, and what makes eye care feel premium. He also touches on practice metrics and marketing strategies that support long-term growth.

    Building Patient Loyalty Beyond the Price Tag

  3. Aug 19

    Mindset Shifts: Personal Development For Professional Fulfillment

    Dr. Beth Repp is the Medical Director, Cataract Surgeon, and General Ophthalmologist at Eye Surgeons Associates, a comprehensive eye care practice serving the Quad Cities and surrounding communities. In her clinical work, she treats cataracts and provides care for retinal conditions, including intraocular injections. Dr. Repp also started Beth Repp Coaching, where she helps overextended professionals and high achievers manage their minds and lives, and she hosts Up and Not Crying, a podcast about mindset, personal growth, resilience, and intentional living. In this episode…Professional fulfillment can be hard to find when your schedule is packed, and your instinct is to keep doing more. For high achievers and healthcare professionals, constant productivity can make it difficult to separate meaningful work from obligations that drain time and energy. What intentional mindset shifts could make work and life feel more fulfilling? Dr. Beth Repp, an eye care professional and life coach, believes greater fulfillment often starts with doing less, not more. She encourages people to look closely at their schedules, responsibilities, and goals, then cut or delegate what no longer aligns with their values while making more room for the work and activities that energize them. Dr. Repp also recommends a simple morning mindset practice: take 5-10 minutes to review the day ahead, decide how you want to show up, and move through the day with more intention instead of constantly reacting. These personal development strategies can help reduce overwhelm, support a better work-life balance, and create a stronger sense of purpose. In this episode of the Cleinman Connect Podcast, Kim Carson talks with Dr. Beth Repp, Medical Director, Cataract Surgeon, and General Ophthalmologist at Eye Surgeons Associates and Life Coach at Beth Repp Coaching, about mindset shifts for greater professional fulfillment. Dr. Repp shares how doing less, aligning priorities with your values, and starting the day with intention can reduce overwhelm. She also discusses delegation, sustainable routines, and creating space for what matters most.

    Mindset Shifts: Personal Development For Professional Fulfillment

  4. Aug 12

    [Optometrist Unleashed] Part 2: Buying Practices, Metrics That Matter, and Prioritizing Initiatives

    Dr. Wes McCann is the Founder of Doctors Vision Group, a network of 15 Ontario optometry practices delivering modern, full-scope eye care. He leads practice acquisitions, integration, technology investment, financial strategy, and team development. Dr. McCann is also an optometrist, educator, and speaker who has lectured at hundreds of industry events and published in Review of Optometry and Review of Myopia Management. A 2024 Contact Lens Institute Culture Award honoree, he is recognized for improving patient experiences and practice outcomes. In this episode…Buying an optometry practice takes more than finding a good opportunity — it requires knowing which numbers matter and where to invest first. How can owners use practice metrics and ROI to make smarter decisions and build a stronger business? Dr. Wes McCann, an optometrist and experienced multi-practice owner, recommends using measurable performance to guide both acquisitions and ongoing practice improvement. Revenue per patient, dispensing rates, imaging capture rates, and revenue per doctor day can help owners identify opportunities, benchmark performance, and coach their teams more effectively. Dr. McCann stresses understanding the barriers behind an underperforming initiative before abandoning it, while delegating to strong team members and specialists instead of trying to manage everything alone. The goal is to combine good data with flexibility, disciplined investment, and continuous improvement. In this episode of Optometrist Unleashed, a Cleinman Connect Podcast, Dr. Trevor Miranda continues his conversation with Dr. Wes McCann, Founder of Doctors Vision Group, about buying practices and prioritizing growth. Dr. McCann covers key practice metrics, benchmarking, and ROI-driven initiatives. He also discusses delegation, innovation, and overcoming fear around acquisition debt.

    [Optometrist Unleashed] Part 2: Buying Practices, Metrics That Matter, and Prioritizing Initiatives

  5. Aug 5

    [Optometrist Unleashed] Part 1: Buying Practices, Metrics That Matter, and Prioritizing Initiatives

    Dr. Wes McCann is the Founder of Doctors Vision Group, a network of 15 Ontario optometry practices delivering modern, full-scope eye care. He leads practice acquisitions, integration, technology investment, financial strategy, and team development. Dr. McCann is also an optometrist, educator, and speaker who has lectured at hundreds of industry events and published in Review of Optometry and Review of Myopia Management. A 2024 Contact Lens Institute Culture Award honoree, he is recognized for improving patient experiences and practice outcomes. In this episode…Buying an optometry practice requires more than recognizing growth potential. Owners must understand what they are purchasing, which numbers reveal the practice’s true health, and where to invest first. How can they make those decisions with greater confidence? Dr. Wes McCann, an optometrist experienced in acquiring and managing multiple practices, believes buyers should evaluate what a practice has already achieved rather than pay for unrealized opportunity. He recommends examining cultural fit, labor ratios, revenue per patient, dispensing rates, EBITDA, and post-financing cash flow before moving forward. Dr. McCann also suggests ranking technology and operational initiatives by their expected return, ensuring each investment covers its costs after associate compensation. This disciplined approach helps owners reduce acquisition risk and direct resources toward the improvements that matter most. In this episode of Optometrist Unleashed, a Cleinman Connect Podcast, Dr. Trevor Miranda talks with Dr. Wes McCann, Founder of Doctors Vision Group, about buying and improving optometry practices. Dr. McCann explains how to evaluate acquisition opportunities, identify the metrics that reveal financial health, and prioritize initiatives by ROI. He also discusses pricing, technology investments, and team performance.

    [Optometrist Unleashed] Part 1: Buying Practices, Metrics That Matter, and Prioritizing Initiatives

  6. Jul 29

    Why Your Practice Needs Video Marketing

    Lila Swiatylo is an Account Manager at Marketing4ECPs, a full-service digital marketing agency that helps specialized businesses build visibility and achieve their growth goals. With more than 14 years in marketing and customer service, she develops strategies for niche brands and helps clients build visibility. An expert in social media and video marketing, Lila also teaches eye care professionals to create engaging content for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Her creative work and contribution to company culture earned POD Marketing’s Unicorn Award. In this episode…Video gives optometry practices a practical way to educate patients, show personality, and stay visible online. Still, many teams assume effective content requires polished production or confident presenters. How can practices make video marketing easier without sacrificing results? Drawing on her expertise in social media, content creation, and niche marketing, Lila Swiatylo recommends keeping video simple, authentic, and consistent. Practices can involve camera-shy employees through B-roll and voiceovers, adapt existing trends, and focus on one platform before expanding. Rather than chasing follower counts, Lila suggests tracking views, shares, watch time, and website clicks to see what drives attention and action. Captions can also support search visibility by helping Google connect videos with patient questions. A sustainable strategy comes from experimenting, learning from each post, and building trust over time. In this episode of the Cleinman Connect Podcast, Kim Carson talks with Lila Swiatylo, Account Manager at Marketing4ECPs, about why video marketing matters for optometry practices. Lila explains how to involve camera-shy staff, choose the right platforms, and measure meaningful results. She also touches on SEO, content batching, and adapting trends without losing authenticity.

    Why Your Practice Needs Video Marketing

  7. Jul 22

    Highlighting Practice Culture With Cleinman's New Excellence Awards

    Amanda Van Voris is the Senior Director of Client Solutions at Cleinman, a consulting firm that helps independent optometry practices strengthen performance, operations, leadership, and growth. With more than 20 years at the company, she provides strategic and operational guidance across people, finance, and systems. Amanda helps owners navigate complex development plans, improve team performance, build leadership resilience, and create sustainable practices through planning, benchmarking, and intentional change. Meagan Staab is the Director of Client Support and Insights at Cleinman. She leads the development and use of information-management systems, benchmarking tools, client portals, and performance reporting. Meagan helps practices select meaningful KPIs, compare results with relevant benchmarks, strengthen accountability, and turn consistent data review into clearer decisions and measurable growth. In this episode…Strong practice culture is often reflected in the everyday choices that shape how people work, grow, and support one another. Recognition can make that work more visible while reinforcing the behaviors that help teams thrive. What does it take to build a culture worthy of celebration? Amanda Van Voris, an advisor experienced in practice growth, leadership, and team development, and Meagan Staab, an expert in business intelligence, benchmarking, and performance improvement, point to intentionality as the answer. Amanda recommends creating career paths, developing employees, celebrating shared wins, and gathering honest team feedback, while Meagan emphasizes clear purpose, accountability, measurable goals, employee voice, and daily discipline. Together, their insights show that culture should be treated as a strategic driver of retention, recruiting, patient experience, and sustainable growth. In this episode of the Cleinman Connect Podcast, Kim Carson discusses practice culture with Amanda Van Voris, Senior Director of Client Solutions at Cleinman, and Meagan Staab, Director of Client Support and Insights at Cleinman. Amanda and Meagan explain why culture deserves recognition, how intentional leadership supports growth, and what makes a strong award nomination. They also touch on employee feedback, career paths, and employer branding.

    Highlighting Practice Culture With Cleinman's New Excellence Awards

  8. Jul 15

    AI Is Changing How Patients Find You

    Kieran Chrysler is the Manager of Organic Strategy at Citizen, a marketing agency helping senior living brands grow through digital strategy and AI-era search visibility. In her role, she manages a team of strategists and helps communities bridge classic SEO with generative engine optimization, ensuring AI-driven discovery still reflects authentic human experiences. Kieran brings experience across healthcare, government, retail, publishing, and eyecare marketing, with expertise in SEO, GEO, brand visibility, and practical AI workflows. In this episode…Search is becoming less about typing a few words into Google and more about asking detailed questions and expecting tailored answers. As patients use AI tools to find care that matches their exact needs, how can an optometry practice make sure it shows up? Kieran Chrysler, an SEO and GEO strategist, explains that the answer starts with clarity, specificity, and consistency across a practice’s digital presence. Instead of relying only on broad keywords, practices need to clearly communicate what they offer, what makes them different, and where that information can be verified through reviews, community presence, and trusted third-party channels that help patients choose confidently. Kieran emphasizes that AI search is becoming more personalized, which means businesses must make their unique selling points easy for both people and AI crawlers to understand. For practices, the path to stronger visibility now means making sure the website, brand story, patient experience, and social proof all reinforce the same credible message. In this episode of the Cleinman Connect Podcast, Kim Carson talks with Kieran Chrysler, Manager of Organic Strategy at Citizen, about how AI is changing how patients find optometry practices. Kieran explains GEO, AI-driven buyer behavior, and the role of reviews in search visibility. She also touches on community branding and using AI to simplify internal workflows.

    AI Is Changing How Patients Find You
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About

Owning and running a private optometry practice is challenging—but help is here! The Cleinman Connect Podcast offers valuable insights from independent optometrists/practice owners, practice managers, and industry experts. Each episode features top performers or industry experts who share their success strategies for navigating common business and operational hurdles to grow and enhance practices. From marketing tips and team management to succession planning and financial strategies, our experienced guests provide actionable advice tailored to private optometry practices. Tune in for a new episode on the 1st Wednesday of each month and stay ahead of the curve! Subscribe to the Cleinman Connect Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Whether you're an established owner or manager, or just starting out, this podcast is a valuable resource for practice growth and professional development.

Information

  • Creator
    Cleinman Performance Partners
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Cleinman Performance Partners
  • Show Website
    Cleinman Connect Podcast

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