Optometrists Building Empires

Ankit Patel

Welcome to Optometrists Building Empires! Each week, host Ankit Patel, explores the journey of practice ownership and leadership in optometry with some of the top minds in his field. This show is sponsored by My Business Care Team: We help increase revenue, reduce costs, and reduce staffing headaches. Let's build your empire together!

  1. The Partnership That Lasted 23 Years and Counting - Kerry Giedd - Episode # 091

    5D AGO

    The Partnership That Lasted 23 Years and Counting - Kerry Giedd - Episode # 091

    What if building an empire had nothing to do with how many locations you own and everything to do with the life you design along the way? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Kerry Giedd, co-founder of Eola Eyes in Orlando, Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and nationally recognized speaker. Kerry shares the full arc of her 23-year journey in private practice, from a sushi restaurant conversation that sparked a partnership to weathering hurricanes, economic downturns, and staffing challenges without losing sight of what matters most. She also digs into the real-world mechanics of insurance navigation, virtual staffing, patient experience, and the mindset shifts that keep a practice thriving long-term. Takeaways: Intentional partnership design from day one reduces conflict later. Start aligned to create a foundation that can weather the inevitable seasons of change without fracturing under pressure.Setbacks are part of the timeline, not a detour from it. The ability to keep your eye on the long game is often what separates practices that survive from those that don't.Designing a practice around your life is a legitimate strategy. Intentional structure creates sustainability and prevents the burnout that comes from treating your exam room like a treadmill you can never step off.Outsourcing strategically preserves your onsite team. Virtual assistants, out-of-network billing tools, and thoughtful delegation allow a lean team to perform without burning out, but the investment in training and onboarding that support is non-negotiable.The best mentor doesn't have to be nearby or in your specialty. Kerry's earliest career model showed her what clinical excellence, ethical practice, and a full personal life could look like together. That image carried her for decades. Quote of the Show: “You realize, especially as you get older, life isn’t perfect. Perfect is the enemy of good.” - Kerry Giedd   Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrygiedd/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.giedd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyedrmom/?hl=en Company website: https://www.eolaeyes.com/ Email: kerrygeid@gmail.com Book a Meeting with Ankit: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ankit98/optometry-redefined?uuid=e5cd456c-9db4-42c7-b106-2b6e250a6d01 Optometry Redefined Book: https://www.amazon.com/Optometry-Redefined-Master-Resourcing-Performance/dp/B0FKJTZGJ3/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image  Shoutouts: The E-Myth Revisited Book: https://a.co/d/0bb8y44R Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5w1H9BBwRXvBSSkexePYxG Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optometrists-building-empires/id1762685070 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/689a039b-54ce-4f04-b641-66d8640d93d0 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/optometrists-building-empires-5812208

    43 min
  2. Stop Chasing Prestige - Nathan Heilman - Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 090

    APR 23

    Stop Chasing Prestige - Nathan Heilman - Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 090

    What if the most important thing you build as a practice owner isn't the practice itself, but the life and the people surrounding it? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Nathan Heilman, eye disease specialist, former U.S. Navy optometry department leader, and founder of River Valley Eye Professionals. Nathan shares a career path that has wound through military service, a LASIK grind that nearly broke him, the pandemic-forced reckoning that changed how he leads, and ultimately, a deliberate decision to sell his practice to an MSO on his own terms. Nathan's story is a candid look at what it actually takes to build something lasting, and what it means to know when it's time to evolve.  Takeaways: Your support system is the foundation of everything. No amount of grit, intelligence, or determination can replace the value of mentors or a trusted team.Owning a job and owning a business are not the same thing. Until you build systems and people that can run independently of you, you haven't built a practice; you've built a dependency.People management is the most overlooked part of practice ownership. Hiring for personality and emotional intelligence over skills can build a more adaptable, patient-centered team.Selling doesn't have to mean surrendering. A well-timed, strategic partnership can preserve your brand, protect your staff, and give you space to step into the next phase of your career on your own terms.Empire isn't a number or a location count. It's the impact you make on patients, your team, and your family, and what that looks like is yours to define. Quote of the Show: “ I wanted to provide care to individuals in a way that I saw fit, that wasn't dictated by someone else, who was telling me how long to work, how many patients to see, or what I was supposed to be prescribing.” - Nathan Heilman Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-heilman-b548bb11/  Company website: https://rvep.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nate.heilman  Book a Meeting with Ankit: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ankit98/optometry-redefined?uuid=e5cd456c-9db4-42c7-b106-2b6e250a6d01 Optometry Redefined Book: https://www.amazon.com/Optometry-Redefined-Master-Resourcing-Performance/dp/B0FKJTZGJ3/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image  Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5w1H9BBwRXvBSSkexePYxG Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optometrists-building-empires/id1762685070 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/689a039b-54ce-4f04-b641-66d8640d93d0 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/optometrists-building-empires-5812208

    40 min
  3. Creating the Culture - Kyle Maxam - Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 089

    APR 16

    Creating the Culture - Kyle Maxam - Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 089

    What happens when a business major discovers his true calling on a humanitarian eye care trip to Haiti? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Kyle Maxam, owner of EyeDocs Family Eye Care with two locations in the Dayton, Ohio area. Dr. Maxam shares how finding the right mentor, building a mission-driven culture, and staying intentional about work-life balance helped him grow from a solo practitioner to leading a thriving multi-location practice with three associates. If you’re thinking about practice ownership, expanding to a second location, or just want to hear how putting people first can drive real growth, this episode is for you.   Takeaways: Find a mentor who teaches, not just a practice that looks good on paper. When evaluating your first opportunity, prioritize the doctor who wants to pass on their knowledge, not just hand over the keys. Lead your team, don't drag them. There's a big difference between implementing change and getting your team genuinely bought in. Earn their engagement by bringing them along with you, not just pulling them in a direction they don't understand.Treat a full schedule as an opportunity, not a badge of honor. If you're consistently booked 2 weeks out, that's your signal to add a doctor. Staying accessible to patients is the priority.Be patient in the hiring process. Especially in a small-town market, wait for people who are hardworking, team-oriented, and aligned with your mission. The right culture fit is worth the wait.Plan your second location before you open it. Spend time cross-training staff, putting leadership in place, and matching systems and equipment to your existing office, so day one feels seamless, not chaotic.Step back from the chair to work on the business. Time away from seeing patients is what creates space to build community relationships, develop referral networks, and think strategically about where your practice is headed.Own your culture. If you don't like the environment in your practice, that's on you. Ownership is the opportunity to build the workplace you actually want to show up to every day. Quote of the Show: "We don't want someone telling us how to take care of our patients. We want to be able to do what's best for them, not what's just best for the bottom line for a corporation." - Kyle Maxam Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-maxam-24b10290/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyle.maxam.1  Company website: https://www.eyedocsbrookville.com/index.html  Email: kylemaxam.od@gmail.com Book a Meeting with Ankit: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ankit98/optometry-redefined?uuid=e5cd456c-9db4-42c7-b106-2b6e250a6d01 Optometry Redefined Book: https://www.amazon.com/Optometry-Redefined-Master-Resourcing-Performance/dp/B0FKJTZGJ3/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image  Shoutouts: Tim Marrigan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-merrigan-96584527/ Nathan Hayes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-d-hayes/ Steve Vargo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevevargo/ Dr. James Dickey Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5w1H9BBwRXvBSSkexePYxG Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optometrists-building-empires/id1762685070 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/689a039b-54ce-4f04-b641-66d8640d93d0 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/optometrists-building-empires-5812208

    31 min
  4. 1% Better Everyday - Erika Morrow - Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 088

    APR 9

    1% Better Everyday - Erika Morrow - Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 088

    What does it take to build an optometry practice where patients drive over an hour just for the experience? On this week's episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel had the honor of talking to Dr. Erika Morrow, an eyecare professional who built ForSight Unique Eye Care & Eye Wear in Savannah, Georgia, on one simple belief: exceptional vision care and personal expression should go hand in hand. Discovering how scouting the right market, obsessing over every detail of the patient experience, and refusing to follow the crowd have helped Dr. Morrow create a practice that her community can't stop talking about. If you're curious about how to truly differentiate your practice or just love a great story of grit and vision, this episode is for you!    Takeaways:  Scout your market before you open your doors. Don't just find a location, find a gap and build something that fills a need no one around you is meeting. Being different by design, not by accident, is what gives you a real competitive edge.Every touchpoint in the patient experience is an opportunity. From the first phone call to the glasses pickup appointment, every interaction is a chance to build loyalty. Don't leave any step of the journey to chance; script it, train it, and refine it constantly.Your phone is your first impression; treat it that way. If your team is wrapping up calls in under 10 minutes, they're leaving connection and revenue on the table. Use that call to learn who the patient is, what they need, and why they left their last provider.Build a team culture that makes people want to stay. Retention isn't just about pay; instead, track patterns like burnout and call-outs, then make structural changes before good people walk out the door. Unreasonable hospitality is a competitive advantage. Pay attention to the small things patients mention and then do something unexpected about it. A handwritten card or a small gift card costs very little but creates the kind of loyalty no marketing budget can buy.Know which partnerships serve your vision and which ones don't. Not every group, plan, or vendor is the right fit for your practice model. Audit your commitments regularly and don't be afraid to walk away from anything that costs more than it contributes.Stay true to your original vision, especially when outside voices get loud. Consultants, colleagues, and industry norms will all have opinions about how you should run your practice. Quote of the Show: “When you find out why somebody didn't return somewhere, you learn how to be a better provider yourself." - Erika Morrow Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4theloveofeyes/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForSightEye/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-morrow-od-ms/Website: https://forsighteye.net/Book a Meeting with Ankit: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ankit98/optometry-redefined?uuid=e5cd456c-9db4-42c7-b106-2b6e250a6d01 Optometry Redefined Book: https://www.amazon.com/Optometry-Redefined-Master-Resourcing-Performance/dp/B0FKJTZGJ3/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image  Shoutouts: Money 20/20 Podcast - https://www.money2020.com/The Power Hour Podcast - https://powerpractice.com/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5w1H9BBwRXvBSSkexePYxG Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optometrists-building-empires/id1762685070 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/689a039b-54ce-4f04-b641-66d8640d93d0 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/optometrists-building-empires-5812208

    40 min
  5. Building a Modern Practice - Justin Nguyen & Alyssa Pack - Optometrists Building Empires - Ep # 087

    APR 2

    Building a Modern Practice - Justin Nguyen & Alyssa Pack - Optometrists Building Empires - Ep # 087

    How do you grow 30% year-over-year while building a marriage, a team, and a brand in the same office? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Justin Nguyen and Dr. Alyssa Pack, co-owners of Eyecare at the Cove Optometry in La Jolla, California. They break down how farmers’ markets, local events, and boots-on-the-ground outreach translated into a lot of new patients per year, and how 100+ organic Google reviews strengthened their reputation. You’ll also hear how they navigated staffing struggles, leveraged virtual support, optimized insurance reimbursements, and leaned into specialty services like myopia management, sclerals, and emerging technology to future-proof their practice. If you’re refining your systems, strengthening your team, or looking for smarter ways to grow, this conversation is filled with practical takeaways and real experience.  Takeaways: Mindset drives momentum. Viewing obstacles as opportunities helped them navigate facility issues, staffing gaps, and early growing pains.Community builds empires. Farmers' markets, art festivals, and door-to-door introductions planted seeds that turned into long-term referrals.Organic reviews matter. They strengthen credibility and influence how new patients choose your practice.Systems create scale. Free up time and strengthen team autonomy by documenting processes and insurance protocols. Leverage virtual team members. A trained virtual receptionist and scribe improved flow and reduced burnout.Go all-in on specialty care. Offering full-spectrum myopia management and specialty lenses creates differentiation and sustainable growth.Technology is the future. AI, personalized care, and wearables are reshaping optometry, and early adopters will lead. Quote of the Show: “ We're stronger together. We're great clinicians separately, but we're even better business partners together.” - Alyssa Pack Links: LinkedIn: Alyssa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-pack/  Justin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinnguyen60/  Facebook: Alyssa: https://www.facebook.com/alyssa.pack.71/photos  Justin: https://www.facebook.com/justincreduhble  Company website: https://www.eyecareatthecove.com/index.html  Email:office@eyecareatthecove.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyecareatthecove/ Book a Meeting with Ankit: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ankit98/optometry-redefined?uuid=e5cd456c-9db4-42c7-b106-2b6e250a6d01 Optometry Redefined Book: https://www.amazon.com/Optometry-Redefined-Master-Resourcing-Performance/dp/B0FKJTZGJ3/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image  Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5w1H9BBwRXvBSSkexePYxG Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optometrists-building-empires/id1762685070 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/689a039b-54ce-4f04-b641-66d8640d93d0 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/optometrists-building-empires-5812208

    31 min
  6. Turning Content Into Credibility - Amrit Bilkhu - Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 086

    MAR 26

    Turning Content Into Credibility - Amrit Bilkhu - Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 086

    Can social media really grow your optometry practice without a marketing agency or ad spend? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Amrit Bilkhu, optometrist, educator, and co-owner of Northern Sight Optometry. Discover how consistent, authentic content helped Dr. Bilkhu build trust, attract second-opinion exams, and grow a pediatric specialty that now drives half of her clinic’s revenue. From hosting engaging community events to creating content that drives specialty referrals, she shares practical strategies that turn visibility into real patient relationships. If you’ve ever wondered whether social media is worth your time or how to stand out in a competitive market, this episode is for you. Takeaways:  Consistency beats perfection. You don’t need a rigid posting schedule or polished production. Showing up regularly builds familiarity and trust over time.Human connection converts more than product promotion. Patients choose practices based on warmth, personality, and trust, not just equipment or services.Own your brand voice. Have one dedicated person manage your social presence to maintain consistency in tone, messaging, and culture.Entertainment builds trust. Most people scroll to relax. Fun, relatable team content often performs better than overly sales-driven posts.Leverage collaboration for reach. Partnering with reps and community organizations multiplies exposure and credibility.You don’t need big ad spend to see results. Organic content, referrals from doctors, and patient word-of-mouth can all stem from a strong digital presence.Protect yourself from burnout. Early career hustle is tempting, but long-term success comes from sustainable pacing. Quote of the Show: “ We're building trust with our patients to just make them know we're human. We have fun. We feel more like a family to them rather than just a business trying to push products on them. ” - Amrit Bilkhu Links: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/dr.amritbilkhuLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amrit-bilkhu Website: https://www.northernsightoptometry.comCompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northernsightoptometry/ Book a Meeting with Ankit: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ankit98/optometry-redefined?uuid=e5cd456c-9db4-42c7-b106-2b6e250a6d01 Optometry Redefined Book: https://www.amazon.com/Optometry-Redefined-Master-Resourcing-Performance/dp/B0FKJTZGJ3/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image  Shoutouts: Dr. Harbir Sian: linkedin.com/in/harbirsianodDr. Manraj Fervaha: linkedin.com/in/manraj-fervaha-8839b013a Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5w1H9BBwRXvBSSkexePYxG Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optometrists-building-empires/id1762685070 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/689a039b-54ce-4f04-b641-66d8640d93d0 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/optometrists-building-empires-5812208

    36 min
  7. The Real Work Behind Scalable Growth - Rick Guinotte - Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 085

    MAR 19

    The Real Work Behind Scalable Growth - Rick Guinotte - Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 085

    What does it take to grow from managing one practice to leading eighteen locations and building a consulting firm that transforms private optometry? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Rick Guinotte, CEO of Acquios Advisors, to unpack the leadership lessons behind sustainable, scalable growth. Rick shares how the jump from two locations to three forced him to evolve as a leader, why empowering and developing managers is the true key to expansion, and how vulnerability is the common trait among doctors who successfully grow. From helping a stagnant $450K practice triple its trajectory to guiding owners through hiring fears, exit planning, and mindset blocks, this episode goes far beyond tactics. If you’ve ever felt the emotional weight of growth or wondered what separates practices that plateau from those that multiply, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.  Takeaways:  Vulnerability is a growth strategy. The most successful doctors are willing to admit they don’t know everything and seek guidance.Make your P&L a game. When you track metrics like a scoreboard, performance improves.Hiring at the right time unlocks growth. Waiting too long to bring on talent caps your revenue.Pre-appoint to create consistency. Proactive scheduling reduces uncertainty and helps predict expansion.Change is non-negotiable. Practices that resist evolution risk stagnation.True leadership means replacement. Train people to replace you so you can scale without burnout.Character compounds over time. Work ethic, responsibility, and resilience shape long-term success, both personally and professionally. Quote of the Show: “ You have to think outside the box. If you're inside the box, you can't see the label. You've got to see from outside to see where opportunities are. ” - Rick Guinotte  Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rick-guinotte-63818794Website: https://acquios.com/ Book a Meeting with Ankit: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ankit98/optometry-redefined?uuid=e5cd456c-9db4-42c7-b106-2b6e250a6d01 Optometry Redefined Book: https://www.amazon.com/Optometry-Redefined-Master-Resourcing-Performance/dp/B0FKJTZGJ3/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image  Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5w1H9BBwRXvBSSkexePYxG Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optometrists-building-empires/id1762685070 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/689a039b-54ce-4f04-b641-66d8640d93d0 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/optometrists-building-empires-5812208

    35 min
  8. Stack Your Strengths - Jennifer Tabiza - Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 084

    MAR 12

    Stack Your Strengths - Jennifer Tabiza - Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 084

    What if your next big leap in optometry isn’t about adding more locations or chasing trends, but discovering your unique zone of genius and building everything around it? In this episode, host Ankit Patel speaks with Dr. Jennifer Tabiza, a board-certified optometrist, dry eye and ocular aesthetics pioneer, co-founder of the Dr. Contact Lens SaaS platform, and founder of a luxury medical spa. Dr. Tabiza shares how she turned her natural strengths in patient care and brand building into a stack of interconnected businesses without ever losing passion or focus. She opens up about the devastating early scam that cost her life savings, the resilience she gained from that low point, why proactive recruiting and community-building beat passive job postings, and how embracing automation actually creates more time for meaningful human connection in an era of commoditized online eye care. Dr. Tabiza also makes a compelling case for niching into dry eye, aesthetics, or other high-value services to future-proof your practice against robotics and changing patient expectations, emphasizing that true empire-building is deeply personal, additive to your life, and rooted in creating more than you consume.   Takeaways:  Your zone of genius is your unfair advantage. Build every business around what comes naturally and excites you, whether that’s clinical care, brand building, technology, or aesthetics.Success is additive, not subtractive. When an idea aligns with your core strengths, pursuing it energizes rather than drains you.Proactive recruiting beats passive job postings. Build community, use resume finders, and recruit top talent directly from competitors or networks.Technology frees staff for human connection. Automation handles mundane tasks, so your team can focus on relationships, referrals, and world-class experiences.Niche practices (dry eye, aesthetics, myopia, etc.) are the future. Curated, human-centered care differentiates you from commoditized online options and robotics.Continuous creation over consumption. Reading, listening, and sharing knowledge compounds growth and keeps life dynamic and challenging.See the success before you achieve it. Manifestation, energy, and belief turn visions into reality, especially when doubt creeps in. Quote of the Show: “ You don't want to just chase a random idea because then you have no passion behind it, and you can't build an empire behind something you don't really care about. ” - Jennifer TabizaLinks: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenntabiza/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyecareandaesthetics/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennybunnyyy  Company website: Total Body Aesthetics: https://www.totalbodyaesthetics.com/  TechifEYE: http://techifeye.com/  Dr. Contact Lens: https://drcontactlens.com/  Eyecare & Aesthetics: https://www.eyecareandaesthetics.com/ Book a Meeting with Ankit: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ankit98/optometry-redefined?uuid=e5cd456c-9db4-42c7-b106-2b6e250a6d01 Optometry Redefined Book: https://www.amazon.com/Optometry-Redefined-Master-Resourcing-Performance/dp/B0FKJTZGJ3/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image Shoutouts: Dave Barton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-barton/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5w1H9BBwRXvBSSkexePYxG Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optometrists-building-empires/id1762685070 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/689a039b-54ce-4f04-b641-66d8640d93d0 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/optometrists-building-empires-5812208

    37 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to Optometrists Building Empires! Each week, host Ankit Patel, explores the journey of practice ownership and leadership in optometry with some of the top minds in his field. This show is sponsored by My Business Care Team: We help increase revenue, reduce costs, and reduce staffing headaches. Let's build your empire together!

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