EYE OWN A BUSINESS

In this episode, Dr. Steve Vargo is joined by repeat guest Ankit Patel—AI and remote staffing expert and founder of My Business Care Team—for a practical conversation about one word that matters more than ever right now: scalability. Steve and Ankit unpack why so many optometry practices feel stuck in a staffing trap—constant turnover, missed calls, overwhelmed teams, and owners carrying far more operational weight than they should. And they connect the dots to a hidden consequence most doctors don’t think about until it’s too late: if your practice is still “key-person dependent,” it becomes harder to scale… and less attractive to buy. You’ll hear how Ankit has built a hybrid model using remote teams and AI to strip away administrative noise—phones, confirmations, insurance verification, recalls—so in-office staff can focus on the patient experience. They explore what changes when remote staffing is done right: fewer distractions, higher capture rates, stronger patient flow, improved profitability, and a business that feels less like a job and more like an asset. This isn’t a conversation about outsourcing to save a few dollars. It’s about building a modern practice that can grow without compounding chaos—and creating the kind of structure that can increase valuation and help you sell faster, and at a higher price, when the time comes.

In this episode, Dr. Steve Vargo sits down with Australian host Michael Nasser for a candid conversation about the real reason so many practices plateau—even when the doctor is working harder than ever: a leadership gap no one trained you for. Steve breaks down the hidden difference between management (running the day-to-day) and leadership (creating direction, clarity, and momentum)—and why most practice problems don’t live in the exam room. They unpack what happens when goals are fuzzy, communication is inconsistent, and accountability is avoided… and how that quietly creates staff friction, stalled growth, and burnout. You’ll hear practical, immediately usable ideas—like how to build accountability without confrontation, how to identify (or develop) the right office manager, and the five pillars Steve sees behind most team issues: clarity, development, strengths, accountability, and autonomy. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the entire practice on your back… if staffing is draining your energy… or if you know your practice could grow—but your team isn’t aligned—this episode will feel like a reset.

In this episode, Dr. Steve Vargo sits down with optometrist, author, and podcast host Dr. David Kading for an honest and timely conversation about burnout, staffing strain, and why the way we’ve been running practices may no longer be sustainable. Steve and David explore the concept of the “Invisible Team”—virtual professionals who work behind the scenes to reduce administrative overload, protect in-office staff, and restore the parts of practice ownership that many doctors feel they’ve lost. They discuss how staffing shortages, rising complexity, and constant interruptions quietly erode patient care and physician satisfaction—and why adding more people in-office isn’t always the answer. This conversation goes beyond cost savings or efficiency. It’s about redesigning the practice around meaningful patient connection, reclaiming time and energy, and building systems that support doctors instead of draining them. David shares hard-won lessons from implementing virtual teams in his own practice, including the mindset shifts, systems, and leadership changes required to make it work.   Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

If you’ve ever felt confident diagnosing dry eye… but frustrated by inconsistent follow-through, stalled treatment plans, or patients who quietly disappear, this episode will feel like a reset. In this conversation, Dr. Steve Vargo sits down with Dr. Crystal Brimer, founder of Dry Eye Institute, to unpack why so many doctors stay stuck in “dabble mode” with dry eye—and what it actually takes to turn it into a meaningful, sustainable specialty. Dr. Brimer shares the mindset shift that changed everything for her practice, the non-negotiable systems that create consistency even in busy offices, and why most dry eye failures have far less to do with patients—and far more to do with leadership, flow, and clarity. You’ll hear how screening every patient changes outcomes, why one well-trained “dry eye ambassador” can transform team buy-in, and how clear communication—grounded in objective findings, not pressure—dramatically improves patient trust and follow-through. This isn’t about adding another device or chasing the next trend. It’s about building a process that works in real life, with real staff, and real patients who are overwhelmed. If you know dry eye could be a game-changer in your practice—but something keeps breaking down—this conversation will help you see exactly where, and what to do next.   Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube  

In this episode, Dr. Steve Vargo shares the full conversation from his recent guest appearance on Ankit Patel’s podcast, Optometrists Building Empires—a wide-ranging and deeply honest discussion about leadership, growth, and why so many practice owners feel stuck despite working harder than ever. Steve and Ankit explore the unseen challenges of practice ownership that no one talks about in school: the pressure to do everything yourself, the isolation that comes with leadership, and the quiet burnout that builds when the business depends entirely on you. They unpack why mindset—not market conditions—is often the real constraint on growth, and how learning to lean on others, build systems, and redefine success can completely change the trajectory of a practice. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by ownership… if you’ve wondered whether growth is worth the cost… or if you’ve sensed there’s a better way to lead without burning yourself out—this conversation will resonate deeply.   Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

In this episode, Dr. Steve Vargo reflects on a moment he never expected to witness as an Indiana University alum: watching IU football win a national championship after decades as one of the most historically losing programs in college football. What made the moment even more striking wasn’t just the win—it was how quickly the turnaround happened under new leadership. Using Indiana’s transformation under head coach Curt Cignetti as a real-world case study, Steve explores why struggling practices and small businesses don’t fail overnight—they drift there slowly. Lowered expectations, tolerated dysfunction, unclear standards, and leaders who are busy but not aligned.  This episode breaks down the leadership principles behind Indiana’s rapid rise and translates them directly into lessons for optometry practices: redefining identity before strategy, raising standards without burning out your team, focusing relentlessly on fundamentals, making hard people decisions, and committing to execution long enough for momentum to compound. This isn’t about becoming a “national champion” practice. It’s about understanding what it actually takes to change the trajectory of a business in 18–24 months.   Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

In this episode, Dr. Steve Vargo shares the full conversation from his recent guest appearance on Adam Cmejla’s podcast, 2020 Money—a conversation that explores why so many healthcare professionals feel conflicted, uncomfortable, or even resistant to the idea of “sales,” despite spending their entire careers trying to influence outcomes that matter. Steve and Adam unpack how early experiences, subconscious narratives, and professional conditioning shape the way doctors communicate, prescribe, lead, and even avoid conversations that could improve patient care. They explore why being a doctor doesn’t automatically guarantee influence—and how listening, asking better questions, and letting go of control can actually create trust and clarity. This episode isn’t about selling more products. It’s about recognizing that influence is already part of your role—and that avoiding it may be costing you more than you realize. If you’ve ever felt tension between being a clinician and being a business owner… if you’ve ever wondered why patients don’t always follow your recommendations… or if you’ve questioned whether “sales” belongs in healthcare at all—this conversation will make you rethink everything.   Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

You didn’t start your practice to feel trapped inside it. Yet somewhere along the way, longer hours became normal. Days off felt stressful. And the idea of stepping away—even briefly—started to feel impossible. If you’ve ever thought, “If I’m not there, everything falls apart,” you’re not alone. In this episode of Eye Own a Business, Dr. Ruth Mannschreck shares a powerful story that began with a personal crisis—and led to a complete rethinking of how a practice can run. What started as a necessity turned into a blueprint for freedom. Not by working harder. Not by sacrificing care or growth. But by building the right systems, empowering the right people, and leading in a fundamentally different way. This conversation isn’t about shortcuts or “hacks.” It’s about a shift—from being the engine of your practice to becoming its architect. This episode shows you what’s possible when your business finally supports your life, not the other way around. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why you’re working too much—and what actually allows you to work less How to build systems that run the practice without constant doctor input The real reason delegation often fails (and how to fix it) Simple ways to empower your team without losing control How intentional culture and leadership create freedom, not chaos Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

You don’t need more motivation—you need a better system. If you’ve ever started the year feeling hopeful, only to wonder by March where your goals went, this episode is for you. Every January, you promise yourself this year will be different. You set goals with good intentions, real excitement, and a desire to grow. But then real life shows up—patients, staff issues, unexpected fires—and slowly, quietly, those goals fade into the background. Not because you don’t care. Not because you’re lazy. But because the way most goals are set almost guarantees they won’t survive real life. In this episode of Eye Own a Business, we flip the script on traditional goal setting. You’ll learn why annual goals feel inspiring—but fail you when execution matters most. More importantly, you’ll discover a simple, human framework that replaces pressure with clarity, overwhelm with focus, and frustration with momentum. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why you don’t fail because of motivation—but because of fragile systems How to turn big goals into simple, weekly actions you can actually execute The real reason annual goals quietly lose urgency Simple ways to recover fast when you fall off track How to create accountability without shame or burnout Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

If you’ve ever watched a dry eye patient nod along… then disappear, stall, or come back unchanged, this episode will feel like a reset. Because the truth is: dry eye isn’t just “bad tears.” It’s stress, sleep, diet, inflammation, screens, habits—and a patient who’s overwhelmed by one more thing to do. In this conversation, ophthalmologist Dr. Laura Periman (the “Dry Eye Master”) shows you how to reorient patients without lecturing or shaming them. You’ll hear how she uses simple, memorable language (and humor) to build trust, create momentum, and help patients actually stick with change. And with Science-Based Health’s Zach Denning, you’ll learn how to recommend supplements and lifestyle tools confidently—without feeling like you’re “selling.” Hit play if you’re ready to stop chasing symptoms—and start creating real, lasting results for your dry eye patients.   Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

The future of optometry is evolving, and today’s new grads have different expectations, career goals, and challenges than ever before. In this episode, I sit down with Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, President and CEO of New England College of Optometry, to discuss what the next generation of optometrists really wants—from practicing to the full extent of their licensure to navigating student debt and business ownership. We also explore the shifting dynamics between experienced ODs and new graduates, the role of AI and technology in optometry’s future, and how seasoned doctors can mentor and attract young talent to their practices.   Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

You might be leaving thousands of dollars on the table in contact lenses every year—and not even know it. If you’ve ever stared at your CL numbers and thought, “We’re busy… so why isn’t this more profitable?” this episode is for you. In this conversation, you’ll step into the shoes of a practice owner who stopped guessing and started treating contact lenses like a real profit engine. Dr. Justin Bazan didn’t do it by chasing every new brand or arguing over pennies per box—he did it by simplifying. He chose the right partners, leaned into key relationships, and built a strategy that rewards his practice for doing what’s best for patients. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by vendors, confused about rebates, or frustrated that your associate isn’t on board with your preferred brands, you’re not alone. Justin has been there—and he walks you through the exact mindset and moves that changed everything, including why going deeper with fewer companies created more freedom, not less. By the end, you’ll see your CL line differently: not as a chaotic cost center, but as a focused, trackable, and highly profitable part of your business.   Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

In this conversation with Dr. Brianna Rhue, you’ll step into a new way of thinking about your practice: not as a small business desperately trying to keep up with tech, but as a tech-enabled practice that happens to deliver incredible eye care. Instead of treating AI like a buzzword or a threat, you’ll see how it becomes the quiet engine behind smoother days, fewer bottlenecks, and more time with patients. Brianna doesn’t sugarcoat the reality: ODs who ignore this shift will feel more irrelevant over time. But she also shows you a path that feels doable, even if you’re not “techy” and you’re already maxed out. From missed calls and broken systems to data you never use and staff who are stuck doing mundane work, she’ll show you how AI can quietly take weight off your shoulders while you stay firmly in control.   Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

In this episode, you’ll step into one of the most overlooked opportunities in eye care—an opportunity that affects every patient over 40 and can quietly transform the way your practice grows. Dr. Amanda Nanasy shares a story most of us forget: presbyopia isn’t just a refractive change… it’s an emotional moment. It’s the instant a patient realizes their vision—and their identity—is shifting. And for many, it feels like a reminder that time is moving faster than they’d like. But inside that discomfort is massive potential. You’ll hear how simple conversations, better expectations, and a patient-centered fitting process can turn frustration into relief… uncertainty into confidence… and lost revenue into lifelong loyalty. If you’ve ever rushed through a presbyope conversation, avoided bringing up multifocal lenses, or assumed a patient “wouldn’t be interested,” this episode will change how you approach these moments. Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube  

In this episode, you’ll step into a challenge almost every practice owner faces—but few want to admit: you’re surrounded by data… and still making decisions based on gut feel. Alongside Cathy Firman from GPN, you’ll walk through what happens when you stop guessing and start listening to what your practice is already trying to tell you—through revenue per exam, capture rate, staff performance, and the quiet leaks that add up over time. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by dashboards, unsure where to focus, or hesitant to “look under the hood,” this episode will help you take your first clear step. Because when you learn to read the data, you don’t just run a healthier practice—you lead with confidence instead of reaction.   Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

In this episode, you’ll step inside a world few of us ever see—one where every decision carries weight, pressure is constant, and clarity is non-negotiable. Last week, I spent a day learning from a retired Air Force fighter pilot, and what struck me wasn’t the complexity of the cockpit or the intensity of the mission. It was how much their world mirrors ours. Because while we may not be flying at 500 knots, many practice owners feel like they’re in a dogfight every single day—reacting, scrambling, and hoping things don’t fall apart. This episode is about what happens when you stop reacting and start leading with intention. You’ll hear how fighter pilots plan, communicate, execute, and learn with a level of focus that turns chaos into clarity. And more importantly, you’ll discover how those same tools can bring direction, confidence, and momentum back into your practice. Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

In this episode, you’ll discover how world-class thinkers approach leadership, communication, and growth—and how their lessons can transform your practice. What can an optometrist learn from the CEO of Disney, a best-selling author on sales, and a self-made billionaire who started a company with $5,000? As it turns out—everything. You’ll hear what happens when clarity replaces complexity, when confidence replaces hesitation, and when action replaces perfection. You’ll see how persuasion becomes service, how storytelling turns strategy into movement, and how purpose fuels persistence long after motivation fades. If you’ve ever felt stuck managing the business side of your practice or wondered how to lead and grow without losing yourself in the chaos, this episode will challenge the way you think about what’s possible.   Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

In this episode, you’ll discover why the next 12 to 18 months have the potential to redefine what it means to practice optometry AI isn’t coming — it’s already here. And while some doctors are still debating its relevance, others are quietly building practices ready to lead the next era of connected care. Dr. Rupe Hansra, VP of Professional Affairs at Topcon Healthcare, joins Dr. Steve Vargo to explore how AI is transforming everything from diagnostics to communication — and why optometrists stand at the center of this revolution. You’ll learn how “Oculomics” is unlocking insights that go far beyond the eye exam, and what steps you can take now to future-proof your practice for the changes ahead.   Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

What would it take to open a practice cold and within 5 years achieve a level of financial success that many practices never reach… becoming a multi-million-dollar practice?  In this episode, Dr. Joel Tuite takes us through his 5-year journey, year-by-year. Some of the topics we cover are how he attracted patients in the lean years, the importance of putting staff first and treating patients like family and how having a vision of success keeps you motivated and optimistic even during challenging times. According to Dr. Tuite, “If you can envision it, it will happen.   Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

In this episode, you’ll discover why the true value of your practice isn’t built when you sell—it’s built every day you show up to lead it. Nathan Hayes joins me to unpack the mindset and strategies of owners who play the long game—the ones who treat every decision as an investment in their future freedom. They don’t wait until retirement to think about value. They build systems that run without them. They create teams that thrive without micromanagement. And they keep their practices so well-run that buyers line up when it’s time to exit. If you’ve ever wondered what you can be doing now to ensure your practice grows in value—this episode will change the way you think about ownership.   Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube