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, Dr. 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.

Takeaways:

• Relationships are the foundation of growth. Dr. Jessica Pugh reflects on how her father’s grassroots connections built a legacy that continues to shape her practice today.
• Know when to reinvent your role. Dr. Shane Swatts shares how stepping out of primary care to focus on specialty services transformed his business and confidence as a leader.
• Connection drives success. Dr. Richard Levin emphasizes that genuine connections with patients, finding shared interests, asking open-ended questions, and building rapport make the eye exam more enjoyable and are a major driver of practice growth.
• Your network is your safety net. Dr. Bill Noble credits relationships with lenders, investors, and franchisors as the reason his business not only grew but also survived crises like COVID.
• Lead with a heart of service. For Dr. Jeffrey Neighbors, sustainable growth starts with listening to patients and caring deeply about their individual stories and outcomes.
• Empathy is the ultimate skill. Dr. Susan Truong explains how learning to truly listen and “walk in a patient’s shoes” reshaped her practice and her approach to leadership.
• Growth looks different for everyone. Whether it’s expansion, specialization, or deeper patient connection, each path is valid if it aligns with your purpose and values.

Links:

• Bill Noble’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamnoble1/
• Jeffrey Neighbors LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-neighbors-07292b89/
• Jessica Pugh’s Email: drjessicapugh@have2020.com
• Richard Levin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-levin-od-b1220433/
• Shane Swatts’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-shane-swatts-773344a/
• Susan Truong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susantruongod/
• 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

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.

Takeaways:

• Start with a clear personal vision and let it guide every decision. When your clinical interests align with your daily work, your energy becomes contagious, and your success follows naturally.
• Build the team you need, not the team you can find quickly. Hiring out of desperation creates long-term cultural fractures, while hiring based on core values builds stability and loyalty.
• Adaptability is no longer optional in modern optometry. Your ability to implement change is the key difference between stagnation and real growth.
• Protect your energy as much as you protect your practice. Intentional self-care creates the resilience required for leadership and prevents the slow burnout that owners often ignore.
• Rediscover the power of community-based relationships. Local partnerships, peer collaborations, and networking are undervalued tools that strengthen patient flow and elevate the profession.
• Define your specialty focus before investing in technology. Buy instruments that support the kind of care that excites you, not because they’re considered standard or trendy.

Quote of the Show:

• “ Identifying who you are and going towards what is important to you, what makes you smile throughout the day. The income and success come later.” - Patricia Poma

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-poma-nowinski-00631648/
• Company website: https://www.birminghamvision.com/index.html
• Email: drpoma@birminghamvision.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

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.

Takeaways:

• Prioritize individualized patient care that focuses on education and preventative health, not just prescriptions.
• Create a memorable patient experience through authentic connection, humor, and personal engagement.
• Involve your team in hiring and culture decisions; personality and skill alignment are key to long-term success.
• Tackle staffing and reimbursement challenges by leaning on technology and expanding into cash-pay and specialty services.
• Stay adaptable and proactive; success often comes from continuous learning and the willingness to evolve.
• Embrace innovation: AI and new technologies can enhance both patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
• Build a practice culture that reflects curiosity, care, and connection, both in and outside the exam room.

Quote of the Show:

• “ Be more aggressive as an associate. I feel like I could've done more to be active, promoting myself and succeeding. I'm very confident now that there are plenty of things that I could have done to do that while I was there.” - Darion Horner

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darionhorner/
• Company website: https://peaksightfamilyeyecare.com/
• Email: darionhornerod@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tennessee_meeple/
• 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