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

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.

Takeaways:

• More doctor time builds trust. By doing his own workups and spending a full 30 minutes with each patient, Dr. Walley creates a personalized experience that keeps patients loyal and referring others.
• Small can be strong. A lean team and efficient systems can outperform a large staff when you focus on culture, communication, and consistency.
• Experimentation fuels growth. From launching sports vision services to creating a digital vision therapy program, Dr. Walley embraces a “why not try it?” mindset that drives innovation.
• Specialties offset reimbursement pressure. Building expertise in areas like dry eye, vision therapy, and sports vision helps diversify revenue beyond standard exams.
• Culture retains talent. A four-day workweek, full-time pay, and a supportive environment help his small team stay happy, and even bring back those who leave.
• Be patient with success. Brandon’s biggest advice for new ODs: things take time. Stay patient, build relationships, and success will follow.

Quote of the Show:

• “Anything I can do that's gonna help me help more people is a big thing.” - Brandon Walley

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-walley-o-d-4b6642145/
• Company website: https://www.colliervillevision.com/
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/colliervillevision/
• Dr. Walley’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5Fs2famqjpJFhlzQpvfVQ
• 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 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.

Takeaways:

• Say yes to opportunity, even when it’s uncertain. Many of Dr. Robben’s career milestones came from being open to unexpected turns.
• Leverage your strengths outside of optometry. His background as a DJ honed public speaking skills that now fuel his success as an educator and thought leader.
• Invest in dry eye care early. Treating dry eye proactively can elevate surgical outcomes and build long-term patient trust.
• Create systems to scale your expertise. Dry Eye University began as a solution to save time and evolved into an international education platform.
• Don’t underestimate family influence. Support and collaboration, even from non-clinical voices, can spark innovative approaches to practice growth.
• Trust the process. Hard work and consistency compound like interest; each experience adds value to the next stage of your career.
• Think beyond the exam room. From myopia management to AI, the next phase of optometry belongs to practices that adapt, educate, and evolve.

Quote of the Show:

• “Coming from where I came from to think about just being on this podcast with you, it's kind of crazy. It's a journey, and you just have to have confidence and trust the process.” - Jerry Robben

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-robben-o-d-658294127/
• Company website: https://www.bowdeneye.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DRJERRYROBBEN
• Email: jrobben@dryeyepartners.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 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.

Takeaways:

• Lead with care always. Dr. Kanevsky built her reputation by treating patients and staff like family, even calling elderly patients during the pandemic to check on their well-being.
• Culture starts at the top. Everyone at Acuity NYC is cross-trained, creating mutual respect and flexibility. When leaders are willing to clean the bathroom, no task feels “beneath” anyone.
• Invest in your team’s happiness. Her annual staff retreat blends training, open feedback, and genuine connection, a practice that strengthens loyalty and communication.
• Face challenges with resilience. From legal battles to market crashes, she’s learned that every obstacle can lead to an unexpected opportunity if you stay calm and adaptable.
• Empower through ownership. Letting employees identify their own weaknesses and name others’ strengths creates accountability and a sense of shared success.
• Stay curious. Whether it’s new technology or legislative advocacy, Dr. Kanevsky’s lifelong learning keeps her practice at the forefront of optometry.

Quote of the Show:

• “ It doesn't matter what happened at home that day or what's going on in the news. You have to be there and present for that patient and put on a happy face.” - Viola Kanevsky

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viola-kanevsky-8459b615/
• Company website: https://www.acuitynyc.com/home
• Email: viola@acuitynyc.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

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.

Takeaways:

• Let go to grow. You can’t scale if everything depends on you. Train your people well, trust them to deliver, and embrace the discomfort that comes with delegation.
• Culture starts with respect. Skills can be taught, but shared values can’t. Build a culture where staff feel supported and patients feel seen, every patient, every time.
• Use downtime to refine systems. Dr. Tada used her six-week COVID shutdown to overhaul workflows and processes, creating the scalable backbone her practice thrives on today.
• Efficiency beats extravagance. Patients value frictionless experiences over fancy ones. Simplify check-ins, streamline purchases, and make every visit easy.
• Find your network. Joining Vision Source gave Dr. Tada community, mentorship, and access to resources she didn’t have to build alone. Connection accelerates growth.
• Adopt technology early and wisely. From OCTs to AI, innovations are expanding what optometrists can do. Staying curious keeps your practice relevant and competitive.
• Be open to the weird. Growth often starts with saying yes to unexpected opportunities. Stay adaptable and trust your instincts.

Quote of the Show:

• “ As we move forward, there's nothing but good stuff to come. It's a gift to see patients every day and just make a difference every day with them and not just flip the dials.” - Melissa Tada

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-tada-5b2561252/
• Company website: https://mtviewvision.com/
• Email: mtada@visionsource.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

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.

Takeaways:

• Measure everything, fix specifically. When revenue dips, track why, not who. Identify weak spots, retrain, and focus on improvement over blame.
• Set and celebrate goals. Create monthly targets and stretch goals that challenge your team. Reward success with experiences that build morale and unity.
• Invest in leadership and coaching. Business coaches can transform not only your operations but also how you communicate and resolve conflicts as leaders.
• Understand your people. Personality assessments and individualized management approaches reduce staff friction and build stronger teams.
• Hire for attitude, not experience. Skills can be taught; mindset and culture fit can’t. Continuous recruiting ensures a healthy talent pipeline.
• Think long-term with marketing. Google Ads outperform social for high-intent patients. Remember: patient acquisition cost is small compared to lifetime value.

Quote of the Show:

• “ Doctors need to take a deep look at themselves and say what's important to them. Maybe building that empire is not the goal, and they should think through that before they pick that path, because there's a sacrifice that comes with it. ” - Rony Daniel

Links:

• Anisha’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anisha-jacob-9790b9124/
• Rony’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rony-daniel/
• Company website: https://villagevisioncenter.com/
• Private Practice Help Website: https://www.privatepracticehelp.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