In this episode, we tackle a listener question that comes up often in multi owner practices: how to fairly split pay when ownership, production, and management responsibilities are not equal.

Chad and I walk through why a production only model usually creates resentment over time, why fair does not always mean equal, and how practices can think more intentionally about separating clinic compensation, management pay, and ownership distributions so each owner is rewarded for the value they actually bring. We also discuss how this kind of structure helps practices scale with less friction, more transparency, and better alignment among owners as the business grows.

Have a question for us to address in a future episode? Submit it here!

Resources:

Learn more about Partners in Profit

Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/Fq1Ro

Subscribe on Spotify: https://shorturl.at/jCtsk

In this episode recorded live at Vision Expo, we dive into a thoughtful question from a listener considering a move from the VA into private practice with the long term goal of buying in, and we walk through why the better place to start is not the buy in itself but evaluating whether the practice is actually healthy enough to support an associate in the first place.

We talk through the importance of asking the right questions, both qualitative like understanding culture and how decisions are made, and quantitative like true schedule health and how a practice grows an associate's patient base, along with identifying whether an owner is truly running a business or simply owns a job.

Chad shares practical insight on what strong mentorship and intentional associate integration looks like, including track record, compensation structure, and clarity around a potential path to ownership, while we also emphasize the importance of networking, vetting opportunities beyond just the owner's perspective, and keeping an open mind geographically to find the right long term fit.

Have a question for us to address in a future episode? Submit it here!

Resources:

Learn more about Partners in Profit

Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/Fq1Ro

Subscribe on Spotify: https://shorturl.at/jCtsk

In this episode, we answer a listener question about what an office manager's responsibilities should look like in a multi location practice, and we unpack why the real issue is less about a fixed task list and more about creating clear leadership structure, accountability, and consistent communication.

Chad shares how his practice approaches management across five locations by focusing managers on observation, training, patient flow, and 1:1 meetings rather than filling in for frontline staff, while we also discuss the importance of using data and tools to remove subjectivity, build culture intentionally, and help owners understand that investing time in leadership outside the exam lane is often what allows a practice to grow more profitably and sustainably.

Have a question for us to address in a future episode? Submit it here!

Resources:

Arlo Cameras

Learn more about Partners in Profit

Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/Fq1Ro

Subscribe on Spotify: https://shorturl.at/jCtsk

In this episode Chad and I respond to a listener question about how to handle diabetic patients within the realities of managed vision care and medical insurance. We unpack the practical communication and workflow decisions that come up in the exam room when a patient presents with both wellness coverage and a medical condition that requires ongoing monitoring. Chad walks through how he scripts these conversations with patients, why separating wellness and medical visits can often be the cleanest path, and how clear communication at the start of the encounter helps prevent confusion later. If you have ever struggled with getting patients back for follow up care or explaining the difference between vision benefits and medical coverage, this episode offers practical language and a framework you can begin using in your exam room right away.

Resources:

Learn more about Partners in Profit

Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

Have a question for us to address in a future episode? Submit it here!

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/Fq1Ro

Subscribe on Spotify: https://shorturl.at/jCtsk

In this episode Chad and I tackle a listener question from an owner doctor preparing to expand from a 2,000 square foot office into a 7,000 square foot space while realizing the optical has been running on autopilot for far too long. We talk through what it means to step back into leadership without creating unnecessary friction, why curiosity has to come before criticism, and how to rebuild trust with a team that has been largely self managed for years.

We also unpack the importance of learning the systems before trying to change them, gathering feedback from staff, vendors, and patients, and recognizing that growth at this level requires fresh investment of your time and attention. If you are preparing for expansion or wondering how to lead an optical through a major transition, this conversation will give you a practical framework for taking the reins in a way that strengthens both your team and your long term success.

Resources:

Manager Tools

Learn more about Partners in Profit

Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

Have a question for us to address in a future episode? Submit it here!

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/Fq1Ro

Subscribe on Spotify: https://shorturl.at/jCtsk

In this episode, we kick off our Scaling Series by answering a listener question about when and how the administrative structure of an optometry practice should evolve as revenue grows. We define scaling as revenue growing faster than expenses and explore the common misconception that scaling only means adding associates or locations. We discuss when to introduce fractional financial support, the risks of waiting too long to restructure leadership, and why efficiency often matters more than hitting a specific revenue number. Most importantly, we emphasize that scaling starts with self awareness — understanding our core values, avoiding lifestyle creep, and clarifying whether we want to be the top producer in the exam lane or step into a broader leadership role — because sustainable growth begins with alignment.

Have a question you'd like us to address in a future episode? Submit it here!

Resources

Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

Learn more about Partners in Profit

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/Fq1Ro

Subscribe on Spotify: https://shorturl.at/jCtsk

We unpack why so many optometry practice owners hit a "ceiling" and how the fastest way to raise it is by surrounding ourselves with people who are truly operating at the level we want to reach. We talk about the difference between real operators and social media noise, why we should look outside optometry for perspective when it helps (like lessons from other service based businesses), and how to "trust but verify" by asking better questions and understanding incentives before we follow anyone's advice. We also challenge the habit of pretending everything is fine, because growth accelerates when we get honest about what's actually broken, identify the real constraint in the practice, and lean into relationships where transparency and accountability go both ways.

Have a question you'd like us to address in a future episode? Submit it here!

Resources

Book a Triage call with Adam

Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

Find out more about Partners In Profit

Book: Paradox of Generosity

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/Fq1Ro

Subscribe on Spotify: https://shorturl.at/jCtsk

We use a simple Tetris metaphor to explain what real progress looks like in an optometry practice: we don't need every move mapped out, we just need to make the best next decision with the "block" in front of us, execute, and then adjust based on what we learn. We talk through why many owners get trapped waiting for perfect clarity, how the build, measure, learn cycle creates momentum and profitability, and why healthy margins require intentional choices instead of letting vendors, reps, or urgency dictate our priorities. We also get honest about the real constraint for most practice owners: if we're in clinic nonstop, we'll never have the margin to work on the business, so we may need a temporary pullback to reinvest in people and systems that unlock the next level.

Have a question you'd like us to address in a future episode? Submit it here!

Resources:

Learn more about Partners in Profit

Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

The Lean Startup Book

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/Fq1Ro

Subscribe on Spotify: https://shorturl.at/jCtsk