What’s the secret to turning a local optometry clinic into a thriving specialty practice? In this episode, Dr. Ryan Cazares shares how he built Scott Eye Care into a leading destination for scleral lenses and specialty contact fittings in Louisiana. From navigating insurance challenges to keeping long-term staff engaged, Ryan talks about what it takes to grow a practice that thrives both clinically and culturally. He also opens up about the lessons he learned during COVID and why focusing on the right patients, not every patient, changed everything.

Takeaways:

• Invest in networking and continuing education. Attending specialty conferences not only builds clinical knowledge but also connects you with peers whose ideas can streamline your own systems and improve patient outcomes.
• Specialize in what’s needed and rewarding. Ryan’s focus on scleral lenses grew out of both patient need and personal passion. Finding a niche you love helps sustain motivation and differentiates your clinic.
• Build a culture of ownership among staff. Assigning team members specific KPIs and responsibilities gives them pride in their work and strengthens accountability. Empowered staff stay longer and perform better.
• Don’t be afraid to let go of difficult patients. As your schedule fills, it’s okay to focus on patients who align with your values and respect your staff. Protecting team morale is just as vital as growing revenue.
• Lead with empathy and resilience. The challenges of COVID taught Ryan that teamwork and mental toughness can carry a practice through any crisis.

Quote of the Show:

• “ You'll find yourself, when the week is done, worrying about that one patient that gave you trouble instead of the 100 or 200 that we're very pleased with your service. Sometimes it’s  okay to let patients go.” - Ryan Cazares

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryancazares/
• Company website: https://www.scotteye.com/
• Email: dr.cazares@scotteye.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 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