Does growing your practice come down to balancing hard data with human insight? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Erich Mattei, President and Chief Vision Officer of Akrinos. With nearly two decades of experience guiding optometry practices through every stage of growth, Erich shares why courage, clarity, and customization matter more than copying someone else’s playbook. Together, they explore the biggest pitfalls practice owners face at different stages of growth, why “hard analytics” alone aren’t enough, and how a renewed interest in private practice is shaping the future of optometry. This conversation is a deep dive into building a practice that’s not just profitable, but sustainable and fulfilling.

Takeaways:

• Successful growth starts with knowing what you actually want, not what’s trending online. Before making decisions about expansion, technology, or staffing, get clear on your vision and make sure every move supports it.
• Hard analytics tell you what’s happening in your business, but soft analytics tell you why it feels wrong or right. Pay attention to patient experience, team morale, and workflow friction, because those signals often reveal issues before the numbers do.
• Growth strategies must match your market, not someone else’s success story. What works in one city, demographic, or practice model can be disastrous in another if applied without context.
• Building the right advisory team early can prevent costly mistakes later. Surrounding yourself with professionals who understand your goals allows you to move faster with more confidence and fewer regrets.
• Technology should serve your strategy, not define it. Make sure you have a clear plan for implementation, pricing, and patient communication before investing in new equipment or software.

Quote of the Show:

• “ I believe now we are in the golden age of utilizing technology to delight our patients, to serve our team in workflows, and to grow profitability, but only if we do it the right way.” - Erich Mattei

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erich-mattei-0b99549/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erich.mattei
• Company website: https://akrinos.com/
• Email: erich@akrinos.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

Shoutouts:

• Ciotti Eye Care: https://www.ciottieyecare.com/
• Litchfield Optometry: https://litchfieldoptometrist.com/#
• True Vision Oklahoma: https://www.truevisionoklahoma.com/

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 if building an empire had nothing to do with scale, revenue, or the number of locations you own? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Kevin Chan to challenge one of the biggest misconceptions in optometry: that success only looks one way. Kevin shares how his journey into myopia management, education, and global thought leadership was shaped not by chasing growth for growth’s sake, but by defining impact on his own terms. He also dives into the clinical and emotional realities of myopia management, the importance of communication over complexity, and why belief in your vision must come before external validation. This episode is a reminder that an empire isn’t something you copy; it’s something you define.

Takeaways:

• Building an empire starts with belief, not scale. Success is deeply personal, and no one else gets to define what an “empire” should look like for you.
• Impact often matters more than expansion. Creating meaningful change for patients, families, or colleagues can be just as powerful as owning multiple locations.
• Mistakes are essential to growth. Avoiding failure limits learning, while thoughtful experimentation builds confidence and clarity over time.
• Too much information can stall progress. Decision paralysis often comes from overconsumption, and simplicity is found on the other side of action.
• Connection beats complexity. Patients and parents respond more to clarity and emotional resonance than technical explanations.
• Leadership evolves through persistence. Grit, repetition, and staying committed to your vision compound into long-term influence.

Quote of the Show:

• “I think the biggest mistake is not making the mistake. If you're not able to make the mistake, you're not able to really find out what you're truly lacking.” - Kevin Chan

Shoutouts:

• AAOMC: https://aaomc.org/

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-chan-od-ms-faao-iacmm-747b2955/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.chan.733076
• Company website: http://treehouseeyes.com/
• Email: kevinchan.od@gmail.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 your biggest fear comes true, and you keep going anyway? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Christopher Lopez to talk candidly about courage, failure, partnerships, and what it really takes to build something meaningful in optometry. From getting burned in an early ownership opportunity to co-owning and expanding a thriving multi-doctor practice, Chris shares hard-earned lessons on resilience, team-building, and growth without ego. This conversation is a powerful reminder that setbacks don’t define your career; how you respond to them does.

Takeaways:

• Chris believes courage isn’t about being fearless; it’s about taking action despite uncertainty. Every meaningful step in ownership, growth, or leadership lives on the other side of discomfort.
• Getting “screwed over” early in his career didn’t stop Chris from pursuing ownership again. Instead, he used the experience to clarify what he wanted and what he would never repeat in future partnerships.
• Partnerships can dramatically expand what doctors are capable of, but only when expectations, values, and legal structures are clear. Chris emphasizes that strong partnerships require alignment, transparency, and humility.
• Growth doesn’t have to mean massive expansion or dozens of locations. Small, consistent improvements compound over time and build durable success.
• Staffing challenges don’t have one-size-fits-all solutions. Chris explains why understanding communication styles, hiring for fit, and being patient often matter more than filling seats quickly.
• Leadership requires learning how to delegate and communicate in ways your team can actually receive. Tools like personality or “brain style” assessments can dramatically improve trust and performance.

Quote of the Show:

• “Things happen for a reason. Take them as lessons learned, get better, and move on to bigger and better things.” - Christopher Lopez

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherlopezod/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrislopezOD
• OD’s On Finance Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ODsonFinance
• OD’s On Finance Brokerage: https://brokerage.odsonfinance.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 if the biggest thing holding your practice back isn’t staffing, reimbursement, or technology, but your mindset and leadership approach as an owner? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Steve Vargo, optometric practice management consultant, author, and nationally recognized speaker. Steve shares the pivotal moments that shaped his journey from isolated practice owner to trusted advisor for thousands of practices nationwide. Together, they unpack why leadership is often the true constraint to growth, how successful owners think differently about failure, and why learning to lean on others is essential to building a practice that lasts.

Takeaways:

• Leadership gaps are often the root cause of staff conflict, burnout, and stalled growth. Without clear leadership, practices struggle to execute systems, align teams, and move forward intentionally.
• Trying to do everything yourself slows growth and increases friction. The most successful owners learn to lean into mentors, consultants, and teams instead of operating in isolation.
• Growth doesn’t always mean more locations; it means making the most of what you have. Many practices are shifting toward efficiency, specialty care, and operational excellence rather than scaling purely by size.
• Mindset is a defining separator between practices that thrive and those that stay stuck. A growth mindset views challenges as problems to solve, while a fixed mindset looks for reasons things can’t improve.
• Successful practice owners fail often, but on purpose and on a small scale. They test ideas, learn quickly, abandon what doesn’t work, and double down on what does.
• Continuous learning compounds over time and creates long-term advantage. The most successful doctors read, attend meetings, seek feedback, and consistently invest in improving their leadership and business skills.

Quote of the Show:

• “ People say that they don't like the business side, they just wanna work on the clinical side. But it's hard to provide the best care for your patients if you're not mindful of the business side.” - Steve Vargo

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevevargo/
• Website: https://drstevevargo.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.vargo.18
• 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 if dropping insurance wasn’t a risk, but the key to better patient care, happier staff, and a more sustainable optometry practice? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Kara Foster, optometrist, entrepreneur, and advocate for insurance-free, patient-centered care. Dr. Foster shares why she made the bold decision to drop all insurance plans early in her practice journey and how that choice transformed everything from patient relationships to staffing, cash flow, and quality of life. The conversation explores the realities of transitioning to a direct care model, how to clearly communicate value to patients, and why optometry is uniquely positioned to lead broader healthcare reform. Dr. Foster also discusses her work mentoring other doctors, her involvement in local government, and her vision for building a better healthcare system, starting at the community level.

Takeaways:

• Dropping insurance is a mindset shift, not just a billing change. You must fully believe in the value of your care before patients ever will, because confidence and clarity drive trust.
• Education replaces explanation in an insurance-free model. When staff and doctors proactively educate patients about what’s happening and why, price resistance drops and loyalty increases.
• Hiring for personality matters more than experience. Skills can be taught, but empathy, communication, and ownership are what make a direct care practice work.
• Time with patients becomes your biggest differentiator. Spending more time listening, explaining, and connecting builds long-term relationships that fuel referrals and growth.
• Operational simplicity reduces burnout. Eliminating insurance removes a massive administrative burden, improving staff satisfaction and reducing hiring challenges.
• Cash flow improves immediately when patients pay upfront. Getting paid at the time of service stabilizes your business and gives you more control over growth decisions.

Quote of the Show:

• “ It’s nice to be able to feel like we're working towards something, something that’s improving the system.” - Kara Foster

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karafosterod/
• Company website: https://eyecarenc.com/about/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karafosterOD/
• Personal Website: karafosterod.com
• Email: karafosterod@gmail.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 if the setbacks in your career were actually the fuel that pushes your practice to the next level? Dr. Maria Sampalis joins Optometrists Building Empires to share the wide-ranging journey that shaped her reputation as a leading voice in optometry, starting in corporate, to building a thriving private practice, to leading one of the largest online communities in the field. Maria opens up about failure, reinvention, non-traditional paths to success, and why uncomfortable moments are often necessary for growth. She also breaks down real strategies for staffing, cutting costs, leveraging medical billing, and embracing emerging trends like AI and interventional care.

Takeaways:

• Give yourself permission to grow at your own pace. Rushing rarely delivers better outcomes, and the obstacles you encounter early in your career often provide the skills you’ll rely on later.
• When building a practice, don’t feel obligated to follow the industry’s “expected path.” What works for others may not be the path that fits your life stage, risk tolerance, or long-term goals.
• A strong, supported staff is the backbone of any practice. When your team feels trusted, backed up, and offered flexibility, they are far more capable of managing volume and contributing to better patient flow.
• Reducing overhead is just as important as driving revenue. Negotiate lab costs, use buying groups, and make long-term real estate decisions that stabilize your expenses instead of letting them rise uncontrollably.
• Success comes from trying the opportunities others overlook. Thinking creatively and trusting your ability to learn as you go opens doors that aren’t always obvious from the outside.

Quote of the Show:

• “ I think doctors make the mistake where they compare themselves to other doctors or other competitors. For me, it was here's what I wanna do, and the only competition is myself.” - Maria Sampalis

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-sampalis-a8a85a11/
• Company website: https://www.sampaliseyecare.com/
• Maria’s Email: msampalis@hotmail.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 if the biggest barrier to growing your practice isn’t revenue at all, but the way you hire, lead, and support your team? In this episode, Ankit sits down with Dave Brown, President & CEO of IDOC, to dive into the real-world barriers that hold independent optometrists back from meaningful growth. Dave pulls from decades at Johnson & Johnson and a decade leading IDOC to explain why most practices stall around the same revenue ceiling—and how the right partnerships, staff development, and data insights can help doctors break through it. He shares a transparent look at HR challenges, leadership habits, emotional roadblocks, and the power of peer connection in an industry where many owners feel isolated. Dave also reveals what IDOC’s new investments mean for private practice owners and why the future still holds tremendous opportunity for independents.

Takeaways:

• Define your policies, standards, and accountability systems early, so your team knows what “good” looks like. When expectations are vague, culture erodes quietly and growth stalls fast.
• Investing in your staff is often the fastest way to increase revenue. Well-trained, confident team members improve patient experience, optical performance, and overall efficiency.
• Keeping the wrong person in a role drains culture and slows the rest of the team. The short-term discomfort of replacing them is far less costly than the long-term impact of avoiding the issue.
• Data should guide decisions, not hunches or anxiety. Knowing how your metrics compare to peers in your market transforms decision-making around spending, hiring, debt, and service expansion.
• Control the controllables and stay steady through the highs and lows. Every practice hits rough patches. Longevity comes from resilience, not perfection.

Quote of the Show:

• “Don't try to go it alone. There are people out there to help you across the swath; find them and let them help you succeed.” - Dave Brown

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-brown-129b0a22/
• Company website: https://idoc.net/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/575492055842406
• Email: dbrown@idoc.net
• 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 can optometrists build thriving practices by leading with connection, curiosity, and purpose? Dr. Melissa Barnett, international lecturer, prolific author, and mindful leadership coach, joins the show to explore how personal growth and professional passion come together to elevate the eye care experience. She shares how coaching, community, and continuous learning shaped her career, from overcoming early shyness to speaking on global stages. Dr. Barnett also dives into staff empowerment, burnout, innovation, and the habits that help practice owners reconnect with their purpose. Her perspective blends clinical excellence with human-centered leadership, offering a roadmap for practices that want to grow while keeping people at the center.

Takeaways:

• Connection is the foundation of leadership and practice growth. When you understand your “why” and lead with intention, your team and your patients feel it.
• Empowered staff elevate the entire patient experience. When people feel valued and included, retention improves, and daily workflow becomes smoother.
• Burnout requires proactive strategies, not passive hope. Mindfulness practices, like breathing, short walks, journaling, or intentional breaks, help reset mental load.
• Embrace innovation as a pathway to better care and business expansion. New technologies in dry eye, specialty lenses, presbyopia, and diagnostics open doors to growth.
• Lifelong learning isn’t optional in today’s optometry landscape. Choose a clinical area you’re passionate about and dive deep into journals, study groups, and mentorship.
• Community makes optometry stronger, for both new grads and seasoned ODs. Peer groups, professional societies, and conferences provide support, new ideas, and unexpected opportunities.

Quote of the Show:

• “Going from a really shy child to lecturing to thousands of people has been completely transformative, and it gives me the confidence that anyone can do it. If I could do that, anyone can do it. ” - Melissa Barnett

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissabarnett/
• Company website: https://alpinebluecoaching.info/
• https://www.dr-melissabarnett.com/
• Email: alipinebluecoaching.info
• 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