In this episode of Power Hour, Eugene Shatsman sits down with Gary Gerber to explore why growth stalls when practices run on autopilot — and how revisiting the basics can unlock revenue, efficiency, and sustainability without adding complexity.

operationally, and financially—is where most practices struggle.

A Problem Most Practices Recognize

Many practices invest in advanced technology with good intentions—better care, differentiation, growth. Yet months later, the equipment is used inconsistently, reserved for rare cases, or quietly avoided because it disrupts flow.

Dr. Brujic explains why this happens so often:

• Doctors buy equipment to be "cutting edge" without first identifying a real gap in care or existing patient demand.
• Workflow isn't designed to support consistent use
• Teams aren't aligned on when or why to use it

The result is frustration—for clinicians, staff, and patients.

When close rates stall around 30–40%, most teams blame price. What if the real issue is what happens after the appointment?

Myopia management is no longer "up-and-coming." It's here, and it's big. In this episode of Power Hour, Eugene sits down with Matt Oerding, CEO & Founder of Treehouse Eyes, to unpack a market Matt describes as a untapped opportunity, and the uncomfortable reality behind it: even though a large share of optometrists say they offer myopia management, only ~4–5% of eligible kids are actually receiving treatment.

Matt explains that the myopia "adoption gap" isn't due to a lack of treatment options, but by execution: how consistently practices recommend, how the message is framed, and what happens after the parent says, "Let me think about it."

What if cutting your staff dramatically could increase your profit margins by up to 30% with capture rates being at 78%?

This week on Power Hour, Eugene sits down with Dr. Lauretta Justin, Founder of Optometry Divas and creator of The CEO of You, to unpack a transformation that starts with burnout and ends with clarity, profit, and purpose.

After running a full-scope practice with a team of ten, Lauretta hit a point many ODs know too well: she was successful on paper… and exhausted in reality. So, she decided what most people would never consider: she simplified everything.

Fewer staff. Cleaner pricing. Tighter systems. More intentional leadership.

The result?

A 30% increase in net profit, a 20% jump in net cash flow, and a practice that finally supports the life she wants, not the other way around.

What if the biggest shift in your practice this year doesn't come from a new piece of equipment, a new hire, or a new plan — but from the way you train your brain to notice joy?

In this episode of Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman is joined by Allegra Cohen (TEDx speaker, author, and Chief Joy Officer of BRAVE LIFE) for a conversation that blends neuroscience, leadership, and everyday happiness in a way that's deeply relevant to optometrists and practice leaders.

Eugene first encountered Allegra's work when they shared a TEDx stage; he watched her talk sitting next to his daughter, and both were completely drawn in by Allegra's message about micro joys, resilience, and how you can literally train your brain to notice more of what you want in life. That experience led to this episode — an opportunity to bring that same shift in perspective to the Power Hour audience.

Every optometrist dreams of running a practice that truly reflects their passion. Few ever rebuild one from scratch to make it happen.

That's exactly what Dr. Stephanie Woo did.

After years of running three full-scope practices, she sold them all to pursue a vision that challenged everything she'd known about optometry — a specialty-only clinic built entirely around custom contact lenses, concierge-level care, and life-changing patient outcomes.

What separates the practices that are growing in 2025 from those falling behind?

This week on Power Hour, Eugene Shatsman welcomes back Dr. Jason Lake, General Manager of PERC and Opti-Port, for another data-driven conversation every practice owner should hear.

As one of optometry's top data experts, Dr. Lake manages one of the largest private-practice datasets in the industry, giving him a unique perspective on what's really happening behind the numbers.

And this quarter, the data tells a surprising story: while much of the industry saw exam volume drop nearly 5%, many independent practices are reporting high single-digit growth in revenue, with double digit profitability.

So what are top-performing practices doing differently — and what can others learn from them?