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PODCAST

EYE OWN A BUSINESS

What does your ideal optometry practice look like? Eye Own a Business is your go-to resource, whether you’re an established owner or aspiring optometrist. Hosted by Dr. Steve Vargo, this podcast offers expert insights to help you grow your practice, enhance patient care, and so much more. Follow us and keep dreaming big!

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

27:23

What I Learned from the World’s Top Minds

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/11/11

In this episode, you’ll discover how world-class thinkers approach leadership, communication, and growth—and how their lessons can transform your practice.What can an optometrist learn from the CEO of Disney, a best-selling author on sales, and a self-made billionaire who started a company with $5,000? As it turns out—everything. You’ll hear what happens when clarity replaces complexity, when confidence replaces hesitation, and when action replaces perfection. You’ll see how persuasion becomes

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36:49

How AI Will Reshape Eye Care in 12–18 Months and How...

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/11/04

In this episode, you’ll discover why the next 12 to 18 months have the potential to redefine what it means to practice optometryAI isn’t coming — it’s already here. And while some doctors are still debating its relevance, others are quietly building practices ready to lead the next era of connected care. Dr. Rupe Hansra, VP of Professional Affairs at Topcon Healthcare, joins Dr. Steve Vargo to explore how AI is transforming everything from diagnostics to communication — and why optometrists stand

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42:43

RE-RELEASE: Becoming a Multi-Million Dollar Practice...

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/10/28

What would it take to open a practice cold and within 5 years achieve a level of financial success that many practices never reach… becoming a multi-million-dollar practice? In this episode, Dr. Joel Tuite takes us through his 5-year journey, year-by-year. Some of the topics we cover are how he attracted patients in the lean years, the importance of putting staff first and treating patients like family and how having a vision of success keeps you motivated and optimistic even during challenging

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29:38

Want to Retire Someday? Start Building Practice Value...

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/10/21

In this episode, you’ll discover why the true value of your practice isn’t built when you sell—it’s built every day you show up to lead it. Nathan Hayes joins me to unpack the mindset and strategies of owners who play the long game—the ones who treat every decision as an investment in their future freedom. They don’t wait until retirement to think about value. They build systems that run without them. They create teams that thrive without micromanagement. And they keep their practices so well-run

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19:30

You’re Always on Stage: How to Speak So Patients Say Yes

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/10/14

In this episode, you’ll discover why the most powerful tool in your practice isn’t your OCT or your EHR—it’s your voice.Dr. Steve Vargo shares a personal story of the time he bombed his first big presentation. Months of preparation, flawless slides, and bullet-point perfection… and yet, the audience checked out. That failure became the turning point that taught him one truth every doctor needs to know: information doesn’t inspire action—connection does. You’ll learn how the same techniques great

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31:05

Stop Guessing: How ODs Can Plan Smarter Marketing for...

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/10/07

In this episode, you’ll step into a conversation that challenges the way most ODs think about marketing.It’s easy to see marketing as an expense, a line item on a budget that you either cut or dabble in when things slow down. But what if you looked at it differently? What if your marketing wasn’t about spending more—but about finally getting clear on who you are, who you serve, and how you want to grow? Jeremy Bono from IDOC Marketing Services joins me to share why the last three months of the year

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33:44

What Top ODs Revealed About Contact Lens Success—and...

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/09/30

In this episode, you’ll hear what happens when a group of forward-thinking ODs come together, not just to share clinical tips, but to challenge the way we think about contact lenses.We didn’t sit around talking about products. We dug into something bigger—the opportunities hiding in plain sight. The moments when patients walk out the door because we never asked the right question. The silent objections that keep them from trying contacts. The staff conversations that either build excitement or

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21:06

Innovation, AI, and the Patient Experience: A...

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/09/23

In this episode, you’ll discover what reinvention really looks like when innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a mindset.Davis Corley, CEO of Newton (formerly Neurolens), didn’t just announce a rebrand. He revealed a bold new vision for the future of eyecare—one that challenges us to rethink how we lead, how we innovate, and how we meet the expectations of a new generation of patients. We talk about why “innovation” is really just change with purpose, why lagging behind is riskier than ever, and

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35:43

The Myopia Growth Engine: How Two ODs Turned a Niche...

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/09/16

In this episode, you step into the exam room with two ODs who turned “maybe someday” into a thriving myopia management program—without waiting to have it all figured out.Dr. Alecia Barnes and Dr. Jenn Lyerly share how they moved from dabbling to discipline: simple scripts that spark parent buy-in, a clean consult flow that saves time, pricing built on chair cost (not guesswork), and team training that keeps the message consistent. No hype. No heroics. Just a clear path from “interested” to

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52:11

Reimagining Eyecare: The Impact of AI on Optometry’s...

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/09/09

In this episode, you step into a future that’s already knocking on your door—and learn how to meet it with confidence. Dr. Scot Morris doesn’t talk about artificial intelligence; he tells the story of a profession on the edge of reinvention. If you’ve ever felt buried by admin, boxed in by EHRs, or frustrated by 3rd-party red tape, this conversation reframes what’s possible when you pair human care with technology. Because the future won’t replace you. The future will reward you—if you learn to lead

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27:02

From Amazon to Eye Exams: Preparing Your Practice for...

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/09/02

In this episode, you’ll step into the shoes of tomorrow’s patient—and see how their expectations are already reshaping the way you need to run your practice today. The healthcare world isn’t changing slowly anymore. It’s being redefined by the same forces that transformed shopping, travel, and entertainment. Amazon taught us convenience. Netflix taught us personalization. Uber taught us immediacy. And now, your patients are quietly expecting the same from you. Through research, stories, and

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52:50

Proven Strategies from the Top 5 Downloaded Episodes

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/08/26

To celebrate 100 episodes, we're bringing you the best insights from our top 5 most downloaded shows. From team building and leadership to optical strategy and staff training, this episode pulls the key takeaways that have helped practices scale fast and smart.You'll hear highlights from: Sharon Carter on leadership development and executing what matters most Susan Daly on designing an optical that sells for you Dr. Joel Tuite on growing a cold-start practice to seven figures in 5 years Kayla

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27:33

The Secret to Sales—Just Shut Up!

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/08/19

In this episode, you’ll discover why the most powerful thing you can say to a patient might be nothing at all.It started with one piece of advice from a seasoned VP of sales: “Ask a question, and then just shut up.” Simple, but transformational. We explore how this counterintuitive approach can change everything—from the way patients perceive your recommendations to the trust they place in you. You’ll see how talking less can actually reveal more, leading to better outcomes, stronger relationships,

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39:16

Small Changes, Big Growth: How Dr. Smith Built a...

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/08/12

In this episode, you’ll discover how small, steady changes can quietly transform a practice—and your future.Dr. Mariah Smith didn’t make one big leap. Over the past decade, she built a thriving, six-times-more-profitable practice by making intentional improvements—one at a time. No shortcuts. No flash. Just smart systems, better leadership, and the discipline to keep going. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to grow without burning out, this episode will show you what’s possible

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43:03

Pricing Mistakes That Sink Your Optical Profit—and...

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/08/05

You didn’t become an optometrist to feel like a discount retailer. But somewhere along the way, insurance plans took over, patients started price-shopping, and the optical—once the heart of your business—started to feel like a race to the bottom. In this conversation, we step back and ask: What if the problem isn’t the patients? What if it’s how we’ve been taught to sell to them? We explore the emotional side of optical retail—from the silent frustration of presenting options you know are better,

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39:52

Beyond the Photo: How Wide Field Retinal Imaging...

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/07/22

In this episode, Dr. Steve Vargo chats with Dr. James Wood to discuss the underutilized potential of retinal imaging in eye care practices. They explore how retinal imaging, particularly widefield and ultra-widefield imaging, can significantly enhance patient education, boost compliance, and improve financial outcomes for practices. Dr. Wood shares practical tips for obtaining clearer images and strategies for increasing patient acceptance of screening procedures. The conversation also delves into

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40:19

From Gen Z to Boomers: Customizing Eye Care by...

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/07/15

In this episode, Dr. Steve Vargo welcomes Dr. Juawana Hall to discuss the importance of understanding generational differences in patient care. They explore how different generations, from Boomers to Gen Z, have distinct expectations and behaviors regarding eye care. Dr. Hall shares her journey and the methods she uses to tailor communication and recommendations to various age groups. The discussion delves into the value of personality profiling, generational models, and the specific preferences and

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37:06

Where's the Money? Fixing the Cracks in Your Billing

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/07/08

In this episode of Eye Own a Business, Dr. Steve Vargo sits down with Cindy Braden, Vice President of Sales at OneSpot, to uncover the hidden breakdowns in the billing process that are costing eye care practices serious money. From aging A/R to the risks of relying on a single biller, Cindy shares eye-opening insights on how to protect your revenue and streamline your billing systems—whether in-house or outsourced. You’ll also hear how technology, including AI, is reshaping revenue cycle management

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38:16

The Most Valuable Day of the Year: How Annual...

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/07/01

In this episode, Dr. Vargo sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Roush, a practice owner from Northeast Indiana, to discuss the transformative impact of annual retreats on leadership, teamwork, and business growth. Dr. Roche explains the logistics, planning, and execution of successful annual retreats, sharing how they have become her staff's favorite day of the year. She delves into the themes, activities, and strategies that make these retreats effective, including team-building exercises, custom-tailored

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35:08

The CLEAR Leadership Model: 5 Simple Shifts that...

EYE OWN A BUSINESS ·

2025/06/24

In this episode, host Dr. Steve Vargo turns the focus to leadership, presenting the CLEAR Leadership Model. Dr. Vargo outlines a five-step framework designed to build trust, boost accountability, and foster engagement within an eyecare practice. The model, which stands for Coach with Curiosity, Lead by Listening, Equip with Skills, Align Around Purpose, and Reinforce through Recognition, aims to simplify effective leadership through intentional communication. Whether you're an office manager, team

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112 results

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