20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
20/20 Money is a podcast for optometrists and private practice owners, focusing on optometry practice management, financial planning, and business strategy. Hosted by Adam Cmejla, CFP®, the show covers topics such as profitability, growth, exit planning, private equity deals, hiring, tax planning, and student loans. It features expert interviews and case studies to help optometrists make smarter business decisions and build wealth.
Episodes
Optical isn't dead - but the way you are running it is with Dr. Jennifer Stewart
What if the biggest reason patients aren't buying glasses from your practice… is the experience you've unintentionally created around optical? In this episode of 20/20 Money, I'm joined once again by Dr. Jennifer Stewart for a candid and energetic conversation around the subtle — and sometimes overlooked — ways practice owners can dramatically improve optical sales without feeling "salesy." Jen
Why some dry eye practices thrive--and others quietly fail with Dr. Chris Wolfe
What if the biggest mistake practice owners make with dry eye isn't buying the wrong technology… but building their entire strategy around the technology itself? In this episode of 20/20 Money, I'm joined once again by Dr. Chris Wolfe for a fascinating conversation around dry eye, specialty services, patient communication, and the dangerous trap of becoming "device-centric" instead of patient-cent
Implementing a profitable Medicaid practice into your local school district: a convo with Dr. Ryan Hansen
What if serving Medicaid patients wasn't a drain on your practice… but one of the most efficient and fulfilling business models in optometry? In this episode of 20/20 Money, I'm joined by Dr. Ryan Hansen to discuss a truly unique model he's built inside a public school district that provides eye care exclusively to children on Medicaid — while still creating a financially viable and highly efficie
A blueprint for scaling your practice (while having a life in the process): unpacking Eyecare B.O.S.S. with Eugene Shatsman
Why do so many optometric practices hit a ceiling in their practice? We know it's not because the owner isn't working hard enough, so what is it? It's because the business was never designed to scale in the first place. Eugene Shatsman joins me back on the show to talk about the ceiling practice owners inevitably hit in their practice—and a system he's created to help owners break through it. In o
Are you building wealth...or just feeding the machine?? A conversation with Nathan Hayes on investing capital in your practice
What if one of the biggest financial mistakes practice owners make is confusing "spending money in the practice" with actually investing in it? In this episode, I'm joined once again by Nathan Hayes for a thoughtful and nuanced conversation around reinvesting in your practice, opportunity cost, and the hidden tradeoffs owners often overlook when deciding what to do with excess cash flow. We expl
Making These Merchandising Mistakes is Costing You Tens of Thousands of Dollars: An Optical Conversation with Kayla Ashlee
Most optometric practice owners have no idea how much money they're quietly losing in their optical simply because of merchandising, layout, and the conversations happening—or not happening—between staff and patients. Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money: The Business of Optometry. My guest on today's show is Kayla Ashlee. Kayla joins me on the show to talk about the subtle but incredibly powe
Practice financing decoded: what owners need to know now about how banks think about deals
Thinking about buying or expanding a practice, but nervous about debt, banks, or making an expensive mistake? In today's episode, I'm joined by Mike Smith of Bank of America to demystify the lending process for optometrists. We break down what banks actually look for in a borrower, how student loans and cash reserves really factor in, why tax returns matter more than stories, and the common trap
How great practice owners build teams that stay and perform
What if the biggest threat to your practice isn't reimbursement, competition, or overhead—but the way you hire, lead, and retain people? In today's episode, I'm joined by Mike Dixon, president of Hoops, for a conversation every practice owner needs to hear. We unpack why staffing issues feel so hard, why most owners were never trained to lead, and how the right systems can turn your team from yo
Don't make these financial and business mistakes! (the talk I give at every optometry school's private practice club)
The financial decisions you make early in your career can shape the next several decades—and most people don't realize it until much later. On this episode, I'm sharing a presentation I recently gave to students at the Indiana University School of Optometry on the timeless financial and business lessons every optometrist should understand. I discuss the power of compounding, how to think about sav
Using EOS to Create Clarity and Traction in Your Practice with Tom Restivo
Ever wonder if, when, or how to build stronger operations within your practice? In this episode, I sit down with Tom Restivo to unpack EOS and what it looks like to build a stronger operational foundation inside an optometric practice. Tom shares his experience leading a rapidly growing eye care organization through expansion, complexity, and the pressures that eventually exposed where systems wer
How a Limiting Mindset Can Cost Practice Owners More Than They Realize with Dr. Steve Vargo
In this episode I sit down with Dr. Steve Vargo to unpack a mindset that many practice owners quietly wrestle with: the belief that there is no longer money to be made in the basics of optometry. We start with a real question from a practice owner who feels discouraged by stagnant reimbursements and declining capture rates, and use it as a springboard to discuss the deeper issue underneath it all:
Independence vs Isolation in Private Practice with John Marvin
In this episode I sit down with John Marvin to explore a challenging but important idea for private practice owners: the difference between independence and isolation. We unpack John's perspective on why fierce independence can sometimes limit growth when it prevents doctors from learning from others or leveraging the resources already available to them. Our conversation touches on mindset, the
The Blueprint for Growing a Multi-Million-Dollar Optometry Practice with Dr. Kurt Steele
Most optometrists think growth comes from better marketing or more patients—but the real advantage often starts somewhere much less obvious: your team and your culture. In this episode of 20/20 Money, Dr. Kurt Steele joins me back on the show to discuss the leadership philosophy and operational frameworks that helped him build a thriving multi-million-dollar optometry practice while developing f
Sponsoring a health insurance plan in your practice may not be as expensive as you think
Health insurance is one of the most confusing and frustrating decisions practice owners face. In this episode I sit down with Matt Allen, founder of Iconic Insurance, to break down the real options available to optometric practice owners and their teams. We walk through the three primary approaches to offering coverage including fully funded plans, self funded plans, and reimbursement strategies.
Tax Strategies to Embrace and Avoid & A Case Study on Where to Look for Errors on Your Tax Return: My Guest Appearance on Eye Own A Business Podcast
Many optometrists are either leaving money on the table with their tax strategy—or unknowingly pushing the boundaries of tax law. Today's episode is my guest appearance on Dr. Steve Vargo's Eye Own a Business Podcast. Steve invited me onto his show to talk about tax planning for optometrists—specifically the strategies practice owners should be embracing right now, the ones they should avoid, an
How VOSH International is changing global eye care—and how you can be part of it w/ Dr. Vicki Weiss, President of VOSH International
In this episode I sit down with Dr. Vicki Weiss, president of VOSH International, to talk about how optometrists can use their clinical skills to create impact far beyond their own practices. We discuss how VOSH has evolved from the traditional short term clinic model into a global organization focused on education, partnership, and strengthening optometric care in low and middle income countries.
Chemistry in the practice: why alignment beats authority with Dr. Todd Cohan, Polly Stearns, & Sadie Blair
Recording live from IDOC Connection in Orlando, I sit down with Dr. Todd Cohan, Sadie Blair, and Polly Stearns from Forsight Vision and Midwest Dry Eye Center to talk about the relationship between vision and execution inside a growing private practice. We go into the dynamic between the owner (visionary) and the operations lead (integrator), and why that chemistry matters more than most doctors r
SNEAK PEEK: How to give patients choices when in the exam lane - The Optometry Success Podcast
In this episode, we share how to confidently give patients clear choices in the exam lane without creating confusion or pushback around vision and medical care. We explain how setting expectations early and taking ownership of clear communication builds trust and increases acceptance of follow up visits. We also touch on how to structure your schedule to support shorter, more frequent visits and w
Why you can't ignore AI as a practice owner (and a beginner's path to using it) with Eugene Shatsman
Eugene joins me to talk about how artificial intelligence is showing up in optometry and why there's a growing gap between how patients use AI in their daily lives and how most practices are adopting it. We discuss how this shift is changing patient expectations, what it means for the patient journey, and where practices can use AI to improve engagement, communication, and efficiency—without los
SNEAK PEEK: What is "schedule health" and why should practice owners be measuring it - The Optometry Success Podcasts
In this episode, we dive into the critical concept of schedule health and how it drives strategic growth, especially when adding associates. We explore how data-driven insights help us make confident, informed decisions that support sustainable scaling for our practices. Hosted By Adam Cmejla, CFP and Chad Fleming, OD, FAAO Have a question? Submit it here Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://sh
Getting unstuck from the messy middle of business operations with Mandy Brown
Ever feel like you're stuck in the "messy middle" and on the operations "hamster wheel" in your practice? If so, this one's for you. Mandy Brown joins me to talk about operational efficiency and what it really takes to run a well-functioning optometry practice. We discuss the challenges practice owners face with delegation, the importance of hiring the right people, and developing an operational
SNEAK PEEK: This is why you're losing money with vision plans - The Optometry Success Podcast
In this episode, we explore how we can shift from traditional scopes of practice to a more intentional, patient-centric approach. We dive into embracing managed vision care plans, redefining our billing practices, and using strategic communication to better serve our patients. Along the way, we share actionable insights to improve practice efficiency and patient outcomes as optometry continues to
Design tips to maximize the patient experience (and thus your profitability) with Bill Gerber
You know optical design is important, but you also know it's complicated. Where do you begin? How much should you spend? What should you focus on? On this episode, my guest on today's show is Bill Gerber, founder and CEO of the Optical Marketing Group. Bill joins me to talk about the role practice design plays in patient experience and overall financial performance. We discuss how thoughtful des
PREVIEW: The Optometry Success Podcast - Reducing business risk when adding associate ODs in an established practice
The Optometry Success Podcast, hosted by Adam Cmejla, CFP and Chad Fleming, OD, FAAO helps private-practice optometrists build profitable, sustainable businesses with clarity and confidence. Hosted by Adam Cmejla, CFP—a financial planner and CFO to ODs nationwide—and Chad Fleming, OD, FAAO—a multi-location practice owner with decades of hands-on experience—each 20-minute episode delivers practical
Why value creation matters more than timing your exit: a conversation with Tom Turmell
If you wait until you're ready to sell to start planning, you're already late. My guest on today's show is Tom Turmell, founder of TMT Capital. Tom joins me to talk about practice ownership, succession planning, and what optometrists need to understand long before they ever think about selling their practice. We discuss why creating value ahead of a transition matters, the importance of having t
How one owner left his practice for 30 days—and why more owners should consider it
If you've ever felt chained to your practice and the thought of stepping away for an extended period of time felt impossible, I PROMISE you do not want to miss this inspiring and yet very pragmatic conversation. Dr. Jeremy Ciano joins me back on the show to share his journey of taking a recent sabbatical and what it taught him about business and life. We talk about the challenges of stepping awa
Flippin' the script: What I've learned about ODs & the profession of optometry producing 300+ episodes of 20/20 Money
In this derivative of a show takeover, Dr. Brianna Rue interviews me to explore my journey in podcasting and the insights I've has gained about the optometry profession. We discuss the challenges optometrists face, the importance of financial literacy, and many other lessons I've learned through and because of the conversations I've had on this show. We cover a lot in this dialogue and—among many
Improving your practice by tracking the right KPIs (and ignoring the wrong ones) with Nathan Hayes
Most practice owners know they should be tracking specific measurables in their practice that will help them understand their paths to profitability. But which metrics should you track, and which ones are more vanity metrics than they are useful and beneficial towards running a profitable and growing practice? In this conversation, Nathan Hayes and I explore the many different KPIs that we have he
A blueprint to successfully recruit ODs to join small town practices with Dr. Andy Yaryan, OD
Arguably the biggest ongoing challenge practice owners face can be lumped into staff—both OD and non-OD alike. This challenge can be amplified for owners in small town/rural practices. Hear from successful practice owner Dr. Andy Yaryan on the approach he's taken to recruit and retain ODs in his small town practice, how he's making the intentional decisions to become a better leader and owner, and
Remembering my grandpa: 3 financial lessons learned from Grandpa and Grandma Scholz that can shape your relationship with money
On this episode, I wanted to share a bit of a personal story about 3 lessons that I learned from my grandparents that have in large part shaped the money story and lessons that have guided my financial journey and how I view and use money money in my life. I hope this conversations gives you a benchmark and different viewpoint to compare your own money values and purpose. If you feel like you don'
Rewind^3: Forget goal-setting and focus on purpose: a mindset conversation with Stephanie Bogan
Welcome to this episode rewind of 20/20 Money! In keeping with tradition of years past, I'm bringing back this episode yet again. If you are a long-time listener of the show, I still think it's worth listening to these episodes and other repeat episodes, whether it's on my podcast or other podcasts, for two reasons. Number one, the host of the show valued the episode and thought it to be worthy
My most impactful books I read during 2025 (and the lessons I've learned)
In this reflective episode, we'll explore the most impactful books I've read in 2025. From exploring personal growth and professional evolution to sharing insights on leadership and success, I'll share the themes that shaped my year. I'll discusses the challenges and triumphs of balancing identity and ambition, hopefully offering valuable takeaways for optometry professionals and beyond. Book Li
The how and why of taking time (literally) out of the practice to work ON your practice with Drs. Julie Helmus & Paul Mormon, OD
Almost every business owner knows they need to spend time working ON and not just IN their business. But what does it mean to take that concept to a whole new level by traveling and spending time outdoors with colleagues and strategic partners? Whether you choose to take time out of your business to work on your business and do it across town or across the country, this conversation with Drs. Juli
Why failure can be your friend with Dr. Chris Wolfe, OD
Why failure can be your friend with Dr. Chris Wolfe, ODHow can failure be your friend, and why should you embrace failure? On this episode—which is actually me guest-hosting Dr. Chris Wolfe's podcast EyeCode Media—we discuss a journey Chris has been on for awhile, how he failed, and why he considers the failure a positive influence in his life. I share my perspective of the situation and the lesso
Failure and Risk (and why practice owners should embrace them) with Nathan Hayes
ODs tend to be a pretty risk-averse group, which means failure and risk can be avoided or almost taboo topics. But risk is required for any type of return in life. So how should practice/business owners think about risk? If you're embarking on a new growth goals for your practice—like adding an associate doctor—how do you prepare for that investment into the practice and how long do you continue d
The benefits of shifting your mindset from practice owner to CEO (and the 3 numbers to measure daily) with Dr. Brianna Rhue, OD
So much of business ownership is about your mindset. So what happens when you take the cognizant approach to shift your mindset from a practice owner to a CEO? What are the necessary strategies you must incorporate into your life if you want accomplish more but yet do it in the same (or less time)? And how does this work when you try and build a tech company on top of it all? Dr. Brianna Rhue, OD—
If you think "sales" is a dirty word, this episode was made just for you.
In this episode, Dr. Steve Vargo returns to talk about a topic many ODs quietly struggle with: the role of sales in patient care and practice performance. Inspired by a recent post he shared on LinkedIn, we explore why certain KPIs feel frustrating to improve and how a simple shift in perspective can change the way doctors think about influencing patient outcomes. Steve and I discuss the stories w
From the Exam Room to the Executive Table: A Conversation with Dr. Pete Kehoe on How Managed Vision Care Can Enhance the Provider Experience
Why has the profession of optometry had such a complicated relationship with VCPs (vision care plans) over the years? Some practice owners love them. Others despise them. Some practices are on all the panels. Some have intentionally jettisoned themselves from every plan and gone out of network entirely. On this episode, which in a way serves as a follow-up discussion to my conversation with Dr. Ch
Solving for optionality and the importance of community up to and through retirement with Roger Whitney
On this episode, we explore the unique intersection of financial planning and personal growth, discussing the importance of thinking on our thinking, the paradigm shift from accumulating to decumulating assets, and the role of community in achieving financial confidence. Roger shares insights from his Rock Retirement Club, emphasizing the value of optionality and the art of managing complex proble
Educate & inform, don't sell: a patient experience conversation with Tim Merrigan from Acquios Advisors
There are few episodes where I tell you to rewind and listen again to something that a guest has says. This is one of those episodes. From the importance of using the patient's name to offering appointment options without directly asking if they want to schedule, this conversation with Tim is a great example of why words matter in all aspects of the patient experience. As a reminder, you can get
Where's my money?! with Sharon Carter
Ever wonder where all your money's going in your practice? Sharon's here to share the "usual suspects" of practice (mis)management that's costing practice owners tens (sometimes hundreds) of thousands of dollars. We also highlight the importance of goal setting and creating a positive workplace culture to retain staff and drive practice growth. Lastly but importantly, if there's a topic that you h
Finding the right buyer: a PE sale built on trust, not just numbers, with Dr. Adam Bryan
Dr. Adam Bryan shares his journey of transitioning his optometry practice through a private equity sale. He discusses the evolving landscape of optometry ownership, the challenges and opportunities presented by private equity, and the importance of maintaining practice culture during the transition. Dr. Bryan reflects on the decision-making process, the negotiation of the sale, and the communicati
Embracing vision plans to profitably grow your practice
Dr. Chris Smiley offers a contrarian—but experience-backed—perspective on one of the most divisive topics in optometry today: vision plans. While many private practice ODs are dropping them entirely, Dr. Smiley makes the case that with the right strategy, vision plans can actually be a powerful engine for growth, profitability, and sustainability. He challenges the myths around reimbursement, expl
The legal side of selling to PE: setting expectations the right way
Let's discuss the legal intricacies of exiting a practice, particularly in the context of private equity transactions. On this episode, David Cohen and I explore the importance of managing expectations for sellers, understanding the valuation process, and the implications of debt and real estate ownership in practice sales. Our conversation emphasizes the need for thorough preparation and professi
Selling with integrity: Dr. John Abbondaza's journey of ownership up to and through a sale to private equity
Selling to PE can be conflicting for some owners. On this episode, Dr. John Abbondanza discusses the decision-making process, the importance of understanding one's values, and the impact of the sale on his team and patients. The conversation delves into the nuances of private equity in optometry, the significance of communication during transitions, and the lessons learned throughout the experienc
Hidden financial compression squeezing optometry practices in 2025 (guest appearance on Power Hour)
In this eye-opening episode of The Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman welcomes back Adam Cmejla, Certified Financial Planner, Founder and Owner of Integrated Planning & Wealth Management, and Host of 20/20 Money Podcast — to pull back the curtain on the relentless "compression" squeezing optometry practices right now. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today's conversati
Is an 8x multiple on a $1M EBIDTA a good deal? A transition convo with Nathan Hayes
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Nathan Hayes. In this episode, we discuss the complexities of business valuation and exit planning for optometry practices. We explore the importance of understanding cash flow, market multiples, and the necessity of being exit ready at all times. The conversation delves into the five D's of business exit planning, sources of valu
How OD practice owners should think about long term care insurance with Bryan Langdon, CLU
Long term care (LTC) is a complicated, misunderstood, and emotional topic for any family to discuss. Even if you're a younger listener and think "Oh, this episode isn't applicable to me," I'd still encourage you to give it a listen as the topic of LTC is generational. On today's episode, Bryan and I discuss the basics of what LTC is and what it's not, the difference between LTC planning and LTC in
Hidden gems in retirement planning: what practice owners might be missing after the sale with Taylor Schulte, CFP®
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Taylor Schulte, CFP®, host of the Stay Wealthy Retirement Show Podcast. In this episode, we discuss the often-overlooked aspects of retirement planning, focusing on the importance of understanding blind spots, the need for purpose in retirement, and the role of community. We explore cash management strategies, the limitations of
A simple strategy to make the pain of quarterly estimates less (emotionally) stressful for optometry practice owners
If you've ever wondered how to take some of the emotional sting out of estimated tax payments, this episode is for you. I share a simple yet impactful way to manage your cash flow, a simple formula to help you better estimate your estimated payments, and how to segregate your savings to give you a clearer picture of your cash-on-hand to make your quarterly estimated payments. As a reminder, yo
Lessons from the (former) President of TSO: cooperative strategies to counter PE disruption and empower private practice ownership with John Marvin
My guest today is John Marvin, former President of TSO (Texas State Optical). John joins me to talk about two intertwined issues reshaping private-practice optometry: the accelerating influence of private equity and the growing challenge of recruiting—and retaining—enough ODs to meet patient demand. We explore the cultural and financial trade-offs of PE consolidation, the shifting career aspiratio
2024 Books & Benchmarks Report Discussion with Nathan Hayes
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Nathan Hayes. Nathan joins me on the show to do a deep dive into 2024's Books & Benchmark's annual report. He shares ranges of the numbers that practice owners should really care about and should be tracking: COGS, non-OD staff expense, Associate OD comp ranges, occupancy costs, and G&A (general & administrative). We also talk abo
Are Opportunity Zones really an opportunity or is the tax tail wagging the investment dog with Peter Lazaroff, CFA, CFP®
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Peter Lazaroff, CFA, CFP®. Peter joins me to examine whether the much-touted tax benefits of opportunity zones (OZs) justify the risks required, or if investors are letting the "tax tail" wag the investment dog. We cover how OZs work, what the new One BBB Act means for the program's future, and practical ways optometric practice o
Building my ideal "Frankenstein" practice discourse, 3 important practice metric numbers to focus on, and examples of AI use in practice with Dr. Dodge Perry, OD
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Dr. Dodge Perry, OD. Dodge joins me on the show to have an open discussion after listening to my "Frankenstein" episode, which was inspired by him asking me the question "If I could create an ideal private practice, what would go into that decision making process?" We discuss the intricacies of setting up an optometry practice, em
What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act means for optometry private practice owners & their financial planning
In this episode of 20/20 Money, I break down some of the most impactful tax and planning changes introduced in the recently passed Big Beautiful Bill Act—Congress's sweeping update to the tax code that makes many TCJA provisions permanent while adding new wrinkles that matter to private practice owners. Whether you're thinking about how to reduce your taxable income, maximize deductions, or just
5 common decisions that prevent ODs from achieving financial independence
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money. In the spirit of Independence Day, today's episode explores a different kind of freedom—financial independence—and the common decisions that often stand in the way of achieving it. I walk through five recurring mistakes I see optometric practice owners make that limit their long-term financial freedom, both personally and professionally. From overleveraging
ANOTHER 20/20 Takeover: Your favorite KPIs (and why?!) w/ Drs. Jennifer Stewart, OD & Jeremy Ciano, OD
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guests on today's show are my two good friends—and successful practice owners—Drs. Jeremy Ciano and Jennifer Stewart, OD. This is another takeover episode, so I'm honestly not sure where they'll take the conversation. The only direction I gave them was the title of the episode, so I'm just as curious as you are as to where the conversation will lead! As
The delegation journey...and why every practice owner should be on it! with Dr. Michael Neal, OD
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money. My guest on today's show is Dr. Michael Neal, OD. Mike joins me on the show to talk about the evolution of delegation as a practice owner—specifically, the journey of learning to trust your team with everything outside of your core revenue-producing activities. We share our own experiences with delegation, what it looked like early on, how our thinking evo
Using data to determine the best location for your practice with Mike Jorgenson from Carr Healthcare Realty
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Mike Jorgenson from Carr Healthcare Realty. Mike joins me back on the show to talk about what goes into a demographics search when evaluating the location of a practice—and he does it from both a cold start as well as existing practice's point of view. We talk about the minimum OD:population ratio that's generally advisable when
The power of community, stopping the "race to the bottom," educating ODs on practice affordability, discussing the Associate OD shortage, and more with Dr. Mick Kling, OD
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Dr. Mick Kling, OD. Mick joins me back on the show to talk about the power of community within the profession and how optometrists can avoid the "race to the bottom" when it comes to pricing by focusing on delivering and communicating value to their patients. We also discuss how to evaluate the affordability of a practice, the t
From blank to bank: How a $35 lens becomes a $525 sale by finishing in-house with Dr. Mike Satryan, OD
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money. My guest on today's show is Dr. Mike Satryan, OD, a partner with Mountain View Eye in Altoona, PA. Mike is a long-time practice owner who brings over 25 years of experience running an in-house optical lab within their practice. We dive into the substantial cost savings his practice has realized by finishing lenses on-site and how that margin improvement su
The home loan balancing act: smart mortgage moves for optometry practice owners with Lee Raykovicz, OD
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Lee Raykovicz, OD, a mortgage broker with Go Rascal Mortgages. On today's episode we dive into what goes into the mortgage underwriting process, how practice owners can get creative when it comes to purchasing their homes, the details on what Physician loans actually are and how they work, how to think about the total DTI ratio
REWIND: 3 financial lessons learned from my grandpa and grandma that can shape your relationship with money
Welcome to this REWIND episode of 20/20 Money! Given that my grandpa just recently celebrated his 96th birthday, I wanted to bring back this episode and share it again for new and long-time listeners alike. It's also a subtle reminder about the importance of understanding longevity risk in one's financial plan. I can only imagine the unfortunate situation my grandpa would be in had he and my grand
Schedule management, pre-appointing, & the importance of listening to your practice w/ Dr. Chris Wolfe, OD
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Dr. Chris Wolfe, OD. Chris joins me back on the show to talk about why it's important to be intentional about the business decisions you make in your practice and make those decisions based on data and a plan. We talk about this concept through the lens of schedule management and how to think about pre-appointing your patients w
Increasing optical sales using influential communication with Kayla Ashlee (live on location from BCDO)
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Kayla Ashlee. Kayla joins me on the show to discuss how the communication cues (or miscues) that unknowingly are happening in your office can be both positively or negatively impacting your patient experience and thus influencing the buying decisions of your patients. She shared examples of good and not-so-good cues that can be
Let's RAGE!!! (a Rant Against Growth Excuses) with Nathan Hayes
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Nathan Hayes with Books & Benchmarks and IDOC. On this show, Nathan and I RAGE!! That's right, we Rant Against Growth Excuses. We talk about the common headwinds, obstacles, and challenges that we both hear when talking with practice owners...and how to think about solving those issues by thinking differently about the challenges.
Live from NSUOCO: Top 10 Tips for (Financial) Success for Optometrists
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! This week's episode is the recording of my presentation at NSUOCO, titled "Top 10 Tips for (Financial) Success for Optometrists." Over the course of the year, I'm privileged to present in front of a variety of optometry schools' private practice clubs and classes. The purpose of the presentation is to help ODs understand the ABCs and 123s of personal finan
My Frankenstein practice: how I would assemble the perfect optometry practice
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! What would I do if I were starting an optometric practice from the ground up? A listener posed the question—and I went deep. In this episode, I walk through everything from choosing the right location (hint: geography is everything) to building the skills that matter most when you're just getting started. We cover: Why defining your Ideal Patient Avatar
Can we PLEASE agree on some numbers (and the KPIs that influence them)??
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! In this episode, we tackle the confusion around key financial numbers in your optometric practice and why it's critical to have a common understanding of their definitions. From gross COLLECTED revenue, cost of goods sold, and net operating income, we explore the most important KPIs that influence your bottom line. Whether you're looking to grow, improve eff
An update on Taxes 101: Understanding tax brackets, deductions, and credits for optometric practice owners
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! In today's episode, we're diving into the details of your tax return—beyond just whether you got a refund. We'll break down the difference between deductions and credits, how our tax brackets work, why you should focus on Line 24—your total tax paid—instead of Lines 34 or 37, and what Line 38 might be telling you about penalties and interest. We'll also high
The Art of Delegation from a practice owner's perspective with Dr. Ted McElroy, OD
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Dr. Ted McElroy, OD. Ted and I share in a conversation that's on the heels of a 2 hour CE session I did at SECO 2025, which was titled The Art of Delegation. We talk through why practice owners get stuck on delegation, ways to think about becoming more comfortable delegating, the true cost of NOT delegating, and some NBSs for you
The difference between saving vs deferring taxes
In this episode, we break down the common misconception that tax deferral is the same as tax savings—spoiler alert: it's not. We discuss how strategies like funding retirement plans, loss harvesting, and depreciation only push taxes into the future, while true tax savings come from tools like QCDs, business deductions, and Roth account growth. We explore when deferring taxes makes sense, and when
How practices can benefit using fractional services like a CMO with Daniel Palmer
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Daniel Palmer. Daniel joins me back on the show to talk through a growing service and role in small businesses (optometry included), which is the Fractional C*O service. I use the * to depict the fact that this role could be Chief Operating, Marketing, Information/Technology, and yes Financial Officer. We talk about the difference
Making good decisions (and avoiding costly mistakes) when purchasing optometry equipment w/ Rick Norwood
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Rick Norwood, founder & President of Norwood Device & Diagnostics. Rick joins me on the show to talk through an often-discussed topic in practice ownership, and that is the responsible purchasing of equipment. We talk through how practice owners should evaluate various suppliers, the cadence and frequency of replacing and upgradin
Edging in-house vs outsourcing: the economics, trade-offs, and data an optometric practice needs to measure with Drs. Jennifer Stewart, OD & Sam Hornberger, OD
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guests on today's show are Drs. Jennifer Stewart & Sam Hornberger, both private practice owners in their respective practices. Sam and Jennifer join me on the show to talk about a topic that admittedly, in over 300 episodes of 20/20 Money, I haven't talked about yet: edging and the decisions around whether to bring edging in-house or continue to outsour
Providing vision therapy profitably and passionately with Dr. Leigha Nielsen, OD
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Dr. Leigha Nielson, OD FOVDR, founder of High 5 Vision Development in New Braunfels, TX. Leigha joins me on the show to talk about how she's created both a successful practice and a life she loves—personally and professionally—through a vision-therapy focused practice. She talks about her journey as a practice owner under the TS
Think differently about "admin days" in your practice --my guest appearance on "Eye Own a Business" with Dr. Steve Vargo, OD
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! This week's episode is my guest appearance on Dr. Steve Vargo's show "Eye Own a Business," produced by IDOC. Steve had me on the show to talk about something that I've been thinking about for some time, and I used his show to "stake my claim"—I don't like term "admin day" and want to see the profession start embracing a different way of thinking about the
Ideas & strategies on ways to pay your team more without compromising profit with Jackson Pace, CPA
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Jackson Pace, CPA. Jackson joins me on the show to talk about ways owners can maximize the ROI on their team, specifically non-OD team members. He shares examples of ways in which practice owners have brought focus and intention to different areas of the practice, how practice owners can empower their team to take ownership of an
Stop Jonesin'…measure your success against your own purpose, not someone else's with Dr. Steve Vargo, OD
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Dr. Steve Vargo, OD. In addition to being a practice management consultant with IDOC, Steve is also the host of the podcast "Eye Own a Business" a show with episodes aimed to help independent ODs grow a thriving practice while wearing the hats of both OD and business owner. In this episode Steve and I talk about the importance of
How to increase the multiplier in your practice value with Nathan Hayes
Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Nathan Hayes with IDOC & Books & Benchmarks. Nathan and I spend time discussing a topic that was briefly brought up on our last conversation (here's the link to that discussion) which is the importance of understanding the relationship between multiples and the risk associated with ownership. Said differently, we bring clarity t
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