Welcome to Optometrists Building Empires! Each week, host Ankit Patel, explores the journey of practice ownership and leadership in optometry with some of the top minds in his field. This show is sponsored by My Business Care Team: We help increase revenue, reduce costs, and reduce staffing headaches. Let's build your empire together!
Optometrists Building Empires
Claim This Podcastby Ankit Patel
5.0(6 reviews)
99 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
70
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality100
Social0
YouTube68
Engagement32
Podcast Overview
Welcome to Optometrists Building Empires! Each week, host Ankit Patel, explores the journey of practice ownership and leadership in optometry with some of the top minds in his field. This show is sponsored by My Business Care Team: We help increase revenue, reduce costs, and reduce staffing headaches. Let's build your empire together!
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
8/13/2024
Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report
See how your podcast performs across key metrics
70
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality100
Social0
YouTube68
Engagement32
11
Excellent Areas
2
Good Performance
6
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Publishing Consistency
Every 7 days
Performing excellently!
good
Show Experience
58 episodes over 1.1 years
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
poor
Episode Thumbnails
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
+16 More Metrics
Unlock comprehensive insights including:
- • YouTube presence analysis
- • Social media reach metrics
- • RSS compliance scoring
- • Podcast 2.0 features
- • Technical standards
What's Included in Your Full Report
Detailed Analytics
- Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
- Personalized recommendations for each metric
- Industry benchmarks and comparisons
- Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring
Growth Strategies
- Step-by-step action plans for improvement
- Quick wins to boost your score immediately
- Pro tips from successful podcasters
Get your free podcast insights report
See how your show performs across every key metric
Instant delivery
No spam
Attract Better Guests
High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.
Secure Sponsorships
Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.
Grow Your Audience
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.
1 verified contact email on file for Optometrists Building Empires
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
June 18, 2026
The Warm Start - Dr. Bethany Fishbein - Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 098
00:00 — Welcome back, Dr. Bethany Fishbein 00:50 — Defining the warm start: between cold start and full acquisition 04:00 — The fixer-upper-vs-move-in-ready analogy 05:30 — Reading the financials: cash flow as the key signal 10:00 — Pricing sweet spot for warm starts ($250K–$350K) 30:00 — Closing-door deals and how to spot them 42:30 — Bethany's top 3: track metrics, pivot fast, plan with a kill switch 43:00 — Ankit's top 3: right partner doctor, kill-switch model, boots-on-ground marketing 44:00 — Reach Bethany: bethany@leadersofvision.com Connect with Bethany Fishbein: - Leaders of Vision: https://leadersofvision.com - Email: bethany@leadersofvision.com Subscribe to Optometrists Building Empires: https://buildingempires.live Sponsored by My Business Care Team — https://mybcat.com
June 11, 2026
Fix Your Staffing, Fix Your Practice - Compilation - Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 097
<p>What if the staffing challenges keeping you up at night aren't a sign that something is wrong with your practice, but a sign that you're ready to build something better?</p><p>Staffing has always been the hardest part of running an optometry practice. Long before anyone had heard of the Great Resignation, ODs were losing good people to better offers, life changes, and burnout, and starting the hiring cycle all over again. COVID accelerated everything. The applicant pool changed, expectations shifted, and practices that had weathered years of turnover suddenly found themselves in a different game entirely. The ones winning today aren't necessarily the ones who finally found perfect staff. They're the ones who stopped relying on headcount alone and built smarter support systems around their teams.</p><p>In this special compilation episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel brings together some of the most candid and practical conversations the show has ever featured, all from growing practice owners and optometry professionals who know firsthand that staffing doesn't get simpler as you scale. They share how they've navigated turnover, rebuilt teams from scratch, and found smarter ways to operate, including how offloading the right tasks to the right support can change everything about how your practice runs day to day.</p><p>If your on-site team is stretched thin, if turnover keeps resetting your momentum, or if you're managing multiple locations and wondering how to staff for growth without burning out the people you already have, this episode was made for you.</p><p>Takeaways: </p><ul><li>Staffing is the universal challenge in optometry ownership, and it doesn't get easier just by working harder. Build smarter systems around your hiring and operations so that turnover stops resetting your momentum every time someone leaves.</li><li>Not every task needs to be done inside your office. Identify the administrative work your team handles daily, like phones, scheduling, and insurance filing, that doesn't require a physical presence, and start thinking about who else could own that.</li><li>A virtual assistant isn't a shortcut, it's a staffing layer that adds real capacity without adding to your overhead. Invest the time upfront to train and integrate them well, and they become one of the most cost-effective hires your practice can make.</li><li>When someone calls out, your whole office feels it. Build a support layer into your operations so that a single absence doesn't derail your day, especially if you're running a lean on-site team across multiple locations.</li><li>Hire for personality first and skills second. Before your next interview, get clear on the traits that make someone a culture fit for your practice, because you can train almost any skill, but you can't train attitude.</li><li>Flexible scheduling is one of the simplest retention tools available to you. Consider whether a four-day work week or staggered scheduling could reduce burnout and call-outs on your team before you go looking for someone new.</li><li>Know when to hire, not just who to hire. If your team is maxed out, your growth is already stalled, and adding the right support at the right moment can move your revenue more than almost any clinical investment.</li><li>Don't hold onto the wrong people too long. Set clear performance expectations early, communicate them honestly, and be willing to make the hard call before one underperformer starts affecting the rest of your team.</li><li>Stop posting and start recruiting. Use resume search tools, leverage your online community, and go find the candidates you actually want rather than waiting for the right one to show up in your inbox.</li></ul><p>Links:</p><p>Ankit’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankitpatelcvc/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BpCEr31lTRLSkLT2Axoryvw%3D%3D">linkedin.com/in/ankitpatelcvc</a></p><p>MyBCAT Website: <a href="https://mybcat.com/">https://mybcat.com/</a> </p><p>Shoutouts:</p><ul><li>Rupe’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rupehansra/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/rupehansra/</a></li><li>Rupe’s Website: <a href="https://topconhealthcare.com">https://topconhealthcare.com</a></li><li>Kerry’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrygiedd/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BKrisd%2BF6Q5CF0eWLVWRXEQ%3D%3D">linkedin.com/in/kerrygiedd</a></li><li>Kerry’s Website: <a href="https://www.eolaeyes.com/">https://www.eolaeyes.com/</a> </li><li>Jason’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-klepfisz-13013512a/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BrkngX%2FX5SKuaYGBMIgJR6A%3D%3D">linkedin.com/in/jason-klepfisz-13013512a</a></li><li>Jason’s Website: <a href="https://urbaneyesphx.com/">https://urbaneyesphx.com/</a></li><li>Carlos’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosgrandelaod/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bv1BgjUvCTMCCtxfEIqjn%2Bw%3D%3D">linkedin.com/in/carlosgrandelaod</a></li><li>Carlos’s Website: <a href="https://viewfinderlowvision.com/">https://viewfinderlowvision.com/</a> </li><li>Nathan’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-heilman-b548bb11/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BQuXtUVyQS3%2BcQzh82P5wIA%3D%3D">linkedin.com/in/nathan-heilman-b548bb11</a></li><li>Nathan’s Website: <a href="https://rvep.com/">https://rvep.com/</a></li><li>Kyle’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-maxam-24b10290/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bh5d8zIdvRO2%2FhNFEJ%2FqqAw%3D%3D">linkedin.com/in/kyle-maxam-24b10290</a></li><li>Kyle’s Website: <a href="https://www.eyedocsbrookville.com/">https://www.eyedocsbrookville.com/</a></li><li>Erika’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-morrow-od-ms/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BqG6SixoUS8KESjMf4e4EEA%3D%3D">linkedin.com/in/erika-morrow-od-ms</a> </li><li>Erika’s Website: <a href="https://forsighteye.net/">https://forsighteye.net/</a></li><li>Alyssa’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-pack/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BUreVDPPVSVaXbB99%2B%2BJT6w%3D%3D">linkedin.com/in/alyssa-pack</a></li><li>Justin’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinnguyen60/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinnguyen60/</a> </li><li>Alyssa & Justin’s Website: <a href="https://www.eyecareatthecove.com/">https://www.eyecareatthecove.com/</a> </li><li>Rick’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-guinotte-63818794/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-guinotte-63818794/</a></li><li>Rick’s Website: <a href="https://acquios.com/">https://acquios.com/</a></li><li>Jennifer’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenntabiza/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BKM5If7oMSQ%2B1P9bxDtS5Ww%3D%3D">linkedin.com/in/jenntabiza</a> </li><li>Jennifer’s Website: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/safety/go/?url=jenntabiza.com&urlhash=T2QK&mt=qIOmZP-qb_TpSKDj37JgJS0L38ta4OKyZ7VyxP0rvGZT7ttdha5od2OzecVbArojVc2KHWO_NOCJYCd6V0iEysuuGEU&isSdui=true&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BXuQ73CZpQQOSEVQKDmKCbw%3D%3D">jenntabiza.com</a></li></ul><p>Ways to Tune In:</p><ul><li>Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5w1H9BBwRXvBSSkexePYxG">https://open.spotify.com/show/5w1H9BBwRXvBSSkexePYxG</a> </li><li>Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optometrists-building-empires/id1762685070">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optometrists-building-empires/id1762685070</a> </li><li>Amazon Music: <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podca..."></a></li></ul>
June 4, 2026
Built Together: How Relationships, Systems, and Grit Created Three Thriving Practices - #096
<p>Can the relationships you built in optometry school lay the groundwork for the businesses you'd build decades later?</p><p>In this special panel episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with three accomplished optometrists who graduated together from Indiana University in 2008 and went on to build thriving practices across the country. Dr. Patrick Curran of Johnson Curran Optometry Centers, Dr. Jeni Kohn of Moses Eye Care, and Dr. Andy Yaryan of Yaryan Eye Care Center brings their combined decades of experience to an honest, wide-ranging conversation about structure, leadership, financial literacy, staffing, and the unspoken value of having people in your corner who want you to win.</p><p>From navigating the financial crisis right out of school to managing Medicaid-heavy practices, building team cultures that stick, and staying ahead of reimbursement challenges, this panel pulls no punches. They share what surprised them, what humbled them, and what they'd tell any optometrist who's trying to grow something meaningful.</p><p>Takeaways:</p><ul><li>Structure is what allows growth to scale without chaos. Having the right systems and the right people in the right seats is what separates practices that grow intentionally from those that stall under their own weight.</li><li>Mentorship and peer relationships aren't soft skills, they're growth strategies. Leaning on people who've already been through it shortens the learning curve and gives you honest feedback that generic resources can't provide.</li><li>Financial literacy isn't optional for practice owners. Understanding P&Ls, cash flow, reimbursement trends, and inflation-adjusted metrics is the difference between working hard and actually building wealth.</li><li>What you tolerate, you endorse. Avoiding hard conversations with staff doesn't make problems smaller, it makes them more expensive. Addressing issues quickly, clearly, and consistently protects your culture and your A players.</li><li>Culture isn't an accident, it's a decision. Confidence, accountability, and clear training benchmarks create teams that take ownership, stay longer, and deliver better patient experiences.</li><li>Empire means something different to everyone. It's not about the number of locations or external milestones. It's about the obstacles you overcome, the impact you make, and the life you design on your own terms.</li></ul><p>Quote of the Show:</p><ul><li>“ The baseline for growing an empire in optometry is recognizing the opportunity. You have to know that with that opportunity, there's gonna be some risk along the way, so you have to be comfortable with that ” - Patrick Curran</li></ul><p>Links:</p><ul><li>Jeni’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-kohn-99516254/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-kohn-99516254/</a></li><li>Moses Eyecare: <a href="https://moseseyecare.com/our-practice/">https://moseseyecare.com/our-practice/</a> </li><li>Patrick’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-curran-od-732111113/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-curran-od-732111113/</a></li><li>Johnson Curran Optometry Centers: <a href="https://johnsoncurran.com/">https://johnsoncurran.com/</a> </li><li>Andy’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-yaryan-457b6856/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-yaryan-457b6856/</a> </li><li>Yaryan Eyecare: <a href="https://www.yaryaneyecare.com/">https://www.yaryaneyecare.com/</a> </li><li>Book a Meeting with Ankit: <a href="https://meetings.hubspot.com/ankit98/optometry-redefined?uuid=e5cd456c-9db4-42c7-b106-2b6e250a6d01">https://meetings.hubspot.com/ankit98/optometry-redefined?uuid=e5cd456c-9db4-42c7-b106-2b6e250a6d01</a> </li><li>Optometry Redefined Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Optometry-Redefined-Master-Resourcing-Performance/dp/B0FKJTZGJ3/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image">https://www.amazon.com/Optometry-Redefined-Master-Resourcing-Performance/dp/B0FKJTZGJ3/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image</a> </li></ul><p><br></p><p>Ways to Tune In:</p><ul><li>Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5w1H9BBwRXvBSSkexePYxG">https://open.spotify.com/show/5w1H9BBwRXvBSSkexePYxG</a> </li><li>Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optometrists-building-empires/id1762685070">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optometrists-building-empires/id1762685070</a> </li><li>Amazon Music: <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/689a039b-54ce-4f04-b641-66d8640d93d0">https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/689a039b-54ce-4f04-b641-66d8640d93d0</a> </li><li>Podchaser: <a href="https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/optometrists-building-empires-5812208">https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/optometrists-building-empires-5812208</a></li></ul>
99 total episodes available
Recent guests on Optometrists Building Empires
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Dr Steve Vargo
Guest
Dr Kara Foster
Guest
Dr Maria Sampalis
Guest
Dave Brown
Guest
Dr Melissa Barnett
Guest
Dr Ryan Cazares
Guest
Dr Jessica Pugh
Guest
Dr Shane Swatts
Guest
Dr Bill Noble
Guest
Dr Jeffrey Neighbors
Guest
Dr Susan Truong
Guest
Dr Richard Levin
Guest
Similar Podcasts
Discover related shows you might enjoy
Eye Own a Business
IDOC
The Optometry Success Podcast
Adam Cmejla, CFP & Chad Fleming, OD, FAAO
Optometry: The Ultimate O.D.
Optometry: The Ultimate O.D. Podcast
20/20 MONEY
Adam Cmejla
Power Hour Optometry
The Power Practice
Practice Advantage
Dr. Justin Manning
EyeCode Media
Christopher Wolfe, OD, FAAO, Dipl. ABO
Cleinman Connect Podcast
Cleinman Performance Partners
Optometric Insights Media
Dr. Dave Kading & Dr. Mile Brujic
The MOD Pod
Modern Optometry
The Dr. April Jasper Show
Dr. April Jasper
The EntreLeadership Podcast
Ramsey Network
Deep-dive analytics for Optometrists Building Empires
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Optometrists Building Empires?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.