Podcast
Practice Advantage
Hosted by Dr. Justin Manning · EN
Running an independent eye care practice and business is hard work. PECAA understands the challenges you face and provides the tools and insights you need to run your business with ease.
Join the Practice Advantage podcast, as we interview experts from within the eye care industry and beyond, providing actionable tips and strategies with each episode to make your practice and business more successful.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Technology, Business, and Leadership Lessons with Dr. Patricia Poma
May 400:36:28Tap to summarizeOur guest is Dr. Patricia Poma, industry expert, consultant, and known for her success in private practice. In this episode, we discuss leadership lessons for practice growth, strategies for success implementing new technology like Sequel and Neurolenses, and the PECAA Annual Meeting. Key Takeaways: Success in private practice depends on your own willingness to grow and change on a personal and professional level first. Where do you want to go? What do you want your practice to be at the end of your career? Optometry used to be a profession where you had to be all things to all people. Now the opportunities are so significant in specialty areas that focusing on what you're best at is key to success. People are key to success. Know who they are and what they're best at. Empower them to find their happiness and best performance in the practice and don't hesitate to let them go if they're not the right fit. Don't add technologies or services just because everyone else is doing it. Know your patient base and what they need. Understand what you are passionate about and/or what your associate doctors are passionate about. Make a strategic and informed decision and run with it. Sequel and Neurolenses have played a key role in taking care of Dr. Poma's patients - creating an incredibly comfortable visual experience. The life changing stories patients have shared make it easy for doctors and staff to tell the story to patients. Adding anything new can be daunting, especially if it requires significant cost to the patient. It takes building momentum to be successful. Accept getting many no's before you get the yes's but those yes's lead to more as time goes on. What Patricia is Reading: The Radium Girls by Kate Moore Practice Advantage Reading List **Don't miss out on an extra $15 rebate for all commercial VSP Eye Exams now thru the END of 2027! Visit www.pecaaexamrebate.com now!**
Transcribe →Live From Vision Expo: A Carrot Is Good For Your Eyes and Your Practice with Jeremy Barlow
Mar 1300:18:03Tap to summarizeKey Takeaways: Virtual Field has rebranded to Carrot to create new opportunities for their future in delivering an expanded virtual reality pretesting platform. Carrot's platform now includes more than visual field - pupillometry, color vision, ocular motility. In the near future, the platform will include contrast sensitivity, D-15, and cover test available to be done within the platform. In addition to the roadmap, the platform will build in machine learning and AI to accelerate how practices deliver a better patient experience. The more tests that can be done effectively in VR, the faster pre-testing can go in your practice. It can free up space for an additional lane or more optical displays. Instead of one tech per one patient, some practices are able to connect one technician with up to three patients. Change is always difficult, no matter the technology. Working directly with your team on the how, what, and why is critical to success to implement. What Jeremy is reading: Conquistador by Buddy Levy Practice Advantage Reading List **Don't miss out on an extra $15 rebate for all commercial VSP Eye Exams throughout all of 2026! Visit www.pecaaexamrebate.com now!**
Transcribe →Leading Through Uncertainty with Jonathan Worrall
Feb 200:30:23Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down with PECAA's President Jonathan Worrall to discuss strategies for leading through uncertainty and taking advantage of the opportunities that any challenge provides. Key Takeaways:Be change ready. Build your business strategy with possible adversaries to address and plans for how you'd respond to them. Your business isn't the only one facing uncertainty. All of your patients are as well. Understand how they're feeling and reacting to the uncertainty and adjust how you take care of them and do business in order to meet them where they are. Leverage the data in your PM system and your daily conversations with your patients. When faced with uncertainty, take care of your people first. Rally around your team and build them up. Focus on what you have control over, not the things you have no control over. 2026 brings significant opportunity to strengthen your practice culture. In addition, leverage AI to build your operations, increase revenue, and expand care to patients. The natural response to fear is fight, flight or freeze. Consider a fourth option - forging a new path forward that every threat gives opportunity to create. Remember, our profession is unbelievably resilient. We've weather many storms that have threatened how we care for our patients and none of have been successful in putting us out of business. What Jonathan is reading: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch AlbomUnreasonable Hospitality by Will GuidaraThink Again by Adam GrantPractice Advantage Reading List**Don't miss out on an extra $15 rebate for all commercial VSP Eye Exams throughout all of 2026! Visit www.pecaaexamrebate.com now!**
Transcribe →Building an Aesthetics Practice with Dr. Jenn DenHartog
Jan 500:40:52Tap to summarizeIt's January 2026 and time to focus on your 2026 practice goals. What do you want to accomplish and where do you want to take your business this year? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jenn DenHartog, founder of Premier Vision Clinic in Clive, IA to ask her tips for success in growing a dry eye and aesthetics practice. Key Takeaways:Own your role in medical optometry. Most patient cases don't need a referral out to ophthalmology until surgical intervention.Medical v. Vision doesn't have to be all or nothing - give the vision exam patient a nugget of their medical diagnoses and treatment options and then bring them back for their medical follow up visit.You can never put processes and systems in place too early. Even if it doesn't feel like it's needed, there will come a time when you needed those systems in place.Beginning with the dry eye conversation addresses the most significant issue the patient is facing. Highlighting the additional impacts certain treatments like IPL, RF, LLLT, etc. have additional benefits that the patient may also experience. This opens the door for the patient to experience them and wanting to continue the treatments for cosmetic reasons.Celebrate wins with your patients and with your team. Only the patient gets to determine what their wins are. What Dr. DenHartog is reading: Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce MeyerPractice Advantage Reading List**Don't miss out on an extra $15 rebate for all commercial VSP Eye Exams throughout all of 2026! Visit www.pecaaexamrebate.com now!**
Transcribe →Build Your Business Around Your Life, Not The Other Way Around with Dr. E. Connor Smallwood
Dec 100:39:54Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down with Dr. Connor Smallwood, owner of Smallwood Eye Associates in Gahanna, OH. Dr. Smallwood has built a practice that empowers his life outside the business. His story is a powerful one. Key Takeaways:Buying an established practice gave him a head start with the patient base especially a base that was loyal. Spending time in the practice by himself allowed the practice to slowly transition before the founder retired.Staff is the engine that makes the practice run. Retaining the staff following the transition was critical. Bringing the staff along on the changes over time made a difference.Despite how successful the practice was, there was significant opportunity to improve aspects of the business. Taking it slow, getting one change right at a time was key to bringing staff and patients along on the journey.Building a business doesn’t mean you have to grind all day, every day. While that’s certainly an option, building a successful business should empower you to live the life you want to live within and outside the business.Prioritizing opportunities outside the office requires prioritization of processes and efficiency within the office such that you’re maximizing both the people and time in the office.What Connor is reading:Wild At Heart by John EldredgePractice Advantage Reading List** Don't miss out on an extra $15 rebate for all commercial VSP Eye Exams this year - with $15 extended through June of 2026, and $10 thru the end of next year! Visit www.pecaaexamrebate.com now!**
Transcribe →We Need To Talk About Your Marketing with Saul Alvarez and Dr. Chantel Garcia
Nov 300:39:39Tap to summarizeIn today's episode, our guests are Saul Alvarez, found of Midbrain, and Dr. Chantel Garcia, founder and owner of Carolina Eye Doctors in Harrisburg, NC, talking about the power of marketing and how your website and external marketing drives the experience your patients will have in your practice. Key Takeaways:While websites feel like old hat, they shouldn't. Your website should tell your story, evoke an emotion from your patients, and set them up for the experience they'll have in your practice before they actually step foot through the door. Language tone, colors, fonts, photos, and videos matter significantly.Your brand is all encompassing. Your decisions. Your patient experience. Your physical space. Your lighting. Your technology and equipment. A good marketing partner will take all those into consideration to build a strong foundation.Setting your processes and procedures to set your practice up for the success you want. Make the bold decision. Stick to it while it's tough. It will lead to the outcomes you want.Your personal story is a critical component of your brand. Tell it and tell it often. Offloading your marketing prevents you from telling that story effectively.To continue to grow, your strategy must evolve over time. As your strategy changes, invest in your marketing to support the specific goals you have for that time period.In the grand scheme of things, the basics of marketing are the most impactful. Dr. Garcia's PracticeWhat Saul is Reading:Letters from a Nut by Jim NancyPractice Advantage Reading List** Don't miss out on an extra $15 rebate for all commercial VSP Eye Exams this year - with $15 extended through June of 2026, and $10 thru the end of next year! Visit www.pecaaexamrebate.com now!**
Transcribe →Live From Vision Expo West: Newton and the Sequel Ophthalmic Lens Portfolio with Davis Corley
Sep 1800:14:12Tap to summarizeWe're live from Vision Expo West in Las Vegas in the buzz of the show, discussing the new direction for Newton, formerly Neurolens with CEO and co-founder Davis Corley. Key Takeaways:Newton was inspired by Isaac Newton, one of the earliest fathers of optics and prism opening a new direction for three pillars: Sequel, Neurolens, and AI innovation.Sequel is the newest lens portfolio to hit the market, spanning two near relaxing designs and a full progressive. Driven by Convergence Boost technology, the lens eliminates the varients in prismatic effect as patients move form distance to near.Neurolens continues as the flagship product for Newton, leveraging the N3 device to deliver therapeutic optics to patients with symptomatic convergence issues.Newton is also investing in Isaac, an AI innovation and training platform to support private practice staff training and development.What Davis is reading: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick LencioniPractice Advantage Reading List** Don't miss out on an extra $15 rebate for all commercial VSP Eye Exams this year - with $15 extended through June of 2026, and $10 thru the end of next year! Visit www.pecaaexamrebate.com now!**
Transcribe →Expand Your Clinical Services with Chemical Cauterization with Dr. Brett Richardson
Sep 800:29:39Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down with Dr. Brett Richardson, founder of DermaCautery to discuss chemical cauterization of benign skin lesions, who can perform it in the practice, and the benefits it brings to your business and your patients. Key Takeaways:Chemical cauterization of lid lesions is within the training of optometrists, and is permitted in many, but not all states.The procedure is relatively straightforward. A wooden applicator is soaked in the chemical agent. Following application, the lid lesion will no longer receive blood supply, leading to necrosis and sloughing off. Follow up is 2-3 weeks and is rare to have complications.Patients actively desire to have these skin lesions removed but aren't necessarily thinking about having it done in the optometrist's office. The lead in conversation is important and many patients will be open to receiving treatment.Staff are a great asset with this service. It is not a major burden on the team as the treatment and preparation is relatively simple. Getting them on board is key to success.Depending on the patient complaints, it may or may not be billable to insurance. For cosmetic only, it is a cash based procedure. On average, each treatment adds $350 per patient to your top line. Given most of it is a service based, most of that drops to your bottom line.What Brett is Reading:10X Is Easier Than 2X by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin HardyPractice Advantage Reading List** Don't miss out on an extra $15 rebate for all commercial VSP Eye Exams this year - with $15 extended through June of 2026, and $10 thru the end of next year! Visit www.pecaaexamrebate.com now!**
Transcribe →Unscripted: The Importance of Connection In Your Business with Jonathan Worrall
Aug 400:30:53Tap to summarizeIn this unscripted episode, we sit down with PECAA President Jonathan Worrall to discuss the importance of connection as a person, business owner, and with your team. No question list. No prepared answers. Key Takeaways:Connection with yourself is critical to success as a business leader. Knowing your values, what drives your integrity, and how to be present is what sets great leaders apart from the rest. A great way to build connection with your people is to start with curiosity. Ask more questions, have less answers, and make everyone's voice feel heard - both personally and in the context of work. A connected team creates an energy in the business that patients can feel when they walk through the door. It is the foundation of a great patient/ customer experience. Actions speak louder than words. As a leader, it is important to build relationships with your people and create the space to share deep challenges and great successes. Connection builds trust and that is a slow process. Yet, trust allows you to move faster, more efficiently, and be more effective. It allows you start at a further place down the path to change and growth. What Jonathan is Reading:Tuesday Morning Coaching by David CottrellPractice Advantage Reading List** Don't miss out on an extra $15 rebate for all commercial VSP Eye Exams this year! Visit www.pecaaexamrebate.com now!**
Transcribe →Scaling Fast: The Mindset To Grow from 1 to 20 Locations with Mike Kogelis
Jun 2, 202500:45:06Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down with Mike Kogelis, co-founder of Big City Optical, a 20 location private optometry practice in Chicagoland. Primarily growing by individual cold starts, Mike is a wealth of knowledge in building and scaring a practice. Key Takeaways:Having a disciplined, growth mindset is the foundation for scaling your practice as large as you want to build it. You can't grow your business without working on and growing yourself along the journey The most successful businesses aren't afraid of making mistakes in the process of growing. Mistakes lead to learning that lead to faster, more effective business decisions in the future.You can't scale without having great people. Build your business around a great employee experience leads to a great patient experience. Empowering them to lead, grow, and develop is necessary as you grow. Find people who can help you build in addition to those who can help you run the business.Stick to a game plan that works. Repeat it over and over. Avoid distractions that take you away from your core business model.Surround yourself with people that help you become the person, business, etc. you want to be.Luck favors the bold and prepared. Say yes, make the phone call, make the crazy ask, take the chance.What Mike is Reading:Traction: Get A Grip On Your Business by Gino WickmanPractice Advantage Reading List** Don't miss out on an extra $10 rebate for all commercial VSP Eye Exams this year! Visit www.pecaaexamrebate.com now!**
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