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Episode 50: From Grad to Greenfield: One Optometrist’s Journey to Private Practice Ownership with Sheila Lam - Part 2

  • 1 day ago
  • 2 min read

Sometimes, the most powerful way to learn is to build as you go, and Sheila Lam’s journey is a testament to that. In this second part of the conversation, Sheila Lam takes us behind the scenes of building a greenfield practice with Mandy Huynh from a simple idea to full execution.


From figuring out business structures and securing funding, to negotiating leases, managing unexpected costs, and building a patient base from zero, Sheila shares the raw, unfiltered realities of entrepreneurship in optometry.


This episode isn’t just about opening a practice, it’s about betting on yourself, learning as you go, and building something meaningful from the ground up. Whether you’re a student, early-career optometrist, or someone dreaming of ownership, this episode will give you both practical insights and the mindset shifts needed to take that leap.


About the Guest:

Sheila Lam graduated from the University of New South Wales in 2020 with a Master of Clinical Optometry and a Bachelor of Vision Science. She is the principal optometrist and co-founder of Eye Definition Optometrists, an independent full-scope practice in Sydney with a focus on myopia management and specialty contact lenses, particularly orthokeratology. She currently serves as Chairperson of Young Optometrists (YO) and is a committee member of CCLSA NSW. She also holds a Diploma in Business Administration and is actively involved in mentoring optometry students.


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Key Topics with Timestamps:

2:51 - Why Sheila and Mandy chose to gain experience first before opening their practice

4:00 - Finding mentors & building a support system

6:12 - Choosing a business name, logo, and their A team

8:37 - Finding a location

12:50 - Creating a business plan and securing business funds

16:28 - Forecasting bank loan amount for starting a business

20:30 - Finding a property and lease negotiation

28:07 - Practice design and fit-out challenges

31:48 - Unexpected delays: approvals, compliance, construction realities

33:39 - Mindset shift: problem-solving over perfection

35:55 - Most underestimated part of setting up a practice

41:13 - Opening Months: What it’s really like

42:56 - Hiring the first staff

45:54 - How hiring staff improve the business

48:16 - From 0 patients to current growth

49:43 - Marketing strategies for greenfield practices that actually worked

51:57 - Essential personality traits for business owners

52:58 - Advice to young optometrists who’s unsure if they’re ready

57:02 - Sustainable growth over rapid expansion


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Thank you for joining us in this episode of The Focused View Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, give us a 5-Star rating, and leave a review on Apple Podcast and Spotify to help us reach even more eye care professionals and build a community of innovation and see new opportunities within the optical industry. Talk with you next time!

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