Podcast Episodes

In this episode, we are joined by Ankit Patel, founder of My Business Care Team, and the host of the Optometrists Building Empire podcast. Ankit shares how independent practices can create operational leverage, improve patient experiences, and scale sustainably without losing the personal touch that makes independent optometry so valuable.

Differentiation is one of the biggest opportunities for independent optometry practices, but it requires the right strategy, systems, and leadership. In this episode, we continue our conversation with optometrist and owner of Vision Camberwell, Shonit Jagmohan.

What happens when you stop trying to serve everyone and start building a practice around clarity and specialisation? In this episode, we are joined by Shonit Jagmohan, an optometrist and owner of Vision Camberwell, one of the oldest independent practices in Victoria, to unpack how he built a practice model centred on specialty contact lenses, patient experience, and intentional business design.

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.

Do you and your team truly know the "why" behind your business? In this episode, Tim Thurn is back for part two of the conversation, bringing his honest perspective on the realities of modern optometry and a simple yet powerful idea: why successful practices are intentional about their "why."

Independent optometry hasn't just evolved, it has transformed. From glass lenses dominating the market to digitally personalised optics, from fragmented professional politics to collaborative care models, the journey has been nothing short of remarkable.

Strong teams don't just happen by accident. They're built through better leadership, a strong team culture, and systems that help your practice grow without burning you out.

Every practice reaches that moment when growth feels …stuck, and you can sense there's more potential, but you're not quite sure where to find it. The good news? There is a way to go beyond the plateau. In continuation of Michael's conversation with Erich Mattei of Akrinos , they discuss how eye care professionals can modernise, expand, and grow in their practice, whether they're just starting or have been running an established business for decades. Erich breaks down what it

Everyone dreams of running their own practice until they realise that it's more than just caring for patients. In this episode, we are joined by Shaina Zheng, a clinical optometrist and practice owner, to unpack the unexpected chaos behind the consultation room. Shaina gets real and opens up about her culture shock on ownership, their biggest challenges, pushback, and the powerful lessons she's learned about leadership, emotional intelligence, and resilience in independent pr

You've finally decided, you want to own your own practice. But then comes the big question: where do I even start? Should you build one from scratch or take over an existing practice? It's exciting… but also a little overwhelming, right? In this episode, Erich Mattei of Akrinos is back to unpack what it really takes to step into practice ownership in today's optometry landscape. From identifying each phase of the practice lifecycle to good practice acquisition and making a m

In this episode, we are joined by Louise and Teiger Sceats, the creative mother and son duo behind The Elusive Miss Lou . From eyewear that tells a story to their family mantra of quality, comfort, and fit, they share how they built a brand rooted in artistry, authenticity, and spreading joy. Throughout the conversation, Louise reveals how her design journey began through Jono Hennessy, where she learned the craft from the ground up. Teiger brings in his storytelling skills f

What does Digital health really mean in the context of optometry beyond the buzzwords? Nicola Mountford unpacks one of the most relevant...

In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Alison Abdullah Daoud, founder and director of Lens Avenue . Alison shares her inspiring...