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 Joy Livingood Gibb, a veteran in the optical industry with nearly 40 years of experience. From independent optician work to mobile services and now practice management in Utah, Joy has seen it all, and she's still as passionate as ever. Throughout the conversation, Joy shares her journey from wearing glasses at six years old to becoming a practice manager, educator, and leader who champions patient-centric optical flow that goes beyond sellin

When it comes to running a business, wellbeing isn't just about yoga classes, lavender oil, or taking a day off on your birthday; it's...

In this episode, we are joined by Louise and Teiger Sceats, the creative mother and son duo behind The Elusive Miss Lou . From eyewear...

What if you had a support network ready to answer your questions, guide you through your first grad role, and remind you why you chose...

Ever wonder how optometry practices in the US compare to those in Australia and what we can learn from each other? In this episode, we...

Everyone loses when thousands of optical assistants are untrained. It's not their fault; it's just that they're out there performing...

What if the real price of avoiding difficult conversations at work is losing your best team members and holding back your business...

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

Craftsmanship and Sustainability The Future of Eyewear with Chris Savage "Sustainability doesn't have to be special, it can just be a...

If your team isn't showing up the way you want, it might be time to look at your leadership. Because the truth is, thriving optical practices aren’t built on sales alone. They’re built on strong leadership, intentional training, and a team that feels seen, supported, and inspired. In this part 3 episode, Michael Nasser is back again with Kayle Ashlee, the founder of Spexy, a training platform designed for eye care professionals to discuss the human side of practice growth. Fr

Can you truly build a human connection with your patient in just one minute? In part two of our conversation, Kayla Ashlee returns to share how “adult pacifiers,” aka our phones, are quietly killing patient relationships. She reveals how soft skills, when used intentionally, can restore and create an unforgettable patient experience. Kayla shares strategies for using soft skills in every patient touchpoint, how connection creates a real differentiator, and how to build a leve

You can have the best inventory and marketing plan for your independent practice, but if your team isn't trained to back it up, it does no good to you - Kayla Ashlee. In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Kayla Ashlee, CEO of Spexy, a US-based optical training resource that addresses the most critical struggles of independent practices. Kayla discusses the role of structured training and how practices can maximise their team's potential to improve patient experience, b

What if the advice we failed to give is the very reason our patients are now struggling with eye health issues? At what point will they...

She drove patients to the hospital by herself three times because there was no other choice - here's what a rural independent practice...

What does it take to scale an independent practice successfully? In this episode, Michael Nasser talks with Belinda Musitano of...

You might think to yourself, I'm a good leader! Okay, but does your self-awareness match how your team perceives you? In this episode,...

Are you curious about where the optical industry is headed and what it means for you as an eye care professional? In this episode,...