Remembering my grandpa: 3 financial lessons learned from Grandpa and Grandma Scholz that can shape your relationship with money
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Release Date: 01/05/2026
Getting unstuck from the messy middle of business operations with Mandy Brown
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Ever feel like you're stuck in the "messy middle" and on the operations "hamster wheel" in your practice? If so, this one's for you. Mandy Brown joins me to talk about operational efficiency and what it really takes to run a well-functioning optometry practice. We discuss the challenges practice owners face with delegation, the importance of hiring the right people, and developing an operational mindset that supports long-term success. Mandy also shares how virtual assistants can play a meaningful role in freeing up time, improving focus, and helping owners work more intentionally on...
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SNEAK PEEK: This is why you're losing money with vision plans - The Optometry Success Podcast
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
In this episode, we explore how we can shift from traditional scopes of practice to a more intentional, patient-centric approach. We dive into embracing managed vision care plans, redefining our billing practices, and using strategic communication to better serve our patients. Along the way, we share actionable insights to improve practice efficiency and patient outcomes as optometry continues to evolve. Hosted By Adam Cmejla, CFP and Chad Fleming, OD, FAAO Have a question? Submit it Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: Subscribe on Spotify: The Optometry Success...
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Design tips to maximize the patient experience (and thus your profitability) with Bill Gerber
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
You know optical design is important, but you also know it's complicated. Where do you begin? How much should you spend? What should you focus on? On this episode, my guest on today’s show is Bill Gerber, founder and CEO of the Optical Marketing Group. Bill joins me to talk about the role practice design plays in patient experience and overall financial performance. We discuss how thoughtful design can influence capture rates, why understanding your ideal patient avatar matters, and how to recognize when your space needs a refresh. Bill also shares common design pitfalls, how...
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PREVIEW: The Optometry Success Podcast - Reducing business risk when adding associate ODs in an established practice
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
The Optometry Success Podcast, hosted by Adam Cmejla, CFP and Chad Fleming, OD, FAAO helps private-practice optometrists build profitable, sustainable businesses with clarity and confidence. Hosted by Adam Cmejla, CFP—a financial planner and CFO to ODs nationwide—and Chad Fleming, OD, FAAO—a multi-location practice owner with decades of hands-on experience—each 20-minute episode delivers practical strategies and actionable insights you can apply right away. From leadership and financials to team culture, operations, and growth, this is your weekly dose of real-world advice for...
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Why value creation matters more than timing your exit: a conversation with Tom Turmell
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
If you wait until you’re ready to sell to start planning, you’re already late. My guest on today’s show is Tom Turmell, founder of TMT Capital. Tom joins me to talk about practice ownership, succession planning, and what optometrists need to understand long before they ever think about selling their practice. We discuss why creating value ahead of a transition matters, the importance of having the right advisory team in place, and how personal goals should drive exit decisions—not the other way around. Tom also shares why checking out during the sale process can be costly and...
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How one owner left his practice for 30 days—and why more owners should consider it
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
If you've ever felt chained to your practice and the thought of stepping away for an extended period of time felt impossible, I PROMISE you do not want to miss this inspiring and yet very pragmatic conversation. Dr. Jeremy Ciano joins me back on the show to share his journey of taking a recent sabbatical and what it taught him about business and life. We talk about the challenges of stepping away from a practice, the importance of intentional planning, and building a team that can operate without the owner being involved day to day. Jeremy also reflects on the personal growth that came...
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Flippin' the script: What I've learned about ODs & the profession of optometry producing 300+ episodes of 20/20 Money
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
In this derivative of a show takeover, Dr. Brianna Rue interviews me to explore my journey in podcasting and the insights I've has gained about the optometry profession. We discuss the challenges optometrists face, the importance of financial literacy, and many other lessons I've learned through and because of the conversations I've had on this show. We cover a lot in this dialogue and—among many topics—our conversation emphasizes the need for clarity in goals, the significance of delegation, and the value of building relationships in practice ownership. Towards the end of the conversation...
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Improving your practice by tracking the right KPIs (and ignoring the wrong ones) with Nathan Hayes
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Most practice owners know they should be tracking specific measurables in their practice that will help them understand their paths to profitability. But which metrics should you track, and which ones are more vanity metrics than they are useful and beneficial towards running a profitable and growing practice? In this conversation, Nathan Hayes and I explore the many different KPIs that we have heard practice owners track over the years and the ones we believe all practice owners should be tracking. Resources: ...
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A blueprint to successfully recruit ODs to join small town practices with Dr. Andy Yaryan, OD
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Arguably the biggest ongoing challenge practice owners face can be lumped into staff—both OD and non-OD alike. This challenge can be amplified for owners in small town/rural practices. Hear from successful practice owner Dr. Andy Yaryan on the approach he's taken to recruit and retain ODs in his small town practice, how he's making the intentional decisions to become a better leader and owner, and the significant results those decisions have had on his life—personally and professionally. Resources: Check out Adam's new book: ...
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Remembering my grandpa: 3 financial lessons learned from Grandpa and Grandma Scholz that can shape your relationship with money
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
On this episode, I wanted to share a bit of a personal story about 3 lessons that I learned from my grandparents that have in large part shaped the money story and lessons that have guided my financial journey and how I view and use money money in my life. I hope this conversations gives you a benchmark and different viewpoint to compare your own money values and purpose. If you feel like you don’t have a grasp on your own money story and purpose, my hope is that it inspires you to start thinking intentionally about how you make spending and investing decisions with your dollars. ...
info_outlineOn this episode, I wanted to share a bit of a personal story about 3 lessons that I learned from my grandparents that have in large part shaped the money story and lessons that have guided my financial journey and how I view and use money money in my life. I hope this conversations gives you a benchmark and different viewpoint to compare your own money values and purpose. If you feel like you don’t have a grasp on your own money story and purpose, my hope is that it inspires you to start thinking intentionally about how you make spending and investing decisions with your dollars.
Resources:
Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit
20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass
Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice
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