Why value creation matters more than timing your exit: a conversation with Tom Turmell
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Release Date: 02/09/2026
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 Dr. Chad Fleming, OD—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 real-world...
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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
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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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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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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. ...
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My most impactful books I read during 2025 (and the lessons I've learned)
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
In this reflective episode, we'll explore the most impactful books I've read in 2025. From exploring personal growth and professional evolution to sharing insights on leadership and success, I'll share the themes that shaped my year. I'll discusses the challenges and triumphs of balancing identity and ambition, hopefully offering valuable takeaways for optometry professionals and beyond. Book List: Driven: Understanding and Harnessing the Genetic Gifts Shared by Entrepreneurs, Navy SEALs, Pro Athletes, and Maybe YOU – Doug Brackmann ➡️ From Strength to Strength: Finding...
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The how and why of taking time (literally) out of the practice to work ON your practice with Drs. Julie Helmus & Paul Mormon, OD
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Almost every business owner knows they need to spend time working ON and not just IN their business. But what does it mean to take that concept to a whole new level by traveling and spending time outdoors with colleagues and strategic partners? Whether you choose to take time out of your business to work on your business and do it across town or across the country, this conversation with Drs. Julie Helmus, OD and Paul Mormon, OD talk about what it takes and means to truly invest in yourself by finding your tribe and community. This is also a perfect time to remind you, the listener, that in...
info_outlineIf 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 why starting the planning conversation years in advance is one of the best moves a practice owner can make.
Resources:
Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit
20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass
Current State & Business Plan Handout
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