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
Release Date: 12/15/2025
Using EOS to Create Clarity and Traction in Your Practice with Tom Restivo
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Ever wonder if, when, or how to build stronger operations within your practice? In this episode, I sit down with Tom Restivo to unpack EOS and what it looks like to build a stronger operational foundation inside an optometric practice. Tom shares his experience leading a rapidly growing eye care organization through expansion, complexity, and the pressures that eventually exposed where systems were missing. We talk about why growth without structure creates avoidable friction, how core values shape hiring and leadership decisions, and why vision has to be more than a vague idea if you want...
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How a Limiting Mindset Can Cost Practice Owners More Than They Realize with Dr. Steve Vargo
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
In this episode I sit down with Dr. Steve Vargo to unpack a mindset that many practice owners quietly wrestle with: the belief that there is no longer money to be made in the basics of optometry. We start with a real question from a practice owner who feels discouraged by stagnant reimbursements and declining capture rates, and use it as a springboard to discuss the deeper issue underneath it all: communication. Steve explains why successful practices are not necessarily dependent on adding new cash pay services, but instead on improving how doctors listen, communicate, and guide...
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Independence vs Isolation in Private Practice with John Marvin
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
In this episode I sit down with John Marvin to explore a challenging but important idea for private practice owners: the difference between independence and isolation. We unpack John’s perspective on why fierce independence can sometimes limit growth when it prevents doctors from learning from others or leveraging the resources already available to them. Our conversation touches on mindset, the importance of personal growth as a business owner, and why building something bigger than yourself often requires becoming comfortable with discomfort. If you are thinking about the long term...
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The Blueprint for Growing a Multi-Million-Dollar Optometry Practice with Dr. Kurt Steele
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Most optometrists think growth comes from better marketing or more patients—but the real advantage often starts somewhere much less obvious: your team and your culture. In this episode of 20/20 Money, Dr. Kurt Steele joins me back on the show to discuss the leadership philosophy and operational frameworks that helped him build a thriving multi-million-dollar optometry practice while developing future leaders inside the organization. The conversation explores why the strongest practices aren’t simply focused on production or patient volume, but instead invest heavily in...
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Sponsoring a health insurance plan in your practice may not be as expensive as you think
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Health insurance is one of the most confusing and frustrating decisions practice owners face. In this episode I sit down with Matt Allen, founder of Iconic Insurance, to break down the real options available to optometric practice owners and their teams. We walk through the three primary approaches to offering coverage including fully funded plans, self funded plans, and reimbursement strategies. Matt explains how each structure works, when they make sense, and why understanding the risk profile of your team can dramatically impact cost and plan design. We also spend time discussing a...
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Tax Strategies to Embrace and Avoid & A Case Study on Where to Look for Errors on Your Tax Return: My Guest Appearance on Eye Own A Business Podcast
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Many optometrists are either leaving money on the table with their tax strategy—or unknowingly pushing the boundaries of tax law. Today’s episode is my guest appearance on Dr. Steve Vargo’s Eye Own a Business Podcast. Steve invited me onto his show to talk about tax planning for optometrists—specifically the strategies practice owners should be embracing right now, the ones they should avoid, and where costly mistakes often show up on tax returns. In our conversation, we walk through several examples of where optometric practice owners tend to be either too conservative...
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How VOSH International is changing global eye care—and how you can be part of it w/ Dr. Vicki Weiss, President of VOSH International
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
In this episode I sit down with Dr. Vicki Weiss, president of VOSH International, to talk about how optometrists can use their clinical skills to create impact far beyond their own practices. We discuss how VOSH has evolved from the traditional short term clinic model into a global organization focused on education, partnership, and strengthening optometric care in low and middle income countries. Dr. Weiss shares how she became involved, what the organization looks like today, and the many ways ODs can contribute through time, talent, and treasure. If you have ever wondered how your work as...
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Chemistry in the practice: why alignment beats authority with Dr. Todd Cohan, Polly Stearns, & Sadie Blair
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Recording live from IDOC Connection in Orlando, I sit down with Dr. Todd Cohan, Sadie Blair, and Polly Stearns from Forsight Vision and Midwest Dry Eye Center to talk about the relationship between vision and execution inside a growing private practice. We go into the dynamic between the owner (visionary) and the operations lead (integrator), and why that chemistry matters more than most doctors realize. We discuss leadership cadence, how they structure weekly meetings, how goals are set and tracked, and what it looks like to invest in developing internal talent. We also unpack the real...
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SNEAK PEEK: How to give patients choices when in the exam lane - The Optometry Success Podcast
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
In this episode, we share how to confidently give patients clear choices in the exam lane without creating confusion or pushback around vision and medical care. We explain how setting expectations early and taking ownership of clear communication builds trust and increases acceptance of follow up visits. We also touch on how to structure your schedule to support shorter, more frequent visits and why giving patients ownership of their decisions improves both the patient experience and practice profitability. Hosted By Adam Cmejla, CFP and Chad Fleming, OD, FAAO Have a question? Submit...
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Why you can't ignore AI as a practice owner (and a beginner's path to using it) with Eugene Shatsman
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Eugene joins me to talk about how artificial intelligence is showing up in optometry and why there’s a growing gap between how patients use AI in their daily lives and how most practices are adopting it. We discuss how this shift is changing patient expectations, what it means for the patient journey, and where practices can use AI to improve engagement, communication, and efficiency—without losing the human element of care. We wrap up with a look at where AI in healthcare is headed and how practice owners can use it intentionally to enhance both patient experience and practice...
info_outlineAlmost 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 addition to sharing what Paul has created with GRT, the concepts and benefits we're discussing in today's episode are what we are striving to accomplish with OD Masterminds (link in the show notes). The important NBS for you: find your tribe and structure that fits you best—and helps you make progress.
Resources:
Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit
20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass
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For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our episode archive here!