20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry

20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry, hosted by Certified Financial Planner and experienced Wealth Adviser Adam Cmejla, aims to bring clarity to financial concepts and strategies that impact optometrists. For more information on the show and on Adam, please visit https://www.integratedpwm.com/

If you think "sales" is a dirty word, this episode was made just for you. 11/17/2025

From the Exam Room to the Executive Table: A Conversation with Dr. Pete Kehoe on How Managed Vision Care Can Enhance the Provider Experience 11/10/2025

Solving for optionality and the importance of community up to and through retirement with Roger Whitney 11/03/2025

Solving for optionality and the importance of community up to and through retirement with Roger Whitney On this episode, we explore the unique intersection of financial planning and personal growth, discussing the importance of thinking on our thinking, the paradigm shift from accumulating to decumulating assets, and the role of community in achieving financial confidence. Roger shares insights from his Rock Retirement Club, emphasizing the value of optionality and the art of managing complex problems. Whether you're planning for retirement or simply curious about financial wisdom, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/38885050

Educate & inform, don't sell: a patient experience conversation with Tim Merrigan from Acquios Advisors 10/27/2025

Educate & inform, don't sell: a patient experience conversation with Tim Merrigan from Acquios Advisors There are few episodes where I tell you to rewind and listen again to something that a guest has says. This is one of those episodes. From the importance of using the patient's name to offering appointment options without directly asking if they want to schedule, this conversation with Tim is a great example of why words matter in all aspects of the patient experience. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Tim Merrigan. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/38787330

Where's my money?! with Sharon Carter 10/20/2025

Where's my money?! with Sharon Carter Ever wonder where all your money's going in your practice? Sharon's here to share the "usual suspects" of practice (mis)management that's costing practice owners tens (sometimes hundreds) of thousands of dollars. We also highlight the importance of goal setting and creating a positive workplace culture to retain staff and drive practice growth. Lastly but importantly, if there's a topic that you hear us discuss that you'd like us to dive deeper into on a future episode, let me know! Email with your suggestion and Sharon has promised to come back on the show for a deeper dive on listener favorites. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Sharon Carter. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/38487370

Finding the right buyer: a PE sale built on trust, not just numbers, with Dr. Adam Bryan 10/13/2025

Finding the right buyer: a PE sale built on trust, not just numbers, with Dr. Adam Bryan Dr. Adam Bryan shares his journey of transitioning his optometry practice through a private equity sale. He discusses the evolving landscape of optometry ownership, the challenges and opportunities presented by private equity, and the importance of maintaining practice culture during the transition. Dr. Bryan reflects on the decision-making process, the negotiation of the sale, and the communication strategies employed with his team. He emphasizes the need for thorough due diligence and the significance of protecting one's legacy while considering various exit strategies. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Adam Bryan. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/38298405

Embracing vision plans to profitably grow your practice 10/06/2025

Embracing vision plans to profitably grow your practice Dr. Chris Smiley offers a contrarian—but experience-backed—perspective on one of the most divisive topics in optometry today: vision plans. While many private practice ODs are dropping them entirely, Dr. Smiley makes the case that with the right strategy, vision plans can actually be a powerful engine for growth, profitability, and sustainability. He challenges the myths around reimbursement, explains how to leverage Coordination of Benefits (COB), and breaks down how most high-volume practices still rely on vision plans to scale. This episode is for any OD who’s felt bullied by plans—but still wants to build a thriving private practice without burning bridges, burning themselves out, or missing hidden revenue. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Chris Smiley, OD. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/38395110

The legal side of selling to PE: setting expectations the right way 09/29/2025

The legal side of selling to PE: setting expectations the right way Let's discuss the legal intricacies of exiting a practice, particularly in the context of private equity transactions. On this episode, David Cohen and I explore the importance of managing expectations for sellers, understanding the valuation process, and the implications of debt and real estate ownership in practice sales. Our conversation emphasizes the need for thorough preparation and professional guidance to navigate the complexities of selling a practice successfully. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with David Cohen. Resources: Takeaways You will exit your business at some point. Exiting to a corporate buyer is very different than peer-to-peer transactions. Sellers need a realignment of expectations regarding control and changes post-sale. Understanding the enterprise value is crucial for sellers. Debt must be paid off at closing, complicating the sale process. Real estate ownership can impact the sale and lease agreements. Negotiating lease terms is essential to maintain property value. Expectations around performance metrics must be managed carefully. Professional guidance is vital in navigating practice sales. Preparation is key to avoid pitfalls in the selling process. ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/38384070

Selling with integrity: Dr. John Abbondaza's journey of ownership up to and through a sale to private equity 09/22/2025

Hidden financial compression squeezing optometry practices in 2025 (guest appearance on Power Hour) 09/15/2025

Is an 8x multiple on a $1M EBIDTA a good deal? A transition convo with Nathan Hayes 09/08/2025

Is an 8x multiple on a $1M EBIDTA a good deal? A transition convo with Nathan Hayes Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Nathan Hayes. In this episode, we discuss the complexities of business valuation and exit planning for optometry practices. We explore the importance of understanding cash flow, market multiples, and the necessity of being exit ready at all times. The conversation delves into the five D's of business exit planning, sources of value in a business, and the critical role of financial statements in preparing for a sale. We emphasize the need for proactive planning and knowing one's financial needs to ensure a successful transition out of practice ownership. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Nathan Hayes. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/38121645

How OD practice owners should think about long term care insurance with Bryan Langdon, CLU 09/01/2025

How OD practice owners should think about long term care insurance with Bryan Langdon, CLU Long term care (LTC) is a complicated, misunderstood, and emotional topic for any family to discuss. Even if you're a younger listener and think "Oh, this episode isn't applicable to me," I'd still encourage you to give it a listen as the topic of LTC is generational. On today's episode, Bryan and I discuss the basics of what LTC is and what it's not, the difference between LTC planning and LTC insurance, at what age a practice owner should consider evaluating options, and a tax-deductible way that practice owners can pay for the premium. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Bryan Langdon. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/38040370

Hidden gems in retirement planning: what practice owners might be missing after the sale with Taylor Schulte, CFP® 08/25/2025

Hidden gems in retirement planning: what practice owners might be missing after the sale with Taylor Schulte, CFP® Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Taylor Schulte, CFP®, host of the Stay Wealthy Retirement Show Podcast. In this episode, we discuss the often-overlooked aspects of retirement planning, focusing on the importance of understanding blind spots, the need for purpose in retirement, and the role of community. We explore cash management strategies, the limitations of the 4% rule, and the benefits of flexible withdrawal strategies to ensure a successful transition into retirement. Our conversation emphasizes the need for intentional planning and the significance of having a solid foundation for financial decisions in retirement. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Taylor Schulte. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our Takeaways Retirement planning should focus on what you are retiring to, not just what you are retiring from. Purpose and fulfillment are crucial in retirement; many underestimate this transition. Community involvement can significantly enhance the retirement experience. Cash management is vital during the transition to retirement to avoid emotional roller coasters. The 4% rule is outdated and overly conservative for many retirees. Flexible withdrawal strategies can provide more confidence and adaptability in retirement spending. Mistakes in retirement planning can have severe consequences due to the lack of time to recover. Diversifying investments is essential to manage risks during retirement. Having a cash war chest can help weather financial storms during retirement. The best investment plan is one that aligns with your personal goals and allows for flexibility. /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/37941140

A simple strategy to make the pain of quarterly estimates less (emotionally) stressful for optometry practice owners 08/18/2025

Lessons from the (former) President of TSO: cooperative strategies to counter PE disruption and empower private practice ownership with John Marvin 08/11/2025

Lessons from the (former) President of TSO: cooperative strategies to counter PE disruption and empower private practice ownership with John Marvin My guest today is John Marvin, former President of TSO (Texas State Optical). John joins me to talk about two intertwined issues reshaping private-practice optometry: the accelerating influence of private equity and the growing challenge of recruiting—and retaining—enough ODs to meet patient demand. We explore the cultural and financial trade-offs of PE consolidation, the shifting career aspirations of new graduates, and practical ways independent practices can protect their culture, stay competitive, and thrive. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with John Marvin. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/37600305

2024 Books & Benchmarks Report Discussion with Nathan Hayes 08/04/2025

2024 Books & Benchmarks Report Discussion with Nathan Hayes Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Nathan Hayes. Nathan joins me on the show to do a deep dive into 2024's Books & Benchmark's annual report. He shares ranges of the numbers that practice owners should really care about and should be tracking: COGS, non-OD staff expense, Associate OD comp ranges, occupancy costs, and G&A (general & administrative). We also talk about some of the lessons that practice owners can learn from these numbers and walk through a number of examples that both he and I have seen in our work with owners. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Nathan Hayes. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/37535830

Are Opportunity Zones really an opportunity or is the tax tail wagging the investment dog with Peter Lazaroff, CFA, CFP® 07/28/2025

Are Opportunity Zones really an opportunity or is the tax tail wagging the investment dog with Peter Lazaroff, CFA, CFP® Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today’s show is . Peter joins me to examine whether the much-touted tax benefits of opportunity zones (OZs) justify the risks required, or if investors are letting the “tax tail” wag the investment dog. We cover how OZs work, what the new One BBB Act means for the program’s future, and practical ways optometric practice owners can decide whether rolling a large capital gain into an OZ—or into something else—really serves their overall financial plan. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Peter Lazaroff. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/37511395

Building my ideal "Frankenstein" practice discourse, 3 important practice metric numbers to focus on, and examples of AI use in practice with Dr. Dodge Perry, OD 07/21/2025

Building my ideal "Frankenstein" practice discourse, 3 important practice metric numbers to focus on, and examples of AI use in practice with Dr. Dodge Perry, OD Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Dr. Dodge Perry, OD. Dodge joins me on the show to have an open discussion after listening to my "Frankenstein" episode, which was inspired by him asking me the question "If I could create an ideal private practice, what would go into that decision making process?" We discuss the intricacies of setting up an optometry practice, emphasizing the importance of location, financial planning, and the role of AI in practice management. We explore how personal and professional lives intersect in decision-making, the significance of understanding financial metrics, and the evolving landscape of patient experience in the context of technological advancements. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Dodge Perry, OD. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/37471820

What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act means for optometry private practice owners & their financial planning 07/14/2025

What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act means for optometry private practice owners & their financial planning In this episode of 20/20 Money, I break down some of the most impactful tax and planning changes introduced in the recently passed Big Beautiful Bill Act—Congress’s sweeping update to the tax code that makes many TCJA provisions permanent while adding new wrinkles that matter to private practice owners. Whether you’re thinking about how to reduce your taxable income, maximize deductions, or just stay ahead of legislative changes that affect your financial life, this episode is designed to help you take stock and plan strategically. 🏡 Individual Tax Provisions SALT cap increase to $40,000 through 2029, with phase-down for high earners QBI deduction made permanent, with higher income thresholds Return of personal exemptions and new senior standard deduction Expanded Child and Dependent Care Credit: up to $7,500 Introduction of Trump Accounts: tax-advantaged savings accounts for minors Increased EV tax credit with potential application to business purchases 🧾 Business Tax Planning 100% bonus depreciation made permanent Section 179 deduction limit increased to $3 million Updated QBI deduction strategies for S-corp owners and those near the new thresholds ⚠️ Watch-Outs and Questionable Strategies Can you use 529 plan funds for CE expenses? (Short answer: only if they’re required for credentialing) New car loan interest deduction—but don’t overbuy just for the tax break Overtime and tip income exclusions for employees—opportunities for staff retention, but not game-changers for owners 🧮 Interesting Items Tucked into the Bill 1099 reporting threshold increased from $600 → $2,000 (finally!) No unemployment benefits for individuals earning > $1 million/year Debt ceiling raised by $5 trillion—and why that doesn’t mean the Fed is buying debt 📌 Key Takeaway: This legislation reshapes both personal and business tax planning for optometric practice owners. It’s a great time to revisit your compensation strategy, equipment financing, gifting plans, and entity structure—especially before year-end 2025 when many provisions take effect. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/37395360

5 common decisions that prevent ODs from achieving financial independence 07/07/2025

5 common decisions that prevent ODs from achieving financial independence Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money. In the spirit of Independence Day, today’s episode explores a different kind of freedom—financial independence—and the common decisions that often stand in the way of achieving it. I walk through five recurring mistakes I see optometric practice owners make that limit their long-term financial freedom, both personally and professionally. From overleveraging and ignoring balance sheets to misjudging the impact of time and delaying planning altogether, these decisions can quietly undermine your goals. My hope is that this episode prompts you to evaluate which of these areas might be holding you back—and take steps now to build a more intentional path toward true independence. Topics covered include: – The hidden cost of overleveraging in life and business – How time and money intersect in your practice profitability – Why your balance sheet matters more than your income – The danger of relying solely on your practice sale for retirement – The importance of creating an integrated personal and professional plan Next Best Step: Take 10 minutes this week to identify which of these five decisions may be showing up in your life—and commit to course-correcting just one of them before year-end. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/37301440

ANOTHER 20/20 Takeover: Your favorite KPIs (and why?!) w/ Drs. Jennifer Stewart, OD & Jeremy Ciano, OD 06/30/2025

ANOTHER 20/20 Takeover: Your favorite KPIs (and why?!) w/ Drs. Jennifer Stewart, OD & Jeremy Ciano, OD Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guests on today's show are my two good friends—and successful practice owners—Drs. Jeremy Ciano and Jennifer Stewart, OD. This is another takeover episode, so I'm honestly not sure where they'll take the conversation. The only direction I gave them was the title of the episode, so I'm just as curious as you are as to where the conversation will lead! As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this take over episode with Drs. Jennifer Stewart, OD and Jeremy Ciano, OD. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/37212285

The delegation journey...and why every practice owner should be on it! with Dr. Michael Neal, OD 06/23/2025

The delegation journey...and why every practice owner should be on it! with Dr. Michael Neal, OD Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money. My guest on today’s show is Dr. Michael Neal, OD. Mike joins me on the show to talk about the evolution of delegation as a practice owner—specifically, the journey of learning to trust your team with everything outside of your core revenue-producing activities. We share our own experiences with delegation, what it looked like early on, how our thinking evolved, and the impact it’s had on our ability to focus on our Unique Abilities™ and lead more effectively. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Mike Neal, OD. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/37106855

Using data to determine the best location for your practice with Mike Jorgenson from Carr Healthcare Realty 06/16/2025

Using data to determine the best location for your practice with Mike Jorgenson from Carr Healthcare Realty Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Mike Jorgenson from Mike joins me back on the show to talk about what goes into a demographics search when evaluating the location of a practice—and he does it from both a cold start as well as existing practice's point of view. We talk about the minimum OD:population ratio that's generally advisable when setting up or buying a practice and other details as it pertains to the factors that influence the demographics of a practice's location. Our conversation then transitions into, well...practice transitions! Whether a selling doctor leases or owns the real estate that the practice is located in, Mike shares important real estate considerations that both sides—buyer and seller alike—should be thinking about and and proactively planning. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Mike Jorgenson. Resources: . ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/37017440

The power of community, stopping the "race to the bottom," educating ODs on practice affordability, discussing the Associate OD shortage, and more with Dr. Mick Kling, OD 06/09/2025

The power of community, stopping the "race to the bottom," educating ODs on practice affordability, discussing the Associate OD shortage, and more with Dr. Mick Kling, OD Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today’s show is Dr. Mick Kling, OD. Mick joins me back on the show to talk about the power of community within the profession and how optometrists can avoid the “race to the bottom” when it comes to pricing by focusing on delivering and communicating value to their patients. We also discuss how to evaluate the affordability of a practice, the tools available to help aspiring owners make informed decisions, the current shortage of associate ODs, and the importance of building strategic partnerships throughout a practice owner’s career. Be sure to check out the show notes for a number of helpful resources we reference throughout our conversation. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. Lastly, if you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Mick Kling, OD Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/36908180

From blank to bank: How a $35 lens becomes a $525 sale by finishing in-house with Dr. Mike Satryan, OD 06/02/2025

From blank to bank: How a $35 lens becomes a $525 sale by finishing in-house with Dr. Mike Satryan, OD Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money. My guest on today's show is Dr. Mike Satryan, OD, a partner with in Altoona, PA. Mike is a long-time practice owner who brings over 25 years of experience running an in-house optical lab within their practice. We dive into the substantial cost savings his practice has realized by finishing lenses on-site and how that margin improvement supports a compensation model tied to gross revenue growth. We explore how having an in-house lab not only boosts profitability but also enhances second-pair and annual contact lens supply conversions, thanks in part to a more efficient optical experience. He also shares his buying criteria when evaluating edgers, what ultimately influenced his choice of supplier, and whether the edger is patient-facing or kept behind the scenes. Whether you’re a solo OD or managing a multi-doctor practice, this conversation offers valuable insight into the operational and financial upside of bringing lens finishing in-house. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Mike Satryan, OD. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/36808675

The home loan balancing act: smart mortgage moves for optometry practice owners with Lee Raykovicz, OD 05/26/2025

The home loan balancing act: smart mortgage moves for optometry practice owners with Lee Raykovicz, OD Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Lee Raykovicz, OD, a mortgage broker with Go Rascal Mortgages. On today's episode we dive into what goes into the mortgage underwriting process, how practice owners can get creative when it comes to purchasing their homes, the details on what Physician loans actually are and how they work, how to think about the total DTI ratio when thinking about your mortgage & student loans, and ARM strategy ideas in today's rate environment. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Lee Raykovicz. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/36706760

REWIND: 3 financial lessons learned from my grandpa and grandma that can shape your relationship with money 05/19/2025

REWIND: 3 financial lessons learned from my grandpa and grandma that can shape your relationship with money Welcome to this REWIND episode of 20/20 Money! Given that my grandpa just recently celebrated his 96th birthday, I wanted to bring back this episode and share it again for new and long-time listeners alike. It's also a subtle reminder about the importance of understanding longevity risk in one's financial plan. I can only imagine the unfortunate situation my grandpa would be in had he and my grandma not had a sound investment strategy that has allowed them to build up a portfolio that has lasted the entirety of his retirement. 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. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/36616005

Schedule management, pre-appointing, & the importance of listening to your practice w/ Dr. Chris Wolfe, OD 05/12/2025

Schedule management, pre-appointing, & the importance of listening to your practice w/ Dr. Chris Wolfe, OD Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Dr. Chris Wolfe, OD. Chris joins me back on the show to talk about why it's important to be intentional about the business decisions you make in your practice and make those decisions based on data and a plan. We talk about this concept through the lens of schedule management and how to think about pre-appointing your patients within a practice, and it's in part based off some listener feedback that I received almost a year ago. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Chris Wolfe, OD. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/36524925

Increasing optical sales using influential communication with Kayla Ashlee (live on location from BCDO) 05/05/2025

Increasing optical sales using influential communication with Kayla Ashlee (live on location from BCDO) Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is . Kayla joins me on the show to discuss how the communication cues (or miscues) that unknowingly are happening in your office can be both positively or negatively impacting your patient experience and thus influencing the buying decisions of your patients. She shared examples of good and not-so-good cues that can be happening across the patient journey—from the moment the patient comes into your office all the way through their optical buying experience. This was a very enjoyable and timely conversation given the relative proximity to the Frankenstein episode I did a couple of weeks ago, because as I said in that episode, one of the investments I would make in both myself and my team as early as possible is good sales and communication training...and this confirmation was an example of why it's so important. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Kayla Ashlee. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/36428510

Let's RAGE!!! (a Rant Against Growth Excuses) with Nathan Hayes 04/28/2025

Let's RAGE!!! (a Rant Against Growth Excuses) with Nathan Hayes Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today’s show is Nathan Hayes with On this show, Nathan and I RAGE!! That's right, we Rant Against Growth Excuses. We talk about the common headwinds, obstacles, and challenges that we both hear when talking with practice owners...and how to think about solving those issues by thinking differently about the challenges. As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today’s conversation by visiting our website at and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that’s filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you’re interested in learning more about the 20/20 Money Financial Success Masterclass, a course & platform that we created to help ODs become “brilliant at the financial basics,” or are interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more. And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Nathan Hayes. Resources: ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our /episode/index/show/adoseoffinancialcents/id/36322500

20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry

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