ODs tend to be a pretty risk-averse group, which means failure and risk can be avoided or almost taboo topics. But risk is required for any type of return in life. So how should practice/business owners think about risk? If you're embarking on a new growth goals for your practice—like adding an associate doctor—how do you prepare for that investment into the practice and how long do you continue down that path if it's not working? How do you pivot and what are the financial decisions you can make to hedge the risk as best as possible?

Resources:

Book a Triage call with Adam

Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

Books & Benchmarks

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So much of business ownership is about your mindset. So what happens when you take the cognizant approach to shift your mindset from a practice owner to a CEO? What are the necessary strategies you must incorporate into your life if you want accomplish more but yet do it in the same (or less time)? And how does this work when you try and build a tech company on top of it all? Dr. Brianna Rhue, OD—co-founder of DrContactLens.com and owner of West Broward Eyecare Associates in Tamarac, FL—joins us back on the show to give us a peek behind what has worked for her as she has grown not only her private practice but also scaled her tech platform DrContactLens.com.

Resources:

Dr. Contact Lens website

West Broward Eyecare Associates

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

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For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our episode archive here!

In this episode, Dr. Steve Vargo returns to talk about a topic many ODs quietly struggle with: the role of sales in patient care and practice performance. Inspired by a recent post he shared on LinkedIn, we explore why certain KPIs feel frustrating to improve and how a simple shift in perspective can change the way doctors think about influencing patient outcomes.

Steve and I discuss the stories we tell ourselves about what "selling" means, why the word carries so much baggage in healthcare, and how a reframed definition can open the door to clearer communication and better patient experiences. We also look at how asking better questions—rather than doing more talking—can transform the way patients make decisions in the exam room.

If you've ever felt conflicted about the idea of sales in your practice, or if you're looking for more effective ways to guide patients toward the care they need, this conversation offers a refreshing and practical lens on a topic that's often misunderstood.

With that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Steve Vargo, OD.

Resources:

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

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Apple Podcasts

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For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our episode archive here!

Why has the profession of optometry had such a complicated relationship with VCPs (vision care plans) over the years? Some practice owners love them. Others despise them. Some practices are on all the panels. Some have intentionally jettisoned themselves from every plan and gone out of network entirely.

On this episode, which in a way serves as a follow-up discussion to my conversation with Dr. Chris Smiley, OD (link in the show notes), Dr. Pete Kehoe and I have an engaging and well-rounded discussion about VCPs and the role they can play in running a successful practice—and why it doesn't have to be a choice of embracing VCPs or running a profitable practice.

Before we get into today's episode, I want to make something explicitly clear about this conversation: This episode was not sponsored by EyeMed, Pete, or any other entity. I have never—nor will I ever—take a dollar of sponsorship or "pay to play" from a guest.

I realize that the profession continues to be divided on this topic, and my singular goal with this episode—and with this show in totality—is to bring the best proven practices, methods, and strategies to help you, the practice owner, run your business as best you can and use the profits from providing value to your patients to ultimately build wealth and achieve financial independence.

With that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Pete Kehoe, OD.

Resources:

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

Power Hour Episode: Managing Managed Care, Capture Rates and the Missing Middle for Practice Growth with Todd Lossone

EyeMed

20/20 Money Episode: Embracing vision plans to profitably grow your practice w/ Dr. Chris Smiley

Ted Lasso "Be curious, not judgemental" YouTube clip

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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 integratedpwm.com 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 set up a Triage conversation 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:

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

Rock Retirement Club

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Apple Podcasts

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For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our episode archive here!

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 integratedpwm.com 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 set up a Triage conversation 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:

https://acquios.com/

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

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Apple Podcasts

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For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our episode archive here!

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 [email protected] 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 integratedpwm.com 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 set up a Triage conversation 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:

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

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Apple Podcasts

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For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our episode archive here!

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 integratedpwm.com 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 set up a Triage conversation 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:

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms

Apple Podcasts

Spotify —————————————————————————————

For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our episode archive here!

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 integratedpwm.com 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 set up a Triage conversation 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:

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

20/20 Money Episode #223: How one OD used fear and the unknown to positively uplevel himself and his practice into a multi-location practice; a convo with Dr. Chris Smiley OD

Evaluating VCPs in your practice to determine which ones to cut with Dr. Adam Ramsey, OD

https://pumpkinplan.com/

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For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our episode archive here!

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 integratedpwm.com 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 set up a Triage conversation 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:

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

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.

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Apple Podcasts

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For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our episode archive here!