What if the biggest threat to your practice isn't reimbursement, competition, or overhead—but the way you hire, lead, and retain people?

In today's episode, I'm joined by Mike Dixon, president of Hoops, for a conversation every practice owner needs to hear. We unpack why staffing issues feel so hard, why most owners were never trained to lead, and how the right systems can turn your team from your biggest headache into your greatest competitive advantage. If you've ever said, "I just can't find good people," this episode may challenge the way you think about the real problem—and the real opportunity.

Resources:

FEAR Setting Exercise from Tim Ferriss

HoopsHr.com

Book a Triage call with Adam

Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

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

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The Optometry Success Podcast

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4tttng6

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The financial decisions you make early in your career can shape the next several decades—and most people don't realize it until much later. On this episode, I'm sharing a presentation I recently gave to students at the Indiana University School of Optometry on the timeless financial and business lessons every optometrist should understand. I discuss the power of compounding, how to think about saving priorities, student loans, disability and life insurance, and why your income is your greatest wealth-building tool. I also cover important concepts on the business side of optometry, including ownership, practice valuation, buying in, cold starts, and why some of the best opportunities in the profession are often overlooked because of geography. Whether you're a student, recent grad, or experienced provider, this episode is about making intentional decisions with your money so you can create more confidence, options, and freedom over time.

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

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

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Apple Podcasts

Spotify —————————————————————————————

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

Check out Adam's other podcast!

The Optometry Success Podcast

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4tttng6

Subscribe on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4tuf0YM

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 your team aligned.

We also get practical about how EOS actually works inside a practice. Tom breaks down the six key components of the system, the role of the Vision Traction Organizer, how Rocks help teams focus on the right priorities, and why Level 10 Meetings can transform communication and accountability. If you are feeling like the business is starting to run you instead of the other way around, this conversation offers a useful framework for creating more clarity, consistency, and traction in your practice.

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

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

Tom Restivo's LinkedIn

EOS Worldwide

Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman

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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!

Check out Adam's other podcast!

The Optometry Success Podcast

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4tttng6

Subscribe on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4tuf0YM

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 patients toward solutions that solve real problems. If you have ever felt frustrated by patients walking with their prescriptions or wondered whether the future of your practice depends on adding the next new service, this conversation will challenge that assumption and give you practical ideas to improve both patient outcomes and the financial performance of your practice.

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

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

Connect with Dr. Steve Vargo on LinkedIn

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Apple Podcasts

Spotify —————————————————————————————

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

Check out Adam's other podcast!

The Optometry Success Podcast

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4tttng6

Subscribe on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4tuf0YM

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 future of your practice and how to strengthen private practice in an evolving profession, this discussion will challenge the way you think about leadership, collaboration, and the role you play in the success of your business.

On a personal note, I really enjoy my conversations with John. I usually get a number of pieces of feedback from listeners when I have him on the show. He's been around the profession and business of optometry for decades, and I certainly appreciate his candor, perspective, and opinions. I trust you as a listener do as well.

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

Private Practice Was Not Defeated by Corporate, It Surrendered

Connect with John Marvin on LinkedIn

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Apple Podcasts

Spotify —————————————————————————————

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

Check out Adam's other podcast!

The Optometry Success Podcast

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4tttng6

Subscribe on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4tuf0YM

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 building engaged teams, creating ownership opportunities, and designing a culture where people feel personally invested in the success of the practice.

We also talk about the realities of practice ownership today—from the growing influence of private equity to the decline of independent ownership in healthcare—and why developing future partners inside your practice can be one of the most powerful ways to preserve independence.

Along the way, Kurt shares practical frameworks that practice owners can implement immediately, including how to track meaningful practice KPIs and how to implement operational improvements using a 7-30-90 strategic plan.

Whether you're early in your ownership journey or beginning to think about the long-term transition of your practice, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at what it really takes to build a practice designed to grow, endure, and eventually pass on.

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

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

Check out Dr Kurt Steele's website here

Purchase a copy of Dr. Steele's book, "We're Not Selling, We're Winning: The Simple Blueprint That Grew Our Practice from $280K to $4M" on Amazon

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 second scenario many practice owners eventually face: the gap between selling a practice and becoming eligible for Medicare. Matt shares how the Affordable Care Act marketplace works, how income planning can impact premium subsidies, and why network design is one of the most overlooked risks when transitioning from employer coverage to individual plans. If you have ever felt overwhelmed trying to navigate health insurance decisions for yourself or your team, this episode will give you a clearer framework for evaluating your options.

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

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

Iconic Insurance

Connect with Matt Allen on LinkedIn

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 or too aggressive with their tax strategies, the difference between proactive tax strategy and reactive tax preparation, and a practical case study highlighting an error that occurred on an OD's tax return—and what correcting that mistake will mean for them going forward.

If you've ever wondered whether you might be leaving money on the table when it comes to taxes—or potentially putting yourself on the wrong side of tax law—this episode should help you think a little differently about where to look and what questions to ask.

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

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

————————————————————————————— 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!

Check out Adam's other podcast!

The Optometry Success Podcast

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4tttng6

Subscribe on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4tuf0YM

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 an optometrist could make a broader difference in the world, this conversation offers a practical and inspiring place to start.

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

Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

VOSH Website

Video of a VOSH Mission

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Apple Podcasts

Spotify —————————————————————————————

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

Check out Adam's other podcast!

The Optometry Success Podcast

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4tttng6

Subscribe on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4tuf0YM

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 risk and reward of moving a top producer into a leadership role, how they think about KPIs and staff engagement, and the systems they use to keep everyone aligned.

If you're thinking about growth, delegation, or strengthening your leadership bench, this episode will give you a practical framework to consider.

Resources:

Harnessing the power and momentum from optometry meetings with your operations manager: a conversation with Dr. Todd Cohan & Sadie Blair

Ted Lasso: "Be curious, not judgemental"

Book a Triage call with Adam

Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit

20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass

OD Mastermind Interest Form Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

Midwest Dry Eye Center

Forsight Vision

————————————————————————————— 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!

Check out Adam's other podcast!

The Optometry Success Podcast

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4tttng6

Subscribe on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4tuf0YM