Does growing your practice come down to balancing hard data with human insight? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Erich Mattei, President and Chief Vision Officer of Akrinos. With nearly two decades of experience guiding optometry practices through every stage of growth, Erich shares why courage, clarity, and customization matter more than copying someone else’s playbook. Together, they explore the biggest pitfalls practice owners face at different stages of growth, why “hard analytics” alone aren’t enough, and how a renewed interest in private practice is shaping the future of optometry. This conversation is a deep dive into building a practice that’s not just profitable, but sustainable and fulfilling.

Takeaways:

• Successful growth starts with knowing what you actually want, not what’s trending online. Before making decisions about expansion, technology, or staffing, get clear on your vision and make sure every move supports it.
• Hard analytics tell you what’s happening in your business, but soft analytics tell you why it feels wrong or right. Pay attention to patient experience, team morale, and workflow friction, because those signals often reveal issues before the numbers do.
• Growth strategies must match your market, not someone else’s success story. What works in one city, demographic, or practice model can be disastrous in another if applied without context.
• Building the right advisory team early can prevent costly mistakes later. Surrounding yourself with professionals who understand your goals allows you to move faster with more confidence and fewer regrets.
• Technology should serve your strategy, not define it. Make sure you have a clear plan for implementation, pricing, and patient communication before investing in new equipment or software.

Quote of the Show:

• “ I believe now we are in the golden age of utilizing technology to delight our patients, to serve our team in workflows, and to grow profitability, but only if we do it the right way.” - Erich Mattei

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erich-mattei-0b99549/  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erich.mattei  
• Company website: https://akrinos.com/  
• Email: [email protected] 
• Book a Meeting with Ankit: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ankit98/optometry-redefined?uuid=e5cd456c-9db4-42c7-b106-2b6e250a6d01 
• Optometry Redefined Book: https://www.amazon.com/Optometry-Redefined-Master-Resourcing-Performance/dp/B0FKJTZGJ3/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image 

Shoutouts:

• Ciotti Eye Care: https://www.ciottieyecare.com/ 
• Litchfield Optometry: https://litchfieldoptometrist.com/#  
• True Vision Oklahoma: https://www.truevisionoklahoma.com/  

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5w1H9BBwRXvBSSkexePYxG 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optometrists-building-empires/id1762685070 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/689a039b-54ce-4f04-b641-66d8640d93d0 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/optometrists-building-empires-5812208