Michelle Kelley is the Director of Ophthalmic Materials and Services and a licensed dispensing optician at the Southern College of Optometry, a leading institution for optometric education in the US. Under her leadership, the college dispenses over 20,000 frames annually and trains future optometrists in best practices for optical management, including board management and customer service. Michelle recently completed her MBA while balancing her professional responsibilities and personal life, and enjoys teaching innovative business strategies to the next generation of eye care professionals.

In this episode…

Every optical board tells a story, but not every story leads to growth. Some practices unknowingly let thousands of dollars sit frozen on their shelves, while others thrive by treating every frame like an active investment. What if managing your board felt less like guesswork and more like a reliable strategy for financial health and patient satisfaction?

According to Michelle Kelley, a seasoned expert in optical operations and training, the answer starts with seeing your board for what it truly is: money on display. For Michelle, the key lies in understanding not just how many frames you carry, but why those frames deserve a place on your board. Instead of buying blindly or filling space with whatever looks appealing, she walks through a data-driven approach that ties inventory to actual patient behavior. Michelle explains how the right mix of vendors, assigned board spaces, and consistent turn rates can transform a chaotic board into a predictable revenue engine. 

In this episode of the Cleinman Connect Podcast, Kim Carson is joined by Michelle Kelley, Director of Ophthalmic Materials and Services at the Southern College of Optometry, to discuss how to build a smarter, more profitable approach to board management. You’ll hear how to calculate the ideal number of frames for your practice, why assigning board space to vendors keeps your spending in check, and how to choose styles that actually reflect your patient base.