Yes: 52%

• We belong to the local Chamber of Commerce and sponsor a local cycling team. A shared passion for cycling between our office and our patients has created some really unique marketing opportunities and given us a lot of word-of-mouth business. Sometimes, thinking outside the usual business affiliations can pay off in big ways. — Becky Furuta, Avenue Vision, Golden, CO
• Zwin, a women in business networking group. They are all extremely supportive of each other’s business. I just joined and many of them have already become patients. — Nytarsha Thomas, OD, Visionelle Eyecare, Zionsville, IN
• BNI. We have gotten referrals and business leads through this. — Stacey Korte, Rockford Family Eyecare, Rockford, MI
• 440 Junction in the Tech Tech Building of Detroit, a fellow entrepreneurs network. — Will Taylor, Eye 2 Eye Contact, Northville, MI
• Rotary, lots of members have become patients. — Kenneth D. Boltz, OD, Dublin, OH
• Highlands Commerce Guild, Louisville Independent Business Association. It is a good way to get to know our neighbors and the concerns that other local business owners have. Also, great networking, I have gotten multiple exams from members and them recommending us to others. — Michael Martorana, OD, Falls City Eye Care, Louisville, KY
• Our local Chamber of Commerce really supports small businesses. They promote our business in every community event, online, and acts as a support group for entrepreneurs. — Leah Johnson, Central Texas Eye Center, San Marcos, TX
• Stars Networking, we get a lot of patients that were referred by members. — Amy Pelak, Proview Eyecare Optometry, Corona, CA
• Local historic society. Lions Club. Always brings in a few new patients but only a small percentage. Belong more as a service to the community rather than hoping for lots of new patients. — Scott Keating, OD, Vision Trends, Dover, OH
• Junior League. The referrals are amazing from the relationships I have created! — Katie McElvaine, OD, Springfield Family Vision, Springfield, MO
• Rotary for 36 years, past president. Many Rotarians see me for eyecare. Commerce Club for three years.; it’s a business referral group and most of the members see me for eyecare. — Robert M Easton, Jr., OD, FAAO, Oakland Park, FL
• BNI because it requires members to give qualified referrals. — Kaleena Ma, MK Vision Center, Forest Hills, NY
• Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, and Small Business Council. I like being involved in my community and want to contribute any way I can. — Selina McGee, OD, Precision Vision, Edmond, OK
• Rotary Club, Local and County Chamber of Commerce, School Sports & Band Booster. The Chamber of Commerce offers so much to promote local business. They also offer courses on business topics, such as social media, local tax laws, advertisement, and buying trends in the area. They do a huge amount of online and print advertising for their members as well. — Jennifer Leuzzi, Mill Creek Optical, Dansville, NY
• We started a local business association for our 15-block business district. We had a festival in July. — Cindy Seemann, Design Vision Optical, Wauwatosa, WI
• Chamber of Commerce, Rotary and Lions Club. Never joined to get patients, joined to serve the community. The more you serve, the patients become a byproduct of service. — Texas L. Smith, OD, Dr. Texas L. Smith & Associates, Citrus Heights, CA

No: 48%

• I am still looking for one that fits both my schedule and what I am looking for. — Lee Dodge, OD, Visualeyes Optometry, Sherman Oaks, CA
• I think it may have been a poor decision to not join business organizations because after 20 years I’ve finally figured out there is a lot of money lost by just being the doctor and not managing my business. — Marc Ullman, OD, Academy Vision, Pine Beach, NJ
• I am not working at a brick and mortar office at the present time. — Martha Davenport, Safe Vision, Wheatfield, IN
• I do not have the time for it. — Michael Davis, OD, Opti-Care, Eldersburg, MD
• Our doc isn’t even a member of the AOA, so I don’t see him getting involved with something smaller. — Josh Bladh, Dr. Bladh OD, Diamond Bar, CA

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