Eyecare Professionals Offer Sage Advice … to Their Younger Selves

OUR EXPERIENCES – both the good ones and the bad – help shape the individuals we are today.

Of course, dwelling too long on any past experience – either good or bad – is of limited value.  The present waits for no one as it cascades endlessly into the future.

And yet…

What if we could go back in time and share just one bit of advice with a younger version of ourselves? What would you impart to the you of, say, a decade ago who may or may not have come down with a case of “Gangnam Style” fever? What sage counsel would you offer to the you of 2002 when the world still (kinda) liked Nickelback?

We recently asked our Brain Squad to chime in on the subject. We posed this scenario: “You get the chance to send a text back in time to yourself on opening day/first day of your eyecare business/career. What does it say?”

Here’s what they shared:

Words of Encouragement

• “You got this!” – Joanne Larson, OD, Palmer Family Eye Care, Easton, PA
• “It’s all going to be OK. Trust me.” – Cynthia Sayers, OD, EyeShop Optical Center, Lewis Center, OH
• “You can do this!” – Star Taylor, Richens Eye Center, St. George, UT
• “Always remember that you are a smart, loving, caring, and resourceful person no matter what happens during the day.” – Bret Hunter, Sports Optical, Denver, CO
• “You got this! Eyes tell the stories. Your patients have a story.” – Melanie Jenkins, Spring Hill Eyecare, Spring Hill, TN
• “Get excited. You’re gonna love this!” – Jen Heller, Pend Oreille Vision Care, Sandpoint, ID
• “You’re awesome. All is well. Love you.” – Julie Uram, Optical Oasis, Jupiter, FL
• “Don’t sweat it. Everything’s going to be fine.” – Barton Parker, OD, Vision Source-Fox Optical, Lake Worth, FL
• “Go all in. It will be worth it.” – Ivy Frederick, OD, New Castle, PA

“You’re going to do GREAT things.”

– Justin Tenczar, Berkshire Eye Center, Pittsfield, MA

• “Hang in there. Enjoy this journey to your dream job!” – Michelle Wright, DePoe Eye Center, Stockbridge, GA
• “You can’t rush time and experience. Breathe. It’s going to be OK.” – Adam Ramsey, OD, Socialite Vision, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Business Advice

• “Ask for help. Do not try to do everything yourself.” – Sonja Franklin, OD, Modern Eyes, Austin, TX
• “Take great care of your patients. Sincerely care for your staff/teammates. Pay attention to the business details and success will follow.” – Scott Mann, OD, INVISION, Christiansburg, VA
• “Know your customers and the neighborhood you serve.” – Mitchell Kaufman, Marine Park Family Vision, Brooklyn, NY
• “Use the Profit First method and do not deviate from it. You will always have the capital for the growth you want and the ability to pay yourself. It’s brilliant.” – Nikki Griffin, EyeStyles Optical and Boutique, Oakdale, MN
• “Drop Davis Vision ASAP.” – Rick Rickgauer, Vision Associates, Girard, PA
• “Don’t take VSP!!!” – Laura Miller, OD, Northwest Hills Eye Car, Austin, TX

“Learn everything you can while your brain is young!”

– Kim Hilgers, Akre & Clark Eyecare, New Ulm, MN

• “Don’t get stuck in retail. Work private optical. It’s worth it.” – Heather Aites, Family Vision Center, Westminster, CO
• “Be patient as not everyone is the same.” – Janet Cole, Dr. Pattison Family Eyecare Center, Roseville, CA
• “Your career is all about learning. Take the challenge and learn from the best to be the best.” – Miguel Rodriguez, Fava & Maria Eye Associates, Lebanon, PA
• “GET LICENSED ASAP!” – Pablo E. Mercado, Highland Eye Boutique, Atlanta, GA

On a Personal Note: No. 1

• “Hey Will. In 10 years, you will open your own business and you should not let anyone stand in your way or doubt for one second that you can do it!” – William Chancellor, LDO, ABOC, NCLEC, Eye Can See Eyewear, Forsyth, GA
• “You can’t be everything to everyone.” – Renee Karnavas, Zionsville Eyecare, Zionsville, IN

“Congrats! I sure hope you’re a people person!”

– Vicki Thompson, Arsulowicz Eye Care, Walker, MI

• “Be ready to learn.” – Travis LeFevre, Krystal Vision, Logan, UT
• “Keep it simple. Don’t over-extend yourself.” – Zachary Dirks, OD, Belle Plaine Eyecare Center, Belle Plaine, MN

Financial Advice

• “Buy Microsoft stock.” – Richard Frankel, OD, Atlantic Cape Eyecare, Wildwood, NJ
• “Take a management/financial class and sell your practice and retire early.” – Marc Ullman, OD, Academy Vision, Pine Beach, NJ
• “Buy Berkshire Hathaway. Retire.” – Dave Goodrich, Goodrich Optical, Lansing, MI

Keep the Faith

• “Learn to trust your business.” – Chris Gregg, Inver Grove Heights Family Eye, Inver Grove Heights, MN
• “Pour yourself into wherever God plants you.” – Pam Peters, Midwest Eye, Downers Grove, IL
• “You got this! Stay true to your vision. God is good ALL the time.” – Ron Catterson, Clear View Optix, The Villages, FL
• “Be prepared for the crazy. But be hopeful in the fact that the puzzle pieces fall where they are meant to.” – Colby Spivey, Vision Center South, Dothan, AL
• “Trust your plan.” – Mark Coble, OD, Coble Eye Associates, Kansas City, KA

Grab Your Hardhat

• “Not sure anything works these days.” – Ken Weiner, OD, Livingston, NJ
• “Beware COVID.” – Dorothy Reynolds, Eyes on Fairfield, Fairfield, CT
• “You are a survivor.” – Alexander Saper, Great Glasses, Houston, TX

“Buckle up, Buttercup.”

– Cindy Henderson, Eyear Optical, Inc., Hixson, TN

• “Hold on tight. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.” – Texas L. Smith, OD, Dr. Texas L. Smith & Associates, Citrus Heights, CA
• “Buckle up, Sugar! It’s gonna be a wild ride!” – Amie Robinson, Spring Hill Eyecare, Spring Hill, TN

Optical Humor

• “It was so long ago I would be using a carrier pigeon! But it says: ‘Ben Franklin just invented the bifocal.” – Dave Schultz, OD, Urban Optics, San Luis Obispo, CA
• “You can’t be everything to everyone. Some people just have 20/40 brains.” – Andrew Romeril, OD, Torrey Highlands Optometry, San Diego, CA
• “This is a text message. You’ll understand what that is in about 10 years.” – Kris Kittell, Del Mar Optometric, San Diego, CA

On a Personal Note: No. 2

• “Just be you and the rest will come.” – Lindsey Pulford, Insights Eyecare, Manhattan, KS
• “Go for it. Don’t hold back. If you’ve got a gut feeling about something, never go against it.” – Harris Decker, Eye Designs of Westchester, Scarsdale, NY
• “I made it, now I have to make it!” – Robert M Easton Jr. OD, FAAO, Oakland Park, FL

“Avoid the boss’s son, lol.”

– Angel Miller, Cynthiana Vision Center, Cynthiana, KY

• “Follow your instincts. They are so very right!” – Ann-Marie Weaver, Optimal Eye Care, Lewis Center, OH
• “Don’t take things so personally.” – Katie McDowall, Northside Vision Center, Spokane, WA

A Little Bit of Everything

• “Don’t take it personal! Always do the right thing. Protect your staff (and have) their back. Cherish your customers. They pay you. And throw stuff away! No hoarding.” – Chris Clark, LDO, Oskalooa Vision Center, Oskaloosa, IA
• “Try different areas of eyecare and stick with the one you love the most. Enjoy every compliment and learn from any criticism. Don’t stay with an employer that doesn’t appreciate you.” – Judy Scheuerell, Fox Valley Family Eye Care, Little Chute, WI
• “Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Take care of people. Be kind. Hire slow and fire fast.” – Kristina Jordan, OD, The Eye Site, Mishawaka, IN
• “You’re gonna love this so much. It will be what you do the rest of your working career. But be sure and get in the exam room and learn more of the medical side.” – Becky Garoutte, Thomas Eye Care, Owasso, OK
• “Be patient and kind. This business is not for those who don’t like to repeat themselves, yet every day will be different. Enjoy it!” – Caitlin Neal, San Juan Eye Center, Montrose, CO

Keep your eyes out for September’s survey. It’s right around the corner and packed with compelling questions.

We’ve seen a surge in new Brain Squad members this summer. And we’re already hearing from a handful of new voices. So a special shout out to all the newbies who’ve joined the fray and to all those who are on the cusp of doing so!

And, as always, thank you to all the responders. We couldn’t do this without you!