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Burnout. According to retail consultant Vince Rath, it starts “when we experience the world in a way that doesn’t align with our expectations,” leaving us feeling...
This patient-appreciation event made for a great business-building tool.
Remember: your convenience is never as important as investing personally in relationships.
No. 1 on the most-despised list: cleaning.
Practice introduction videos have multiple benefits, and these days they’re a cinch to produce.
It gives you both a break.
Curiously weak lashes!
And she has the wardrobe to prove it.
We all get out of alignment from time to time, but you don’t have to stay that way.
From hearts to octagons to triangles, these shape shifters shine.
While reducing turnaround time and errors for happier patients.
Behavioral researcher and author Alfie Kohn likes to tell a joke that many small business owners can no doubt relate to: An elderly man who lives...
Not to mention a Social Media Content Calendar to help jump start your marketing efforts.
Along with an inspiring tale of overcoming adversity.
Loving the love from you readers!
9 styles giving new meaning to 'send nudes.'
Transparency, Lace and Cut Outs for the win.
But the 27 percent who have would do it again.
But always bring donuts if you're running late.
An order is canceled after the insurance company steals the work. How must the office react?
Getting a head start on what could be a volatile year, and more advice for February.
Also, Levi's for eyes and three very special women.
Check out the products that have been flying off the racks.
Several ways to explain HD lenses to clients.
For these businesses, delicious tastes and smells are a selling point.
Catch some of the most notable new tortoise styles.
This isn't Walmart.
Also a day dedicated to doing just one thing.
At a one-man Chicago optical, Coyote DeGroot has crafted a brand that’s clear, austere and just a little luxurious: Lab Rabbit Optics.
And other tips for getting your inventory in top shape for Vision Expo.
"I plow your driveway when it snows; you serve my family's eye needs."
Get rid of that hairy arm!
Plus tips for making the most of the upcoming Vision Expo.
Frame companies partner with lens manufacturers to offer combined product.
Online eyewear sales will only ever get so much of our business.
Even if you’re an individual, group health insurance may be best for your business.
Also offering special daylight "savings" to leap into spring fashion.
Channel that sort of excitement every Monday with your own Monday Morning Mission Statement.
Lights off just isn’t enough for some people.
But in 2019 I am ditching resolutions for goals and making my dream board my reality.
A Texas OD’s study group helps eyecare business owners ‘get outside the bubble of their own practice.’
But be sure to say it with a smile. On second thought, just don't say it.
Plus 6 of the newest products on the market.
Do you ever close your practice for an extended period of time during the year?
Here's how to explain the "intermediate area".
How do you regain your momentum?
The customer asked her, "Will you have my baby?" But it's definitely not what you think.
Repeat after me: "Every customer who walks through my door is a VIP".
What's new in 2019.
A host of cool touches combine to create the perfect frame-selection setting at this Los Angeles-area practice.
A member of Facebook’s Small Business Council shares 4 key ways.
We always love to hear from you!
At Great Spectacles in Stockton, CA, Lynda Winter’s eye for quality and cozy brand of elegance make for a perfect fit.
But make it fashion … and marketing!
Just like Robert Bell.
Three examples of when and how you should go on the offensive.
Don't miss these cool new products.
Give one of the hacks below a try to increase both your energy and focus in the A.M.
She has lots of ways to de-stress.
Take a look at these new releases.
Why don’t you hold your opinions first and ask theirs?
The case of the fraudulent filing.
So much for the cons: When it comes to the pros, we decided to ask around.
Keeping a journal is easier today than ever before.
Most eyecare business owners see value in having staff handle multiple duties.
These four things will obliterate your focus.
This office wants to show a pre-teen the door – should mitigating circumstances change their minds?
He's got it in his blood.
Check out the latest in eyewear technology!
Ouch, that had to hurt!
Go an extra mile to raise Myopia awareness.
Less is more when it comes to display.
Check these prescription solutions for snowy conditions.
Read the answers to some of your holiday questions.
Better listener, better sales.
Take a look at September's best-sellers!
Instead, most just hope for the best.
This Colorado practice learned to ‘stop being afraid to offer the best’.
25 ECPs put who they are and what they do for a living in a sentence or two... or three.
Still classic, after all these years.
What you’d have said to that rude, frustrating or clueless patient ...
It's a Christmas story that will chill your heart.
These shoes were made for talking.
Looking back to the first time.
Who says glasses are just for summer?
It's better to compare yourself to who you were yesterday.
If the average patient needs three pairs of glasses, why aren't doctors writing three prescriptions?
Sell more, produce more, be more creative, satisfy more customers... through happiness.
The doctor prescribed it for the customer; the optician said he'd hate it. Who wins?
Brain Squad members share their 2019 goals.
Find out a really cool present that matches an iPhone.
Some designs are worth coming back to. These classics make the cut.
Take a trunk show and turn it into a message of thanks to your customers.
End 2018 right, and start 2019 strong with this month's to-do list.
Making decisions is hard, we’ve made it easy.
16 ways to win your employees' love without losing their respect.
How you really want to answer the unknown client who asks you to fix something they purchased somewhere else.
A child's feet change over time; why wouldn't their eyes?
Try creating a "limited edition" tied to a local event.
Colorado eyecare pro feels a responsibility to eyecare.
Sometimes, the tank gets empty. Filling up on great ideas should get you started again.
Are you ready to make some money?
More than half of you are members.
"Can I get a trial contact?"
This Oklahoma OD loves her independence.
It has the potential to bring in a lot of new customers.
Your questions answered by our experts.
Will there even be airtime for your advertising during election season?
New Orleans-based KREWE channels the city’s warmth and spirit of aspiration.
MENDENHALL VISION CENTER, an Anchorage-based optometry office, recently lost their star optician to a competing practice. Two weeks ago, the owners promoted Nick, a technician, to...
This Illinois practice was kicking around ideas for marketing sunglasses, and stumbled on a fun idea that helps staff bond.
Attention to detail, in both eyewear and eyecare, is the calling card of this practice deep in the heart of Austin.
While these are important, it's not just about gender or ethnic diversity.
THE PACE OF HEALTHCARE has changed. Doctors are tasked with seeing more patients in less time. Additionally, performance is evaluated by productivity goals that often hinge...
Bad decisions can be painful. But inaction because you're afraid you'll make an incorrect choice is worse.
It's hard to determine which sales reps could be valuable to you. Here's a form that will help.
De Rigo REM FURLA line has been very good for us, especially the Amber VU497ON. David Saxton, Kern Optical, Gulfport, MS The Amber (VU 4970N) acetate frame...
The national eye institute estimates that by 2050 the number of people with visual impairment and blindness in the U.S. will double to 8 million. Low...
Celebs walk the walk and talk the talk in these stylin’ suns.
Up your fame game with these celeb favorites.
Invisible Protection The new INVISIBLESHIELD Glass+ VisionGuard for the iPhone X blocks harmful high-energy visible (HEV) blue light from screens. In addition to filtering HEV, the...
Still Work to Do VSP VISION CARE and YOUGOV’s new findings show that half of people in the U.S. neglect their eyes despite 84 percent rating vision...
Winter Is Coming Too cool to chill, the Benjamin is a slightly oversized unisex style from VERNON GANTRY, a brand started by two optometrists looking to help...
We hope you haven’t maxed that annual budget just yet because Vision Expo West has some stuff that is hot, hot, hot. We’ve rounded up the...
Facing competition in your market? Make yourself into something completely new.
When accused of making a mistake, this eyecare pro couldn't hold back a profanity.
Everybody loves mom and dad, don't they?
Incentivize your clients to visit your competitors. Then they'll realize how great you really are.
Start preparing for the year-end rush.
It's time to recognize the power of checklists.
Who would you be for a day, if you could be anyone?
THIS MONTH’S QUESTION: Do you hire part-time employees? Yes: 54% Only have one part time employee, she went from FT to PT, she otherwise would have quit....
Encourage multiple pair sales with a box to store eyewear.
This New York OD can be a bit of a control freak.
Eye Candy Optical shows suburban Pittsburgh the perfect storm of cross-promotion with a recent trunk show.
How far would you go to serve a patient uncomfortable with the correct lenses?
Here is our handpicked selection of ECPs’ novelty contact lens dos, don’ts and a couple horror stories.
Drawing on owner Dr. Cynthia Sayers’ experience — in and outside of optometry — and sense of fun, EyeShop Optical in Lewis Center, OH is the...
Get a real email address, eyeexpert@hotmail.com.
Work to understand the client's lifestyle in order to get them eyewear that they'll love.
Often, such questions are a plea for you to sell clients.
Realizing these can help you get unstuck from patterns that ineffectively use your time and energy.
Take this path to big dividends and large profits.
It's a long, hard path to finding the right person.
Etnia Barcelona really stepped it up in their latest collection. Lots of color, trendy lines with great lens technology. People have been flocking to it lately. Shane...
Donna Karan Returns Marchon and G-III Apparel Group have entered into a long-term exclusive global licensing agreement for DKNY and Donna Karan New York eyewear. DKNY sun and optical eyewear will...
Nap Time! Now glasses wearers can lie down comfortably while watching TV or reading with the LAYSEE PILLOW. Made of natural Latex with a Tencel lyocell...
Micro suns for Macro style.
Combination frames that are the perfect pair for any style.
Sail Away OAKLEY takes a dive into the wide world of water sports with the Split Shot. This hat-compatible style includes a lightweight, 20-inch coated woven...
What's an EHR and an EMR?
A doctor alienates his manager by relying too much on his favorite tech. How can balance be maintained?
They used Google Translate to broadcast bad words in Spanish.
She was an M&M-eating hellspawn.
“A regular tint can be compared to dying an Easter egg; polarization is more like laminating a window!” — Rexanne Collier, Texan Eye Optical, Austin, TX...
He's got unwinding down to a science.
This Minnesota optometry business combines a cool look with a warm touch.
Send it to hold and promise to call back within an hour.
She feels like she is doing something very, very wrong and nobody else cares.
To get them to as many patients as possible, she launched a subscription-based program.
Rushed for time? Think what's the smallest thing you can do today to address your biggest problem.
See how you can entice clients with a digital coupon.
For this Andover, MA optician and his family, true independence in business and style is the only way to go.
At this Columbus, OH, boutique optical, respect for craftsmanship paired with advanced technologies adds up to a rare eyecare experience.
WInners show that success is timeless.
Falls City Eye Care offers cutting-edge patient care and a one-of-a-kind optical shopping experience — served up in a stunning, century-old Kentucky home.
These 9 stores are still winners!
This approach empowers patients to take an active role in their healthcare.
Keep these things in mind the next time you are faced with an unreasonable patient or customer.
The BARTON PERREIRA Norton flew off our shelves in all colors, classic shape and great color selection. Larah Alami, OD, Hudson River Eye Care, Tarrytown, NY The Norton from...
Any bikers who need Rx’able sunglasses or love splashy colors will find there’s more than enough choice out there.
Memorable designs define these unforgettable sunwear styles.
Can-do colors bounce into summer with gradients, layering and more.
This eyecare pro's very best education came on the bicycle.
The most successful sales strategy is getting the customer to think and talk.
Refresh, Repair, Lubricate ALLERGAN has a new OTC artificial tear formulation; REFRESH REPAIR Lubricant Eye Drops. Safe to use with contact lenses, the drops are designed...
In The Dark Extra active and light reactive, the newly launched SUNSYNC DRIVE XT stays dark in the car, and is activated by both UV and visible...
The icon of small-town retail, the general store, may be a thing of the past, but one thing hasn’t changed. In a small market, word of...
The client said her motherly instinct kicked in, and she grabbed it.
Some ... people ... just ... won't ... read.
Who could say "no" to this sales line?
But he could use a few more paid vacations.
This month we feature frame styles to fit all types of children, from sporty kids to glam kids to everything-they-touch-might-break kids. In addition to ophthalmic frames,...
It could be a time to get important upgrades done.
Most businesses seem to be too busy to try this.
You can only pick one.
How do you manage a minimal business renovation on a budget, but create a big impact? Well we asked several ECPs who have done just that,...
For a more connected network, scratch some backs in the realty business.
The results were intriguing to say the least.
This FL practice excels at both the optometric and optical sides of the biz. Here’s how they do it.
Can you celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of "Animal House"?
Here's what you need to do in July.
The jewel in the crown is an annual golf tournament that raises money for groundbreaking research.
Growth is exciting, but can also bring challenges. Do these things to master growth.
Healthy employees are happier, and perform better than unhealthy ones.
As Ben Franklin said, “When you are finished changing, you’re finished.”
Don’t give patients a reason to go elsewhere by rejecting the idea of being a retailer.
The KREWE Calhoun in the color Plume. Everyone loves this spotted frame. Leah Johnson, Central Texas Eye Center, San Marcos, TX The Calhoun’s petite, rounded silhouette is...
Going Big BAUSCH + LOMB released the Boston scleral lens case designed to hold larger lenses — up to 23.5 mm in diameter and up to...
Ga Ga for Balenciaga Kering Eyewear and Balenciaga are partnering on the development, production and worldwide distribution of Balenciaga sunglasses and prescription frames. Set to launch...
Multifocal contact lenses can be a good choice for presbyopes, come in both soft and rigid gas permeable lens materials, and can be used for daily...
Zac Posen Inspired by the designer’s Spring 2018 collection, the oversized Alek combines acetate and metal, achieving a runway-ready look. (800) 627-2898, kenmarkeyewear.com $156 Jimmy Choo Part...
From sun-up to the night shift, these men’s frames get things done.
Rubber Made Part of IC! BERLIN’s Interstellar Athleisure Collection theFadeaway features a rubber front and German stainless steel temples. ic-berlin.de $509+ Can You Knot The decorative temples on CLARITI’s...
Sometimes it's nearly impossible to draw the attention of this type of client.
These two employees certainly made their mark. Or left a mark, anyway.
There are some laws that must be obeyed.
Do signage creatively to make customers like you more.
Each of them are happy working with their "best friend".
A successful bank holds one every week.
AOA-supported program helps guarantee healthy vision for infants.
"Stop touching frames with viscous little fingers!"
Understated but consistent marketing allows the eyewear to shine at this Ohio start-up.
One option is to charge a non-client, but offer a credit if they return for an exam or eyewear purchase.
The vision health of children and those with special needs receives devoted, undivided attention at Special Eyes Pediatric Vision Clinic in New Bern, NC.
Discerning Eye in Iowa City is uncompromising when it comes to quality, but never lets an opportunity pass it by.
Q Vision’s LOUISLUSO rounds! Candy Crone, Wayne Optical, York, PA All LOUISLUSO frames are made with Ultem and the LC9022, part of the London Collection, is available in four...
Here's how to maintain your momentum this month.
Many of you are too emotionally wrapped up in closing deals.
Stocking your optical is not just "decorating".
Visits during blizzards? Patient queries while in gym clothes? It's all part of the package of being a local OD.
Take time each day to turn off your autopilot and focus on the here and now.
If you’re looking for durable styles at a range of price points, these kids’ suns have you covered.
Sporty kids. Glam kids. Everything-they-touch-might-break kids. Here’s a look at something for everyone.
He said she couldn't be driven away. He was wrong.
It's a webinar, ma'am, it's not The Walking Dead!
This skin metaphor connects with a lot of patients.
Do it the way they do it in Vegas.
Important lessons learned at Vision Expo East.
"We feel it doesn’t fit the 'feel' we want to create."
"Optometrists are the best doctors to visit — no blood and you can keep your clothes on."
And the Winners Are… Vision Expo named several winners in various categories during the 2018 exhibition. The winners of the 2018 Best Booth Contest were De...
Pop Art The Evil Eye Vibes from POPSOCKETS is the phone accessory you didn’t even know you needed. Practical and on-brand, the adhesive grip and cord...
Start by setting up Google Alerts for your business name.
Send the moms amongst your patients flowers or a small gift.
It's the case of the uneasy momnesiac.
She loves "taking a negative and turning it into a positive.”
Don't ignore those one-star reviews. Instead, discuss them as a team.
Trust your gut, and let them go.
Don’t let that mountain of discarded frame boxes go to waste.
Frameology Optical was born of Stacy Daniel-Murphy’s frustration at having her creativity and opticianry skills stifled by industry norms. Few opticals so defiantly express an owner’s...
Even in sunny SoCal the winter months are slower for sunglass sales. That said, the BVLGARI 0BV8170 still draws the ladies in. It is a classic,...
Try softening your language to turn your expert advice into a suggestion.
In everything we do, we have to emphasize convenience.
What to look out for, and what to do if you encounter a workplace bully.
Smart Start When will we live in a world with activity-tracking eyewear that earns you points redeemable for helping individuals in need of vision care? Wait!...
Nothing says fabulous like the right jewels, and these styles are here to prove it.
With small, handheld diagnostic instruments ODs can carry out complete refractive exams anywhere, for a company’s staff on-site, at schools, nursing homes or on mission trips.
This month we feature metal frame styles, from titanium to stainless steel (and everything in between). Also, in the realm of sunwear, we take a look...
They said that glasses were cheaper at Wal-Mart.
Oops, she did it again.
It's a simple tip to help first-time progressive-wearers use their new eyewear correctly.
Create an “insider” feeling among your core fans.
Bee Cave Vision Center was doing well on the outskirts of Austin, TX, when it sensed a growth opportunity brewing in an expanding nearby community.
Many see these as a cost (and a perk) of doing business.
What was the most joy you had in the office this week? It shouldn't take more than a second or two to remember.
There are hundreds of areas where you can differentiate.
X Factor Gone are the days of annoying head tilts in order to see. (Seriously, who wants that in their life?) Xtend technology, featured in the...
From first-time optical collections to tried-and-true sporting accessories, there’s something for everyone in clip-on suns this season. Across the range of possibilities, convenience and style combine...
From titanium to stainless steel — and everything in between — there’s more to these metals than meets the eye.
He loves meeting new people, solving patient problems and his tightly knit staff.
Don't let problem patients drag your business down.
"I’d rather spend my valuable time running my business."
More of our clients are looking for custom eyewear, they want choices in color and sizes. Lindberg Air Titanium makes it easy to offer this! Leah...
A little goes a long way for this beautifully branded Minnesota optical.
"We're on Facebook, look us up!" isn't enough.
This four-location practice enters its fifth decade with a feel for the future of eyewear and a legacy of deep community commitment.
It's simple advice, and it applies to everyone.
A patient denied before-hours service takes matters into her own hands.
Eyecessorize Trend Kit The Vision Council’s Eyecessorize released its spring/summer 2018 trend kit to more than 350 fashion, health and lifestyle editors nationwide. The digital kit...
Light It Up LED lights are the preferred light of environmentalists and merchandising experts. So, why not add a little fun with this cool Eye LED...
Gas permeable (GP) contacts are rigid lenses that comprise about 10 percent of the contact lens market. While the market for corneal lenses is declining, the...
Patients just want to be heard.
As an optical professional, your best investment is in your people.
The war over the PD could be at an end.
If you initiate the insurance conversation with your customer, you are shooting yourself in the foot.
THERE IS NOT A part of the business that technology doesn’t touch. A daunting prospect for those of us who are less than tech savvy. Nonetheless,...
This approach kicks Buyer’s Remorse in the pants!
This criminal had no taste.
Personal recommendations are more important than they've ever been before.
Call us "condescending hipsters", and you're gonna get hurt.
Find out what’s happening on the local fashion scene.
All aspects of the business come together to create a "complex masterwork".
A request for ASL translation shakes up this small office. Does the practice have any options?
Many who don't promote are enthusiastic about the idea.
See the new and upcoming technologies that have the Brain Squad geeking out.
EyeWearhaus in St. Louis MO came up with what we believe is a great example of a campaign whose clear goals and execution yielded clear rewards.
You ask for their support; give them yours.
Raise awareness about the importance of using protective eyewear while playing hoops.
Try to grab a long weekend to recharge.
Seeing Is a Gift Think About Your Eyes has launched its 2018 advertising campaign featuring their “Seeing is a Gift” message. Ads will run throughout the...
Vernon Gantry, a line out of Long Island City designed by ODs to be sold as affordable packages to compete with Warby Parker. Amazing quality. Larah...
Mod Squad Get your fine art fix with the latest additions to the MODERN ART COLLECTION. The model A389, one of three new styles, features a...
These newer eyewear companies — all born in 2012 or later — express unique vision and articulate their reverence for innovation through their designs.
Want! Seriously dying for these statement earrings from I STILL LOVE YOU NYC. Their Classic Eye Earrings are laser cut acrylic made by hand to order in...
In Alma, GA, Family Vision Care has added a stunning new optical to a full-service optometry practice that’s been drawing patients from near and far for...
Why the written word has its place in patient care.
Even with its changing demographics, optometry hasn’t escaped the gender pay gap.
Here's how to elevate your buying experience.
So you're a fighter? Me too.
NO TWO independent optical shops are the same. While many of you live and die by the eye and nothing but the eye, some have interests...
Ollie Quinn: dozens of boutiques unified by an in-house design team’s aesthetic vision and local touches.
This Month’s Question: Have You Ever Taken an Online Educational Course To Improve Your Skills as a Business Owner? Yes: 54% I took some computer classes...
"You complete me."
