Buzz Session

The Brain Squad Shares Its Take on Industry Trade Shows

Many see these as a cost (and a perk) of doing business.

Published

2 years ago

February 26, 2018

INVISION Staff Invision March 2018 Issue

In a few words, tell us why it is useful to attend industry trade shows…

They are useful for team building and getting our staff excited about new products and technology. But some of the education is redundant and the speakers are sometimes lacking useful knowledge. — Barbara Bloom, OD, Weber Vision Care, Harrisburg, PA
I think industry trade shows are great. But, we haven’t been for quite a while. Our reps come see us regularly. We like our equipment, our EHR, our frame lines. If that were to change, a trade show would definitely be worth it! — Jenna Gilbertson, McCulley Optix Gallery, Fargo, ND
Only to see smaller vendors who don’t have full sales reps. — Maxine Kobley, Metrovision, Carle Place, NY
Best way to see small independent frame lines who are often using cutting edge materials and technology. — Andrea Salmond, The Gaze Group, Healdsburg, CA
I love them. I wish SECO’s Marketplace was bigger. I always learn a lot and come back with renewed passion for the industry. — Michelle Wright, DePoe Eye Center, Sharpsburg, GA
I like to attend the larger conventions every few years to see what’s new in the industry and to meet colleagues from across the country. — Amina Ebrahim, OD, D Vision Eyecare, Allen, TX
While I like trade shows, I feel like Expo has become a behemoth that may benefit from restructuring. — Nikki Griffin, EyeStyles Optical and Boutique, Oakdale, MN
We find the larger trade shows are worth it if we are looking to add new frame lines. Otherwise, no. — Stephanie Kuhn, Optique Vision Center, Yukon, OK
I think it should be a mandatory event for all opticians, if only for the seeing beyond what you deal with in your day to day; to see what is out there in terms of frames, lenses, technologies, equipment; and to mingle with colleagues. — Pablo E Mercado, The Eye Gallery, Woodstock, GA
I used to look forward to Vision Expo. But it’s changed. There’s nothing unique about it anymore. I can see new styles from my reps rather than spend a day walking the floor. — Mitchell Kaufman, Marine Park Family Vision, Brooklyn, NY
Seems they are losing vendors and that cannot be good. — William Chancellor, Eye Can See Eyewear, McDonough, GA
For us, no. It is a very long day and we usually only see the vendors who we deal with anyway. — Candy Crone, Wayne Optical, York, PA
Love the NY show. I never go to Vegas. I can’t stand Vegas with a passion. I love the show because it allows me to get a lot done in a weekend and build relationships. This year, I am taking my store manager and giving her a trip to NYC! The cost is all part of owning the business and being up to date in fashion. — Nancy Revis, Uber Optics, Petaluma, CA
I would still enjoy trade shows but the cost of travel keeps me from going as often as I would like. — Monica Tracey, MED/Drs. Record and Record, Charlottesville, VA
I wish they had more Pop Up events across the country; something more boutique-like and streamlined. — Amanda Barber, Desmone Family Eyecare, Havelock, NC
It is nice to ‘touch’ and see all the different options for equipment, but for me I can do CE closer and for less money. — Jeff Hayden, Vision Care Center, Brighton, MI
Not really. Reps from many companies come to us. We also rely on the Internet, industry publications, and our current reps to keep us up-to-date on products and trends. Trade shows are a lot of work and expensive. — Diana Fleetman, The Optical @50th & France, Edina, MN
Nope, waste of time. — Greg Kyser, Gallery of Eyewear, Marysville, WA

What’s the Brain Squad?

If you’re the owner or top manager of a U.S. eyecare business serving the public, you’re invited to join the INVISION Brain Squad. By taking one five-minute quiz a month, you can get a free t-shirt, be featured prominently in this magazine, and make your voice heard on key issues affecting eyecare professionals. Good deal, right? Sign up here.

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Buzz Session

You’re Having a Dinner Party … These are the Three People – Dead or Alive – You’d Invite

Some of you just want to laugh … others want some answers to life’s most existential questions.

Published

13 hours ago

January 27, 2020

INVISION Staff

Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly from Step Brothers! — Caitlin Wicka, San Juan Eye Center, Montrose, CO
Neil Armstrong (tell me the truth), Margaret Cho, and my bestie who passed away. — Sherry Berry, Eye against Eye and Ardmore Eye Care, Ardmore, PA
Jesus, Moses and Ghandi. — Richard Frankel, OD, Atlantic Cape Eyecare, Wildwood, NJ
My dad and my grandmothers. I miss them and I would like to learn more about our family history. They had some great stories they shared with us. — Dawn Christman Munoz, North Valley Eye Medical Group, Indian Hills, CA
My dad, mom and sister – all deceased. — Susie Phillips, Dr. Brendon Johnson, O.D., Pekin, IL
Chris Farley, Nelson Mandela and David Beckham. — Sarah Jerome, OD, Look + See Eye Care, Minneapolis, MN
Robin Williams, Queen Esther and Ludwig van Beethoven. — Nikki Griffin, EyeStyles Optical and Boutique, Oakdale, MN
Simon Sinek, Ayn Rand and Malcolm Gladwell. — Selina McGee, OD, Precision Vision of Edmond, Edmond, OK
Chester Bennington, Tom Hiddleston and Kate Hudson. — Selena Jachens, Urban Eyecare & Eyewear, West Des Moines, IA
My mother, father and sister. — Alexander Saper, Great Glasses, Houston, TX
Steve Martin, Ani Difranco and Amy Winehouse. — Nancy Revis, Uber Optics, Petaluma, CA
My spouse (of course), then Crazy Horse and Geronimo. — Jeff Grosekemper, Casa De Oro Eyecare, Spring Valley, CA
Ugh, I can only pick three?! I would love to have dinner with Ellen Degeneres, Dwayne Johnson and Jimmy Fallon. Although I’m not sure any eating would actually occur because there’d be way too much laughter! — Christine Howard, Attleboro Vision Care, Attleboro, MA
My father, grandfather and brothers. — William Chancellor, Eye Can See Eyewear, McDonough, GA
My great grandfather Hollis (great business sense), Jesus (obvious reasons) and Martin Luther King (wisdom and vision). — Blake Hutto, OD, Family Vision Care, Alma, GA
INVISION staff. (Editor Note: You’re on Dan! What can we bring?) — Daniel R. Wolfe, OD, Discerning Eye, Cedar Rapids, IA
First will always be my grandmother. I would love to share a conversation with a leadership driven explorer type person like Ernest Shackleton, I could only imagine the things he could share. For the third, perhaps someone just incredibly FUN like Robin Williams, just to have the most fun dinner ever! — Carissa Dunphy, Monroe Vision Clinic, Monroe, WA
Trump, George Patton and my father. — John LaShorne, Brown County Eye Care, Nashville, IN
Albert Einstein, Ben Franklin and Marie Salomea Sklodowska (Marie Curie). — Leisa Lauer, Dr. H. Michael Shack, Newport Beach, FL
Jesus, Abe Lincoln and Albert Schwitzer. — Dennis Iadarola, OD, Center For Vision Care, LLC, Monroe, CT
Tom Hanks, Abraham Lincoln and Ralph Fiennes. — Kevin Count, Prentice Lab, Glenview, IL
My mom who has been gone for 12 years, my poodle that I just lost in April and Mother Theresa. — Julie Uram, Optical Oasis, Jupiter, FL
Mary, Pope Benedict and Urban. — Bethany Cassar, Complete Eye Health, Holland, MI
Dave Chapelle, Charles Barkley and Neil Degrasse-Tyson. — Chris Lopez, OD, Roberts Eyecare Associates, Vestal, NY
Can they be fictional too? My Granny, The Rock and Superman. — Frances Ann Layton, Eye Associates of South Georgia, Valdosta, GA
Stephen King, Maya Angelou and Michelle Obama. — Paula Hornbeck, Eye Candy & Eye Candy Kids, Delafield, WI
The Pope, Flip Wilson (as Geraldine) and my husband. — Kathy Maren, Comb EyeCare & Eyewear, Western Springs, IL
Bob Marley, JFK and Marilyn Monroe. — Amy Pelak, Proview Eyecare Optometry, Corona, CA
Outside of my family, Mother Theresa, Katherine Johnson and Amelia Earhart. — Pam Peters, Midwest Eye, Downers Grove, IL
Donald J Trump, Melania Trump and my wife. — Robert M, Easton Jr, OD, Oakland Park, FL
I don’t like hypotheticals like this. I am happy with the people I have dinner with now and the one many people want to eat with, Jesus, I know I will see someday when the time is right. — Zachary Dirks, OD, St. Peter and Belle Plaine Eyecare Centers, Saint Peter, MN
John Lennon, Tom Ellis and Edward Norton. — Tim Gray, Visual Eyes, Huntingdon Valley, PA
Robin Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and Kevin Costner. — Jennifer Leuzzi, Mill Creek Optical, Dansville, NY
My grandmother. — Jocelyn Anderson, National Vision, Riverdale, GA
Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey and my grandmother. — Adam Ramsey, OD, Socialite Vision, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert Johnson, and Freddie Mercury. Then I’d leave and let Edgar Allen Poe have my place. If Robert really sold his soul at the crossroads, I’d have to substitute. — Angel Miller, Cynthiana Vision Center, Cynthiana, KY
Joe Montana, Dwight Clark and Jerry Rice. — Texas L. Smith, OD, Dr. Texas L. Smith & Assoc., Citrus Heights, CA
Barack and Michelle Obama. Maybe with Terry Gross so she can ask all the good questions. I also have really gotten into the podcast “My Favorite Murder” with Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgareth, but I would want those ladies over for cheesecake, wine, and murder conversations that go on crazy tangents. — Jenna Gilbertson, McCulley Optix Gallery, Fargo, ND
Thomas Jefferson, Walter Cronkite and Robin Williams. — Judith Whitelaw, Dr. Gregory Char, OD, Orange, OR
Caesar, Thomas Jefferson and Stephen Hawking. — Michael Martorana, OD, Falls City Eye Care, Louisville, KY
Abraham, Martin and John! If unavailable, I’ll settle for Morrison, Lennon and Dylan. — Dave Schultz, OD, Urban Optics, San Luis Obispo, CA
Jimi Hendrix, Albert Einstein and Hugh Hefner. — Rick Rickgauer, Vision Associates, Girard, PA
Ben Franklin, Abraham Lincoln and Prince Harry. — Pam Neagle, Austin Eyeworks, Austin, TX
Barak and Michelle Obama, Nina Simone and Sandra Bullock. — Kim Hilgers, Monson Eyecare Center, Owatonna, MN
That’s a hard one. Robin Williams, Ronald Reagan and of course my wife. — Scott Felten, Fox Valley Family Eye Care, Little Chute, WI
Do the New Kids on the Block count as one even though there are 5 of them? — Deanna Phillips, Clemmons Family Eye Care, Clemmons, NC
Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes and Joe Bonamassa. — Katie Root, Latham Family Vision, Latham, NY
Don Knots, Jerry Lewis and Sean Connery. — Scott Keating, OD, Vision Trends, Dover, OH
Andy Cohen, Dave Grohl, Gillian Pensavalle … this is assuming my husband and daughter are already coming. — Jessika Arena, The Eye Center, Asheville, NC

What’s the Brain Squad?

Buzz Session

From Across the Country to Across the World, Some of Your Patients Travel Pretty Far to See You

It just proves that when patients find an ECP they love, they will travel far and wide to see you.

Published

1 week ago

January 20, 2020

INVISION Staff

I have a very loyal and dedicated customer, a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines, who has since relocated to Florida. She hasn’t let that deter her from maintaining her vision needs with me; I stay in contact with her and her sons who also wear glasses. — Jocelyn Anderson, National Vision Inc., Riverdale, GA
The mountains, Eagle, CO. — Beth Seidman, Eyecare Center of Ken, Littleton, CO
West Virginia. A couple that was in Saint Petersburg on vacation last year decided to drive down to get their glasses with me again and ended up staying a few days in Saint Petersburg. They still keep in touch via email and have invited us to come stay with them at their farm. — Anja Jakupovic, OPTIK! European Eyewear, Saint Petersburg, FL
We have a family that comes back for a month every year from Germany and we are a part of that visit. — Heather Harrington, Elevated Eyecare, Denver, CO
Mostly out of state patients are ones that I have seen since they were kids and they moved but still come back each year for their exam. — Kimberly Riggs, OD, Ligonier, PA
Turkey! One of our patients told their parents how great we were, so they came to the office and purchased glasses the last time they visited. — Frances Ann Layton, Eye Associates of South Georgia, Valdosta, GA
Texas. — John LaShorne, Brown County Eye Care, Nashville, IN
On a regular basis, two hours. Also, a few that travel for business, but have addresses in Kentucky, Missouri, etc. — Susie Phillips, Dr. Brendon Johnson, O.D., Pekin, IL
Australia, exotic more like bush country. — Leisa Lauer, Westcliff Optometry, Newport Beach, FL
We have a couple from Missouri (2 hours away) that come to us for their annual exams and even emergency visits. — Selena Urban, Eyecare & Eyewear, West Des Moines, Iowa
Four hours away from rural Pennsylvania. — Chris Lopez, OD, Roberts Eyecare Associates, Vestal, NY
Just sold a Wissing frame to a man from Anacortes, WA, while he was on the golf course. He’d seen a CBS Sunday Morning segment featuring our client in a square/round frame that he knew he had to have! Have a woman coming back to us after relocating to Atlanta. She’s lived there 3-4 years and said she can find nothing that has our selection, service or smiles. — Julie Kubsch, Specs Around Town, Bloomington, IL
I had a woman come in recently who stopped in before she sailed back to Bermuda! I also had someone hunt down a specific frame from Australia a couple years ago. — Siobhan Burns, The Eyeglass Lass, New London, CT
California to Minnesota. — Kim Hilgers, Monson Eyecare Center, Owatonna, MN
Various people passing through from other countries but one couple who lives in Arizona and comes back every summer to visit their mom wait to get here to have me make their glasses. — Jennifer Leuzzi, Mill Creek Optical, Dansville, NY
Israel every few years, Chicago next farthest and then a bunch of snowbirds from Florida. — Marc Ullman, OD, Academy Vision, Pine Beach, NJ
Thailand is the furthest a patient has traveled to our practice. — Doreen Erbe, Snyder Eye Group, Ship Bottom, NJ
We have had people from other countries come in to get their eyes checked while on vacation. We are in a very popular vacation spot. — Caitlin Wicka, San Juan Eye Center, Montrose, CO
Portugal. — Rick Pascucci, Towpath Vision Care, Clinton, NY
Some act like they’re from another planet. — Richard Frankel, OD, Atlantic Cape Eyecare, Wildwood, NJ
I had a couple that had been my customers where I did my apprenticeship over 20 years ago in Jupiter, FL, and then I finally opened my own business and they came from the other coast of Florida. I did have another customer that move the US Virgin Islands and came back to me. — Julie Uram, Optical Oasis, Jupiter, FL
We have customers from all over the US. — Paula Hornbeck, Eye Candy & Eye Candy Kids, Delafield, WI
Sweden. We have a patient who lives there and comes home to visit family every year and doesn’t want to give up “The best optical care for my eyes.” — Jeff Grosekemper, Casa De Oro Eyecare, Spring Valley, CA
Sweden, Africa, Germany. Our patient from Sweden calls multifocal contacts autofocals. She also brought Dr. Cassar a three headed troll at her last visit. — Bethany Cassar, Complete Eye Health, Holland, MI
Our office is in MA so we have many “snowbirds” that have moved to Florida, but will book their appointments with us on their annual summer trip back up to New England. — Christine Howard, Attleboro Vision Care, Attleboro, MA
Our office gets visitors from all over the country due to our location and visibility from movies and TV shows. — William Chancellor, Eye Can See Eyewear, McDonough, GA
Madolvia, it’s by Russia. — Kristina Swartz, The Eye Site, Mishawaka, IN
Mexico. — Alexander Saper, Great Glasses, Houston, TX
We actually had patients that would come from Australia when I started here. Now, I guess my sister and BIL from Dallas! — Angel Miller, Cynthiana Vision Center, Cynthiana, KY
We have a few regulars that live or work overseas; Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia. — Jen Heller, Pend Oreille Vision Care, Sandpoint, ID
I think the farthest was NYC. It happened to be because they follow me on Instagram and they were traveling through CA. They told me that due to my photos of Petaluma and our eyewear that they made a special trip to see our town! — Nancy Revis, Uber Optics, Petaluma, CA
Nowhere exotic, but I do have patients that drive over 100 miles to see me. — Selina McGee, OD, Precision Vision, Edmond, OK
We have people stumble in from all over the world. We have sold customers as far away as China, UAE, South Africa and the UK. Not bad for some little shops in Cleveland. — Steve Nelson, Eye Candy Optical, Westlake, OH
Houston: 18O miles and McAllen: 24O miles. — BJ Chambers, Carrera Optical, McQueeney, TX
We had a patient come in a helicopter. — Jocelyn Mylott, D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Inc., Lancaster, MA
Seattle, WA, to Columbus, OH. — Cynthia Sayers, OD, EyeShop Optical Center, Lewis Center, OH
A patient comes from Kenya. — Amy Pelak, Proview Eyecare Optometry, Corona, CA
We had a military family that would still have their eye exams here even though they lived in Germany. — Judy Scheuerell, Fox Valley Family Eye Care, Little Chute, WI
Almost three hours. He moved and didn’t want to change providers because he has always trusted our personal service and great products. — Susan Frein, Ames Eye Care, Ankeny, IA
Switzerland. — Scott Keating, OD, Vision Trends, Dover, OH
I had a guy drive from Topeka. That’s nine hours away. I ask why he was visiting Denver. He said, “our custom made shooting glasses.” We also have glasses on all seven continents. — Bret Hunter, Sports Optical, Denver, CO
Seoul, South Korea. My Grandmaster in Tai Kwon Do referred his family members to me. They came to me each year when they visited his family. — Robert M Easton Jr., OD, FAAO, Oakland Park, FL
From Europe, he comes here every time he is in the states because he wants our Silhouettes. — Pam Neagle, Austin Eyeworks, Austin, TX
Abu Dhabi. — Texas L. Smith, OD, Dr. Texas L. Smith & Associates, Citrus Heights, CA
Bahamas, my patients come over by yachts. — Adam Ramsey, OD, Socialite Eye Care, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
NYC. — Chris Mark, OptiMark, Des Moines, WA
We have numerous patients who now live out of state but will come back to see us. One of our doctors has a patient from WY another from Texas and many from far northern Minnesota. — Zachary Dirks, OD, St. Peter and Belle Plaine Eyecare Centers, Saint Peter, MN
We have a fair number of patients that have moved away and return for their eyewear. — Bob McBeath, Edina Eye, Edina, MN
Other side of the world, China. They are a long time patient that makes sure to schedule time out of their trips back here to stop by to get new glasses. — Travis LeFevre, Krystal Vision, Logan, UT
We have patients from across the US who come to see our doctors who have followed their eye health for many years. One patient works in the Ukraine and comes back to see us each year for his exam! — Deb Jaeger, Eye Center of the Dakotas, Bismarck, ND
One of the family’s we’ve seen for two years now, still comes to us after moving from Denver all of the way to Germany! — Heather Harrington, Elevated Eyecare, Denver, CO
Chicago to NJ for a dry eye evaluation because he wasn’t getting satisfaction and heard about me through a friend. — Marc Ullman, OD, Academy Vision, Pine Beach, NJ
Finland. Since relocating my business from Phoenix to Duluth, I still maintain some of my Phoenix clients. — Kat Leek, Kat’s Eyes Optical, Phoenix, AZ
I see a patient from the Philippines yearly for his eyecare. — Dennis Iadarola, OD, Center For Vision Care, Monroe, CT
Louisiana to Washington. — Caitlin Bruno, Binyon Vision Center, Bellingham, WA
Different states. Africa, Nigeria. — Tabitha Fuller, Thomas Eye, Palmetto, GA

What’s the Brain Squad?

Buzz Session

For Many of You, Your Best and Worst Habits are Exactly the Same!

For others… there seems to be a lot of very “hard workers” who “procrastinate!”

Published

2 months ago

December 5, 2019

INVISION Staff

Best habit: listening. Worst: saying yes when I should say no. — Deb Jaeger, Eye Center of the Dakotas, Bismarck, ND
Best: Getting up early and coming in to work in the quiet and alone time. Worst: Not getting the rest and exercise that I should. — Paula Hornbeck, Eye Candy & Eye Candy Kids, Delafield, WI
My worst habit is too much social media, i.e. Facebook. My best habit is opening for business every day, hoping to make a difference for someone’s vision. — Mitchell Kaufman, Marine Park Family Vision, Brooklyn, NY
My best habit is writing everything down. We all forget. My worst is not taking a lunch. — Michelle Wright, DePoe Eye Center, Stockbridge, GA
Best habit is my ‘Get done attitude.’ If it needs to be done, I’ll do it; straightening magazines, cleaning fingerprints, checking in inventory, and all the other menial tasks that get ignored. Worst habit is letting things pile up on my desk. I call them “projects,” but sometimes they are just works in progress. — Pam Housley, Texas State Optical of Nederland, Port Arthur, TX
My best habit is always having a to do list and coordinating this with reminders on my phone. My worst is too much coffee! — Doreen Erbe, Snyder Eye Group, Ship Bottom, NJ
Saying see you soon at the end of every call is one of my best habits. Even if they aren’t planning to come in. It just plants the seed of being welcome anytime. Worst habit is chewing my nails if I don’t keep them polished. — Nikki Griffin, EyeStyles Optical and Boutique, Oakdale, MN
Best: I’m a hard worker. I don’t stop while at work; sh*t gets done! Worst: My desk is a mess! — Haley Menge, Hi-Line Eye Care, Glasgow, MT
Best: Treating employees like family. Worst: Taking control over situations that don’t need my input. — Harris Decker, Eye Designs of Westchester, Scarsdale, NY
Best: Providing a great experience to all I am around. Worst: Never saying “No.” — Kenny Meyer, OBC Insurance Billing & Credentialing Specialists, Macomb, IL
Loyalty and loyalty. — Bob McBeath, Edina Eye, Edina, MN
Best: customer service; worst: clutter. — Jessica Brundidge, Clarity Vision, Clayton, NC
I’m really good at sleeping! Meeting my REM quota is never an issue. It’s my best habit; I’m always well-rested and never need coffee. It’s also my worst; 10 hours of sleep a night really pinches my free time! — Jen Heller, Pend Oreille Vision Care, Sandpoint, ID
Drinking beer. Drinking beer. — Dave Schultz, OD, Urban Optics, San Luis Obispo, CA
I would have to say my best is I will go above and beyond to help my customers. My worst is I go above and beyond for my customers. — Julie Uram, Optical Oasis, Jupiter, FL
Best: Hard working; worst: lenient on staff. — Amy Pelak, Proview Eyecare Optometry, Corona, CA
Best: I get up early and work late. Worst: I get distracted by the computer too much. — Bret Hunter, Sports Optical, Denver, CO
Best: Thinking things thru before responding. Worst: According to my kids “smacking.” Apparently, I’m a noisy eater! — Pam Peters, Midwest Eye, Downers Grove, IL
My best and worst habits come from having ADHD which many business leaders actually have. My best is my hyper-focus on continual learning and improvement. Most specifically, diligent monitoring and sharing of metrics within our practice so everyone has a strong pulse of how we are performing. My worst is that I am so often in the moment I can be forgetful. Thankfully, those that know me well know they sometimes need to give me a gentle nudge when they need something specific. — Deborah Bosner, Northwest EyeCare Professionals, Columbus, OH
Worst habit is procrastination… Hope I got this response in on time. — Michael Davis, OD, Opti-Care, Eldersburg, MD
Best: Always keeping my family first. It reminds me what’s important. Worst: I often obsess about my patient schedule when I know it’s the part of practice no doctor is ever 100% satisfied with. — Blake Hutto, OD, Family Vision Care, Alma, GA
Best habit is thinking out of the box. Worst habit forgetting to go back in the box once in a while. — Adam Ramsey, OD, Iconic Eye Care, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
I sometimes am really organized and plan things ahead but I can also be lazy and don’t do things like I should. — Martha Davenport, Safe Vision, Wheatfield, IN
Best habit is working out every morning. Worst, pretty much everything else I do throughout the day. — Frances Ann Layton, Eye Associates of South Georgia, Valdosta, GA
Verifying all jobs in the lab every Monday to see if they are on time, etc… Procrastinating on doing invoices as long as possible. — Kim Hilgers, Monson Eyecare Center, Owatonna, MN
Best habit is taking time for self-care everyday (working out, cooking, watching a movie, reading a book), even if it means waking up early or staying up late. Worst habit is taking on too many tasks at one time. — Chris Lopez, OD, Roberts Eyecare Associates, Vestal, NY
Best habit is my passion and drive for wanting to learn and know anything optics that I can. My worst habit is definitely sharing too much ‘nerdiness’/information with a patient thinking they care as much as I do. — Heather Harrington, Elevated Eyecare, Denver, CO
Best: Follow up, under promise and over deliver. Worst: Impatience with dumb people and know-it-alls. — BJ Chambers, Carrera Optical, McQueeney, TX
Best habit is to remind patients when dispensing glasses to come in anytime for adjustments and refills on their lens cleaner. — Carissa Dunphy, Monroe Vision Clinic, Monroe, WA
My best habit is thorough persistence. My worst habit is loving to eat. — Robert M Easton, Jr. OD, FAAO, Oakland Park, FL
I work hard till the job is done but I don’t take criticism well. — Bart Parker, Vision Source-Fox Optical, Lake Worth, FL
Best: I’m detail-oriented with a work ethic. Worst: I’m detail-oriented with a work ethic. — Dave Goodrich, Goodrich Optical, Lansing, MI
Best: I am upbeat and positive 99% of the time with patients and staff. Worst: I am the type of perfectionist that struggles to delegate or complete tasks. — Zachary Dirks, OD, St. Peter and Belle Plaine Eyecare Centers, Saint Peter, MN
Best habit is being nice to everyone. Worst is procrastination. — Jennifer Leuzzi, Mill Creek Optical, Dansville, NY
My best habit is discussing the importance of AR in the exam room because it leads to an easy discussion in the optical and over 85% AR capture rate. — Michael Martorana, OD, Falls City Eye Care, Louisville, KY
Best would be answering a phone as soon as it rings. I just hear it and grab it without even thinking. Worst is probably that I like to snack all day long which also means I have to go to the gym every day. — Caitlin Wicka, San Juan Eye Center, Montrose, CO
Best: I can usually make good decisions quickly. Worst: Trying to please everyone, so too trusting? — Kenneth D. Boltz, OD LLC, Dublin, OH
Currently, my best habit is running to the gym after work and my worst is changing at the office and getting caught in my shorts by patients. If I miss the start of the class, then I may have to wait an hour for the next one and still have a long drive home. — Marc Ullman, OD, Academy Vision, Pine Beach, NJ
Having the final word in the office and at home. That final word is “Yes Ma’am.” — Texas L. Smith, OD, Dr. Texas L. Smith & Associates, Citrus Heights, CA
Coming in early every day to prepare for the day ahead. Worst: not recommending lens treatment options to patients. — Mark Perry, OD, Vision Health Institute, Orlando, FL
My best habit is following up with every patient to make sure they are totally satisfied with their eyewear and contacts. — Annette Prevaux, The Visionary Inc, Allen Park, MI
Best habit is that I never stop learning. My worst is I tend to move on to new things before finishing and follow through on my new knowledge. — Selina McGee, OD, Precision Vision, Edmond, OK
Best: Drive and passion. Worst: Procrastination. But then again, Rome wasn’t built in a day … it was built the night before it was due! — Steve Nelson, Eye Candy Optical, Westlake, OH
Best: Hard worker; worst: the piles on my desk. — Kristina Swartz, The Eye Site, Mishawaka, IN
My best is arriving on time and making sales. My worst habit is snacking when its slow. — Pam Neagle, Austin Eyeworks, Austin, TX
Best habit: over organized. Worst: smoking. — Andrea Schall, Armstrong Eye Care, Kittanning, PA
My best habit is having a plan, writing it down in accomplishable steps. My worst is executing said plan. It’s not as bad at work, but in life I will find every excuse to put it off. — Erin D’Elia, 3 for 1 glasses, St. Catharines, ON
My best habit would be making the patient feel understood, comfortable and help them have fun picking out their new glasses. My worst is being too efficient! — Selena Jachens, Urban Eyecare & Eyewear, West Des Moines, IA
No matter what kind of day I am having, the moment I walk into the exam room, I am on stage and I am always friendly, smile and ask about their life. Worst habit is I need to eat a snack by 10AM. — Scott Keating, OD, Vision Trends, Dover, OH
Best habit I have is personally learning all my customers’ names. Worst is not always keeping up with paperwork. — Jocelyn Anderson, National Vision, Riverdale, GA
Keeping promises. Sleeping. I like sleeping. — Angel Miller, Cynthiana Vision Center, Cynthiana, KY
I think my best habit is to be as organized and deliberate as I can possibly be. As for my “worst” habit, I think I say exactly what I think without any filters — a habit picked up in the Army — even when I know that it may not go over well. — Pablo E. Mercado, LensCrafters, Alpharetta, GA
My best habit is “checking in” with people; staff, family, friends… I make sure even if I’m busy with other things to check in on people and make sure they are having a good week, etc. Worst habit? Somewhat disorganized and a little forgetful at times. I always buy a planner with the intent of using it but it usually ends up basically empty. — Cynthia Sayers, OD, EyeShop Optical Center, Lewis Center, OH
Worst would be my cluttered desk. I know where everything is but others not so much. Best would be that I try to always be positive with staff and patients, smile and greet them by name. I once heard that you should say someone’s name at least three times in conversation. It tends to have a positive effect on people and helps you remember their name. This often eases tension when I am asked to speak to an unhappy patient. More often than not, they are content by the end of our talk. — Dawn Christman Munoz, North Valley Eye Medical Group, Indian Hills, CA
Best: Staying informed on all things optical! Helps preserve our patients confidence. Overdoing my work load would have to be the worst thing I do on a daily. — William Chancellor, Eye Can See Eyewear, Hampton, GA
Best: I make home cooked meals at least five or more times a week. Worst: I tend to usually be late as much as I try to plan ahead. I blame Chicago traffic and weather. — Diana Canto Sims, OD, Buena Vista Optical, Chicago, IL
Worst is being a micromanager; best is great efficiency and speed at finishing tasks. — Larah Alami, OD, Hudson River Eye Care, Tarrytown and White Plains, NY
Best: patient rapport; worst: writing notes on files. — Rick Rickgauer, Vision Associates, Girard, PA
Multitasking and multitasking. — Bethany Cassar, Complete Eye Health, Holland, MI
Show up early. Show up early. — John LaShorne, Brown County Eye Care, Nashville, IN
I must have a clean desk — sometimes both the best and worst — it leads me to overwork sometimes just to get things off my desk! — Susie Phillips, Dr. Brendon Johnson, O.D., Pekin, IL
Best habit is answering emails as soon as I get them! I know how impatient I get when someone doesn’t instantly answer MY messages… so I like to stay ahead of the game. Worst habit is my “I’ll do that in the morning” pile, because it usually becomes the “Oh, crap… now I REALLY have to do that two days later” pile. — Renee Berry, Nappanee Family Eyecare, Nappanee, IN
Worst habit is letting things get piled up. — Bhumika Patel, OD, Redstone Family Vision, Indian Land, SC
Best: Staying on top of things. Worst: Impulse buying. — Erika Tydor, OD, Shoreline Eyecare, Shoreline, WA
Best habit? I try to lead a prayerful life. Worst habit? I cuss like a sailor and fall off ladders. — Dennis Iadarola, OD, Center For Vision Care, Monroe, CT
Work hard is my best, worst is taking it home. — Sabina Krasnov, I2Ioptique, Scottsdale, AZ
Habit or hobbit? — Richard H Frankel , OD, Atlantic Cape Eyecare, Wildwood, NJ