The Focused View: Empowering Eye Care Professionals

Everyone dreams of running their own practice until they realise that it's more than just caring for patients. In this episode, we are joined by Shaina Zheng, a clinical optometrist and practice owner, to unpack the unexpected chaos behind the consultation room. Shaina gets real and opens up about her culture shock on ownership, their biggest challenges, pushback, and the powerful lessons she's learned about leadership, e...

You've finally decided, you want to own your own practice. But then comes the big question: where do I even start? Should you build one from scratch or take over an existing practice? It's exciting… but also a little overwhelming, right?

In this episode, Erich Mattei of Akrinos is back to unpack what it really takes to step into practice ownership in today's optometry landscape. From identifying each phase of the...

In this episode, we are joined by Joy Livingood Gibb, a veteran in the optical industry with nearly 40 years of experience. From independent optician work to mobile services and now practice management in Utah, Joy has seen it all, and she's still as passionate as ever.

Throughout the conversation, Joy shares her journey from wearing glasses at six years old to becoming a practice manager, educator, and leader who champion...

When it comes to running a business, wellbeing isn't just about yoga classes, lavender oil, or taking a day off on your birthday; it's about empowering yourself, taking control, and creating systems that actually reduce stress.

In this episode, Dr Leanne Faulkner, founder of Fortitude at Work, joins us to explore the reality of business wellbeing; how financial strain, lack of boundaries, and dependency on clients or ...

In this episode, we are joined by Louise and Teiger Sceats, the creative mother and son duo behind The Elusive Miss Lou. From eyewear that tells a story to their family mantra of quality, comfort, and fit, they share how they built a brand rooted in artistry, authenticity, and spreading joy. 

Throughout the conversation, Louise reveals how her design journey began through Jono Hennessy, where she learned the craft from the grou...

For years, behavioural optometry has been labelled as controversial. But what if the results speak louder than the scepticism? In this episode, we are joined by Adrian Vecchio, optometrist and director of The Eye Collective, to explore the power of specialising with passion and purpose in optometry.

From discovering behavioural optometry early in his career to building a thriving independent practice, Adrian shares his story of...

What if you had a support network ready to answer your questions, guide you through your first grad role, and remind you why you chose optometry in the first place? That's exactly what Young Optometrists Network provides! 

In this episode, we are joined by Celine Zhang, Ann Tran, and Yeghia Gharibian from Young Optometrists (YO) Network, a volunteer-led organisation dedicated to supporting optometry students and early-care...

Ever wonder how optometry practices in the US compare to those in Australia and what we can learn from each other? In this episode, we are joined by Erich Mattei, President + Chief Vision Officer of Akrinos, to explore the landscape of independent practice, the impact of private equity, the evolving scope of practice, and how technology & consumer behaviour are reshaping the industry in the US and Australian optometry market. 

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What does it really take to go from being a new optometrist to owning two thriving independent practices before 30? In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Amanda Duffy, an optometrist and co‑owner of two practices, to talk about her journey as an eye care professional, her mindset, and the steps she took to confidently step into ownership.

From building patient-first businesses to managing a supportive team and navigating...

Everyone loses when thousands of optical assistants are untrained. It's not their fault; it's just that they're out there performing optical services that they haven't got any idea about. – James Gibbins

In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by James Gibbins, Director of Education at ACOD and one of the legends in Australia's optical industry, to dive into the two critical areas of the optical profe...

What if the real price of avoiding difficult conversations at work is losing your best team members and holding back your business growth? How much longer can you afford to stay silent?

In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined again by Opticare’s Commercial Manager, Joanne Scott-Dostine, to dive into one of the most avoided yet essential parts of practice management: navigating difficult conversations with intention and clarit...

What does Digital health really mean in the context of optometry beyond the buzzwords? Nicola Mountford unpacks one of the most relevant topics in optometry as technology continues to reshape the healthcare landscape.

In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Nicola Mountford, Optometry Advancement Advisor at Optometry Australia, to explore the evolving role of digital health in optometry. Nicola breaks down the practical ap...

"Sustainability doesn't have to be special, it can just be a normal part of eyewear manufacturing process," - Chris Savage's take on championing small batch eyewear manufacturing, environmental responsibility, and timeless design aesthetics.

In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Chris Savage, a renowned eyewear designer and founder of Objekt Eyewear & Spexcycle, to explore the often-overlooked art...

If your team isn't showing up the way you want, it might be time to look at your leadership. Because the truth is, thriving optical practices aren’t built on sales alone. They’re built on strong leadership, intentional training, and a team that feels seen, supported, and inspired.

In this part 3 episode, Michael Nasser is back again with Kayle Ashlee, the founder of Spexy, a training platform designed for eye care professi...

Can you truly build a human connection with your patient in just one minute? In part two of our conversation, Kayla Ashlee returns to share how “adult pacifiers,” aka our phones, are quietly killing patient relationships. She reveals how soft skills, when used intentionally, can restore and create an unforgettable patient experience.

Kayla shares strategies for using soft skills in every patient touchpoint, how connection creates a ...

You can have the best inventory and marketing plan for your independent practice, but if your team isn't trained to back it up, it does no good to you - Kayla Ashlee.

In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Kayla Ashlee, CEO of Spexy, a US-based optical training resource that addresses the most critical struggles of independent practices. Kayla discusses the role of structured training and how practices can maximise t...

What if the advice we failed to give is the very reason our patients are now struggling with eye health issues? At what point will they come back to us, wondering why we never told them to wear sunglasses before it was too late?

In this episode of the Elevate Your Practice series, Michael Nasser and Joanne Scott-Dostine, Opticare's Commercial Manager, discuss the often overlooked opportunities for sunglass offerings in Aus...

She drove patients to the hospital by herself three times because there was no other choice - here's what a rural independent practice co-owner does to go above and beyond patient care. 

Kelly O’Brien is the co-owner of Bridge Eye Care, a trusted independent practice in Murray Bridge. Her journey began with a cadet scholarship from OPSM, and she worked for them in various locations for seven years. Driven by her ambition to ha...

What does it take to scale an independent practice successfully? In this episode, Michael Nasser talks with Belinda Musitano of Eyes@Optometry to explore how she has successfully built and expanded her independent practice to three thriving locations in Western Australia.  

Throughout the conversation, Belinda shared how she transitioned from being an optical dispenser to a practice owner, the key strategies she used to scale and s...