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 have her own family and a balanced lifestyle, Kelly joined Bridge Eye Care as an optometrist. Over time, she and her close friend Kristin were given the opportunity to take ownership and grow the practice.
In this episode, Michael Nasser and Kelly O'Brien discuss the realities of owning an independent practice in rural settings. Kelly candidly shares how they built a lifestyle business, navigated business partnerships, overcame staff challenges, and touched on the importance of mental health awareness & support in the optical industry.
Key Topics with Timestamps:
2:02 - Kelly O'Brien's background before co-owning an independent optometry practice
5:55 - Transitioning from corporate optometry to independent practice
9:52 - Navigating the business side of independent practice
12:39 - Hiring the right staff in your optometry practice
15:49 - Balancing business partnerships & maintaining relationships
22:14 - Leadership and staff management in independent optometry
24:51 - Challenges of being a woman in leadership
29:58 - Effective strategies in building a loyal patient base
34:09 - Running an optometry practice in a rural setting
36:21 - Mental health challenges in optometry practice
40:55 - The most rewarding experience working in rural optometry
44:04 - Going the extra mile for patient care
50:14 - Staying motivated through challenges
53:18 - The dynamics of having an optometrist partner
56:17 - Advice for new optometrist and future practice owner
58:47 - Marriage through the lens of an optometrist
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
https://www.thefocusedview.com.au/
Episode Suggestions:
EP23: Belinda Musitano on Strategic Growth,Patient Care & Running a Successful Practice
Connect with Kelly O’Brien:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-o-brien-984311100/
_______
Learn More About Us:
Website: https://www.thefocusedview.com.au/
Email: Michael@thefocusedview.com.au
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-focused-view
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefocusedview/
Facebook: https://www.facebook
Send us your thoughts about the episode
Thank you for joining us in this episode of The Focused View Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, give us a 5-Star rating, and leave a review on Apple Podcast and Spotify to help us reach even more eye care professionals and build a community of innovation and see new opportunities within the optical industry. Talk with you next time!
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.