Where did you attend optometry school? Do you have any school advice/study tips?

• PA College of Optometry.

Which one thing that you learned in optometry school do you use the most in your daily practice?

• Proper patient relationship.

Did you do a residency? If yes, what area and would you recommend it to others?

• Yes and yes. Primary care.

Where do you practice now? Pros & cons? How did you end up there/make the choice to be there?

• I practice in Orange County. Good demographic, too saturated. I like the area.

What state do you practice in? What are the benefits and drawbacks of practicing there? 

• CA. Benefits: It is CA. Drawbacks: It is CA.

Do you have a specific patient demographic that dominates your area and if so, how have you adapted your practice to serve them better?

• Yes. Mostly middle aged white families.

Do you own your own practice? How did you join/open it? How long have you been there? 

• Yes. 5.5 years. I looked around for a retiring OD to buyout but at the time there wasn't many practices for sale so I decided to open cold.

What was your most valuable resource when getting involved in your initial private practice setting?

• My buying group.

What outside services do you use to help manage/elevate your practice (patient recall services, social media, buy-in groups, CPA, financial advisor, lawyer, etc.)?

• Definitely social media. Buy-in groups are also a great source of managing your practice. You really need all the help you can get from any resource.

What is one thing that you wish you knew before you started practicing?

• How truly difficult it would be to start a practice from ground up.

Do you have more than one location? What factors went into that decision? How soon after your first location was open did you open your subsequent locations?

• 1 location only.

What tips do you have for hiring/training staff and how do you motivate them?

• My staff and I are a team. I emphasize that everyday to motivate and make them part of the team so everyone pulls their share of work properly. incentives also work.

What have you done to set yourself apart from other eye care professionals near you?

• ​Best patient care ever. Make sure everyone is treated kindly, great exam and experience. I make sure my patients leave knowing they were important to us.