What I’ve Learned in My Two Years as a Practice Owner 

One of the biggest lessons practice ownership has taught me is that trust is earned over time. As Eye See It, the clearest sign of that trust is when patients choose to follow me from practice to practice. That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen overnight, and it tells me the care and relationships matter.

After optometry school, I spent four years working as an associate, which helped shape how I wanted to practice as an owner. Two years ago, I purchased Cypress Optometry Group in Orange County, California, with a goal of building a practice centered on strong relationships and consistent care.

Practice ownership early in your career is both exhilarating and challenging. You are responsible for clinical decisions while also thinking about staff, systems, and long term direction The challenge is growing the practice without losing focus on patients and the reasons many of us chose this profession.

Staying Connected Through Vision Insurance
As an owner, it has been important to work with an insurance plan that makes sense both clinically and operationally. VSP has consistently felt like the most doctor friendly vision plan I work with, including how it educates members on the importance of annual eye exams for both vision and overall health. As a result, patients tend to come in regularly and understand why those visits matter.

VSP Essential Medical Eye Care and coordination of benefits allow me to address medical needs beyond the annual exam, supporting continuity of care and keeping treatment in one place. That access allows me to practice to full scope while supporting steady patient flow.

Growing at a Sustainable Pace
The practice was already part of VSP Premier Edge when I took over, and I chose to continue that relationship because visibility matters early in ownership. Premier Edge helps patients find us, understand their benefits, and provides resources to help us compete and grow.

Choice That Makes Sense for the Practice and the Patient
Through VSP, we have access to options that support how we already practice. Clinically, that flexibility allows me to recommend solutions based on what makes sense for each patient. For patients, having a range of options and price points helps them feel confident in their choices while keeping care personal.

Making More Informed Decisions
Learning how to make informed decisions has been one of the biggest shifts for me as an owner. Access to PECAA resources and tools like the VSP Practice Report has helped me better understand who we serve and how patients engage with the practice. That insight supports better decisions while still leaving room for clinical judgment and patient connection.

When Patients Choose to Follow You
Trust is the most meaningful feedback there is. I am proud that patients have chosen to follow me from practice to practice. It reinforces why I believe in private practice and why I am committed to caring for my patients and community for the long haul.