"The Focused View" is a podcast dedicated to exploring the latest trends, strategies, and innovations in the eye care industry. Hosted by industry expert Michael Nasser, each episode features in-depth interviews with thought leaders and practitioners who are pushing the boundaries of optometry. With a focus on empowering eye care professionals and elevating the industry, "The Focused View" provides valuable insights and inspiration for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving field. Tune in for engaging conversations, expert analysis, and a clear vision for the future of eye care.
Site
RSS
Apple
Données mises à jour le 14/07/2026
Classements récents
Dernières positions dans les classements Apple Podcasts et Spotify.
Liens partagés entre épisodes et podcasts
Liens présents dans les descriptions d'épisodes et autres podcasts les utilisant également.
Découvrez des podcasts liées à The Focused View: Empowering Eye Care Professionals . Explorez des podcasts avec des thèmes, sujets, et formats similaires. Ces similarités sont calculées grâce à des données tangibles, pas d'extrapolations !
EP52: From Specialty to Strategy: Building a High-Performance Independent Practice with Shonit Jagmohan - Part 2
Saison 3 · Épisode 52
lundi 4 mai 2026 • Durée 53:04
Differentiation is one of the biggest opportunities for independent optometry practices, but it requires the right strategy, systems, and leadership. In this episode, we continue our conversation with optometrist and owner of Vision Camberwell, Shonit Jagmohan.
Shonit breaks down how he’s built a high-performance independent practice by focusing on what truly sets a business apart: its people, its culture, and its strategy. He shares the mindset required to stand out and stay relevant in an increasingly competitive landscape.
From hiring the right people and creating meaningful incentive structures to making smarter business decisions and future-proofing your practice, this episode is packed with practical insights that independent practice owners (or aspiring ones) need to hear.
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
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!
EP51: From Specialty to Strategy: Blending Clinical Excellence and Leadership in Independent Optometry with Shonit Jagmohan - Part 1
Saison 3 · Épisode 51
lundi 20 avril 2026 • Durée 54:52
What happens when you stop trying to serve everyone and start building a practice around clarity and specialisation?
In this episode, we are joined by Shonit Jagmohan, an optometrist and owner of Vision Camberwell, one of the oldest independent practices in Victoria, to unpack how he built a practice model centred on specialty contact lenses, patient experience, and intentional business design.
Throughout the conversation, Shonit shares how he shifts from the traditional mindset of trying to serve everyone and instead advocates for clear positioning and strategic differentiation. He shares how leadership, team culture, and structured systems allow him to balance clinical excellence with business sustainability, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other.
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
10:05 - Key difference between independent and corporate optometry
15:59 - Inside Vision Camberwell & its practice philosophy
20:10 - Specialty contact lenses
EP50: From Grad to Greenfield: One Optometrist’s Journey to Private Practice Ownership with Sheila Lam - Part 2
Saison 3 · Épisode 50
lundi 6 avril 2026 • Durée 59:38
Sometimes, the most powerful way to learn is to build as you go, and Sheila Lam’s journey is a testament to that. In this second part of the conversation, Sheila Lam takes us behind the scenes of building a greenfield practice with Mandy Huynh from a simple idea to full execution.
From figuring out business structures and securing funding, to negotiating leases, managing unexpected costs, and building a patient base from zero, Sheila shares the raw, unfiltered realities of entrepreneurship in optometry.
This episode isn’t just about opening a practice, it’s about betting on yourself, learning as you go, and building something meaningful from the ground up. Whether you’re a student, early-career optometrist, or someone dreaming of ownership, this episode will give you both practical insights and the mindset shifts needed to take that leap.
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
2:51 - Why Sheila and Mandy chose to gain experience first before opening their practice
4:00 - Finding mentors & building a support system
6:12 - Choosing a business name, logo, and their A team
8:37 - Finding a location
EP49: From Grad to Greenfield: One Optometrist's Journey to Private Practice Ownership with Sheila Lam
Saison 3 · Épisode 49
lundi 23 mars 2026 • Durée 48:56
From grad to greenfield. Sheila Lam didn’t just follow the expected path, she built her own.
In this episode, Michael Nasser sits down with Sheila Lam, optometrist and co-founder of Eye Definition Optometrist, to unpack what it really takes to step into ownership early in your career.
From graduating during the pandemic and gaining experience in corporate optometry, to questioning the “safe” route and launching an independent practice with a business partner, this is a story of clarity, courage, and calculated risk.
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
6:47 - Sheila's introduction to corporate optometry
9:18 - Outgrowing the corporate path
11:11 - Joining the Young Optometrists and the power of networking
15:24 - Lessons from corporate optometry
19:24 - Making the leap to independent practice
22:07 - Replan the future with independent practice
EP48: Practice Flow, Training, and the Future of Independent Practice with Tim Thurn
Saison 3 · Épisode 48
lundi 9 mars 2026 • Durée 01:03:27
Do you and your team truly know the "why" behind your business? In this episode, Tim Thurn is back for part two of the conversation, bringing his honest perspective on the realities of modern optometry and a simple yet powerful idea: why successful practices are intentional about their "why."
Throughout the episode, Tim challenges the common belief that independent practices are directly competing with large corporate players. Instead, he encourages practitioners to focus on positioning, patient experience, and integrated care.
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
2:46 - Revenue shifts & the real challenges facing independents
5:30 - Optometry as a professional sales role
9:26 - Demographic shifts & cultural evolution in the industry
13:26 - How business fundamentals have evolved
20:48 - Designing an exceptional patient flow
24:14 - Strongest why for independent practice
30:11 - What's different about your practice?
32:01 - What true integrated care looks like
39:19 - Ensure integrated care is consistent amongst the team
EP47: The Evolution of Independent Optometry and Technology with Tim Thurn
Saison 3 · Épisode 47
lundi 23 février 2026 • Durée 55:49
Independent optometry hasn't just evolved, it has transformed. From glass lenses dominating the market to digitally personalised optics, from fragmented professional politics to collaborative care models, the journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Tim Thurn, former Medical & Professional Relations Director at EssilorLuxottica and a trained optometrist, to unpack decades of perspective on the profession. This is a conversation about progress, not just technological progress, but professional growth, mindset shifts, and the responsibility independents carry in shaping the future of eye care.
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
1:11 - Tim's journey into optometry and industry leadership
4:06 - From fragmented practice to coordinated care
5:44 - Tim's transition into industry & market analysis
10:36 - Early challenges and opportunities of independent practice
13:17 - Revenue model shifts
14:36 - Technological milestones in dispensing and manufacturing
19:05 - How technology changes patient experience to personalisation and precision
EP46: Leading for Success: Practical Strategies to Build Stronger Teams in Independent Optometry with Dr Steve Vargo
Saison 3 · Épisode 46
lundi 9 février 2026 • Durée 49:22
Strong teams don't just happen by accident. They're built through better leadership, a strong team culture, and systems that help your practice grow without burning you out.
In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Dr Steve Vargo, optometrist, practice management consultant, author, and host of the Eye Own a Business podcast, to unpack one of the biggest (and most challenging) issues facing independent practices today: leadership and team management.
From understanding the difference between leadership and management, to hiring the right practice manager, reducing staff turnover, and building a culture people actually want to be part of, this conversation goes beyond theory and dives into what truly works inside real practices.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed managing staff, unsure how to delegate, or frustrated by a lack of growth despite working harder than ever, this episode is for you.
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
1:01 - Steve Vargo's journey into practice management
4:50 - Why leadership is the missing link in many practices
EP45: Building Community, Crafting Care: Northam Optical's Journey to Independent Practice of the Year 2025 with Allyson Freind
Saison 3 · Épisode 45
lundi 26 janvier 2026 • Durée 36:49
In this episode, we are joined by Allyson Freind, optical dispenser, owner of Northam Optical and recipient of Independent Practice of the Year 2025, to explore how a loyal customer base, deep community connection, and consistent, high-quality care can outperform even the biggest city-based advantages.
From accidentally stepping into optics as a receptionist to becoming a trusted healthcare provider, community leader, and industry advocate, Allyson's journey shows that regional practices can thrive when they are built on trust, education, and genuine care for the people they serve.
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
1:46 - Allyson's background and her unexpected career in optics
5:11 - From employee to business owner
6:04 - What makes running a rural practice unique compared to bigger cities
6:56 - What sets an award-winning practice apart
8:56 - Business milestone for Northam Optical
11:12 - Building real community connections
13:27 - Criteria for brand alignment and setting boundaries as a business owner
EP44: Ownership, Independence, and Planning Succession in Optometry with Tim Duffy
Saison 3 · Épisode 44
lundi 12 janvier 2026 • Durée 51:53
What does it take to build an independent practice that lasts for four decades and then pass it on to continue the legacy, intention, and heart for patient care?
In this episode, we are joined by Tim Duffy, a highly respected rural optometrist, former owner of Vision Splendid, and long-time advocate of independent practice, to unpack how he built, grew, and eventually handed over his optometry practice to younger optometrists without losing its heart for patients.
This conversation goes beyond business theory. It's about community, independence, patient care-first, and living a legacy that outlives you. Whether you're a young optometrist wondering where your career path is heading, a practice owner thinking about the next 5–10 years, or someone who is deeply invested in the future of independent optometry, this is a must-listen episode for you!
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
3:29 - Starting young and building a rural practice in NSW
6:20 - Key strategies in growing a rural optometry practice
9:32 - Early support from the community
2025 Holiday Episode: Eye Care Community Voice
Saison 2
lundi 29 décembre 2025 • Durée 17:08
As we close out another year on The Focused View, we wanted to pause the usual format and do something truly special.
In this special holiday episode, we bring together one standout piece of advice from some of our past guests. You'll also hear their personal messages to the eye care community, reflections, encouragement, and what they hope we carry with us into the new year.
Think of this episode as a collective deep breath. A moment to reflect on the challenges we've faced, the growth we've experienced, and the future we're building together.
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
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!
12:50 - Creating a business plan and securing business funds
16:28 - Forecasting bank loan amount for starting a business
20:30 - Finding a property and lease negotiation
28:07 - Practice design and fit-out challenges
31:48 - Unexpected delays: approvals, compliance, construction realities
33:39 - Mindset shift: problem-solving over perfection
35:55 - Most underestimated part of setting up a practice
41:13 - Opening Months: What it’s really like
42:56 - Hiring the first staff
45:54 - How hiring staff improve the business
48:16 - From 0 patients to current growth
49:43 - Marketing strategies for greenfield practices that actually worked
51:57 - Essential personality traits for business owners
52:58 - Advice to young optometrists who’s unsure if they’re ready
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!
24:57 - Opening an independent optometry practice
28:30 - Choosing a business partner, aligning goals, and priorities
32:57 - Defining partnership structure and tasks of the practice
35:02 - Why they chose a 50/50 ownership structure
36:17 - Advice they received about the partnership
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!
43:43 - Key elements of well-oiled machine practice
45:46 - Training: The most neglected growth lever in business
51:07 - Communication skills resources
53:05 - The future of independent optometry
57:55 - The one lesson every independent should remember
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!
22:44 - Staff training to the power of technology
24:05 - Importance of independence embracing technology
26:31 - Independence as drivers of change
32:27 - Who independents are really competing with
36:34 - Role of independent market to R&D across the industry
41:34 - Underdeveloped areas of the eye care industry
44:38 - What's next for the eye care industry
46:11 - Advice to the independent in adopting new technology
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!
7:25 - Leadership vs. management
9:42 - Why do practice owners struggle in leadership
10:11 - When should the owner delegate responsibilities
13:46 - Best way to identify the right practice manager
16:35 - Hiring within vs. outside
18:37 - Interview questions for leadership roles
21:35 - The first 60 days of a new manager
23:52 - Developing leaders in your existing team
27:07 - The five pillars of leadership
30:17 - Holding people accountable without confrontation
32:59 - Effective communication in the practice
36:59 - Tips for manager and team collaboration
38:49 - Why staffing is the number 1 challenge of business owners
40:54 - Retention comes down to leadership
42:53 - Empowering staff to be part of the solution
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!
17:36 - Education and industry involvement
20:38 - Giving back to the community through the Fiji outreach program
23:39 - The value of training and education for optical dispensers
24:54 - Guiding principles that operate Northam Optical
26:11 - What makes the biggest difference in patient experience
27:52 - Making smart business decisions: Introducing a new specialisation to patients
30:22 - Business owner routine to be working on the business, not just in it
32:51 - Allyson's advice to independent practice owners
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!
11:06 - Expanding scope of practice in rural settings
14:06 - Investing in patient care through technology, equipment in rural settings
16:34 - Competition in rural private practice
19:34 - Advocating for independence: treating team as family
22:51 - Creating a lifestyle, flexibility, and owning your time
26:13 - Recognition of the Josef Lederer Award (2017)
28:12 - Who was Josef Lederer?
31:22 - Initial steps of succession planning
38:27 - Finding the right person for a successful succession
40:54 - Why did Tim choose the continuation of practice legacy over corporate sale
46:19 - When it the time to get legal advice for succession planning
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!
10:30 - Kayla on what to look out for in the eye care industry in 2026
12:55 - Erich's encouragement for growth, confidence, and long-term vision
13:56 - Louise and Teiger's gratitude to the eye care community
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!
