"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.
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EP51: From Specialty to Strategy: Blending Clinical Excellence and Leadership in Independent Optometry with Shonit Jagmohan - Part 1
Season 3 · Episode 51
Monday, April 20, 2026 • Duration 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
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!
EP50: From Grad to Greenfield: One Optometrist’s Journey to Private Practice Ownership with Sheila Lam - Part 2
Season 3 · Episode 50
Monday, April 6, 2026 • Duration 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
EP42: Beyond the Plateau: Modernising and Reigniting Your Practice for Growth with Erich Mattei - Part 2
Season 2 · Episode 42
Monday, December 1, 2025 • Duration 01:03:13
Every practice reaches that moment when growth feels …stuck, and you can sense there's more potential, but you're not quite sure where to find it. The good news? There is a way to go beyond the plateau.
In continuation of Michael's conversation with Erich Mattei of Akrinos, they discuss how eye care professionals can modernise, expand, and grow in their practice, whether they're just starting or have been running an established business for decades. Erich breaks down what it takes to launch a cold start practice, how to identify growth opportunities in an established one, and the importance of financial, operational, and human strategies in building a thriving, future-ready business.
From workflow optimisation to team accountability, to mentorship, to succession planning. This conversation covers the full life cycle of a practice, including practical steps, mindset shifts, and real-world advice for eyecare business owners ready to move beyond the plateau and take their business to the next level.
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
EP41: Lessons in Leadership and Ownership: Shaina Zheng's Guide for Emerging Independents
Season 2 · Episode 41
Monday, November 17, 2025 • Duration 56:54
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, emotional intelligence, and resilience in independent practice.
Throughout the conversation, Shaina shares her journey from her early days working in a corporate practice to leading their own independent practice with his husband. She also highlights the importance of networking, mentorship, and building strong team culture, while touching on her passion for dry eye management and myopia control, two niches rooted deeply in her personal story. If you've ever wanted to build a meaningful career in eye care, this story will remind you why it's worth it.
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
1:14 - Shaina's first encounter with optometry and how it shaped her career path
3:00 - Mentorship and early career lessons
6:40 - Transition from corporate environment to independent ownership
8:28 - Deciding to buy a practice
10:56 - The value of having a partner in building an independent practice
EP40: The Leap Into Ownership: Strategies for Emerging Optometry Practice Owners with Erich Mattei - Part 1
Season 2 · Episode 40
Monday, November 3, 2025 • Duration 34:54
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 practice lifecycle to good practice acquisition and making a modernised workflow, Erich shares his strategic framework that every current or future practice owner can use.
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
0:59 - Erich's background in the eye care industry
2:57 - The 3 phases of practice lifecycle
4:17 - Phase 1: Emerging practice
5:01 - Phase 2: Established practice
8:57 - Phase 3: Legacy practice
10:25 - Why every phase of business comes back to serving your community
15:14 - Trends in new optometrists pursuing independent ownership
18:31 - Incorporating specialty care into the practice
EP39: Building a Patient-Centric Optical Flow: From Core Values to Practice Success with Joy Livingood Gibb
Season 2 · Episode 39
Monday, October 20, 2025 • Duration 01:05:26
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 champions patient-centric optical flow that goes beyond selling products. She emphasises why every optical practice must start with its "WHY," how to craft genuine relationships, align values with individual purpose, and create seamless patient experience and long-term success.
This conversation is packed with insightful takeaways for practice owners, optical teams, and anyone passionate about advancing patient experience while driving practice growth.
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
1:30 - Joy's career journey and her passion for optics
4:13 - How continued learning shaped Joy's approach to patient care
6:03 - The power of "Why"
9:07 - Developing a genuine relationship with patients
10:48 - Why practices need both an individual why and a practice-wide why
EP38: The Business of Wellbeing: Mindset, Focus, and Sustainable Success with Leanne Faulkner
Season 2 · Episode 38
Monday, October 6, 2025 • Duration 01:00:24
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 staff can quietly erode both your business and your mental health. Leanne also shares her Fortitude Framework to help practice owners regain power, take control, strengthen their connections, and design businesses that support sustainable success.
Whether you're an optometry practice owner or any small business leader, this conversation will leave you with fresh knowledge, perspectives, and maybe even the motivation to find your very own "Goose."
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
8:15 - Why traditional self-care fall flat for small businesses
9:55 - Business health mirrors the owner's mental health
13:33 - Relevance of mental health to optometry practice
EP37: The Art and Heart Behind Elusive Miss Lou: Crafting Eyewear with Purpose with Louise and Teiger Sceats
Season 2 · Episode 37
Monday, September 22, 2025 • Duration 56:18
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 ground up. Teiger brings in his storytelling skills from film school, giving life to every frame to create eyewear that's more than just a fashion; it's a whole experience. Louise also opens up about her battle with stage four breast cancer and how it reshaped her outlook on life and business.
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
EP36: Specialising with Purpose: Building a Practice Around Behavioural Optometry and Beyond with Adrian Vecchio
Season 2 · Episode 36
Monday, September 8, 2025 • Duration 49:56
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 curiosity, resilience, and passion for doing optometry differently. He also opens up about the journey from employee to practice owner, why following your heart matters in choosing specialisations, and how his personal experience with brain injury led him into post-concussion care.
Whether you’re a recent graduate, an independent owner, or someone considering adding niche services, this conversation offers inspiration and practical takeaways for shaping a fulfilling, future-ready career in eye care.
All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at
3:49 - Adrian’s first connection to behavioural optometry
5:09 - The path to practice ownership
7:24 - Lesson from acquiring a practice
EP35: The Power of Young Optometrists: Supporting the Next Generation of Eye Care Professionals
Season 2 · Episode 35
Monday, August 25, 2025 • Duration 47:31
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-career professionals to advance the profession.
Whether you're an optometry student, recent graduate, or even a few years into your career, this episode is full of relatable insights and will inspire you to lean into community, stay curious, and embrace opportunities to grow.
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!
8:31 - Why community still matters
10:35 - For established practice: breaking through the plateau
14:06 - Review the PNL
18:33 - The 3-step growth framework: Analysis, Strategy, & Implementation
22:42 - Consistent follow-up with the team
25:39 - Workflows review and team optimisation
34:10 - The power of mentorship and accountability
38:32 - Tips on finding a mentor
41:36 - Succession planning: Start early
49:38 - Opportunities with legacy practice
54:38 - Selling to private equity vs. Independent transition
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!
12:06 - Shaina's culture shock in practice ownership
14:28 - What to prepare before going into independent ownership
17:50 - Building trust with patients
22:34 - The power of community and connection
26:47 - Ways to create community connection
30:35 - Leadership lesson
35:07 - Benefits of emotional intelligence in leadership
40:30 - Finding your niche specialisation for the practice
46:27 - Biggest challenge of independent owners
50:09 - The one thing Shaina would have done differently in her journey to independence
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!
23:28 - What makes a good practice acquisition
25:22 - 3 general areas of due diligence in buying a practice
28:52 - The importance of financial statements to the revenue value of the patient
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!
17:15 - Key stages in a patient-centric optical flow
22:57 - The ideal handoff between optometrist and dispenser for a seamless patient journey
25:06 - Breakdown points during the handoff
27:55 - Shifting the mindset from "Selling" to "Educating"
31:09 - The power of asking lifestyle-based questions to uncover patient needs
34:11 - Training staff to solve problems rather than sell products
37:32 - Why suppliers should be seen as business partners
40:44 - Why ongoing team training is non-negotiable and how to make it effective
44:45 - Using contracts and expectations to protect your investment in staff development
49:29 - How intentional culture-building makes patients feel the difference
53:26 - Beyond the Transaction: Ongoing patient care
58:18 - Joy's tip: "It needs to be a whisper, not a shout" why personalised calls beat mass emails
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!
17:41 - The importance of power and control
20:52 - The negative connotation of power and control
23:04 - Red flag of losing control
24:55 - Seeking wellbeing support for business owners
27:38 - Fortitude framework
31:14 - Finding your "Goose"
36:51 - Building support structure
38:54 - Risk factors that keep business owners awake at night
41:34 - Dependency on business wellbeing
46:37 - The power of community connection
49:15 - Networking vs. Connecting
51:18 - First step towards better wellbeing
54:45 - Book recommendation for small business 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!
22:45 - Keeping the business personal
25:53 - Growth without losing authenticity
31:50 - Brand ambassador and practice partners
36:40 - Box of brightness
40:43 - Louise's story of finding strength through life challenges
45:46 - The motivation to build the business and spread joy as a family
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!
10:45 - Choosing to specialise & building niche services
15:15 - Learning the lessons from mistakes and setbacks
16:19 - Defining behavioural optometry
19:28 - Introducing behavioural care into practice
23:24 - Staying grounded to core science while being open to alternative approaches
26:52 - Balancing clinical passion and the commercial side of business
32:30 - Expanding niche services in practice
36:38 - Post-concussion & neuro-optometric care
41:33 - Develop a mindset of innovation and curiosity
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!
24:55 - Mental health first aid trained
29:22 - Corporate vs. Independent practice: benefits, challenges, & common misconceptions
31:17 - Choosing your first role strategically
35:27 - Supporting students and young optometrists with the power of community
39:31 - How YO differs from other industry bodies and its unique approach
42:50 - The future of YO and its vision to expand beyond NSW & ACT
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!
