EYE OWN A BUSINESS

Finding and hiring an associate OD has become one of the most frustrating challenges in independent practice — and most owners have no idea why their approach isn't working. In this episode, Dr. Steve Vargo digs into the reality behind the associate shortage: the problem isn't only that there aren't enough doctors. In many cases, the way practices recruit, communicate, and present themselves is quietly disqualifying them before a candidate ever picks up the phone. Why are qualified ODs going silent after interviews? Why do job postings sit untouched for months? And what does nearly $200,000 in student debt have to do with the way a young doctor reads your job ad? Drawing on recent research into what today's ODs actually want from employers, Steve unpacks the psychology behind how this generation evaluates opportunities — and why transparency, structure, and specificity matter far more than prestige or promises of "someday." To register for Vision Forward, visit idoc.net to reserve your spot. Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

If you’ve ever felt confident diagnosing dry eye… but frustrated by inconsistent follow-through, stalled treatment plans, or patients who quietly disappear, this episode will feel like a reset. In this conversation, Dr. Steve Vargo sits down with Dr. Crystal Brimer, founder of Dry Eye Institute, to unpack why so many doctors stay stuck in “dabble mode” with dry eye—and what it actually takes to turn it into a meaningful, sustainable specialty. Dr. Brimer shares the mindset shift that changed everything for her practice, the non-negotiable systems that create consistency even in busy offices, and why most dry eye failures have far less to do with patients—and far more to do with leadership, flow, and clarity. You’ll hear how screening every patient changes outcomes, why one well-trained “dry eye ambassador” can transform team buy-in, and how clear communication—grounded in objective findings, not pressure—dramatically improves patient trust and follow-through. This isn’t about adding another device or chasing the next trend. It’s about building a process that works in real life, with real staff, and real patients who are overwhelmed. If you know dry eye could be a game-changer in your practice—but something keeps breaking down—this conversation will help you see exactly where, and what to do next. Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

In this episode, Dr. Steve Vargo reflects on a moment he never expected to witness as an Indiana University alum: watching IU football win a national championship after decades as one of the most historically losing programs in college football. What made the moment even more striking wasn’t just the win—it was how quickly the turnaround happened under new leadership. Using Indiana’s transformation under head coach Curt Cignetti as a real-world case study, Steve explores why struggling practices and small businesses don’t fail overnight—they drift there slowly. Lowered expectations, tolerated dysfunction, unclear standards, and leaders who are busy but not aligned. This episode breaks down the leadership principles behind Indiana’s rapid rise and translates them directly into lessons for optometry practices: redefining identity before strategy, raising standards without burning out your team, focusing relentlessly on fundamentals, making hard people decisions, and committing to execution long enough for momentum to compound. This isn’t about becoming a “national champion” practice. It’s about understanding what it actually takes to change the trajectory of a business in 18–24 months. Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

You didn’t start your practice to feel trapped inside it. Yet somewhere along the way, longer hours became normal. Days off felt stressful. And the idea of stepping away—even briefly—started to feel impossible. If you’ve ever thought, “If I’m not there, everything falls apart,” you’re not alone. In this episode of Eye Own a Business, Dr. Ruth Mannschreck shares a powerful story that began with a personal crisis—and led to a complete rethinking of how a practice can run. What started as a necessity turned into a blueprint for freedom. Not by working harder. Not by sacrificing care or growth. But by building the right systems, empowering the right people, and leading in a fundamentally different way. This conversation isn’t about shortcuts or “hacks.” It’s about a shift—from being the engine of your practice to becoming its architect. This episode shows you what’s possible when your business finally supports your life, not the other way around. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why you’re working too much—and what actually allows you to work less How to build systems that run the practice without constant doctor input The real reason delegation often fails (and how to fix it) Simple ways to empower your team without losing control How intentional culture and leadership create freedom, not chaos Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube