The Power Practice

What if the biggest shift in your practice this year doesn’t come from a new piece of equipment, a new hire, or a new plan — but from the way you train your brain to notice joy? That's the message from Allegra Cohen (TEDx Speaker, Author, Chief Joy Officer) in this week's Power Hour. Eugene Shatsman sat in her TEDx talk with his daughter, and they both left inspired. The concept? Your brain's reticular activating system filters the world based on what you focus on. When you train yourself to notice "micro joys" — tiny everyday moments — you rewire your brain for better energy, clearer decisions, and stronger leadership. They discuss how this applies to life in a practice: bringing joy into the exam room, how your mood as a leader ripples through your team, and the difference between constantly scanning for problems versus finding joy and recognition. If you're feeling worn down, reactive, or always showing up to put out fires — this conversation might change how you look at your day and your practice: https://lnkd.in/eADzCQVY

She sold three traditional practices to build something completely different. Stephanie Woo left full-scope optometry — optical, insurance, 20-minute appointments — to open a specialty contact lens-only practice in Las Vegas. No optical. No insurance. No primary care. Just custom contact lenses, concierge service, and 2-hour appointments. The result? An average patient visit exceeding $4,000 and a referral network of over 100 doctors. In this episode, Eugene Shatsman and Stephanie Woo discuss the transition from traditional full-scope practices to building a specialty-only model. They cover how she built the referral network, what ODs can learn about integrating specialty care, and the economics that make it work. In the second half, they shift to Woo University — her nonprofit that's delivered over 250,000 CE certificates since launching during Covid. They discuss virtual vs. in-person learning, industry partnerships, and why accessibility matters for busy ODs. Watch the full conversation on our youtube: https://lnkd.in/eTQRZ2PZ

While industry exam volume dropped 4.5% in Q1 2025, top private practices are growing at high single digits. What separates them? The right metrics — and the systems behind them. Dr. Jason Lake, General Manager of PERC/Opti-Port and one of the sharpest minds in optometry analytics, breaks down the data that's shaping 2025 — and what it means for your practice. In this episode, Dr. Jason Lake and Eugene Shatsman dissect the systems, strategies, and metrics that separate growing practices from stagnant ones. From recall and reactivation to contact lens pricing strategy to the "Kodak moment" optometry might be facing. This isn't theory. It's data from hundreds of practices, real patterns, and actionable steps you can take this week. Watch the full conversation on our youtube: https://lnkd.in/e7PsFbgv

Optometry Sits at a Crossroads As wearable technology expands into eyewear, Eugene Shatsman explains why this moment could redefine the profession. From smartwatches and earbuds to eyewear, wearables are becoming part of daily life. Eugene explains that as technology moves into glasses, optometry can either become a leader in the space or risk being left behind. ▶️ Don’t miss this full conversation with the Nerdy Optometrist on Power Hour: https://lnkd.in/e9Hrfr7F

We built a working AI voice agent in 30 minutes. Live. From scratch. Most optometry practices think AI is expensive, complicated, or months away from being practical. This episode proves otherwise. In this first-ever live build on the Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman and AI innovator Abhi Bhattacharya (Amazon Alexa, athenahealth, VSP Vision) create a working AI voice agent that calls and confirms patient appointments in real time. No months-long development. No six-figure budget. Just practical tools you can actually use. Here's what makes this episode different: You don't just hear about AI — you watch it get built, step by step. And you'll see exactly how accessible these tools really are for your practices. If you've ever wondered, "Where would I even start with AI?" — this is your answer. ▶️ Don’t miss this episode: https://lnkd.in/ewEzD7T3

Are ODs Becoming More Than Optometrists? Ukti Vora (Nerdy Optometrist) shares her perspective on how many optometrists today are expanding their role beyond clinical care. She talks about ODs who are identifying problems within their own practices and developing solutions — from adopting new tech to building their own tools. The conversation highlights how optometrists are taking a more active part in innovation, business development, and collaboration across the industry. ▶️ Watch the full discussion here: https://lnkd.in/e7jSjX5n

The Future Of Scleral Lens Fitting Is Here — And It’s Happening In Just 2 Days! Learn how to use advanced imaging to achieve faster, more accurate fits. ⏰ Register Now: https://lnkd.in/gzRRKxAJ #ContactLensFitting #OptometryWebinar #MedmontInnovation

The Future Of Scleral Lens Fitting Is Here — And It’s Happening In Just 2 Days! Learn how to use advanced imaging to achieve faster, more accurate fits. ⏰ Register Now: https://lnkd.in/gzRRKxAJ #ContactLensFitting #OptometryWebinar #MedmontInnovation

Eugene Shatsman & Nerdy Optometrist — What Can We Learn From Today’s Entrepreneurs & Innovators with Ukti Vora In this episode of The Power Hour, Eugene sits down with Ukti Vora (Host, Nerdy Optometrist Podcast) to share her journey into optometry — from India to the U.S. — and how both worlds are evolving in parallel. They discuss emerging trends, the growing entrepreneurial spirit among ODs, and the importance of embracing technology to enhance patient engagement and education. Ukti also highlights the challenges of adopting new tools, the rise of wearable tech in eye health, and the need for collaboration between practitioners and innovators. Watch the full discussion: https://lnkd.in/e9Hrfr7F

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝘂𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴? Don’t wait — our next Power Webinar is coming up in just 7 days. Learn how advanced imaging tech is changing the game. 🗓️ Wednesday, Oct 29 | 8 PM EST | Free on Zoom Reserve your spot now: https://lnkd.in/gzRRKxAJ #OptometryEducation #ScleralLensSuccess #OptometryGrowth