Adapting, Innovating, and Connecting - Darion Horner - Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 069

What does it take to build a thriving, modern optometry practice that patients actually look forward to visiting? In this episode, Dr. Darion Horner, owner of Peaksight Family Eyecare, joins Ankit Patel to discuss his journey from new graduate to successful practice owner and community leader. Dr. Horner shares how he’s built a strong, engaged team culture while staying ahead of industry changes through technology, preventative care, and genuine patient connection. Dr. Horner reveals the practical and personal strategies that make his practice stand out and why adaptability and curiosity remain at the heart of his success. Takeaways:Prioritize individualized patient care that focuses on education and preventative health, not just prescriptions.Create a memorable patient experience through authentic connection, humor, and personal engagement.Involve your team in hiring and culture decisions; personality and skill alignment are key to long-term success.Tackle staffing and reimbursement challenges by leaning on technology and expanding into cash-pay and specialty services.Stay adaptable and proactive; success often comes from continuous learning and the willingness to evolve.Embrace innovation: AI and new technologies can enhance both patient outcomes and operational efficiency.Build a practice culture that reflects curiosity, care, and connection, both in and outside the exam room.Quote of the Show:“ Be more aggressive as an associate. I feel like I could've done more to be active, promoting myself and succeeding. I'm very confident now that there are plenty of things that I could have done to do that while I was there.” - Darion HornerLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darionhorner/  Company website: https://peaksightfamilyeyecare.com/  Email: [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/tennessee_meeple/ Book a Meeting with Ankit: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ankit98/optometry-redefined?uuid=e5cd456c-9db4-42c7-b106-2b6e250a6d01 Optometry Redefined Book: https://www.amazon.com/Optometry-Redefined-Master-Resourcing-Performance/dp/B0FKJTZGJ3/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image Ways to Tune In:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5w1H9BBwRXvBSSkexePYxG Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optometrists-building-empires/id1762685070 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/689a039b-54ce-4f04-b641-66d8640d93d0 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/optometrists-building-empires-5812208