Seeing the Vision Through - Dr. Jason Klepfisz- Optometrists Building Empires - Episode # 094

Can independent optometry beat corporate competition by focusing on experience, branding, and hospitality?On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Jason Klepfisz, founder of Urban Eyecare and creator of Private Practice Club. Jason shares how he built a standout private practice through premium patient experience, independent eyewear, smart branding, and AI-driven marketing strategies.From scaling a second location to creating a hospitality-first patient experience, Jason explains how thinking differently helped him stand out in a crowded market. He also dives into the realities of hiring, why he prioritizes personality and sales mindset over traditional optical experience, and how he trains teams to deliver luxury-level service.This conversation is packed with practical insights on private practice growth, branding, staffing, and the future of independent optometry. If you’re an optometrist, practice owner, or entrepreneur looking to differentiate your business, this episode is worth the listen.Takeaways:Building a practice around revenue per patient rather than volume is a legitimate and sustainable path. Delivering an exceptional experience for a focused segment of the market can outperform chasing sheer appointment numbers.Treating your practice like a hospitality business rather than a medical office changes everything. When patients are greeted by name and moved through a frictionless experience at every touchpoint, they return and they refer.Staffing from outside the industry can be a major advantage. Hiring people from retail and hospitality backgrounds and training them from the ground up often produces better results than hiring experienced opticians stuck in corporate habits.Private equity entering optometry creates real opportunity for independent practice owners who are paying attention. As corporate consolidators cut costs and reduce service quality, patients will look for somewhere better,  and well-positioned independents will capture that outflow.Your location is your first marketing decision. Understanding your environment and your target patient before you sign a lease is fundamental to everything that comes after.Exclusivity in eyewear is a competitive advantage most practices leave on the table. Carrying independent frame lines that aren't available at the corporate chains down the street gives patients a reason to choose you and gives you control over your margins.Getting booked out too far is a problem, not a sign of success. When patients with cash can't get in for weeks, they go somewhere else,  and you've handed your competition a warm, motivated lead.Quote of the Show:“This is me turned into a building and a store. And at the end of the day, what I think and what I wind up doing ends up being the most important thing.” - Dr. Jason Klepfisz Links:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jason-klepfisz-13013512aWebsite: https://urbaneyesphx.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbaneyecarephx/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