Dare to Be Different | Stephanie Woo Talks Courage

Join me for an insightful interview with Dr. Mike Lipson, a true pioneer in the field of myopia control.  Known for his sincerity and genuine passion for orthokeratology, Dr. Lipson shares two "secrets: that lead to a successful myopia management practice: 1.    Avoid dabbling - Stay completely focused on the subspecialty you're providing. 2.    Holistic approach - Prioritize the child's overall quality of life as much as their myopia progression. Dr. Lipson's research findings are equally beneficial as his compassionate philosophy of care, he offers wealth of knowledge and expertise. Enjoy the episode!

Dr. Valerie Lam is a co-founder of Insight Vision Center Optometry, a leading optometric practice located in Southern California. Together with her partner, Dr. Thanh Mai, they embarked on a remarkable journey, opening cold and transforming it into a thriving practice.   With a specialization in areas such as specialty contact lenses, myopia management, and vision therapy, their practice stands out for its unwavering commitment to excellence, supported by well-established systems and procedures. In this heartfelt interview, Valerie delves into the crucial importance of assigning the right positions to individuals who possess the skills and passion to excel in their responsibilities. Throughout the conversation, she candidly shares her experiences and reflections, offering insights into the opportunities and challenges that come with building a successful partnership. Her genuine transparency resonated with me on a profound level, leaving a lasting impact, and I'm certain our listeners will feel the same.  

Welcome to today's episode, where I am thrilled to have the opportunity to interview Dr. Thanh Mai. I first crossed paths with Thanh when he participated in my SuperChargeYourPracticeTMWorkshop. Right from the start, I noticed his remarkable dedication to learning and personal growth.  Thanh and his partner, Dr. Valarie Lam (also a SuperCharge Alumni), have built an incredibly successful practice specializing in areas such as myopia management and vision therapy. In this episode, you'll gain valuable insights from Thanh as he shares his core philosophy on patient care, staff education, marketing, and goal setting.  Thanh has been one of the most dynamic and motivating speakers I've had the pleasure of interviewing to date. I strongly encourage you to listen to this conversation with a focused mindset, as there is much to gain from it!

Growing a Practice and So Much More Join me for an inspiring interview with Dr. Charlene Henderson as she reveals the secrets to a success optometric partnership, launching a thriving practice while pursuing personal passions, and constructing their own building...all while balancing a growing family. Dr. Henderson's story is a testament to calculated decision-making, and the courage to make tough choices. Gain valuable insights and learn how to cultivate the mindset needed to achieve extraordinary success in this engaging episode.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Alice Cusner, who had the courage to raise this question on the American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control google group. Dr. Cusner, a seasoned practitioner, has crafted her practice to align with her personal and professional aspirations. During the interview, Dr. Cusner proudly shares how optometry supported her in raising her three children and 14 grandchildren. Her journey is an inspiring example from which we can all learn.

Dr. Wesley Dares to Be Different by making tough decisions that have propelled her practice to remarkable success. My first encounter with Gina was during my SuperChargeYourPractice™ workshop, and since then, she has fearlessly forged ahead, taking bold steps that include eliminating vision plans.  Dr. Wesley generously shares her journey, from humble beginnings to constructing her own office building, by focusing on the patient experience and specialty care.  What sets Gina apart is her ability to take calculated risks that pay off. Discover how she achieved success while striking a work-life balance and staying true to the WHY she entered practice in the first place.    

In our latest episode of the "Dare to Be Different" podcast, I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Ken Maller, a highly regarded expert in the field of specialty contact lenses.  His extensive knowledge in fitting custom lenses is unparalleled, making him one of the smartest individuals I have encountered in my career. During the interview, Dr. Maller candidly shares his unique journey and the lessons he learned along the way. His story serves as an inspiration.  Discover how his decision to stop insurance acceptance transformed his practice, and gain valuable insights that could potentially reshape your own professional path.

In episode two of Dare To Be Different, Dr. Alan French opens up about his ongoing experience of breaking free from insurance dependency. He sheds light on the storm that practitioners often face before experiencing the sunshine of a thriving practice.  Dr. French's story serves as a reminder that dropping insurances requires faith in the value of your services and professionalism…surpassing the convenience of being a participating provider in plans that often don’t properly reimburse you for your time, expertise and philosophy of care. Amidst the era of social media where only the highlights are shared, Dr. French candidness is refreshing and heartfelt. His genuine insight and lessons learned will be invaluable to those who Dare To Be Different. 

Well we did it! We launched season 2 of Dare To Be Different podcast! My first interview is Dr. Julio Arroyo. He accepts select vision and medical plans as a vehicle to generate potential leads into his specialty care clinics. I’ve known Julio for 10 years; he’s committed to constant and never-ending development of his practice. Listeners will truly benefit from his interview, whether they side viewpoint or not.

In this episode, we go "big picture" with the CEO of The Power Practice, Dr. Bethany Fishbein. We talk goals, lifestyle design and getting the most out of your practice. Dr. Fishbein has had extensive experience with practice owners at all levels, and her insight into useful strategies is truly valuable.