Start-Up Program Testimonials
The primary reason for choosing the path of a start-up practice was for independence. Independence in how the practice was set up and how my patient care was scheduled. I am most excited about starting from scratch and being able to build and evolve a business where people can have an exceptional eye care experience and where employees are happy to come to work. Williams Group was very helpful in creating a road map for the process. There are an immense number of decisions to be made throughout the process and Williams Group provides a great structure to help guide the process. Knowing that there was someone available with the experience and know-how greatly reduced the stress that comes with starting a practice. Williams Group provides tools and resources to streamline the start up process in order to maximize efficiency and to mitigate potential pitfalls along the way. They are there to help guide and support the process but I had the freedom to make the decisions and create the practice that I envisioned. Just a few years ago I never thought I would pursue opening my own practice. However, my circumstances changed and it started to feel like the best option for me. It took some time, hard work, and patience but it was definitely worth it. It is incredibly rewarding and there is a great sense of freedom that comes from working at your own practice. I'm happy I pursued this path!
Grant Johnson, OD | Acuiti Eyecare & Eyewear
Every aspect of our practice has benefitted from partnering with Williams Group. The most impacted area is the efficiency of our office. Sheila Hayes shared with us multiple resources to make sure we were prepared to open our doors. Because of her and the resources she suggested, our office has ran efficiently and effectively to take care all of our patients' needs. Patient care is our number one focus, and she kept that at the forefront of every meeting we had with her. Dr. Miller decided to open his third independent optometry office, so he had experience in owning his own practice. But this time he wanted to partner with a group that would ensure that he did everything to make our office successful from the start. Our optical sales has seen a significant growth since our partnership started. Sheila was very helpful in suggesting frames lines and labs that would offer quality products but give our office the most profit. The lab especially has impressed us with the quality of work and the communication they have with us. The easiest part of the partnership was our team handling the implementation. It was just myself, Dr. Miller's wife and office manager, and Dr. Miller. Since opening, we have implemented all of the resources and suggestions that came from Sheila. We have an amazing and supportive staff that has helped us implement everything that we learned from Williams Group. By having Williams Group as a consultant and Sheila as our business advisor, our worries and workload was drastically reduced from what I thought it would be. The road map they created for us and our practice helped us in every aspect of getting our new practice off the ground. There were so many things that we did not even think about that I know would have been forgotten or missed had it not been for Williams Group. We feel more confident in every aspect of our practice to make sure that we can give the best patient care to our patients. Williams Group is a true partnership where they have your best interest at the forefront of every decision you make for your practice. Looking back at our experience with them, I recommend them to anyone who is starting up a practice or to add to an existing practice for guidance to ensure that you are giving the best patient care while effectively managing your practice.
Mandy + Matthew Miller, OD | Miller Eye Care
Opening cold I wanted to work with a consultant that would help me avoid costly mistakes along the way. I talked with several consultants and Williams Group's history and track record of guiding successful cold starts stood above the others. WG helps me stay accountable with important financial metrics that could slip through the cracks and otherwise I may not become aware of until it becomes a problem. As a cold start, 6 years in WG helped me initially build a solid patient base but we have transitioned to helping with financial efficiency. WG has helped me build a successful practice that gives me a fantastic work/life balance. Because of systems in place that WG helped me implement, I don't feel I have to micromanage my staff and I bring little work home with me. As a solo practice owner, my WG consultant is able to give 2nd opinions on ideas and can help me decide if certain decisions are smart or not. Even though I'm a solo doctor/owner, I don't feel as if I'm in it all alone.
Matthew Daniels, OD | Eyes on the Lake
I opened my practice in 2019 as a cold start after working as an associate in another practice for 16 years. While I was confident in my clinical skills, I knew that I needed guidance when it came to the business side. I was very unsure of how or where to start when it came to developing the business side of a practice. I knew I needed a consultant and with Williams Group serving many practices in the Midwest, I felt confident in every conversation I had with the team at WG and knew they would be a good partner. The FastStart program was the best investment I made and it has paid for itself as my practice continues to grow year over year. I have continued my relationship with my consultant, Sheila, through monthly meetings to review the health of my business by looking a various indices using the amazing forecasting and tracking spreadsheets designed by Williams Group. I can't imagine NOT using Williams Group, honestly. I have a very "well oiled machine" and I love going to work every day without the ongoing stressors that I hear about from my other colleagues. It has been nice to just have a consistent resource for answers to my questions as I navigate business ownership and solo practice.
Stacey Jones, OD | eyeSMILE Vision
As a cold start in 2020, we needed guidance. You don't know what you don't know, so it's best to have mentorship to lessen the chance of trial and error. The FastStart program set us up for success. The forecasting spreadsheets and monthly meetings helped us set goals and work to achieve them. Our growth has been greater than predicted. Now in our 4th year in practice, and we are seeing 15%+ growth from the previous year. Williams Group and our consultant Sheila have been an excellent sounding board for our practice. With two owners, we sometimes need a tie breaker to finalize an important decision.
Tiffany Gates, OD | Visionary Eye Care
The FastStart program seemed like the best way to obtain professional guidance in opening a private practice as a "cold start". I initially was looking at opening by myself, then partnered with Dr. Tiffany Gates. The Williams Group has guided us on this journey from the start and it has been one of the best decisions we have made to continue our partnership with the Williams Group. We opened cold in February 2020, the pandemic happened, we opened again in April 2020 and have grown ever since. The Williams Group is friendly, knowledgeable, and of great value to our practice. We foresee continuing our relationship with the Williams Group due to its value and positive impact on how we run our practice. Williams Group provides monthly guidance on financial goals with benchmarks. In addition, we added utilization of Williams Group accounting and payroll after about a year. The accurate and detailed financial reports are a huge value as we analyze monthly numbers and goals. We look forward to our monthly phone meeting with Sheila as she has amazing insight in helping us continue to grow our practice.
Anne Metzger, OD | Visionary Eye Care
Working in non-private practice settings have their own advantages and disadvantages, but it was always an ambition to run my own business. After 25 years of practicing in medical and retail, and feeling limited in scope and ability to make improvements, I decided it was time to pursue my dream. Starting a practice from scratch and making all the required decisions from location, design, equipment, staffing, budgeting, marketing, and many other factors can be daunting. Williams Group are the calm professionals who supplied the knowledge and direction I needed to keep it all focused. Their experience and advice helped me utilize the best decisions and yield optimal outcomes without going through trial and error processes. I am already seeing patient growth patterns occurring and taking effect based on all the infrastructure built from Williams Group’s guidance.
Scott Sander, OD | Spectrum Eyecare
The thought of opening my own practice was a huge step out of my comfort zone. By partnering with Williams Group, my practice was more successful, more profitable, and more unique when it comes to local competition.
Emily Shull, OD | Sight Eyecare and Eyewear
Even though my consultant was always available by phone or email, I found the information presented at New Business Training to be extremely valuable as well. The training motivated me to improve my marketing and consider other great business, financial, and staff management strategies.
Kara Ramsey, OD | Eyecare For You
When I decided to transition away from corporate and open my own practice, I wanted to do it right. Being independent doesn't mean you have to start on your own. Williams Group helped reduce the stress of decision making, including lease negotiations, financing, and equipment purchases. With their guidance, I have built a solid foundation and I am truly excited for the future of my practice.
Kristin Reed, OD | Modern Eyes
If I had all the information I needed to open my new practice, I could have implemented on my own, but it would have taken me a lot longer and would have been more stressful. Having my consultants guiding me along the way was invaluable. Not just from the business and financial side of things but the emotional side as well. They were definitely my cheering squad.
Jean Nham, OD | Uptown Family Vision
