Posts by Dr. Aaron Neufeld
The Practice Owner’s Financial Overview: A Comprehensive Percentage Breakdown Guide of COGS, Operating Expenses, & Net
KEY POINTS: (1) Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) typically ranges from 26% to 32% of gross revenue, varying by practice focus (retail vs. medical). (2) Operating Expenses often break down into: Staff (18–24%), OD Payroll (14–20%), Occupancy (5–8%), and Marketing (1–2%). (3) Net Income falling within 27–35% of gross revenue indicates solid profitability and efficient…
Read MoreMethods of Valuing an Optometry Private Practice: A Comprehensive Guide
Valuing an optometry private practice is essential for many purposes, whether it be the sale or purchase of a practice, partnership buy-ins, securing loans, or planning for retirement. Ultimately a practice sells for a price that both the buyer and seller deem to be equally fair. However, there needs to be a starting point. Determining a fair value requires a detailed understanding of the business’s financials, market conditions, and intangible assets. Here, we explore several commonly used methods for valuing an optometry private practice, each with its unique considerations.
Read MoreAnnual Report 2024: In Review, and a Look at 2025!
Overview Dear ODoF Community! Can you believe it’s already one month into 2025? First, we would like to acknowledge that annual reports normally go out at the beginning of the year, however with so many moving parts and exciting projects we had to delay this a bit – our apologies in advance! In 2024, we…
Read More2024 Optometrist Income Report
With increasing student loan debts, an ever changing economy, and a profession that continues to withstand disruption – many optometrists begin to question their associated worth as practitioners. While the old phrase “comparison is the thief of joy” rings true in certain facets, comparison to get a true sense of trends in salary, debt load…
Read MoreAnnual Report 2023: In Review, and a Look at 2024!
In the next reading, you’ll discover metrics that mirror our community’s overall progress, along with the resources and offerings this growth has enabled us to continue providing. Next, we’ll transparently outline the methods ODs on Finance employs to generate revenue. Lastly, we’ll offer you a sneak peek at some major projects we’re embarking on for 2024, aiming to further our profession and assist every OD in achieving financial freedom.
Read MoreNavigating the Path to Cold-Starting an Optometry Practice: A Journey of Passion and Persistence with Dr. Ashley Szalkowski
Driven by the desire for change and a fresh approach to eye care, Dr. Ashley Szalkowski shares insights into the process of establishing a thriving practice from the ground up.
Read MoreGood vs. Bad Optometry Debt – 4 Ways to Use Good Debt to Your Advantage
That being said, debt can be a useful tool for achieving financial goals, but not all debt is created equal. Some debt can be beneficial, while others can be detrimental to your financial well-being. Let’s explore the difference between good debt and bad debt and how you can use debt to your advantage.
Read MoreState of ODs on Finance: 2022 in Review, and a Look at 2023!
It’s hard to believe, but the year 2022 has vanished in the blink of an eye. This past year, we’ve had the pleasure of seeing ODs on Finance continue to grow and help ODs on their financial journey, whether they be new grads or seasoned veterans. We are thankful for your attention, your questions and your contributions. Two tenets that hold paramount value to us at ODs on Finance are transparency and productive growth. In this letter, we will highlight how our community has grown, the various methods we provide value to our community, exciting new projects/acquisitions for 2023, and a look at our commercial interests/disclosures – trust us, you’ll want to read this! Here is a quick recap of 2022!
Read More6 Tips for Utilizing Cost Benefit Analysis on a New Piece of Equipment
New equipment is always a temptation for practice owners, and for good reason. A cost-benefit analysis (or CBA for short) is a term derived from Lean theory and is an analysis of the expected balance of benefits and costs, including an account of any alternatives and the status quo. CBA takes into account your overall return on investment (ROI), however the approach is a little less black and white than might be expected. Let’s go through 6 important tips on utilizing CBA to its full extent in order to find whether that new piece of equipment should find its way through your practice doors.
Read MoreHow Dr. Kala Brown Eliminated $180K While Dealing with Husband’s Leukemia in 7 years #InspirationalStudentLoansSuccess
When it comes to loan debt elimination, Dr. Kala Brown Brewer’s story of eliminating $180,000 in student loan debt over 8 years is especially inspiring and heart wrenching. As a newly minted SCO grad in 2013, Kala first did a residency and then embarked on a career at an ophthalmology practice in North Carolina. Upon arriving at her new job, Kala found out that her husband had a relapse of leukemia.
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