If your goal is to own a practice and not answer to anyone but yourself, then go behind the scenes to see how five successful optometrists transformed their dreams into realities with Vision Source. They will share the smartest ways to buy a practice, seamlessly transition into retirement, and create an authentic family environment that creates a positive culture for your patients and staff.
What is Vision Source NEXT?
One of the benefits of being part of the Vision Source community is access to Vision Source NEXT, which provides an umbrella of support, leadership, financial guidance, and professional advice for students and optometrists at every stage of your career.
Students: Rely on Vision Source NEXT to guide you from fourth-year to your first real-world opportunity.
Practicing ODs: Turn to Vision Source NEXT to acquire a practice or grow through a “warm start.”
Transitioning ODs: Considering an exit strategy? Lean on Vision Source NEXT with the confidence that you can sell your practice to another Vision Source optometrist who shares your passion for serving your community.
NEXT can help you buy or sell a practice
When Gary Sneag, OD, FCOVD, purchased his first practice in 1993, in San Diego, California, he was Vision Source member 109. Since then, Dr. Sneag’s Family Vision Care Optometry has grown from three staff members to a thriving business—and today, Vision Source is a network of more than 3,000 locally-owned optometric practices.
In 2019, Dr. Sneag became inspired by the idea of passing the baton to Melanie Langford, OD, who had been working in the practice for almost a decade. Together with Vision Source NEXT, Dr. Sneag successfully transitioned his business to Dr. Langford and her husband, who are proud to continue the practice tradition that began 30 years before.
“I can honestly say that without Vision Source and the NEXT program, I would not be a practice owner right now.” — Matthew Langford, OD
Grow your practice while maintaining a family atmosphere
Laurie Sorrenson, OD, FAAO, always wanted her practice at Lakeline Vision Source in Austin, Texas to feel like family. She broke ground on the practice in 1995, and under the Vision Source umbrella, her practice expanded to the extent that she had to move into a bigger space to accommodate her additional nine doctors and staff.
Watch to learn how Dr. Sorrenson gained more time back into her life after joining Vision Source—and how she used that time to invest in her practice and her family. As a result, her practice is more successful than ever, but each patient still leaves feeling like they have a neighborhood doctor they can trust.
Today Dr. Sorrenson is joined by Eric Hammond, OD, who is (spoiler alert!) also her son. As Dr. Hammond sets his sights on the future of the practice, he trusts Vision Source to maintain the legacy of the practice. He also discusses how Vision Source has been instrumental in practice management, staff training, and development, along with providing the education needed not just to deliver outstanding patient care, but to foster an environment where all of their doctors and staff can experience success.
