dr. Noufal Mais is a profitable optometrist and entrepreneur who has established a number of eye care companies in Western Canada. He’s the founder and CEO of The Eye Middle franchise, which operates 4 areas, with two extra slated to open this 12 months. Collectively along with his management of the attention middle, dr. Mais runs three Alliance Eye Docs areas in Regina and Saskatoon, SK. He’s making ready to launch a brand new distant telehealth initiative, Digital Optometry Providers, that may attain underserved areas of rural Saskatchewan.
TSM: What impressed you to start out your personal eye care enterprise?
dr. Noufal Mais: My inspiration got here from wanting to supply high-quality eye care options that transcend conventional boundaries. Whereas working as an optometrist, I seen gaps within the availability of specialised eye care providers. I noticed a market alternative to create a follow that not solely offered distinctive care, but in addition offered much-needed providers in areas that desperately wanted them.
TSM: What recommendation would you give to new eye docs who wish to begin their very own optometry follow or enterprise?
dr. Noufal Mais: I might say that we first perceive the significance of differentiation. Perceive what’s going to set you aside—whether or not it is a distinctive specialty, a singular method to affected person care, or the usage of cutting-edge know-how. That you must know your id in your enterprise and construct your model round it.
Subsequent, you will need to construct a robust community. Construct relationships with different healthcare professionals, native companies and the neighborhood. Collaboration and referrals play a big position within the development of your eye care enterprise.
And for me, a very powerful factor was to simply accept new improvements and know-how. Incorporating superior diagnostic instruments and remedy strategies can set your follow aside. These instruments not solely enhance effectivity but in addition entice sufferers who’re searching for that additional edge in service and healthcare.
TSM: What challenges did you face once you began your personal follow and the way did you overcome them?
dr. Noufal Mais: For me, the most important problem was persistence. I wished to see success straight away and I needed to settle for that it’s a course of, that development takes time. For instance, I believe I rushed too shortly to open my second department and may have established my enterprise mannequin extra definitively. However I realized from that course of, and after I opened my third and fourth branches, I made positive I had the muse in place. I did not lead, and my group would not let me. They made positive we established credibility and constructed a robust affected person base. I targeted on offering distinctive care and actively participating with the neighborhood via screenings and outreach packages. It takes time, however regularly belief and recognition will develop, and so will we.
TSM: How vital is it for brand spanking new optometrists to grasp the enterprise facet of eye care?
dr. Noufal Mais: That’s a very powerful factor. A powerful scientific background is crucial, however I believe an understanding of the enterprise facet is simply as essential. From managing funds, advertising methods, to cultivating relationships with sufferers, it is extremely vital to have a stable understanding of enterprise fundamentals.
TSM: Any closing phrases of knowledge for aspiring optometrist entrepreneurs?
Dr. Noufal Ali: Keep passionate and hungry. Keep curious. The sphere of optometry is evolving so shortly, so it’s a must to embrace that fixed studying course of. Keep on high of business developments and by no means compromise on the standard of care you present. For us, our driving motto has been patient-centered care – placing our sufferers’ wants first has all the time steered us in the proper course.