Michael D’Alesio Story - Fast Results Right Now
My career is probably not that different from yours. I got my license in 1985. By 1990 I opened my own practice. However, eleven months later, I was not doing that great and needed help.
I realize getting help does not always mean from a practice management firm, but that’s what I did. I found one that gave me outstanding results. In one month, I went from $8000 to $21,000 in revenue. I went from $64,000 first year to $315,000 my second year in practice. I was pleased.
I only briefly met the senior consultant of the firm, David Sanders, when we lunched together. I liked him very much. I knew it was his job to take on the roughest cases and I knew he turned them around one for one. Mine was not in that category, so he was not my consultant.
Eventually, I sold that successful practice. I won’t bore you with the details of my divorce and other life changes, but by 2002 I was ready to have my own practice again. I decided to open with Walmart. I liked the idea of just handling optometry and letting Walmart handle the optical end of the practice - for a while. I didn’t like the fact that no matter what I did, I could not get more than 3% expansion each subsequent year. This would not provide the lifestyle I wanted for my new family (I am very happily married today).
But, this July, I had the good fortune to enjoy my second lunch with David Sanders. He had relocated to Florida after practicing in the Los Angeles area for three decades. He told me about the company he recently launched with a highly successful optometrist in South Carolina (whom he consults), Dr. John Brinkley. I had nearly forgotten my goal to expand, but he told me he wanted to boost my practice and knowing his reputation, I decided to give him a try.
No surprise, I got immediate and striking results, just as I had so many years ago. My 4th of July week, predictably the worst of the year, was double last year. In August 2009 I had 25% higher patient volume (and an even greater increase in income) than in August of 2008 - my highest ever! I am bringing on another doctor to have more time for myself and my family and expand even more.
How to expand faster may not be your problem. Every practice, as David will tell you, is stuck in its own unique way. It could be partner problems, staff problems, cash flow problems, marketing, anything. What I want you to know is Vision Practice Management is the solution.
