What does it take to scale 92 eye care locations—and still keep your people loyal and inspired? In this episode of Optometrists Building Empires, Ankit Patel sits down with Bill Noble, the founder of West Point Optical Group and former executive at Luxottica's LensCrafters. Bill shares how he scaled the largest Pearl Vision franchise in the country, managing 92 locations across 14 states, all while staying true to his values and team. From navigating COVID-19 challenges to investing in top-tier talent, Bill unpacks what it really means to lead with empathy, build relationships that last, and embrace change with humility.
Takeaways:
- Relationships are everything. Whether it's lenders, franchisors, or investors, building trust and maintaining communication pays off in hard times.
- Pay for quality. Don’t skimp on compensation. Top talent is worth it, and investing early builds long-term loyalty.
- Lead with empathy. Recognize the needs of today’s workforce. Empathetic HR policies and recognition programs help retain great people.
- Be adaptable. Operational flexibility and strong fundamentals helped Bill’s business stay resilient through the pandemic.
- Take calculated risks. Leaving corporate life to start something new was a risk, but one that paid off thanks to preparation and grit.
- Build for scale. Create efficient, repeatable processes early so your business is ready to grow when opportunity knocks.
Quote of the Show:
- “Top talent wants to work for top talent. Don’t think you're gonna be able to recruit an A player if you've got a C-plus leader or manager.” - Bill Noble
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