What does it take to build a thriving practice from the ground up, especially when the odds are stacked against you? On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host Ankit Patel sits down with Dr. Murtaza Jafferji, a seasoned optometrist with over 17 years of experience and a specialty in dry eye and ocular surface diseases. From his early days volunteering at the Lions Club in Tanzania to managing multiple practices in Canada, Dr. Jafferji shares hard-won lessons about choosing the right partners, hiring with purpose, and staying curious in a constantly evolving field.
Takeaways:
- Surround yourself with the right people. The success or failure of your practice often comes down to your team and partners. Hire those who align with your values and are invested in patient experience.
- Don’t rush the process. Building a successful clinic takes longer than expected, especially when faced with challenges like a pandemic. Patience and resilience are non-negotiable.
- Mentorship accelerates growth. Dr. Jafferji attributes much of his career development to mentors who guided him early on. Learn from those ahead of you and pay it forward when you can.
- Hire with depth. Go beyond surface-level interviews. Ask meaningful questions to truly understand who you're bringing into your business and how they’ll contribute to your mission.
- Invest in constant training. Developing your staff isn’t a one-time effort. Build systems for continuous learning to keep your team aligned, skilled, and growing with the business.
- Stay curious and explore innovation. Whether it’s AI integration or new treatment modalities, always look for ways to stay ahead of the curve and enhance patient care.
- Giving back fuels purpose. Community involvement and philanthropy aren't just good deeds; they reconnect you with why you started and add depth to your professional journey.
Quote of the Show:
- “Have a purpose, have passion, and then, make sure you have grit to follow that.” - Murtaza Jafferji
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