Against All Odds: How I Transformed My Life and Practice

“Success leaves clues. If I can do it, so can you! Let’s do it together!” — Dr. Lauretta Justin

When I started my optometry practice in 2006, I had no idea what I was getting into. I wasn’t just unprepared—I was utterly inexperienced. I had no business background, no practice management knowledge, and no one in my family had ever owned a business, let alone achieved a doctorate level education. I was the first to break those barriers.

Those early years were some of the hardest of my life. I gave away too much for free. Whatever patients wanted, they got, whether it was discounted glasses, cheaper contacts, or rushed orders. I bent over backward to please, and it left me financially and emotionally drained.

On top of that, I had no experience managing employees. I thought being nice would inspire loyalty and hard work from my staff, even with the low pay I could afford. I couldn’t have been more wrong—my employee turnover rate was 75% per year. I had no idea how to run the financial side of the practice either. Profit? That was foreign to me.

By accepting insurance plans that didn’t serve me and offering discounts left and right, I was always behind on bills. I didn’t understand how to price products, manage frame inventory, or work with vendors to create mutually beneficial relationships. The result? I was barely keeping my head above water.

The Personal Struggles Added Up

Beyond the practice, life at home wasn’t any easier. I had three young boys, two of whom have special needs, and my husband is legally blind due to Best’s disease. The demands of my family left no room for additional income streams. I couldn’t work extra hours or pick up side gigs to ease the financial strain because my children needed me. It was overwhelming.

I was exhausted, overworked, and stuck in a cycle of frustration and fatigue. I worked six days a week, and despite all my efforts, the numbers simply didn’t add up. I wasn’t happy with myself, my practice, or my life. The worst part was, I didn’t know how to change any of it.

Does Any of This Sound Familiar?

If you’ve faced similar struggles—working harder than ever and still feeling like you’re stuck in place, losing sleep over your business or family, wondering how to juggle it all—then I understand. You’re not alone. The good news is, there is a way out.

The Turning Point: Changing My Beliefs

The biggest revelation in my journey came when I realized my problem wasn’t just the lack of skills, knowledge, or experience. My deepest challenge was rooted in what I believed about myself and my world. I had been working tirelessly to change my circumstances without realizing that the key to transformation was changing me.

Once I understood this, everything started to shift. I went to work—not just on my business, but on myself. I started reframing my limiting beliefs and building new, empowering ones.

Within a few years, I went from working six exhausting days a week for little pay to working just one day a week while earning ten times what I had been before. I now have the freedom to spend quality time with my family, be present when my kids come home from school, and participate fully in their activities. My employee turnover rate dropped to less than 10%, and I’ve had the same loyal team for more than three years.

Today, I’m living proof that you don’t have to sacrifice your well-being for success. You can build the practice—and the life—you love. It’s possible to turn things around, no matter how bleak the situation may seem. And I want to show you how I did it.

A Path to Success: How You Can Thrive Too

What changed everything for me? It was shifting my mindset, reframing my limiting beliefs, and putting systems in place that allowed me to build a thriving practice without sacrificing my life. I stopped giving everything away for free. I created clear boundaries with my patients, learned to value my time, and invested in systems that helped me manage my business effectively.

It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but it was a lasting one. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, like I once did, it’s time to shift the focus back to you. You don’t have to continue living in that constant state of burnout. You can reclaim control of your life and your practice.

How to Get Started: Join the Optometry Divas Community

If you’re ready to take your life and business to the next level, join the Optometry Divas community today. Our mission is to empower, connect, and promote the success of women ODs. Through our community, you’ll find the resources, support, and opportunities you need to achieve your biggest goals—and enjoy everyday life with more fulfillment and balance.

It’s time to create the life you deserve, against all odds. Let’s work together to make it happen. Visit optometrydivas.com/join and let’s get started!

Dream Big, Take Risks and Become the CEO of YOU®

I hope my story inspires you to believe that you can transform your life and practice, no matter how difficult the circumstances may seem. Just like I did, you can turn things around and live the life you want.

You have the power to dream big, take risks, and become the CEO of YOU®. If I can do it, so can you. And I can’t wait to hear your success story one day. Remember, the journey begins when you decide that you’re ready for change.

Let’s take that step together—join us today at optometrydivas.com/join!