Beyond 20/20: Unlocking the Vision and Drive of Dr. Kristie Nguyen
In a captivating conversation with host Eric Levenhagen, Dr. Kristie Nguyen, a Winter Park, Florida-based optometrist, brand ambassador, and successful entrepreneur, shared her inspiring journey and invaluable insights into the world of optometry and beyond. From her early aspirations to her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to educating the public, Dr. Nguyen's passion for vision and connection shines brightly.
Dr. Kristie Nguyen's Key Takeaways:
A Visionary Path: Dr. Nguyen's decision to pursue optometry stemmed from a desire to help others see the world clearly, a sentiment deeply rooted in her own experience of needing glasses from a young age. This personal connection fuels her dedication to her patients.
Educating for Empowerment: A significant driving force for Dr. Nguyen is the desire to educate the public about the comprehensive role of optometrists in eye health. She emphasizes that optometrists offer much more than just vision correction, playing a crucial role in diagnosing and managing various eye conditions, often providing an accessible alternative to emergency rooms or urgent care clinics for eye-related issues.
Bridging the Professional Gap: Dr. Nguyen is passionate about clarifying the distinctions between opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists, aiming to reduce confusion and ensure patients seek the right care for their needs.
The Detective in the Exam Room: Dr. Nguyen highlights the importance of being a "good detective" as an optometrist, emphasizing the need to listen attentively to patients, ask probing questions, and guide them to articulate their symptoms for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Overcoming Obstacles: Dr. Nguyen candidly shared her experience of failing her board exams the first time, underscoring the importance of perseverance and the relief of overcoming such a significant hurdle.
Embracing Entrepreneurship for Renewal: Facing burnout, Dr. Nguyen ventured into direct sales, a move that unexpectedly equipped her with invaluable skills in personal development, branding, and social media. These skills reignited her passion for optometry, leading to brand ambassadorships and speaking engagements.
Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone: Dr. Nguyen emphasizes that growth often lies outside one's comfort zone, encouraging others to embrace new opportunities, even if they seem initially daunting. Her own journey into entrepreneurship exemplifies the transformative power of stepping into the unknown.
Interview Highlights:
"I decided in junior high that, you know, optometry was gonna be my jam, because I felt like, you know, I wanna be like Jesus and I wanna cure the blind, but nothing related with blood or surgery."
"I know what they go through, so I know what it feels like to have a, you know, clear vision, what the world looks like. I mean, when I first put on my glasses, I was able to see the leaves on a tree. I thought before that they were just bushes..."
"So that is my mission, is just to educate and also to bridge the gap between, uh, you know, our in within the optometry profession between optician and optometrist, because again, there's a lot of confusion there between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist as well."
"You have to be the detective. Sometimes the patients know that there's a problem, they're not sure what it is. So as a doctor, you have to kind of ask around when you see something suspicious and kind of get them to show you what it is."
"I think the toughest would be failing my boards part one, the first time I had to take it a second time, and that was so nerve wracking because I literally just got outta school. I'm not a good test taker."
"Nothing grows when it's stagnant. And a lot of people don't realize that. They're like, no, but I'm comfortable here. I don't wanna change. But they're not happy. If you're not happy, obviously something's not working. You gotta change."
"Everything you want. Right outside your comfort zone."
"You need to network because you never know who you're gonna meet when you're gonna meet them, um, and how they're gonna help you in your journey... Give more than you want to receive."
Dr. Nguyen's story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the willingness to embrace new paths. Her dedication to her patients and her profession, coupled with her entrepreneurial spirit, makes her a true inspiration in the field of optometry.
Eric Levenhagen, CPA CTS is the only financial consultant who helps private practice optometrists improve the financial health of their practice with a simple, proven process called Financial Harmony which will reduce their taxes and increase their after-tax profits.
DISCLAIMER: The financial figures presented in this blog are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Actual results may vary depending on individual circumstances and market conditions. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified financial advisor or accountant before making any financial decisions based on the information provided in this blog.
