Building a Private Practice: Dr. Adam Ramsey’s Journey from Hustle to Visionary

Defocus Media Eyecare and Optometry Podcast Network

For eye care professionals at any stage of their career, Dr. Adam Ramsey’s story serves as both a blueprint and a source of encouragement. His journey into building a private practice reveals not only the hard work behind entrepreneurship but also the power of faith, adaptability, and vision. From his childhood in Trinidad to serving his community in Palm Beach Gardens, Dr. Ramsey’s reflections on why I became an optometrist shed light on how personal experiences, persistence, and purpose can shape the most impactful careers in eye care. His story isn’t just about clinical success — it’s about becoming the kind of leader who moves the profession forward.

Table of Contents

From Vet Clinics to Visual Fields: Discovering Optometry

The Value of Strategic Risks in Private Practice

Building a Private Practice from Scratch

Overcoming Setbacks, Twice

Strategic Hustle: Reservations, Road Trips, and Resilience

From Survival to Stability: Developing a Scalable Practice

Purpose, Family, and Legacy

Takeaways for Eye Care Professionals

From Vet Clinics to Visual Fields: Discovering Optometry

Dr. Ramsey didn’t start out knowing he’d be an optometrist. In fact, he considered becoming a veterinarian after a childhood love for animals led him to volunteer every Saturday at a local vet’s office. That commitment lasted two years, but it eventually revealed what he didn’t want — to work with animals that weren’t his own. The next potential path was physical therapy, which he explored through hands-on experience in clinics. But again, something was missing. He wanted to be the one engaging directly with patients, not just managing the charts.

The turning point came during a routine eye exam. He overheard his optometrist discussing a mid-day golf break with a business partner — a small but revealing detail. That simple moment sparked a realization: optometry offered freedom, flexibility, style, and service. It was the ideal fusion of business, fashion, and healthcare — all passions of his. That spark eventually ignited a fire. Dr. Ramsey pursued optometry with full force, becoming vice president of his university’s pre-optometry club and building a network before even entering school. This early exploration helped him define why I became an optometrist: to serve patients, control his career, and lead with authenticity.

The Value of Strategic Risks in Private Practice

Rather than rushing into ownership, Dr. Ramsey intentionally spent his early years working in as many settings as possible. He drove across South Florida, filling in at dozens of practices from Miami to Orlando. Each stop gave him new insights into practice flow, staff dynamics, optical merchandising, and patient interactions. He was observing and absorbing, constantly asking, “What would I do differently?”

This self-education stage was pivotal. It allowed him to see beyond the exam lane and into the mechanics of how successful practices operated — and failed. Rather than romanticizing ownership, he studied the business side: EHR systems, frame inventory, scheduling models, and staff culture. These strategic decisions laid the groundwork for his private practice, allowing him to design a system that reflected what he valued most: exceptional care, clear workflow, and growth potential. He wasn’t just preparing to open a clinic — he was preparing to run it like a CEO.

Building a Private Practice from Scratch

Dr. Ramsey’s first attempt at independence came with a major leap of faith. He transitioned from working full-time in a commercial setting to splitting his schedule — four days at a retail chain, two days at his own part-time office. As patients began to follow him and request more time, the vision of a fully independent practice became clearer.

Eventually, he took the plunge and devoted himself full-time to his private practice. But that first full day didn’t go as planned. He showed up ready to work and sat in silence for eight hours. No patients. No calls. Just the weight of uncertainty. Most professionals would panic — but Dr. Ramsey leaned into his faith. The very next day, he received a call that changed everything: a new opportunity to serve a tribal health system. The silence of Day 1 turned into a turning point. The lesson? Faith and consistency matter more than a packed schedule in the beginning.

Overcoming Setbacks, Twice

The road to ownership was not paved with luck. Dr. Ramsey faced two significant setbacks that would have discouraged most young professionals. In one case, an independent optical partner pulled the plug on their collaboration days before opening — leaving him with a lease, equipment, and no patients. In another, a corporate-owned practice closed its doors despite his growing the business by 30% in under a year. Both closures came suddenly and without fault on his part. In fact, he was excelling.

Instead of giving up, he responded by filling his calendar with as many fill-in shifts as he could. He drove hundreds of miles a week, taking work wherever he could get it. He rebuilt. He reflected. And he kept going. These challenges ultimately made him more resilient and more focused on creating a sustainable business model. They were costly — emotionally and financially — but they became the backbone of his entrepreneurial grit. He realized that to build something that lasts, he’d need to stop relying on others to hold the door open. So, he built his own.

Strategic Hustle: Reservations, Road Trips, and Resilience

One of the most unconventional yet powerful chapters of Dr. Ramsey’s career came through a phone call from the Seminole Indian Reservation. They needed an optometrist to serve three remote locations. He accepted without hesitation. For three years, every Monday, he packed up staff, frames, and equipment, loaded up his wife’s car, and drove up to two hours each way. These weren’t glamour clinics — they were mobile extensions of trust.

He provided full-scope care, from refractions to ocular disease management, while building a loyal patient base. Many of those patients still travel hours to see him today. The work was exhausting but meaningful. It provided a critical revenue stream during the early growth phase of his practice and demonstrated his commitment to accessible care. Most importantly, it helped him fine-tune every detail of practice ownership — from transport logistics to off-site optical sales.

From Survival to Stability: Developing a Scalable Practice

Today, Socialite Vision is a mature, mission-driven eye care brand. Formerly Iconic Eye Care, the practice has evolved to include advanced services such as headache and migraine management, dry eye treatment, myopia control, and specialty contact lens fittings. Dr. Ramsey’s approach isn’t just about treating vision — it’s about delivering an elevated experience.

What truly sets his model apart is scalability. He recently hired an associate, Dr. Charlton Butts, who now manages the clinic in his absence. That addition signaled a new chapter: Dr. Ramsey could step out of the clinic without sacrificing productivity or patient care. For any eye care professional wondering how to transition from “self-employed” to “business owner,” this is the benchmark. A business that works — even when you’re not there.

Purpose, Family, and Legacy

Behind all the hustle is a clear sense of purpose. Dr. Ramsey is driven by more than ambition — he’s anchored by family, faith, and legacy. His wife, Chrissy, is an accomplished engineer and supportive partner. His daughter, Layla, inspires his every move. Becoming a father added new urgency and meaning to his work. It also gave him clarity. The grind wasn’t just for personal success — it was to model resilience and possibility for his family and community.

His story is a reminder that why I became an optometrist isn’t just a question for interviews. It’s the foundation of a fulfilling career. It’s what keeps him grounded when challenges arise and focused when opportunities expand. His career — and his life — are about alignment. Doing work that matters, in a way that reflects who he is.

Takeaways for Eye Care Professionals

Dr. Ramsey’s journey is packed with lessons for students, new grads, and seasoned optometrists alike. The key isn’t just passion — it’s strategy.

If you’re considering private practice, study before you leap. Shadow other doctors. Note what works. Build relationships with vendors and mentors. Document every idea.

Once you open your doors, show up even when no one else does. That discipline becomes your differentiator. Take smart risks. Know that not every opportunity will work out — but every failure will teach you something.

Most importantly, define your “why.” Let it guide your decisions, your branding, your hiring, and your long-term vision. Because building a private practice isn’t just about patients — it’s about building a life that reflects your values.