See Inside the Box! The OD Next to Walmart Talks to OVS

This is our second Walmart OD interview, the first one was with Robert D. Gentile, O.D. who has his practice in the San Marcos, CA Walmart location. This time we interviewed Dr. Haleh Guilak in Temecula, CA who has been with the company one year. Both are independent O.D.’s who contract with FirstSight Vision Services.

Haleh Guilak, O.D.

Dr. Guilak has been in practice for 16 years and is the mother of three young children, aged six, seven and eight! As you can imagine, she is a very busy person with lots of equally important responsibilities to juggle. As more and more women are graduating from Optometry school I really wanted to interview a female OD with a family and working full time in order to get a glimpse of what the choices and challenges might be. Dr Guilak graduated from UCSD with a degree in Biology and Psychology then went on to SCCO to study optometry in 1995.

I first spoke to Dr. Guilak on the phone but after talking to her, I really wanted to meet her so I went to her office in Temecula. It was well worth the five hour round trip. She was as welcoming to me as she was to her patients. I heard her speak in at least three languages and discovered that as well as English she speaks Farsi, French and Spanish. The latter she picked up from talking with her patients. Here are some of the questions and answers from our discussion:

1. What attracted you to FirstSight?

I was in my 15th year of working for the same optical company. It was an excellent first foray into my optical career for many reasons including building a vast array of experience as well as providing job security, benefits and financial leverage. But, most importantly, it helped to define what I ultimately did and did not want in a practice. I was looking for independence and more control of my future, creatively and financially.

I had been contacted several times in the previous four years to work at the Temecula Walmart but the fit was not quite right as I would have come in as and employee which is what I was at my previous location. One of the career upgrades I desired was to sub lease so as to give me more independence and control. That opportunity occurred about a year ago when FirstSight Vision Services approached me directly. An optical space at the Temecula Walmart opened up and I would be able to sub lease. Finally, the right fit! I found the people of FirstSight to be very welcoming and helpful and I liked the business model. Now, I do not have major overhead and my office is only 10 minutes from my home! Another major benefit is that I am able to design my office schedule to fit the needs of my patients as well as my own. And I can choose my own staff!

2. What are you provided with as a tenant of Walmart’s?

Waiting area complete with fireplace

I am provided with all the latest equipment needed for screening, contact lenses, eye exam, reception, and patient waiting rooms. Everything else is up to me. I hire my own staff, buy my own supplies, and I designed my office. I changed the office from a very bare clinical environment to one that is warm and welcoming; suits my vision and personality.Dr. Guilak’s office waiting area complete with fireplace and music DVD playing. The paintings on the wall are originals, painted by her mother, Lila Guilak!

3. What are the positives of being a FirstSight doctor provider?

I like the independence of being self-employed. I am able to take advantage of the foot traffic from Walmart and build an optical patient base quickly without a lot of overhead. As I don’t have to attend to a lot on the business or selling side, I can devote most of my time examining, counseling, and educating patients. This is very important to me as I like to develop a relationship with my patients and focus on their health and eye care needs. I like being able to provide quality eye care at a value price particularly for those without insurance.

4. What are the challenges?

There are some challenges. For example I have no control of what goes on outside my office, such as the newly placed existence of an ice machine right outside of my office door. I have to build the business by doing my own advertising and promotions but there are some limitations and restrictions on what I can do because of the corporate side of Walmart. It takes a long time to get approvals if you want to make changes. I only just received approval to put a permanent sign over the entry door that says “Optometry”, it took a long time but I did get it. I have to work within the confines of a low cost provider which means working harder in some areas but I do not have a problem with that as I feel good about the services I can provide to people who need a low cost provider for their eye care.

5. What do you do personally as far as making sure your patients’ vision care is a positive experience for them?

I enjoy listening to my patients, educating them and making their eye exam and vision care a positive experience. Making a personal connection and building a good rapport is my #1 goal. My optical office is like my home, a warm

Karmen greeting patients

and welcoming environment. I have a great love of music and I am able to share that with my patients. My receptionist Karmen is the best and she is a major part of making sure that the patients’ vision care is a positive experience. I know it is working as a lot of new patients are referrals from existing patients. This is good as I am building the practice and hope that soon I can expand the number of days we are open so that we are available every day.

6. Tell me a favorite patient story if you have one.

I have so many stories, you name it, I have seen it! I love children, I have three of my own and I relate to them. I remember a 9 or 10 year old girl who was shopping in Walmart with her mother while I was passing out flyers. The mother told me that her daughter had constant headaches but their regular doctor had not been able to help so I said let’s do an eye exam. All she needed was prism in her glasses and to see that child smile when she knew there was an answer was very rewarding.

7. What are your career aspirations and how is FirstSight Vision Care helping you achieve them?

I love to stay busy and be constantly achieving and moving forward. I want to be open 7 days and week and open a second location as we build the patient base. I enjoy being part of FirstSight Vision Care, attending the quarterly meetings, sharing information with each other and staying updated. I see a great future with the company. I can recommend it to others who are looking for independence and flexibility but don’t want to deal with the overhead and sales needs of an independent optometric practice.

Similar Posts:

• Talking to a “Big Box” Optometrist
• Interview with Anh Nguyen, O.D. – FirstSight Vision Services, Inc.
• Moody Eyes Musings – Independent Optometrist
• Interview with Leading Optometrist Eric M. White
• Grow Your Practice With The Vision Council