How Advanced Vision Clinic’s Dr. Gary White Defines Success
Advanced Vision Clinic is a veteran-owned eye care services clinic located in Columbia, SC. From eye exams and sports vision testing to treatment of eye conditions like astigmatism and presbyopia, the clinic has eye care services and solutions for you and your family.
Get to know more about the clinic and Dr. Gary White, then https://www.advancedvisionclinic.com/ to make an appointment to see how the clinic can help you.
Meet Dr. Gary White
How long have you been in this line of work?
I have been practicing optometry for 30 years and an orthokeratologist for 23 years.
How did you get started in this line of work?
I graduated from Optometry school with distinction in 1991. Then attained my fellowship with orthokeratology in 2006.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business or what motivates you to go to work every day?
Seeing patients amazed and excited by how well they see without glasses and contact lenses. For some of the patients, it has been years since they have been able to see that well without glasses or contact lenses. The most satisfying is seeing these smiling faces and being able to help patients in ways they never thought were possible.
How do you define business success or to what do you attribute your success in this position?
Business success is being able to help enough people that you are well trusted and respected in the community. I attribute my success to hard work, lots of studying and staying up on current developments and most of all my passion and love for what I can do to help patients.
In what key activities would you recommend business professionals invest their time?
I would recommend they spend their time developing their skills and knowledge in the area of their business so they can be the best and most effective in helping their patients, customers, or clients. I would also suggest building up trust and networking and getting out to meet people to develop relationships.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My greatest inspiration comes from Jesus Christ. He gives me the strength and ability to do what I do. Other than that, my greatest inspiration comes from my wife and family.
What business book is a must-read?
I think a must-read would be “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”.
If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it and why?
The name would have to be something about my testimony of how Jesus restored me, saved me, and has inspired me to achieve what I have done so far.
About Advanced Vision Clinic
Describe your business.
My business helps people to become glasses and contact lenses free without the need for surgery. We also help children become glasses free and slow down or stop the progression of their myopia. We help patients with headaches, computer eye strain, dry eyes, dizziness, tired eyes, light sensitivity, relieve neck and shoulder pain and help improve reading skills.
Explain the mission statement or tagline of your business.
To offer the highest quality of vision care utilizing the latest technologies with a personal touch to treat everyone as a family member.
Who is your typical client or customer?
Seeing the joy and excitement from patients when they can see clearly without glasses and contact lenses safely without the need of surgery. Also, being able to help patients see better with Neurolenses to relieve many stressful conditions that have never been treated properly before. Also, to help children get out of their glasses and contact lenses.
What is unique about your business?
What separates us from other vision clinics is that we are the only clincs in this area that offer these three specialties: neurolenses, myopia management for children and Corneal Correction Treatment. I have been doing CCT the longest, and have successfully treated more patients with this than any other doctor in the area. I have lectured across the country on CCT, and have trained other doctors. I was one of the first doctors to start doing this back in 1998. Above all these fantastic things is that we give the utmost customer service. We take time with patients and make sure to explain everything to them in detail. We do not rush people in and out like cattle. We are more concerned about QUALITY over quantity.
What’s Next?
What made you choose your current location?
I chose this location because it was a great opportunity to start with a low start-up cost since the location was already set up for an optometry practice. I just had to take over the lease. It really was a miracle that I was able to get this spot.
Where do you see your business in the next five years?
I see us continuing to grow as more people find out about us. We will expand into other locations throughout the city to provide this quality of care to more people.
If you had one piece of advice to someone starting a business, what would it be?
Do not give up on your dream. There will be rough patches, but never give up and keep pushing on, and most of all, pray to seek God’s help and guidance. You need to persevere. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Another thing is to be open to new ideas and ways to grow your business if what you were doing is not working. Continue moving forward because if you are not moving forward or standing still, then you are moving backward.
What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
It is the challenges and the ability to make my own destiny. I only have to answer to myself and God for my failures and successes. The sky is the limit when you have your own business. You can determine how much you want to do and how much you want to grow.
What piece of advice would you give to someone who wants to become entrepreneur?
Do what you are passionate about. Start a business based upon your passion and what you love to do.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
a.) Willing to work hard and long b.) Honesty or trustworthiness c.) Passion to help others.
What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive in your day-to-day busy schedule?
I write lists of what needs to be done each day. I set goals, short-term and long-term. One of the main things to keep you focused would be to keep thinking about your long-term vision. Always reflect back on your successes, and the reason you started this business. You can reflect on how you will be helping people and how you have already helped people.
Want to schedule your ribbon cutting?
Contact Sondra Gettys, VP, at (803) 359-6113 ext. 104 or [email protected].