"Every aspect of our practice has benefitted from partnering with Williams Group. The most impacted area is the efficiency of our office. Sheila Hayes shared with us multiple resources to make sure we were prepared to open our doors. Because of her and the resources she suggested, our office has ran efficiently and effectively to take care all of our patients' needs. Patient care is our number one focus, and she kept that at the forefront of every meeting we had with her. Dr. Miller decided to open his third independent optometry office, so he had experience in owning his own practice. But this time he wanted to partner with a group that would ensure that he did everything to make our office successful from the start. Our optical sales has seen a significant growth since our partnership started. Sheila was very helpful in suggesting frames lines and labs that would offer quality products but give our office the most profit. The lab especially has impressed us with the quality of work and the communication they have with us. The easiest part of the partnership was our team handling the implementation. It was just myself, Dr. Miller's wife and office manager, and Dr. Miller. Since opening, we have implemented all of the resources and suggestions that came from Sheila. We have an amazing and supportive staff that has helped us implement everything that we learned from Williams Group. By having Williams Group as a consultant and Sheila as our business advisor, our worries and workload was drastically reduced from what I thought it would be. The road map they created for us and our practice helped us in every aspect of getting our new practice off the ground. There were so many things that we did not even think about that I know would have been forgotten or missed had it not been for Williams Group. We feel more confident in every aspect of our practice to make sure that we can give the best patient care to our patients. Williams Group is a true partnership where they have your best interest at the forefront of every decision you make for your practice. Looking back at our experience with them, I recommend them to anyone who is starting up a practice or to add to an existing practice for guidance to ensure that you are giving the best patient care while effectively managing your practice."
Matthew Miller, OD
Miller Eye Care
"I opened my practice in 2019 as a cold start after working as an associate in another practice for 16 years. While I was confident in my clinical skills, I knew that I needed guidance when it came to the business side. I was very unsure of how or where to start when it came to developing the business side of a practice. I knew I needed a consultant and with Williams Group serving many practices in the Midwest, I felt confident in every conversation I had with the team at WG and knew they would be a good partner. The FastStart program was the best investment I made and it has paid for itself as my practice continues to grow year over year. I have continued my relationship with my consultant, Sheila, through monthly meetings to review the health of my business by looking a various indices using the amazing forecasting and tracking spreadsheets designed by Williams Group. I can't imagine NOT using Williams Group, honestly. I have a very "well oiled machine" and I love going to work every day without the ongoing stressors that I hear about from my other colleagues. It has been nice to just have a consistent resource for answers to my questions as I navigate business ownership and solo practice. "
Stacey Jones, OD
eyeSMILE Vision
"The FastStart program seemed like the best way to obtain professional guidance in opening a private practice as a "cold start". I initially was looking at opening by myself, then partnered with Dr. Tiffany Gates. The Williams Group has guided us on this journey from the start and it has been one of the best decisions we have made to continue our partnership with the Williams Group. We opened cold in February 2020, the pandemic happened, we opened again in April 2020 and have grown ever since. The Williams Group is friendly, knowledgeable, and of great value to our practice. We foresee continuing our relationship with the Williams Group due to its value and positive impact on how we run our practice. Williams Group provides monthly guidance on financial goals with benchmarks. In addition, we added utilization of Williams Group accounting and payroll after about a year. The accurate and detailed financial reports are a huge value as we analyze monthly numbers and goals. We look forward to our monthly phone meeting with Sheila as she has amazing insight in helping us continue to grow our practice. "
Anne Metzger, O.D.
Visionary Eye Care
"As a cold start in 2020, we needed guidance. You don't know what you don't know, so it's best to have mentorship to lessen the chance of trial and error. The FastStart program set us up for success. The forecasting spreadsheets and monthly meetings helped us set goals and work to achieve them. Our growth has been greater than predicted. Now in our 4th year in practice, and we are seeing 15%+ growth from the previous year. Williams Group and our consultant Sheila have been an excellent sounding board for our practice. With two owners, we sometimes need a tie breaker to finalize an important decision."
Tiffany Gates, O.D.
Visionary Eye Care
"I contacted Williams Group in 2021 when I was fortunate enough to have my daughter optometrist interested in purchasing my practice, which I bought in 1984. I was a solo practitioner for 35 years and then she joined me after optometry school to become my associate. The practice had done quite well and after an excellent appraisal and options of buyout scenarios by Tammi Sufficool, my daughter and I were able to come to a purchase agreement. Tammi was very open to my concerns and gave excellent recommendations on how to proceed. Things have gone extremely well and the practice continues to thrive. I would highly recommend Williams Group to anyone trying to explore the many ways to sell a practice in a challenging environment; resulting in a great outcome! "
J. Eric Paulsen, O.D.
Door County Eye Associates, Inc.
"We engaged Williams Group Financial to file for the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and feel they were timely and knowledgeable with the filing process. They were available to answer any questions we had throughout. As a result of their help, I was able to successfully claim a large refund for my business. I highly recommend WGF to any clinic that is considering claiming the ERC. They were professional, knowledgeable, and experienced to help get the most out of the ERC program."
Kristel Rogers, O.D.
Bieter Eye Center
"Our company engaged Williams Group Financial for the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and was blown away by the results! Williams Group gave us a detailed list of items they would need to complete the forms for the credit. They answered our questions quickly and in language that was easy to understand. Because of WGF, we were able to claim a large refund for the business. We highly recommend WGF to any clinic looking to get the ERC for their business. They were knowledgeable and professional with the experience to help you get the largest refund possible."
Vision Specialists of Michigan
"I sold my practice 3 years ago with the help of the Williams Group Practice Transitions Team and I couldn’t be happier with the results. The 2 optometrists who now own the practice are doing a fine job of managing it, and I am employed by them part time. Seeing patients is what I love, and when I go home I can just enjoy life. Not having to manage the business side of the practice is like a vacation in itself, although I have NO regrets of having owned my own practice. The Transitions Team had the process all laid out from appraisal to marketing to final papers, which saved me lots of time, headaches and legal fees. The buyers also appreciated that most of the paperwork was laid out for us with only a few changes to be made. I already knew from working with the Williams Group years earlier in practice management that they are knowledgeable and trustworthy consultants. They exceeded my expectations in the professional manner with which they walked me through the sale of my practice, which was during the COVID pandemic. Without Tammi Sufficool to keep me on track with the plan, I am certain I would have put the sale of the practice on hold, and I would have missed a golden opportunity. So would my buyers!"
Christine A Leska, OD
"About 20 years ago, our practice was growing faster than we could manage. We contacted Williams Group and with the help of Tammi Sufficool, our practice continued to grow, but was much more efficient. They gave us ideas we had never even thought about. We learned how to work smarter, not harder. Now, 20 years later it was time for me to transition the practice to a new owner. Again, Tammi Sufficool led us through the process. Her knowledge and experience was invaluable as she addressed issues we had not considered. Tammi gave us timelines to meet and gave suggestions along the way and made our transition very easy. Tammi was always available to answer questions and concerns. I highly recommend Williams Group and Tammi Sufficool! "
Dan Talley, OD
"The Williams Group reputation precedes itself in helping the private practice optometrist succeed in buying, selling, or starting their business. When I began considering adding another location, I called Williams Group immediately. From the get go, I was treated respectfully and fairly and they listened to my wants and needs. The previous owner and myself agreed to work together and we were placed with Tammi Sufficool, the EVP of Practice Transitions. It was amazing what we thought we knew to be correct about the transition versus what we found to be true. Tammi and her team laid out a well detailed plan and explained the timeline of the transition and how we would get there together. It has been just over a year since the change of ownership and both Dr. Harris and myself are still pleased with the process. Business is good, but most importantly the patients have continued to receive great care while continuing operations without a hiccup. Both parties were explained of the positives and negatives of a stock purchase versus an asset purchase. A stock purchase was what we chose to move forward with and we couldn't be happier. Thanks to Tammi and Williams Group for your help in transitioning ownership for Harris Eye Clinic and helping to keep private practice optometry, private! A 10 out of 10 experience!"