Like any other profession, be a leader and not a follower.
If you are business savvy, you will be fine. Just try to be creative and different.
Classmate started her own practice exactly 1 month ago (I spoke to her yesterday), a fresh/brand new practice in southern GA, fully booked for 2 weeks in advance already..
I find 90% of graduating optometrists are not risk takers and will always just get by making reasonable living. Don't fall into that group.. Please..
I notice that there are 2 groups of optometrist:
1. Earn $75000 ~80000 and complain and Bietch about the profession because they are always struggling.
2. Earn more than $200000, takes chances and enjoys their profession.
Group 1 usually work for Lenscrafters, Pearlevision or crap like that and cry and whine about how there is NO money in this profession and,
Group 2 usually took many risks, researched and studied the market and undestand what is needed in their area and typically own their business.
Don't give me that crap about 'how about my loans..etc..'. The colleague above had $150000 in student loan and took out another $120000 for her practice. She and her husband are very business savvy and I will bet that she will be one of the most successful optometrists in my graduating class.