Childhood experiences at the optometrist’s office left lasting impressions on Patricia Le, OD, and her sister Stephanie Asis, OD. When it came time to pursue their own careers, they both felt that optometry was the perfect match. They both attended University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry, and graduated in 2016 and 2018, respectively.
Dr. Le stayed in the Bay Area for her first few years, and Dr. Asis returned to Southern California, nearby where they grew up. In July 2021, Dr. Le decided to make the move closer to home, as well. It was during her job hunt that she says that she started to consider ownership for the first time. She had recently held a sublease position, which gave her a glimpse of what the responsibility entails. When Dr. Le asked her sister if she would like to join her in the venture, Dr. Asis was ready to give her support. “I thought maybe I could run a practice, but really with the support of my sister,” Dr. Le says. “It gave us the confidence to do a cold start together.”
The sisters opened Oasis Optometry in Chino, California, in September 2022. “It’s been good between us as business owners, and I feel like we have a lot of trust in each other to make decisions,” Dr. Le says.
FINDING THE RIGHT SPACE
Dr. Le and Dr. Asis turned to a healthcare real estate company for guidance on finding the best location and negotiating. It took a few months, but they found it: a 1,200 square foot office had never been occupied in its shopping plaza. It was an empty shell with air conditioning and floors.
The design and atmosphere of Oasis Optometry were carefully curated to reflect their shared vision of a calming environment. “We want to create a relaxing, comfortable place for both us and our patients,” Dr. Le says. “We wanted patients to not feel like they had to be there but wanted to be there.” They worked with an architect, and Dr. Asis let her creativity take the lead on the style and look. The tranquil setting includes whites and light wood tones coupled with pops of green and live plants. It’s a peaceful place for families and children to feel right at home.
SPLITTING OWNERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
Dr. Le’s focus on day-to-day operations complements Dr. Asis’s expertise in marketing and social media, ensuring a balanced approach to running their business. They discuss any decisions regarding finances to be sure they are on the same page. Currently, Dr. Le is in the office three days a week and Dr. Asis for two, and they are moonlighting in other locations while they grow.
They are actively engaging in the community and making connections to create awareness of the practice and its services, particularly myopia management. Through education and outreach, they want to be known as the experts in this area. “You can’t just sit there and expect people to come out,” Dr. Le says. “Ask for referrals and Google reviews; this led us to where our practice is today.”
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