When Karine Shaghoyan, OD, graduated in 2012, she planned on building her career within established clinical settings. Her first role out of school provided exactly the environment she needed, with multiple practitioners under one roof who could answer questions, offer referrals and help her develop confidence in managing medical eyecare cases.
She later accepted a temporary position at a medical surgery center, where she gained experience co-managing patients alongside a refractive surgeon. At the time, practice ownership wasn’t part of her immediate plans. She expected—and was happy—to spend years working, paying off student loans and continuing to build her clinical experience before considering a major career move.
Then an unexpected conversation changed her trajectory. The optometrist she was working with was expecting her third child, planning for maternity leave and beginning to think about the future of her practice. She approached Dr. Shaghoyan with a question: Would she consider becoming a co-owner?
THE PATH TO CO-OWNERSHIP
Dr. Shaghoyan’s initial response was hesitation. She told the doctor she wanted to pay off her student loans before thinking about buying into a practice. The doctor challenged that thinking, suggesting that ownership could actually help her reach those financial goals faster while providing the freedom and individuality that come with building a practice of her own.
That conversation led Dr. Shaghoyan into ownership, a decision she now believes was the right one. In fact, when speaking with colleagues about their own career paths, she often recommends purchasing an existing practice rather than starting from scratch, particularly in competitive markets.
“If you’re in a saturated area, I would recommend buy an already-established practice instead of doing a cold start,” she says. While a cold start allows doctors to do everything their own way, she believes acquiring an established patient base can provide a stronger foundation for long-term success.
That philosophy served her well for more than a decade. The practice, Lancaster Optometry Optical Boutique in Lancaster, California, continued to grow in its leased location until space eventually became a limitation. After 12 years, Dr. Shaghoyan decided it was time to stop investing in a building they didn’t own and create a space that could better support the future of the practice.
Rather than relocating across town, she purchased a building just 0.3 miles away. The move allowed her to remain convenient for existing patients while giving her a blank canvas for a complete transformation.
A DESIGN OVERHAUL
The building, previously a spa, had a brown and dated exterior. Dr. Shaghoyan whitewashed the building, added seafoam-green accents and redesigned the landscaping to create a brighter, more inviting appearance from the street.
She wanted bars on the windows and doors to help avoid smash and grabs but didn’t want to make it obvious that they were for security. After visiting multiple railing companies, she found a design she liked and had the bars painted gold, turning a practical necessity into a decorative feature that complements the overall aesthetic.
Inside, Dr. Shaghoyan embraced a theme that patients immediately notice. The reception and optical area were designed to feel more like a Parisian café than a traditional eyecare practice. Exam rooms occupy one side of the building, while the front of the office creates a boutique atmosphere, complete with café-style tables, Paris-themed artwork and decorative touches. Some pieces were gifts from friends while others came from antique shops. One oil painting in a gold frame has become a favorite feature of the space.
To help guide the design process, Dr. Shaghoyan regularly consulted a cousin who lives in Paris. Her cousin weighed in on everything from décor choices to the small details that make French cafés feel inviting.
On each of Dr. Shaghoyan’s trips to Paris, she says one thing consistently stood out: fresh flowers in most shops. She now aims to always have a fresh bouquet on display.
The Parisian inspiration extends throughout the office. A large Eiffel Tower serves as a focal point and conversation starter, while a working record player adds to the lively atmosphere. The practice also carries Morel eyewear, a French eyewear company that aligns with the overall theme.
The project also demonstrates that creating a distinctive look doesn’t always require custom or expensive pieces. Several optical display cabinets were moved from the previous location and repurposed in the new space. The cabinets, affordable finds from IKEA, were updated with strip lighting. Storage cabinetry in the exam rooms also came from IKEA.
The office includes two full exam lanes with space for future growth, including services such as IPL and radiofrequency treatments. She offers dry eye treatment, myopia management and scleral lens fittings. Her growing team includes three opticians, two ophthalmic technicians, a front-office marketing manager and a number of remote support staff.
For all the thought that went into creating a Parisian-inspired destination in Lancaster, Dr. Shaghoyan says the design could have gone a different way.
“I also have a cousin in Italy,” she says. “I have visited both France and Italy; had I been speaking to my cousin in Italy on the phone at that time, we could have chosen an Italian theme!”
