We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Ivo Horak. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. Ivo below.

Dr. Ivo, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Growing up in a very close knit family has taught me many great values. My parents have always been very supportive in all my goals. They were always dedicated to helping me excel in sports and always gave me good honest advise. They always stressed the importance of education and have always been great role models. As immigrants coming into Canada they valued hard work and have dedicated their lives to help us have a better life. Seeing their work values has given me a strong perspective on life and better understanding on the need to always strive for the best.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve been practicing as a certified Optometrist in Georgia over 25 years. I arrived just after the Olympic Games when Atlanta was booming and vibrant. I current have 2 private practices in Marietta. We see patients starting at 4 years and up. I am fluent in Spanish and we cater to a large hispanic population as well. Having learned Spanish has helped set me apart from my of my colleagues as we have grown to cater to a large hispanic base. Our newest location has only been opened since May 2023 and is more of an Optique type of setting. We carry many unique frame lines from variety of independent designers to cater to the wide variety of patient optical preferences. We also use the most innovative technologies available to allow us to give patients better quality of care. On my free time I am an avid tennis player and compete at a high level. Growing up as a gymnastic has helped me stay in shape and learn many other sports.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Our most effective strategy would be either word of mouth or getting seen on insurance panels. As most patients have some sort of insurance, they usually look up providers that are closest to their work or home. Maintaining patients is the challenge cause many are just loyal to insurance and if they change to a carrier whose panel we are not on, they may go elsewhere the following year. Providing good patient care and showing concern helps bring patients back year after year.

Any advice for managing a team?

Finding staff that all get along and who are dedicate to the practice long term is very difficult to find. Finding staff that care and get along well with each other is a key to maintaining a healthy work environment. Having frequent meetings to catch areas of concern allow everyone to be involved and feel valued.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.familyeyecareofmarietta.com