Photo courtesy of Dr. Vittorio Mena, seen here with Dr. Jennifer Tabiza (center) and Dr. Brianna Rhue (right). Dr. Mena shares points for what the best companies can teach practice owners.
What the best companies can teach practice owners
By Vittorio Mena, OD, MS
As we head into another school year, I’ve been reflecting on the value of persistence—and how it can translate into back-to-back wins in business!
In sports and business alike, what sets successful organizations apart is grit, determination, learning from failure and constantly striving to grow.
Celebrating Eye Care Innovation: The 2025 INC. 5000 Highlights
Every year, the INC. 5000 list from INC. magazine1 showcases the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. The rankings are based on revenue growth over the past three years. To qualify, a company needs at least $100,000 in its first year (2021) and $2 million in its most recent year (2024).
This year, three eye care companies stood out:
- Dr. Contact Lens (Ranked #1,188): Founded in 2016 by Brianna Rhue, OD, (CEO) and Jennifer Tabiza, OD, both graduates of NOVA, this platform helps eye care professionals manage contact lens orders and boost patient retention. The concept was born because patients were often leaving practices with their prescriptions to order lenses elsewhere. Dr. Contact Lens helps offices keep these sales in-house and currently boasts an impressive 80% retention rate.
- XP Health (Ranked #1,511): Launched in 2019 by Antonio Moraes (CEO) and James Wong, XP Health uses AI-powered, digital-first vision benefits to help people easily access prescriptions and frames. Their research found that while 95% of people value vision programs, about half never use them. XP Health’s goal is to close that gap.
- Beach Eye Medical Group: This California-based practice features a team of 13 doctors, including three optometrists, providing comprehensive medical and surgical eye care to Orange County and South Los Angeles.
Dr. Contact Lens deserves special mention for landing on the INC. 5000 for three straight years: 2023 (#41), 2024 (#395) and now 2025 (#1,188). Only 8% of companies make the list three times or more. That’s a feat worth celebrating! Will they make it a four-peat next year? Time will tell.
Top Ten Stocks: 25 Years of Phenomenal Returns
Persistence isn’t just a business lesson—it’s a winning formula for long-term investing too. Here are the top 10 U.S. stocks that have delivered astounding returns (over 30,000% each!) over the past 25 years:
- Monster Beverage: Started as Hansen Natural in 1930, renamed Monster in 2012. After striking a key deal with Coca-Cola in 2015, its shares soared more than 150,000%.
- Nvidia: Founded in 1993, this GPU pioneer is a leader in gaming and AI, with a return exceeding 125,000%.
- Apple: From the iPhone to the App Store, Apple has delivered gains of more than 90,000% since its 1976 founding.
Other Articles to Explore
- Booking Holdings: Formerly Priceline, this online travel giant has gained over 70,000% since 1997.
- Tractor Supply Company: Supporting America’s farmers and landowners since 1938, Tractor Supply’s stock is up more than 60,000%.
- Texas Pacific Land: As one of Texas’s largest landowners, the company (founded 1888) has seen over 55,000% growth.
- Old Dominion Freight Line: A North Carolina-based trucking company, founded in 1934, up more than 40,000%.
- Deckers Outdoor: This footwear company, started in 1973, has gained over 35,000%.
- Tyler Technologies: Since 1966, providing tech solutions for governments has led to more than 35,000% growth.
- Comfort Systems USA: Specializing in HVAC since 1997, this company rounds out the list with a 30,000%+ return.
Experience Matters: Setting Your Business Apart
In the end, what truly sets businesses apart isn’t just products or profits—it’s the experience we create for our customers. Whether you’re welcoming someone in-store, online or through the products you deliver, solving problems and offering a standout experience can earn loyalty for life.
This article is for informational purposes only. All investments involve risk, including the potential for loss. Consult a licensed financial professional before making investment decisions.
Read another article by Dr. Mena
References
Vittorio Mena OD, MS, is the sports vision director with Optical Academy. Dr. Mena is also an Optometric Financial Coach, with Series 6 and 63 investment licenses and Series 2-14 life and variable annuity licenses. To contact him: menavitt@gmail.com
