Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Willis Grajales O.D.
Dr. Willis, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Need Eye Exam (N.E.E), PLLC is a start-up company that offers comprehensive eye care services to patients/customers. Established in Dallas in October 2022, N.E.E is a small local business that has two locations (Frisco and Carrollton).
I started the company “Need Eye Exam PLLC” as I saw deficiencies in employment opportunities around North Dallas, where many optometry practices were focused on providing quick, five-minute eye exams instead of the thirty-minute quality exams that are truly needed. This ended up creating an issue where companies employ doctors and schedule appointments every 5 or 10 minutes. The doctors don’t have the ability to provide proper care and treat people with humanity. They were forcing doctors to treat people like numbers, under significant time constraints. This is a major problem in healthcare. That’s how Need Eye Exam PLLC was born. Many people need a real, complete eye exam that is 30 minutes and not rushed. Many places say they provide free eye exams, but in reality, these exams are really just very fast examinations that don’t provide proper care. we are committed to redefining patient care by allowing our doctors the time they need to deliver genuinely comprehensive services. This dedication to quality over quantity sets us apart and drives everything we do.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey hasn’t been a smooth one, especially due to the challenges posed by larger corporate entities. For instance, insurance companies are closely tied to optical companies, creating a form of monopolistic control that blocks some doctors from accessing their insurance networks. This control is often overlooked, even as these corporations contest new insurance laws in federal courts. Such actions limit the growth of small businesses in Texas by allowing large companies to dominate the market.
Another significant hurdle is the overarching influence of large corporations from other states. This influence extends into the public sector, where insurance companies have substantial control over how doctors operate, directly impacting the quality of services provided. On a more practical level, we’ve faced logistical challenges such as designing and constructing our office space, navigating insurance credentialing, and managing billing by ourselves.
Despite being just a two-year-old “baby company,” our company holds 10 patents and several trademarks, more than the majority of companies out there. This includes innovative technologies like a Vision screening telepresence robot, AI visual field technology, programmable eyewear, and remote telemedicine eye exams advanced technology. We also own trademarks such as “Eyeglass-Man,” “Vision Looky,” and “Eye2Tap,” and we’ve even produced a comic book to promote Vision Health on Amazon featuring superheroes who wear eyeglasses, titled “Unique Superheroes: Visionary”. Additionally, we’ve released 30 songs under the Vision Looky brand, which are available on platforms like TikTok, iTunes, Amazon Music, and Spotify.
Despite being one of the most technologically creative optometry company in the U.S., our resources and finances are quite limited, relying heavily on our own investment and passion. Despite these obstacles, we have gained recognitions within the diverse communities we serve. We have strong faith in ourselves and we believe that our company is on the path to great success.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Despite our relatively small size, we are one of the most innovative and creative companies in the U.S. optical industry. Our ability to rapidly generate intellectual property (IP) and conduct research and development (R&D) surpasses that of many larger companies, whose expenditures can reach millions of dollars. With a team that includes PhD holders in computer engineering, education, and optometry, we excel at creating groundbreaking technology and IP faster than ever.
Our patents have been cited by billion-dollar companies worldwide, highlighting our influence and the pioneering nature of our work. We are proud to be the first ever to create a comic book centered on eyewear and eyecare, and we have produced a significant volume of music related to eyewear and eye exams—another first in the industry. We welcome you to search google patent under name: Willis Dennis Grajales.
Despite offers from larger companies, we have maintained our independence and have not surrendered any company equity at an early stage. Our store is vibrant, creative, and fun, constantly innovating and evolving, which sets us apart in the industry. Additionally, we are a multilingual team, allowing us to cater to diverse communities. As a veteran, I place special emphasis on serving military personnel, underserved populations, and minority groups.
Another thing that sets us apart is our accessibility to patient care. Our doctors are available and personable, ensuring that if patients need any support or help, we are just a phone call away.
These aspects of our business are what I am most proud of—they underscore our unique approach and dedication to inclusivity and innovation.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I believe that states should actively support new doctors and other professionals in promoting innovation by implementing protection mechanisms to prevent large corporate entities from indirectly or directly controlling healthcare professionals and stifling innovation. It’s crucial to open doors for new graduates—doctors, lawyers, and other professionals—enabling them to start their own businesses and practices without undue corporate influence.
A new era of prosperity in the U.S. requires creating opportunities for small companies and professionals to grow. If the large entities continue to dominate and inhibit the smaller ones, we risk disrupting the entire ecosystem.
To illustrate, if the large fish eat all the small fish in the sea, then there will be no small fish to become big fish, and the ecosystem crashes on its own. By ensuring that smaller entities have the chance to thrive and eventually become big players, we maintain a healthy, competitive market that benefits everyone. This approach not only nurtures innovation but also ensures a diverse and resilient professional landscape.
Pricing:
- comprehensive eye exams starting at $69
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.NeedEyeExam.com
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/needeyeexam/sets/visionlooky
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@visionlooky
