Dr. Fallon Patel: A Journey of Resilience, Growth, and Giving Back | Ryan Reflects

Dr. Ryan Corte
Jun 30
3 min read

In this episode of Ryan Reflects, I had the pleasure of sitting down with a remarkable colleague and trailblazer in our field, Dr. Fallon Patel. Her story is one of resilience, adaptability, and purpose driven leadership, from humble beginnings as the daughter of immigrant parents in Canada to becoming a multi location LensCrafters sublease owner and emerging voice for innovation and mentorship in optometry.

A Childhood of Sacrifice and Determination

Fallon’s roots are grounded in grit. Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, she was the only child of Indian immigrants who made enormous sacrifices to build a future in Canada. Her father, a physicist and postdoctoral researcher, and her mother, a homemaker who gave up her university education to support the family, instilled in her the value of education, hard work, and independence, especially as a woman in a traditionally patriarchal culture.

Those early lessons shaped her future. Inspired by a family friend, an accomplished female optometrist, Fallon saw the possibility of a balanced, fulfilling, and independent career. Her dream took root not in a classroom, but in a living room, where the vision of professional excellence and poise first came to life.

Dr. Fallon Patel's Road to Optometry

Fallon attended the University of Waterloo, Canada’s only English speaking optometry school. She chose it over staying local at McMaster University, not just for the preoptometry program, but to take that essential step toward independence. It was there that she forged lifelong friendships, discovered her strengths, and developed the self reliance that would later prove invaluable.

After graduating in 2011, Fallon dove into the real world of optometry, working across a variety of modalities including private practice, side by side models, and corporate settings. In her early years, she hustled hard, often working seven days a week just to gain traction in a saturated market.

Rising Through the Ranks and the Rubble

Fallon’s first big step into ownership came through a sublease with Sears Optical. She quickly grew from one to three locations, but just two years in, everything came crashing down when Sears shuttered their optical division. It was a gut punch. “I thought this was going to be my forever,” Fallon recalled. “To have that taken away so early was a rude awakening.”

But it didn’t break her. Fallon leaned on her husband, her father, and her own unshakeable resolve to pivot forward. “What doesn’t break you makes you stronger,” she said, and in her case, smarter too.

Building with Intention: From One Sublease to Five

With resilience as her foundation, Fallon eventually landed a LensCrafters sublease in 2018. From there, she expanded strategically and now operates five thriving sublease locations in the Greater Toronto Area. But it wasn’t without growing pains.

“Scaling isn’t easy,” Fallon admitted. “I had to learn how to hire the right people, train effectively, build call centers, and most importantly, delegate.” Inspired by books like Who Not How and 10x is Easier Than 2x, she began shifting her mindset from doing everything herself to building and empowering a high performing team.

Creating Systems, Empowering Teams, and Innovating with AI

Fallon’s commitment to growing her people led her to an exciting new venture: developing a SaaS platform that integrates KPI tracking, AI coaching, and staff training, all under one roof. The goal? To help practices operate more efficiently, support staff development, and boost profitability.

“I’m tired of hearing people say their practices aren’t profitable,” she shared passionately. “It’s not because optometry isn’t viable. It’s often because we weren’t given the tools. But we can learn and we can win.”

Championing Myopia Management and the Future of Patient Care

Beyond business, Fallon is a fierce advocate for comprehensive, evidence based myopia management. In Canada, where practitioners have access to every tool in the toolbox, she’s helping lead the charge to educate both peers and the public. Her goal? Ensure patients, especially children, get the best possible care, even if that means referring them to a specialist.

“We need to do what’s best for the patient,” Fallon said. “And sometimes that means acknowledging our limitations and sending them to someone who can help.”

A Final Reflection

Dr. Fallon Patel’s story is a masterclass in perseverance, humility, and leadership. From the uncertainty of losing a sublease early in her career to becoming a thriving entrepreneur, innovator, and mentor, she has built a legacy rooted in service, strength, and systems thinking.

Her message to other optometrists is clear: You can do this. You just need the right tools, mindset, and support system.

Connect with Dr. Fallon Patel