BY RAEANNE MARSH
ENTREPRENEURS & INNOVATORS
App Aids Optometry Offices Founded last year, Opti-Xpres provides a turnkey application and platform solution to optometrists and patients that links patient medical records with already existing office EHRs. The application allows doctors to customize an app for their office where patients can virtually schedule appointments, fill out paperwork, receive appointment reminders, integrate payment processes and more without having a face-to-face interaction. Larry Holle, O.D., built the system for his Total EyeCare Centers clinic. Then the COVID-19 pandemic gave additional attraction to the initial concept of streamlining processes in the optometry world. After Dr. Holle integrated the platform in his own office, he and his Opti-Xpres co-founder, Cornelius Miller, were able to fine-tune and enhance their concept. “We boost profitability for individual optometrists as well as improving the quality of care,” says CEO Miller, noting the platform includes a contactless virtual frame try-on feature that uses a 360-degree scan of the frames to accurately place them on a 128-point face scan, so patients can see exactly what glasses would look like on their face. “The try-on feature currently provides the highest accuracy on the market. It is easily accessible in the app and has allowed optometrists to reduce their on-hand frame inventory,” Miller says. Doctors or their office managers can simply drag and drop message schedules with an easy-to-use feature that allows them to schedule emails or text messages, or push notifications. Says Miller, “They can be sent out to specific patients on a preferred schedule. On-boarding contactless
‘paperwork’ can easily be filled out before visiting the doctor’s office. Opti-Xpress can integrate with any payment gateway and can conform to any already established payment process.” Opti-Xpres has seen a 70% increase in patients onboarding via its platform since March and is looking to rapidly expand into practices across the United States. The platform stores all sensitive information on a private secured dedicated server that is monitored 24/7. All web access is performed on a secure connection using the latest SSL encryption to ensure that all data remains private. It is HIPAA compliant and affiliated with all major credit card companies including Apple, Google and AliPay. Opti-Xpres opti-xpres.com
Photos courtesy of Opti-Xpres (top), Tru Filtered Air (bottom)
Better Air, with a Delivery Schedule Tru Filtered Air is a breathing company that sells air filters. “We produce custom, high-quality air filters, in any size, at one great price, delivered right to your front door precisely when it’s time to replace the old ones,” says David Zimmerman, who co-founded the company with Chris McConnell. One of Tru’s biggest differentiators is its unique subscription-based model that allows customers to pre-order their air filters online and have them automatically delivered when it is time for them to be replaced. The worst culprit in poor air filtration is not changing air filters frequently enough, and Tru solves that issue with its shipments serving as a seamless reminder that it is time to swap out the old air filters. In addition to convenience for the customer, the subscription model also provides the company with a recurring revenue stream. “I own a creative agency that builds various brands, and the models I saw with the most ‘financial’ success were definitely the residual ones,” Zimmerman says, then adds, “But I also believe in having a product that inspires, that’s a catalyst for change — so when Chris and I got to talking on a plane ride to L.A. and he pitched me on the idea, I loved it.” They started development in late 2017 and spent 2018 building the brand, creating the website and online shopping cart, designing packaging, figuring out inventory and logistics,
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and stocking the warehouse. In 2019, they did a soft launch for friends and family, and launched to the public this past fall. TRU offers all high quality MERV 13 rated air filters, which are the same efficiency rating trusted by hospitals to catch the smallest particles of virus, bacteria, dust, allergens and other toxins. “Breathing the cleanest air possible has never been more important than it is now. Arizona has always had a need for more advanced air filtration because of the excessive dust here and monsoon season, and COVID has significantly compounded that,” says Zimmerman.
MAKE EVERY BREATH COUNT Tru Filtered Air co-founder David Zimmerman says he and Chris McConnell were inspired by the words of Maya Angelou, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” Says Zimmerman, “When you improve the quality of the air you breathe, you improve your life. [We believe] that you can turn to the rhythm of breathing to guide you through difficult times, that we’re more than just a company selling filters — we’re a company that wants the world to make every breath count.”
Tru Filtered Air trufilteredair.com
FINDING THE PERFECT FRAME The Opti-Xpres virtual try-on feature includes a 360-degree scan of the frames to accurately place them on a 128-point face scan that allows patients to see exactly what glasses would look like on their face.
15
DEC. 2020
INBUSINESSPHX.COM
