Chung Eye Care, P.A. d.b.a. Arkansas Family Eye Care
Paris, Charleston & Ozark, Arkansas

When Dr. Katie Chung, and her husband, soon-to-be licensed Dr. Anh Chung, met with Vonelle Vanzant, Center Director, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, neither was fully aware of the sometimes bumpy, often frustrating, but always exciting road they would take from business plan to loan closing and beyond.

What they did know was how much the purchase of the practice would mean to them and to their future patients. Both Dr. Katie, as she prefers to be called, and Dr. Anh have family in Western Arkansas, so purchasing a practice in the area, one in which they can both work, was ideal. They were willing to do whatever was asked and whatever it took to make their dream come true.

The first step on their road to business ownership was talking with John Craig at Simmons First National Bank in Fort Smith about a loan to buy the practice. Simmons referred them to the Small Business Development Center for assistance with their business plan, the the business valuation and their SBA loan application. Their loan was approved and closed, the keys to the practice handed over, and they could begin building their future the way they dreamed it could be.

Dr. Anh Chung finished his schooling in June 2006 and passed his licensing exam. He will soon join his wife in providing optometric services to three of our area's rural towns-Paris, Charleston and Ozark. The Chungs have called Vanzant throughout the year with questions regarding personnel changes, computer upgrades, and QuickBooks, or just to keep her updated on their progress. "Vonelle has been with us every step of the way," Dr. Anh said. "She gave us the guidance and help we needed to get started and continues to encourage us as we learn how to manage our practice. She is amazing."

Dr. Anh admits this first year has been challenging. Dr. Katie managed the practice in Arkansas while Dr. Anh finished school in Alabama. They will soon enter their second year of business and are looking forward to a rewarding year building the practice together.

The Arkansas Small Business Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration through a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business and other institutions of higher education. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. It is the goal of UALR to eliminate discriminatory harassment and to promote equal opportunity regardless of race, gender, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, religion, veteran’s status, or disability.