89. AI that fits today with Colton Calandrella
In this episode of Nerdy Optometrist, I sit down with Colton Calandrella, Co-Founder and CEO of Barti, for a conversation that goes beyond software and gets to the heart of why eye care technology needs a serious rethink.
Colton is one of those rare founders who leads with both purpose and precision. Before Barti, he built software for Fortune 500 companies at Bain, launched an AI venture inside an accelerator, created a startup that reduced airport wait times, and even began his career as a teacher—supporting high school students in math and special education. That diverse journey deeply shapes how he’s approaching problems in eye care today.
In our conversation, we explore:
👁️ How Colton first found his way into eye care
🚀 The story behind Barti and how the company got its name
🤖 How AI is changing the day-to-day reality for eye care practitioners
📉 What practices often underestimate about the cost of outdated EHR systems
⚡ Common misconceptions about EHRs—and about Barti specifically
📈 Real success stories and how easily practices can transition to modern systems
🔮 What the future of eye care could look like when innovation is done right
We also wrap things up with a rapid-fire round, where Colton shares founder habits, favorite reads, travel picks, and a few things you might not expect.
🎁 Special Listener Perk: https://barti.com/nerdy-optometrist
Barti is offering something special for the Nerdy Optometrist community.
👉 Use promo code NERDY, book a demo, and receive a $50 gift card.
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any affiliated organizations.
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