Meet Elliott Caine | Optometrist/Musician – trumpeter, bandleader, composer.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elliott Caine and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elliott, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had worked as an optometrist for various private optometrist/ophthalmologist offices throughout my career, as well as for a community health center for 18 years, leading up to my decision to open my own office. Particularly regarding my health center experience, I had to deal with a self serving bureaucracy, which made it uncomfortable, regarding working. I started looking for optometry positions, elsewhere, but then decided that I would open up my own business, so I would not have to answer to a “higher up”, which I did; not an easy decision, as I also have a career in music, which takes up a lot of my time, as well. Generally, as an employee, I only wanted to work 3 days per week; that situation definitely changed when I opened up my own business!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have devoted much time and spirit to two professions: optometry and music. Each have their own challenges: Regarding optometry, starting my own practice at age 57, with no real business experience has been a huge challenge. My business has been doing good, but starting it up, and having to attend to every minute detail, dealing with hiring/firing, and registering with the government and insurance companies, equipment issues, etc. has been quite a challenge. I feel that my strengths are having proper knowledge and skill set, compassion for my fellow human beings, and being bilingual in Spanish all have helped with what success that I’ve had.

With music, a lot of ups and downs: Mastering trumpet is a lifelong process for me; I still look forward to improving my trumpet and improvisation skills ever day. I have done a fair amount of recording, toured the world and done some studio work with “big names” in the music world. I have had to deal with some “defective teeth” issues, stemming from having my upper front teeth being broken when I was a teenager, definitely challenging for a trumpet player. Additionally, the music business itself is quite a challenge to deal with as a bandleader.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Places to take a friend: the various beach locales; Venice, for the interaction and people-watching; Malibu and north for the various secluded stretches of beach. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where I perform music at, weekly. The mountains, the deserts. The Hollywood Bowl–when there is a music group that attracts me. Catching a music group that I like, whether it be a small venue or at Disney Hall, etc. The various art museums, LACMA, etc.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Besides my parents, Jack and Mollie Caine, for providing me with a “middle class” upbringing and support, various teachers and friends, such as Jim Edison in Indianapolis (my hometown), Dr. David Baker, Larry Wiseman, Donald Pickett, Chaz Ellison, Marcus Brown at Indiana University; George Lewis, Bob Rithaler, Nolan Shaheed in Los Angeles all have been helpful. These teachers and friends were very instrumental in getting me “going” in the jazz world, as well as in trumpet playing.

Regarding the Optometry World, my late friend at IU School of Optometry, Dr. Donald Snyder, and my friend in Southern California, Dr. Richard Rojo have been very helpful in my career.

Also, my wife, Lei Shi, and my children have all been an inspiration for me.

Website: www.elliottcaine.com: regarding music; www.drecaine.com: regarding optometry

Instagram: Trompeta1

Linkedin: Elliott Caine

Facebook: Elliott Caine

Youtube: Elliott Caine

Other: personal email: ejcaine@aol.com; optometry email: elliott.caine@att.net