VERBELEE NIELSEN-SWANSON

Founder and President | Oxford Eyes

“I went to get my glasses adjusted and came out owning a new business,” says Verbelee Nielsen-Swanson, recalling the day she founded Oxford Eyes, a boutique eyewear shop that opened in 2018 in Orlando’s Lake Ivanhoe District.

As spontaneous as it sounds, optical retail is a perfect fit for Nielsen-Swanson. As a lifelong wearer of glasses, she’s genuinely passionate about eyewear and sees frames as a powerful form of self-expression, “Why have them be boring?”

For years, Nielsen-Swanson saw a need within her community. She noticed that Orlando was missing an optical boutique specializing in unique, handcrafted eyewear. As the daughter-in-law of a retired Optometric practice owner, Nielsen-Swanson had a connection to the optical team. “His last remaining partner had sold the practice, and the optical manager had given her notice. I wanted to keep this incredible optical team together, so we established Oxford Eyes.” With over 90 years of combined experience, she built on their optical industry knowledge and her own experience as a past health care administrator to create something unique.

Together, they curated a world-class collection of independent, handcrafted frames. The team also added an onsite finishing lab and created a warm and welcoming interior filled with reclaimed wood and antiques.

Nielsen-Swanson’s business formula is working. On its fourth anniversary, Oxford Eyes has been recognized for three years as the Best of Orlando and, recently, one of the finest optical shops in the USA by Envision Magazine.

When asked about her success, Nielsen-Swanson is quick to credit others. “Our team’s ability to provide a oneon-one connection and complement customers’ unique personalities is a key strength of the business. We’re also blessed to have so many who believe in our commitment to excellence.”

Throughout her life, Nielsen-Swanson has worked to give back to her community. She is on the board of various organizations, including the Ivanhoe Village Board, Harbor House, and Immediate Past President of the Florida Executive Women. Lifting others is a big part of her life’s work, “We are all influential - live your life with courage and compassion, and you can’t go wrong. I face each day with a positive attitude; stay committed to helping the community and do my best to add a little sparkle.”

KIM PEARSON

Owner and Chef | Pearson’s Catering

The Pearson’s Catering family is honored to have been chosen the 2021 Best of ORL caterer by Orlando magazine’s readers. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for this opportunity. It is not only humbling but immeasurable, coming amid COVID and the impact the pandemic has had on all of us for almost two years.

As a chef and caterer, I most enjoy people savoring the food that I have created. Food is love and it brings comfort to all. A well-thought-out menu is a magical transformation of raw ingredients into a sensory delight that is remembered long after an event has passed.

From the beginning, our mission has been to create unique and memorable dishes from scratch. This commitment to high standards in the kitchen, blended with our core values of business integrity and kindness to all have earned Pearson’s Catering a loyal following.

We o er Full Catering which includes not only the food, but alcohol, bartenders, sta ng, linen, china, etc. We have been able to serve up to 500 guests a day at family gatherings, working lunches, cocktail parties, workshops, special presentations and holiday cocktail parties. Entering a new phase, Pearson’s Catering now has the capacity to handle big-event productions serving 1,000plus guests. Among them, we are hosting all Jacksonville Jaguars Home Game Tailgating Events, providing all the staing, food and full bars. We also catered the Georgia Florida game with over 2000 guests.

I started my culinary career at The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta in Buckhead after graduating with honors in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University. An earlier bachelor’s degree in clothing and textiles from Florida State University sent me into the retail industry before I focused on how I wanted to create an impact on the world.

I spent several years honing my culinary skills at numerous restaurants and assisted with the launch of Florida Hospital Celebration (now AdventHealth Celebration) in 1997. I catered my first event in 2008. As the business grew, my husband Dan Shier left a 15-year career in sales and management to join me in growing Pearson’s Catering.

I can’t wait to see where the journey takes us.