Star City Six – Dr. Carla Ericksen
Beyond Vision LNK is a locally owned and operated, family optometry office that recently opened their doors at 5550 S 59th St., STE 25. Dr. Carla Ericksen is the owner and optometrist at Beyond Vision LNK.
Tell us a little about your business.
I chose to be an open-access eye care practice to give people health care freedom. Freedom for you to choose testing and quality products that are tailored to each life is important to me. My mission is also to support community growth and to protect our natural environment through my purchasing actions and business model.
How did you get started in the business?
My dad had very bad eyes. When I was little, I would pray that he wouldn’t go blind. Now, I help people see daily and preserve their vision. Each patient is like family to me.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
My biggest challenge was supporting my husband professionally, which meant that I had to work to be licensed and certified in multiple states. It taught me to be nimble in my practice, expand my treatment and skills, and gave me the opportunity to work with multiple health professionals across the nation, as well as learn from a wide demographic of patients.
Tell us a little about your family.
My family is fun, adventurous, and pretty joy-filled. I have three sons and one daughter. They do a good job supporting each other in basketball, soccer, and dance. They like to try new things and create business together. They are “foodies” too, so we have a fun time cooking and baking together.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
I wrote a children’s book titled, Dakota Blue.
Who inspires you?
Mother Teresa of Calcutta has always inspired me by her sacrifice to serve others. I have her picture hanging in my office.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
A faculty MD once said, “Good doctors don’t have all the answers, they know how and where to find them.” This keeps me humble and helps me listen to my patients as individuals.
If you had a theme song, what would it be?
We have a theme song for school drop off, game days, and any time we’re feeling “sparky.” Everyone in the family adds a beat or vocal and we create our own family theme song before getting out of the car. It changes based on our mood and the event.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
My kids and I joke about this all the time. My super power is love. It can conquer all and disarm all other super powers.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
I try to help Clinic with a Heart to give vision services for those having trouble accessing it. I also support St. Vincent de Paul and believe they are doing great community work in Lincoln.
What is your favorite local Lincoln restaurant?
I’m a big “foodie,” so this is tough. I love our local food trucks right now.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
(402) 261-8699; beyondvisionlnk@gmail.com; www.beyondvisionlnk.com.