2012 Small Business Awards 10 employees or fewer nominee: Sunglass Express Optical

Sunglass Express Optical has been in the same location on St. Armands Circle since owner Yvonne Schloss opened it in 1993. The high-end optical company sells exclusive brands and everyday brands, designer sunglasses, prescription glasses, contacts and fun accessories.

Location: 343 St. Armands Circle; serving Sarasota, Tampa, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Longboat Key
Start Date: 1993
First Job Ever: I worked at 5-7-9 in a mall. The store isn’t even around anymore.

What is something you wish you knew when you got started in business? It takes a team and it takes good relationships. You can’t be everything. You have to find the right people to help you along your journey.

Favorite way to spend a day off: Doing absolutely nothing at home with my husband, Rob.

Biggest challenge: Having enough time in the day to do everything you want to get done.

Typical day on the job: Meeting great people and loving what I’m doing. I help people see better and feel better, and sometimes just a smile and a hello makes someone’s day. In a day I do everything from sell glasses, make glasses, clean toilets and paperwork — I do anything and everything that has to be done.

Business idol: My parents — they worked so hard, showed me so much and always told me I could do anything I wanted to do.

Where do you see your business in five years? (I see us) continually growing. There are no big plans. I’m hoping to work toward having more time off.

Number of employees when started: Two

Number of employees today: Four

Info: Call 388-5115, visit sunglassexpressoptical.com or follow Sunglass Express Optical on Facebook for more information.