Small Business Finalist: 10 or Fewer Employees: SP Hand and Associates

Location: 2344 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 115, Sarasota

Start date: June 2010

First job ever: Working in the animal research department of the Bay Pines VA Hospital, in St. Petersburg, collecting data for scientists.

Something you wish you knew when you started: “Market research, market research, market research,” Hand said. “Know your market, and know your prospect.”

Business idol: Bertha Potter Palmer. “She was incredibly innovative,” Hand said. “She bought property, revolutionized the cattle industry and was a socialite and artist … Not only was she wealthy, but she made awesome contributions not only here but also in Chicago.”

Biggest challenge: People’s perception of what’s going on versus the reality.

Where do you see your business in five years? “In five years, I think we’ll be a fully mature business with all situations and processes in place,” Hand said. “Possibly we’ll have six full-time employees and three part-time employees and a bigger office with more windows.”

Number of employees when started: One full-time, one part-time

Number of employees today: Two full-time, one part-time, plus a variety of vendors

Typical day: “There are two types,” Hand said. “One is my buffer day where I run around, do lots of meetings and am on the go … Then, there are production days when I’m in my office, it’s quiet, and I’m doing research for the topics I’m working on.”

Favorite way to spend a day off: With quiet time in the morning and maybe a bike ride, followed by lunch on the water, quality time with the kids, reading and maybe a great movie and time with friends.