Resilient Spirit

Resilient Spirit is a must-read for entrepreneurs of all ages, and it’s more than just another business book — it’s a celebration of perseverance and faith in the face of obstacles. It’s filled with business lessons from author Sandy Stilwell Youngquist and from a diverse group of entrepreneurs who share stories of their unique paths to success.

You’ll read about challenges overcome, learn how tough decisions are made and see how paying it forward to those in need not only benefits the recipient, but creates true fulfillment in life. All these lessons shared will help you determine if starting a business is right for you. If that answer is yes, then this book will inspire your journey.

Sandy found her resilient spirit at an early age, but her entrepreneurial parents fueled her business drive. Through their examples and her determination, she found her niche in the restaurant and hotel industries. Her formula for success? Working hard, staying true to her principles, leaning into her faith and treating others with respect.

Resilient Spirit was written with a purpose to teach and motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs with a blend of real-life experiences and practical advice. This book is Sandy’s way of giving back to aspiring business leaders just as her mentors did for her.

Sandra Stilwell Youngquist is CEO and owner of Stilwell Enterprises & Restaurant Group, which includes seven restaurants, an inn, shopping centers and a food truck. Her businesses are located throughout Southwest Florida, from Captiva and Gasparilla islands to Fort Myers.She has been self-employed since she was 17 and has helped businesses and organizations alike, including helping to organize Gulf Coast Business Bank in Fort Myers, a de novo (new) community bank. She currently is on the Board of Directors. Prior to that, she was on the Board of Directors of Florida Shores Bank, which merged with Stonegate Bank and eventually sold to Centennial Bank.The total number of organizations she is or has been associated with is staggering.She is a past president and a current trustee of Southwest Florida Children's Charities (SWFL Wine Fest), which proudly passed the $28 million mark in fundraising for Golisano Children's Hospital and other organizations, which helped purchase equipment and college scholarships for people entering pediatric health services.She served on Resilient Lee, a group that delivered a comprehensive plan for hurricane resilience and rebuilding after Hurricane Ian. The plan was part of the $1.2 billion that Lee County received through the United States Housing and Urban Development. The plan fulfilled the required community input needed to receive the funds. The task force had several divisions, and she co-chaired the planning and capacity branch, which covered long-range planning and had its hand in every division.Sandy is on the Executive Board of Directors of Hope Hospice of Lee County and is a member of the National Board of Chapters Health Care Affiliate Board of Directors, which is the largest in the Southeast United States for hospice care with the greatest focus in Florida. She is on the Board of Directors and Executive Board of The Horizon Foundation; a Board member of Junior Achievement of SWFL; a Board of Trustees and Executive Board of Habitat for Humanity; a Board of Trustees member of Pace Center for Girls National and she is on the Board of Trustees for Lee Health Foundation.She serves on the Advisory Editorial Board of Gulfshore Life Magazine and the Advisory Board of FGCU Resort and Hospitality School-School of Business; The Captiva Community Panel; Healthy Lee, an Advisory Board for Lee Memorial Health Systems. Sandy is a member of the International Women's Forum, an international organization of women CEOs. She also is a member of Junior League of Fort Myers and the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce.One of her biggest sources of pride is co-chairing the expansion project of the Ronald McDonald House of SWFL. Working alongside Jim Nathan, retired CEO of Lee Health, she helped raise money and spearheaded construction of the Ronald McDonald House in Lee County. She served as Board President in 1999 and 2000. As a single mom, she sponsored a room at the House to set an example to her children that it's important to give back.Her honors include: Gulfshore Business Lifetime Achievement AwardThe Community Foundation's Excellence in Nonprofit Performance Yearly Community Impact AwardThe State of Florida Senator's Pride AwardJunior Achievement's Business Hall of Fame Laureate in 2017State of Florida Hotel & Restaurant Association Humanitarian of The Year AwardGulfshore Life Magazine's Men & Women of the Year AwardGulfshore Life Magazine's Philanthropist of the Year AwardThe Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Apex Award (first woman recipient)Junior League's Community Service AwardSanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the YearCo-authored the character Education Curriculum for the Uncommon Friends Foundation called "Lessons Learned From The Uncommon Friends"Sandy lives with her husband Tim in Fort Myers. She enjoys boating, traveling and entertaining. With their blended family of five children and 12 grandchildren, there are plenty of opportunities to entertain.

Craig Handel's entrepreneurial experiences began in the small town of Deerfield, Wis. when he went door-to-door selling pizzas and newspaper subscriptions.The pizzas were for a high school fundraiser. The newspaper subscriptions for The Deerfield Independent allowed him to receive a free cassette recorder, which he used for interviews.Craig also coached Little League, delivered newspapers, babysat local children, worked for the school lunch program, was a camp counselor and wrote stories for the Independent, nearby Cambridge News and Capital Times, which helped him pay off his college loans six months after he graduated.Craig has written for newspapers in Wisconsin, Arizona, California, Massachusetts and Florida since he started writing in junior high.Craig also has collaborated or is collaborating on six books ranging from George Toma working the first 57 Super Bowls as a groundskeeper; an Irish storyteller, optimizing mental performance in sports and life; building and developing nonprofits; and celebrating people's lives through legacy books.He considers working on the baseball documentary Curveballs with John Biffar and David Van Sleet to be one of the most inspiring and rewarding experiences in his life. The men portrayed - who have lost limbs from either congenital defects or war injuries - offer their amazing perspectives on overcoming adversity and living a life of purpose and meaning.An avid gardener and swimmer, Craig and his wife Isabel live with their puppy Ollie in St. Petersburg, Florida.