Sandy Stilwell Younquist

Owner & CEO – Stilwell Enterprises

Sandy Stilwell Younquist grew up in the Fort Myers area. Working in her parent’s business Sandy learned the value of a strong work ethic and the role of sacrifice. She displayed her entrepreneur spirit early, starting a bank cleaning business when she was just 17 years old.

At the age of 21 years old, Sandy founded Stilwell Enterprises. Over the past 27 years she earned a reputation as an accomplished entrepreneur in the Southwest Florida restaurant industry for her special brand of hospitality.

Currently, she employs about 350 people to operate the Captiva Island Inn, Keylime Bistro, Sunshine Seafood Café & Wine Bar, RC Otters Island Eats, Cantina Captiva, Latte Da, and a shopping center.

During her career, Sandy has operated under a single, guiding principle; ‘When you give somebody your word, your word is more important than having a signed contract’. In 2017, she was inducted into the Lee County Business Hall of Fame. For her continued success, she credits her faith in God and her parents, who instilled in her a strong work ethic and the role of sacrifice.

Sandy’s commitment and devotion towards serving the community has earned her the reputation as a business owner with heart. Sandy has served on the boards of two universities, Lee Mental Health, Uncommon Friends Foundation, The American Heart Association Advisory Board, the Salvation Army of Lee County, the PACE Center for Girls, and Players Circle Theater.

Sandy’s commitment to finding a need and meeting it has not gone unnoticed. In 2007, she was named Gulfshore Life Magazine’s Woman of the Year. The Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce awarded her the first Apex Award for Women in Business, and she was named Philanthropist of the Year by Gulfshore Life.

Sandy is married to Tim Youngquist, owner of Youngquist Brothers, Inc., a Fort Myers-based well drilling firm. Between them they have five kids and 12 grandkids.