2021 Women in Business

Having long-tenured employees helps, she said, because they know how to run things, taking a little pressure off the busy owners when they want to take rare time off . The Uebelackers celebrated their 40th anniversary on July 4. "The key thing that we do is we don't bring the business inside the house," Uebelacker said. "Every once in a while that happens, but to be married 40 years still and work together, you can't bring business home or you would never escape from it." When the Uebelackers do get away they make it count. They recently returned from a family vacation at the United States Air Force Academy, where a nephew was getting married. Both bride and groom are in the Air Force. Sometimes work invades vacation time. But the Uebelackers always know they are a phone call or email away from the business. "You've got to give it your all," she said. "You've got to give everything 100 percent and more." One highlight of the past 39 years, she said, was receiving the 2006 Sarasota County Manufacturer of the Year Award, presented by Williams Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen, a Sarasota law firm. Back then Busy Bee had 88 employees. But Uebelacker says staying in business has been their greatest accomplishment. "The thing that is important to us is that we want to be there for our customers," she said. "You are not just a number. The same thing with our employees." Nowadays he's not cutting and she's not assembling. Matt handles sales and long-term planning. Uebelacker says she does everything else (with two longtime assistants). "He takes care of the customers," she said. "He meets with them. Even a year in advance (of a project)." SARASOTA COUNTY 2006 MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR CABINETS continued from page 57 Women In Business September 2021 58

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