A local, family-owned sunglasses business that navigated the tribulations of the Covid-19 pandemic has bounced back and won big at an international business award.
Ace Sunglasses, a speciality sunglasses brand designed for sports, was established the year before the Coronavirus struck and sent the world into lockdown.
Owner and director Shannon Miletic said the pandemic was the biggest challenge the business had faced.
“Initially starting out as a wholesale to retail business, many retailers were severely affected from lockdowns and from the economic environment,” she said.
“Some stores closed down altogether.”
But flash-forward four years and the business has won multiple prizes at an international business awards.
Ace Sunglasses won a bronze award for small company of the year in the apparel, beauty and fashion category of the 2024 Stevie Awards.
Ace also took out the people’s choice accolade.
Ms Miletic said she and her co-owner, co-director and husband Frank were “thrilled to win”.
“To then win the People’s Choice award, we just feel extremely honoured that our customers, people from our community and from abroad voted for Ace,” she said.
“We are so thankful to be recognised for being a genuine hard working small Aussie business with a world class product.”
Ace sponsors multiple Australian and international athletes, including Paralympic archers, world champion lawn bowlers, car racing teams and Pacific Island sports teams.
“We’re honoured to support local SEQ community events such as On the Edge Events at Kooralbyn Valley, which includes mountain bike racing and running events, the Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast in beach volleyball, Gold Coast Vball in Paradise and Sunshine Coast Beach Volleyball,” Ms Miletic said.
“ACE is a sponsor of local jet ski athletes competing and representing Australia internationally and promotes our beach culture with local Ironman champion Guy Andrews.
“As a home grown local small family business ACE sunglasses has a commitment to grassroots engagement within the community.
“Notably, we are very proud to have world champions and recently ranked world No 1 bowls Athletes Aron Sherriff and Kelsey Cottrell as ACE ambassadors.”
More than 3600 nominations were submitted to this year’s Stevie business awards from organisations spanning 62 nations and territories.
Winners were judged by a panel of more than 300 industry experts.
