After being in business for
six years, Lisa Sorensen
says that Bliss, now with
three locations in Knoxville,
continues to keep her
motivated and active.

Sorensen and her
husband Scott Schimmel
opened the first Bliss
store in Market Square in
2003. And despite the fact
that at that time, much of the square was under
construction, Sorensen says she and Schimmel sensed
that the area needed something different.

“Location is so critical,” Sorensen says. “Where you go is so
important. And after talking to people that already owned
businesses on Market Square, we knew it was the place for us.”

Sorensen says that she and Schimmel were inspired by
the idea of making downtown more friendly for
shoppers. Sorensen, who grew up in Farragut, says she
realized how important friendly, family businesses are to
a community after she spent 10 years in Italy after earning
a Finance degree from the University of Tennessee.

“When I was in Italy, I was exposed to the kind of mom
and pop specialty stores that you just don’t see in
Knoxville,” Sorensen says, noting that overseas, family-
ran stores are vital to shopping districts. “I have always
wanted to give back to the community in that way. But I
left Italy with an even stronger sense of how important it
is for families to own local businesses.”

After returning to Knoxville around 10 years ago,
Sorensen held the idea of opening a specialty shop in the
area in the back of her mind while she worked in the
marketing department of a local broker dealer.

A couple of years later, Bliss became reality.

Since that time, Sorensen and Schimmel have worked
hard to build support for the store, which now boasts
three locations in Knoxville. And the company’s continued
expansion is proof that the hard work has paid off.

In addition to owning the Bliss brand, Sorensen and
Schimmel serve the community on various business and
community groups and boards.

“We love being a local business,” Sorensen says. “Knoxville is
such a great city, we love being able to give back to it.”

Customers have responded quite positively to the Bliss brand.
So much so that the store is often mistaken for a gift store chain.

“We love it when people come in and ask, ‘Is this a chain?’”
Sorensen explains. “They often want to know if we have
locations in other cities.”

To the question of whether or not Bliss will continue to grow,
Sorensen says that she and Schimmel never rule out the possibility.

“We are so excited about what we are doing here,” she says.
“But we always want to do more.”

The couple’s 12-year-old daughter, Victoria Iannopollo, has
grown up with her parents running Bliss. And in fact, Victoria
has even started to work there herself.

“Victoria has always been a big
help,” Sorensen says.

The couple also has a son,
17-month-old Oliver Schimmel.
Sorensen says that though she hopes
her children will chase their own
dreams, whatever they may be, she
certainly would not be opposed to
Bliss becoming a true, hand-me-down
family business like the ones she
experienced while in Italy.

“Our intentions are for it to
continue to grow,” she says. “And if
Victoria or Oliver wants to take it over
one day, that would be great.”

For more information, visit Bliss
online at www.shopinbliss.com. EK