SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 | $4.95 The top 20 companies wherelove417-landerstowork 2 0 2 22022September/OctoberBIZ417.COMNEWHERITAGE|BESTPLACESTOWORK|THEWHOLEPACKAGEATSMC
Logan Aguirre LOGAN@417MAG.COMPUBLISHER Megan Johnson VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS AND CUSTOM MJOHNSON@417MAG.COMPUBLICATIONS Ammie Scott Motes VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGY AND SENIOR ASCOTTMOTES@417MAG.COMEXECUTIVEACCOUNT Landra Bunge FINANCE ACCOUNTING@417MAG.COMDIRECTOR Michelle Martens FINANCE MMARTENS@417MAG.COMASSISTANT Bernadette Pry ADMINISTRATIVE BERNADETTE@417MAG.COMASSISTANT Jami Wightman SENIOR JAMI@417MAG.COMEXECUTIVEACCOUNT Janelle Haik ACCOUNT JANELLE@417MAG.COMEXECUTIVE Elisabeth Anderson ACCOUNT ELISABETH@417MAG.COMDIRECTORSERVICES Kathy Grieve ACCOUNTKATHY@417MAG.COMCOORDINATOR Nicki Hodges ACCOUNTNICKI@417MAG.COMCOORDINATOR Katie Batliner ADVERTISING KBATLINER@417MAG.COMDESIGNER Rin Colwell ADVERTISINGRIN@417MAG.COMDESIGNER Annah Crow ADVERTISING ANNAH@417MAG.COMCOPYWRITERDESIGN Lucie Amberg LUCIE@417MAG.COMEDITOR Katie Pollock Estes EDITORIAL EDITOR@417MAG.COMDIRECTOR Jamie Thomas DIGITAL JTHOMAS@417MAG.COMEDITOR Colin Shea Denniston ENGAGEMENT & STYLE COLIN@417MAG.COMEDITOR Jo Jolliff ASSOCIATE EDITORIALJO@417MAG.COMEDITORINTERNS Mariah Hunter, Michelle SarahLewisPatton ART SARAH@417MAG.COMDIRECTOR Brandon Alms SENIOR BRANDON@417MAG.COMDESIGNERPHERPHOTOGRA& Leah Stiefermann PHOTOGRAPHER & LSTIEFERMANN@417MAG.DESIGNERCOM Grace Chipley EDITORIAL GRACE@417MAG.COMDESIGNERARTINTERNS Grace Mason, Kali Mc Croskey CONTRIBUTORS Ren Bishop, Tessa Cooper, Kate Duby, Sonia Guzman, Jeff Houghton, Jennifer Johnmeyer, Susan Atteberry Smith, Jennifer Swenson, Savannah Waszczuk BUSINESS AUDIENCEEDITORIALDEVELOPMENT Jennifer Massey-Brown EVENT JMASSEYBROWN@417MAG.MANAGERCOM Hannah Brown BRAND HBROWN@417MAG.COMDESIGNER Mariyah Serykh MARKETINGMARIYA@417MAG.COMCOORDINATOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER · Volume 7, Issue 6 · 2022 FOUNDERS Gary Whitaker GARY@417MAG.COMFOUNDER Joan Whitaker JOAN@417MAG.COMFOUNDER BIZ417.COMSeptember/October 20222
56 2022 BEST PLACES TO WORK What does it take to earn a reputation as one of 417-land’s top workplaces? We’ve got the answers. BY JENNIFER JOHNMEYER The team from Ollis/ Akers/Arney, one of the 2021 Best Places to Work celebratingwinners,theirspot on the list. OSBORNEKAITLYNBYPHOTO BIZ417.COMSeptember/October 20224
MCCROSKEYKALISTIEFERMANN,LEAHALMS,BRANDONBYPHOTOS Breakthrough strategies Tools to help you dominate Everywhere you need to be 16 Q&A The Betty & Bobby Allison SportsTown is ready for kickoff. 17 HEAT INDEX Three things we nd exciting. 17 FOUR TO FOLLOW Stephanie Matthews lls us in on her faves. 18 BREAKTHROUGH How Innovative Dental is making of ce visits more ef cient. 19 NAILED IT, FAILED IT Insights from Brett Curry. 20 ON THE RISE A location with rich heritage gets new life. 21 FORWARD THINKING The Missouri Flower Exchange helps keep the love local. 23 BEHIND THE IDEA We took a deep dive into the 7 Brew Coffee boom. 23 CORNER OFFICE Brad Thomas’s perspective on navigating the labor shortage. 47 CULTURE CLUB At Mercy, work is often sacred. 48 ADVICE & WHISKEY Beth Domann and Jeff Houghton met up at MudLounge. 49 NETWORKING NOTES Get to know Zora Mulligan. 50 ROOTED HERE When Vital Farms needed to expand, location was a vital part of the equation. 53 NEXT GEN The generations of SMC create a complete package. 74 CALENDAR Places to be and people to see in 417-land. 76 SCENE Ladies Who Launch and 10 for the Next 10 Happy Hour. 5318 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 6 ISSUES, $24. PLEASE CALL OR VISIT BIZ417.COM/SUBSCRIBE. ALLOW 4–6 WEEKS FOR PROCESSING ORDERS, PAYMENT AND CHANGES OF ADDRESS. SINGLE ISSUE: $4.95; BACK ISSUES, $6 PLUS $8 SHIPPING AND HANDLING, IF AVAILABLE. NO BACK ISSUE ORDERS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES. ADDRESS CHANGES: INCLUDE BOTH NEW ADDRESS AND MAILING LABEL WITH OLD ADDRESS. BIZ 417 (ISSN 23763604) IS PUBLISHED BIMONTHLY BY WHITAKER PUBLISHING, LLC, 2111 S. EASTGATE AVE., SPRINGFIELD, MO 65809–2146. © WHITAKER PUBLISHING, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. POSTAGE PAID IN SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO BIZ 417, 2111 S. EASTGATE AVE., SPRINGFIELD, MO 65809–2146. THE MAGAZINE ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS, ARTWORK OR CARTOONS. PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. BIZ417.COMSeptember/October 20226
Biz 417’s 2022 Women Who Mean Busi ness: Katie Towns, Judy Thompson, Mary Schrag, Kesha Alexan der and Angi Blevins.
STIEFERMANNLEAHALMS,BRANDONBYPHOTOS AND CONNECT WITH US ON JOIN OUR NEWSLETTERS
BIZ417.COMSeptember/October 20228
WITHOUT LIMITS
Join us November 9 for our annual Biz 100 Celebration at BMW of Spring eld to toast the most in uential professionals in southwest Missouri. The full 2022 Biz 100 list will be featured in the November/ December issue of Biz 417 . Find out more at biz417.com/biz100 •Ladies Who Launch •Biz Break
Nominations for Biz 417’s annual Women Who Mean Business contest opened September 1. We’re looking for 417-land businesswomen leading their industry to be featured in the March 2023 issue of Biz 417. Visit biz417.com/wwmb to nominate now.
417 Magazine invites you and your daughter, niece, mentee or any young woman you want to inspire to our rst-ever Limitless: A MotherDaughter Experience. This half-day event is designed to open up conversations, strengthen bonds and help inspire your daughter to be all she can be in a positive, welcoming, high-energy environment. Visit 417mag.com/limitless for info.
CELEBRATE THE LISTMAKERS
Scott Shortt, Seller; Chester Shortt, Seller; Craig Johnson, Buyer; Steve Nurnberg, Broker; Tim Gregory, Broker — Scott Shortt, Seller, Missouri Tile — Craig Johnson, Buyer, Missouri Tile SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER · Volume 7, Issue 6 · 2022 ADVISORY BOARD David Atkisson Spring eld Of ce Leader J.E. Dunn Construction Shaun Burke President Guaranty Bank Thomas Douglas CEO JMARK Business Solutions, Inc. Anna Evans Vice President of Business Retention and Expansion Show Me Christian County Heather Hardinger Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Of cer CoxHealth Sally Hargis Vice President/Chairman Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co. Ryan Mooney Vice President of Economic Development Arvest Bank Daniel Ogunyemi Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Ozarks Technical Community College Ben Sapp Communications Director Sapp Design Architects Debra Shantz Hart Owner Housing Plus LLC DHTC Development Sustainable Housing Solutions Jack Stack President/CEO SRC Holdings Corp. BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 9
WOMEN BUSINESSwhomean NOMINATEBIZ417.COM/WWMBNOW PRESENTED BY BIZ417.COMSeptember/October 202210
Making the list of the top 20 is really only the beginning. What you do with that honor and how you use it to tell the story of your business—these are where the real magic happens and where the momentum really begins. Announce it from the rooftops, advertise it around town, highlight it on your website to make sure everyone who comes in contact with you knows you are the best. If you stop before you even begin, you only allow your competitors to get ahead of you. And in today’s market, we’re all competing, aren’t we? So whether you made the list for the rst time, returned for a second year or sat this one out, my question is: What are you going to do about it? We’d love to tell your story, so I encourage you to take the time to apply once the 2023 application period opens. Even if you don’t make the top 20, the insights you learn from the survey can help you up your game in time to apply the next go around. That’s how “the best” do it.
Logan Publisher,Aguirre Biz 417 MY FAVORITE LESSON Zora Mulligan’s advice on having tough conversations (p. 49) reminds me of something my mom always told me. Any time I was faced with a tough decision she would say, “The hardest thing is usually the right thing.” That usually made me want to do it even less! But gosh darn it—she was right. Here’s to smart women like Joan Whitaker and Zora Mulligan!
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Dunaway Expertise in: Business Formation & LitigationCivilConstructionRealEmploymentCompensationWorkers’LiabilityInsuranceContracts&Defense&LawEstate/Law&BusinessTRUSTED BY SMALL AND LARGE BUSINESS SOUTHWESTTHROUGHOUTOWNERSMISSOURI417-882-4700EVANS-DIXON.COM4905SOUTHNATIONALAVE.,SUITEBOSBORNEKAITLYNBYPHOTO
The Best Filling out the Best Places to Work survey can be a beast. Asking companies to do it every year is a big lift. This is our second year to partner with Best Companies Group to help us name the Best Places to Work in 417-land. A few businesses that placed on the list last year reached out and apologized that they weren’t going to do it again this year. Their reasons ranged from the amount of time it took, the added burden it put on employees and preferences for other, industry-speci c evaluations of their workplace culture. So I found myself apologizing to one of the applicants who chose to complete the process again. I said, “I know it’s a long survey and a lot to ask.” His response struck me. “The quality of applicants we’ve had since being named to the list last year is incredible,” he answered. “It is one of the best things we can spend our time on when it helps us get the best candidates.”
In fact, he’d already studied his results and benchmarked them against his results from last year to see which metrics had improved and which need more focus. Just a few days later I noticed Rick’s Automotive had a giant digital billboard that only included two things: the Rick’s logo and the Biz 417 Best Places to Work logo. These guys are smart. No wonder they’re among the best!
“At our core, we are a ministry, not just a healthcare system.”
—Zora Mulligan, Executive Vice President of Missouri State University, p. 49 5
“We really have a mentality where we’re better together. We really see the power in collaborating together rather than competing against each other.”
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“The less you want to have a conversation about something, the more critical it is to do it quickly.”
“This shortage of applicants isn’t something that occurred in the last six months...Over the course of the last three years, our human resources team has been looking at creative ways that we can sta our parks and attractions.”
—Brad Thomas, President of Silver Dollar City, p. 23
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“If we had a crisis and we all had to come in and make boxes, we’d do it.”
—Jennifer Murray, Executive Director of Nursing of Mercy Hospital’s Women’s and Children’s Services and Departments,Emergencyp.47 4
—Randy Bachus, Executive Vice President of SMC, p. 53
—Katie Davis, Owner and Farmer at Berries N Blooms, p. 21 3
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Think big. We can help you print it. LARGE FORMAT PRINTERS & SCANNERS Our professional large format printing portfolio will help you widen your printing capabilities. 3348 E. Cherry St. Springfield, MO 65802 www.sumnerone.com/springfieldmospringfieldmo@sumnerone.com417.831.6400The one place where everything works. Bring your business to new horizons to reach new indoor and outdoor spaces solvent can’t with speed, flexibility, and quality. “Thank you for putting on an amazing Ladies Who Launch event. You are encouraging and inspiring so many women, and it’s making a sign cant impact. Thank you for honoring me and the other Women Who Mean Business. It has been a very fun, meaningful experience for me. You are a best-in-class team, and I was honored to collaborate with you. Keep doing amazing work in 417!” —KeshaAlexander,Co-ownerofSup-perCo.andapanelistatBiz417’sLadiesWhoLaunch Clari cation: In the July/August issue, we described Dale Bourg as the founder of Bio-Kinetic Applications. Bourg is more accurately described as the company’s co-founder. We heard so much enthusiasm about Biz 417’s 2022 10 for the Next 10. “Proud,” “well deserved” and “overjoyed” were the words most often applied to this beloved group. Such feedback, combined with all the positive energy generated at Ladies Who Launch, should have us surfing waves of happiness into the fall. —by Lucie Amberg LOTS OF LOVE IN 417-LAND HOW TO CONTACT BIZ 417 SnailEmailMailLucie Amberg/Letters to the Editor Biz 2111417S. Eastgate Ave., Spring eld, MO 65809 Biz417.comwww. facebook.com/biz417biz@417mag.com@biz417linkedin.com/company/biz-417 BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 13
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SHUTTERSTOCKCOURTESYALMS,BRANDONBYPHOTO “The yearly impact to the community is projected to be about $30 million.” —Stan Liedel See story p.16 BREAKTHROUGH STRATEGIES
Something to Smile About Innovative Dental shares the story behind the creation and development of their new software to help other businesses in the dental industry and beyond. 18 Silver Dollar Success Brad Thomas, president of Silver Dollar City, lls us in on how one of 417-land’s favorite destinations is bucking industry trends to retain employees. Page 23 In Bloom When supply chain issues created havoc in the oral industry, 417-land farmers provided a solution.
KICKING OFF
We sat down with Stan Liedel, President of L5 Management and Consulting and part owner of Spring eld’s Betty & Bobby Allison SportsTown, to learn the status and projected economic impact of the new complex.
BIZ: WHAT’S THE PROJECTED ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF THE COMPLEX?
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BIZ: WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT TO DEVELOP THIS COMPLEX IN NORTH SPRINGFIELD? SL: We’re right off the highway, which is huge, and we’re also the gateway to the city as you’re coming from the airport. A lot of development hasn’t been put into this part of town previously, and we think we’ll be able to spur some action in the area.
BY SAVANNAH WASZCZUK [Q&A]
Our facility will allow Springfield to host larger regional tournaments and events, especially in combination with other facilities in the area. We have four outdoor turf fields, which no one else in the area has—they will allow us to play tournaments in all weather. In addition, adults will be able to play indoor soccer—there’s not a robust indoor soccer program for adults in town, currently—and we’ve already had one session of NFL FLAG.
SL: We had a feasibility study done for the facility by a third-party group called the Huddle Up Group, and the yearly impact to the community is projected to be about $30 million. Those funds are from what they call direct spend, so from things like hotel rooms and restaurants.
BIZ: HOW WILL YOU MARKET THE COMPLEX TO BRING EVENTS TO 417-LAND? SL: Social media is a big component of our marketing plan. We’ll also rely on our users and partners—Springfield Sports Commission, 417 Volleyball, Springfield Soccer, Mighty Mites Football—these organizations all have connections and will spread the word as they compete in tournaments in the region and country. It’s really grassroots marketing more than anything.
STAN LIEDEL: The outdoor fields are currently open, and we’ll be opening the indoor portion of the facility sometime in early fall. The shell of the building is up, and they’re working on finishing the interior. We don’t have a grand opening date yet, but it’s coming along.
BIZ: WHAT ADDITIONAL NEW BUSINESSES ARE COMING NEAR THE COMPLEX? SL: We have 26 acres on the front side of the property that we’re currently working to develop commercially. We’ve been talking to a couple of different hotel groups, and we’re also working to bring restaurants and retail there. Being right by the airport, the city will benefit from more hotels in the area, and this venue will take up quite a bit of space from a hotel room capacity.
BIZ: WHAT EVENTS WILL SPORTSTOWN MAKE POSSIBLE THAT WEREN’T POSSIBLE IN 417-LAND SL:BEFORE?
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BIZ 417: IS THERE AN OFFICIAL OPEN DATE FOR BETTY & BOBBY ALLISON SPORTSTOWN?
@SGFCHAMBER “If you are looking to plug into the community this is where you start. Follow them to stay connected to what’s happening in the business community, for great networking opportunities and because the chamber staff members are so friendly and such a great resource for all things Spring eld.”
WEUNITEDCENTER,DREAMSPRINFIELDBROWN,BRENECOMMERCE,OFCHAMBERSPRINGFIELDMATHEWS,STEPHANIECOURTESYPHOTOS
@UNITEDWEEMPOWER “I am just so inspired by CEO Wendy Doyle and the work that they do to promote and create opportunities for women. They are doing amazing work using research and policy reform to change the economic wellbeing of women, ghting for equal pay, addressing barriers women face in the workplace like child care and paid leave and working to get women represented on civic boards and commissions.” WITH STEPHANIE MATTHEWS
NEW DESTINATION
FIVE ON FIRE
NEW FACES IN TOWN
@BRENEBROWN “She is an author and research professor at the University of Houston and she has weekly podcasts, Dare to Lead and Unlocking Us, and a series on HBO Max. This is a great place for selfre ection. Brené is real, insightful, warm and funny, and she takes a deep dive into the human experience and emotions.”
Johnny Morris’s new Thunder Ridge Nature Arena opens this month at Big Cedar Lodge. The 20,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre hosts its rst event September 23 to 25 with Missouri Thunder Days, featuring “the best bull riders in the world,” according to its website. This event is followed up by Garth Brooks, live in concert, on October 1.
@SPRINGFIELDDREAMCENTER “Spring eld Dream Center is one of my favorite nonpro ts in Spring eld, and I am president of the advisory board. Jody Dow is the executive director and she and her team are doing an excellent job giving help and hope to families right here in Spring eld. They work with families to help them achieve long-term stability and are a great place to get involved and volunteer.”
BY JO JOLLIFF TONY
[HEAT INDEX] HEAT INDEX
This fall, Drury University welcomed its largest freshman class ever. In a news release, Dr. Kevin Kropf, vice president for enrollment management, marketing and communications, said, “This is really a testament to Drury’s unique ability to bounce back quickly. It takes an entire campus to recruit a Panther, and everyone stepped up their game this year; we’re seeing the fruits of that.”
BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 17
As Vice President Business Development O cer at Simmons Bank, Stephanie Matthews focuses on following people and businesses who encourage and inspire her.
ROBERTBRANDYLEWISHARRISJONATHANBELLRANDOLPHJACKIESTILES
FOUR TO FOLLOW
BY LUCIE AMBERG NEW REASON TO STOP
As Spring eld City Councilman Abe McGull put it, it’s time to “gas up and class up.” Buc-ee’s is coming to 417-land. The Texas-based travel center company, known for clean restrooms and cult-favorite snacks, chose to build its rst Missouri store near I-44 in Spring eld. At a groundbreaking ceremony last month, Buc-ee’s Founder Arch “Beaver” Aplin III credited Spring eld’s business-friendly community, friendliness and “can-do” attitude with attracting the company to the region. The Spring eld Buc-ee’s is expected to open next year.
We love watching our region grow and evolve. This month, we’re thinking about some of the businesses, ideas and people who are breathing fresh life into 417-land.
Dr. Grant Olson works on driving performance and communication throughout Innovative Dental with the use of the Rheostat app.
Rheostat has many functions, from showing where patients are in the office queue to telling doctors which patient to see next, based on wait time and the nature of the case.
The Big Idea Out of this need Olson formed a team to build the Rheostat software. “Rheostat isn’t just a tracking tool for behavior that drives performance. It’s also a communication tool that gives us a better patient experience because we’re more aware of our patients’ needs.”
INNOVATION AT INNOVATIVE DENTAL
BY JO JOLLIFF tomize it to function according or-
“We want to target dentistry first, but I can see this working really well in everything from restaurants to chiropractors to optometry,” he says. “There are a lot of areas, any office moving people through appointments wanting to have a better understanding of their customers and patients as they are served.” The team plans to market the app across all industries and customize it to function according to businesses’ needs in order to best track their employees success and communication with those they are serving.
The Problem When the team at Innovative Dental expanded from a building of 10 rooms within 30 feet of each other to a building with 31 rooms across 29,000 square feet, they knew they would have to work at maintaining the same customer experience and communication within the office. “We had it planned a year before we split into two locations, and we mapped out how we would keep accountability, track performance and know who needs more help or training,” Dr. Grant Olson says.
[BREAKTHROUGH]
The Learning Curve
Rheostat is currently on version 1.49 and is nearing a major flip to 2.0 once it becomes mobilecapable at the end of the summer. The goal for the new app is to have it available on mobile devices, but more importantly on Apple watches.
The Takeaway
Dr. Grant Olson
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The hope for Rheostat is that it’s able to help lead Innovative Dental to consulting with other dental practices to finetune training, while also being used in a variety of other industries by customizing the rules of the app to what best suits them.
“In our industry, we’re often gloved up so being able to rotate your wrist and see that dashboard is helpful,” he says.
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#NailedIt “I’ve always loved people, but I made a lot of ‘peo ple mistakes’ early on. My rst time ring some one, I botched the process so badly that I un red this person! (They later quit.) We’ve since got ten pretty great as a company at attracting talent, hiring for culture rst, helping our team level up and ring, which we rarely have to do, with grace and dignity.”
IT
“In 2016, I identi ed performance-drive YouTube ads as an untapped opportunity for e-commerce brands. To this day, we are a top spender on You Tube ads for e-commerce companies—spend ing millions per month on the platform, and it’s a competitive advantage that attracts new clients to OMG Commerce on a monthly basis.”
#NAILED FAILED OMG Commerce CEO Brett Curry says, “We take smart, driven and talented people and help them grow faster, personally and professionally.”
IT
#FailedIt Brett Curry’s company, OMG Commerce, ranked high in both the 2021 and 2022 Best Places to Work lists, so it seemed like a great time to ask him about lessons learned and victories earned on his company’s road to success.
#Nailed It Failed It Brett Curry, learn more about his company and all of the Best Places to Work p. 56
BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 19
NEW HERITAGE
On May 3, Coryell Collaborative Group broke ground on Heritage, a $25 million multi-family complex and commercial space at Fremont and Battlefield Road. Coryell President Sam M. Coryell first considered the idea when he was driving north on Fremont Avenue in late 2019 and saw all those available parking spots, vacant since the Heritage Cafeteria closed in 2016.
“If you don’t know beans from apple butter from the Heritage Cafeteria, you’re still really going to enjoy the building we’re creating,” says Coryell.
[ON THE RISE]
A rendering of the new development.Heritage welcoming community will be on display. But maybe not pie, Sam M. Coryell
NIGHTSTAND “I recommendedhave Man’s Search for Meaning to more people than I can count. It’s a story about a psychiatrist that worked on a theory taughtatlogotherapycalledduringhisimprisonmentAuschwitz.Fromthisbook,Ilearnedtondmeaninginsuering,makingmyselfandmybusinessstronger.Thisbookshapedmeineveryway.Itmeresilience,helpedshapemymindsetandkeptmefromfallingintovictimthinking.Mostofmymentorshavebeenauthors;Dr.Franklwasmyrst.”—MichelleCantrell,brokerandownerofCantrellRealEstate
BY REN BISHOP N o, there will not be fried chicken. But there will be silver serving trays on display.
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• New and used commercial-grade fitness equipment available to fit every budget • Wide variety of treadmill brands that include: Precor, Cybex, Life Fitness, & more! • Treadmill Special this month starting at $1,200–$2,500 Call 417-849-4333 or visit gymdepotusa.com to schedule your consultation! GYM EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR BUSINESS, SCHOOL, HOTEL, AND HOME.
On Heritage’s ground floor, 7,000 square feet of commercial space will open when residents move in November 2023. No businesses have committed yet, but a coffee shop and hair salon owners have reached out. Coryell knows the location’s nearby services and great ingress/egress, or ability to get in and out, are attractive to business owners. But whatever comes next, the 56-year legacy of Heritage remains—its iconic Heritage Cafeteria sign and sense of welcoming community will be on display. But maybe not pie, laughs Coryell.
Named simply Heritage, the 95-unit apartment complex features nine different floor plans, with micro studios starting at $996 per month. From the smallest studio to a three-bedroom penthouse, all residents will have access to high-end amenities. A rooftop lounge will feature a virtual sports center, gathering spaces and a movie projector, and below, residents can charge their electric vehicles for free at charging stations. Steps from restaurants, retail establishments and an Andy’s Frozen Custard, Coryell is excited to bring urban lifestyle living to the southside.
ZWEERINKBRADBY,CANTRELLMICHELLESTUDIO,BUFOFCOURTESYPHOTO
Coryell Collaborative Group used to have company meetings in a side room at Heritage Cafeteria. Now, the development group is building a $25 million multi-family housing and commercial hub at a site that’s sentimental for 417-landers.
“We initially attempted to salvage the foundation of the original building, but it was old and unable to support the scale of the development,” says Coryell. “But we’re still bringing that sense of place and community that I loved as a kid, when my family went to Heritage Cafeteria.”
“Battlefield Road is an arterial road that has everything within walking distance, but it’s in need of new development,” says Coryell. “We’re creating a five-story building that will help revitalize Battlefield Road and encourage residents and businesses to invest in one of Springfield’s major thoroughfares, and this in-city development couldn’t be a better place for businesses to thrive.”
“We don't use pesticides and we are conscious of the environment,” says Talbot. “What a lot of people don't realize is that the majority of the flowers sold in the United States are imported from other countries. Flowers are not considered a food source, so there's no regulation on the amount of chemicals or what chemicals are sprayed on flowers to keep them looking perfect.”
[FORWARD THINKING]
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HOW YOU DO ANYTHING IS HOW YOU DO EVERYTHING 417-569-5051 | BUFSTUDIO.CO FULL SERVICE ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND DESIGN HALLMARK CORPORATION IN BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS
The collective remains true to its roots as a casual networking group. “It's neat to have other female entrepreneurs that we can share our favorite podcasts and tips and tricks with," says collective member Katie Davis, owner and farmer at Berries N Blooms. “We really have a mentality where we're better together. We really see the power in collaborating together rather than competing against each other.” MOVEMENT as Katie Davis
With supply chains in disarray and environmental impact in mind, many 417-land orists have been looking for alternatives to big ower suppliers. The Missouri Flower Exchange is a ower farmer collective that has banded together to meet this need.
HOMEGROWN
RosAmungThorns, Fleur Floral Studio and Queen City Blooms are just a few of the florists who've used the exchange, and they’re doing more than supporting the local economy.
The Missouri Flower Exchange is the culmination of ideas from multiple 417-land flower farmers. This collective, with 16 member farms, hosts weekly wholesale markets at Dancing Donkey Flower Farm in Rogersville. It receives orders online through the “Rooted Farmers” marketplace. In fact, it was a grant opportunity from Rooted Farmers that propelled the collective's plans for a wholesale market forward.
From left to right: Elizabeth Talbot, Angela Morton, and Ginny Randall
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Elizabeth Talbot of Cedar Street Farms, Ginny Randall of Dancing Donkey Flower Farm and Angela Morton of Meadowstems Flower Farm worked together to apply for the grant that made the collective's weekly markets and online selling platform possible. The grant provided $800 to cover the collective's startup fees, a one-year free membership to Rooted Farmers and ongoing mentorship meetings with the founder of Rooted Farmers. By bringing their resources together, the collective makes using local flowers more feasible. For example, if a florist needs two dozen pink ranunculus, they can be conveniently sourced from two different vendors at the same market.
BY TESSA COOPER D elicate white dahlias, colorful zinnias and peony buds with expectantly large blooms. The Missouri Flower Exchange's weekly market is a wholesale paradise for local florists.
At Simply Delicious Bartending , we work with you to create fully customized packages that best reflect you and your vision. We specialize in signature drinks, pride ourselves on our customer service and go above and beyond to serve our clients. Our professional and friendly bartenders will ensure you and your guests have not only a great time, but a safe time as well. Contact us to curate the perfect beer, wine and cocktail list for your next event! 2340 W. Grand Street | Springfield | 417.766.2946 | simplydeliciousllc.com For the past 21 years, our professional and creative approach to each event has created clients for life. At Simply Delicious , we listen to your needs, assess the challenges of your specific event and help you through every step of the process to assure a fun, enjoyable experience. Incredible food and amazing service are the two things we want your guests to remember most about your event. We want them to say, “It really was Simply Delicious!” Events to remember, that’s our passion.
EXPERIENCEALIMITLESS:MOTHER-DAUGHTER October 2 Oasis Hotel & Convention 417mag.com/limitlessInformationCenterandticketsat LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EVENT AND MANY MORE ON P. 74 7 BREW BOOM [BEHIND THE IDEA] With three new Spring eld locations opening in the past six months, 7 Brew Co ee’s focus on fast, friendly service is creating a foothold in the 417-land co ee landscape. BY SONIA GUZMAN PLACE TO BE BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 23
Brad Thomas: Back in 2018 and 2019, we were seeing a dramatic shift and a challenge to ll positions, so this shortage of applicants isn’t something that occurred in the last six months or after the pandemic. In fact, over the course of the last three years, our human resources team has been looking at creative ways that we can staff our parks and attractions, and I can say that—through a variety of student programs, recruitment programs and hiring programs—we are actually much better staffed today than we ever thought of being in 2021.
“W e are part of a coffee revolution,” says 7 Brew Co-Owner Chris Sebald. “Our team loves being there, and that spills into the customer experience.” 7 Brew’s motto is “Cultivate Kindness”—not only within the company but also with the expansive customer base the company has developed. “Our goal is to make every customer’s day better,” he says. Exceptional customer service isn’t the only thing that sets the coffee shop apart. Sebald credits 7 Brew’s growth to the company’s efficient service and quality products. “A customer can place an order and receive their drink within 2 to 5 minutes,” says Sebald. 7 Brew focuses on beverages, which helps expedite service, and its unique double drive-through layout ensures a speedy experience.
BT: We talk to our employees. Silver Dollar City has conducted an employee survey for almost 50 years. We do it every year in the middle of July—it’s the hottest time of the year, it’s the busiest time of the year—and we do it then to get sincere input. That survey gives employees a chance to rate us in a variety of areas, and they also have an opportunity to leave us comments. Every one of those scores is taken into account, and every single comment is read. We use information from that survey to make decisions about strategic employee initiatives and programs, plus strategic bene t changes.
Biz: How does SDC work to continually improve employee satisfaction and retention?
BY SAVANNAH WASZCZUK
STIEFERMANNLEAHALMS,BRANDONBYPHOTOS [CORNER OFFICE]
Biz: Do you have any advice about employee recruitment?
Biz 417: Has SDC noticed a change in employee recruitment or retention in the current competitive labor market?
Given the nationwide labor shortage, it may seem like a challenging time for a company to rapidly expand, but Sebald says that hasn’t been an obstacle for 7 Brew. When hiring for the newest location in Lebanon—the fourth 417-land location in less than a year—the company filled every role in fewer than four days. “We had to turn off the application portal on our website due to the large amount of inquiries,” says Sebald. He believes this is due to the positive work environment, which includes free products, flexible schedules and high starting wages. “We take great care of our employees, and people want to be involved,” he says.
BT: We all have to think creatively and stay in tune with our employees. In today’s labor market, the retention of current employees must be a top priority. When we need to solve a problem, our teams and team leaders can be incredibly creative. One of our teams had the idea to contact recent retirees. These retirees didn’t want to come back and work a 40-hour work week, but they were happy to come and work a day, or two, or three—we’ve had some really great success by bringing some recent retirees back into the market and having them help us through the busiest of times. It’s this type of brainstorming and creativity and thinking that allows us to staff our operations today.
We talked to Brad Thomas, president of Silver Dollar City (SDC), to discuss how the organization recruits and retains employees and how it’s weathering the uncertainties of the current labor market.
“We have one crew member who takes orders on an iPad in the drive-through lane, so orders are input immediately, and another crew member who acts as a floater and fills in wherever extra help is needed,” Sebald says. “I think being able to fill those two roles helps provide the consistency and speed that keeps customers coming back.”
FOCUS ON RETENTION
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Behind every story and every brand are the faces of leaders who are shouldering monumental decisions. Faces of inspiration and new ideas; faces of grit and endurance. They are the faces keeping our economy strong, our families fed and our local pride alive. These are the Faces of Biz 417.
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CPI Technologies is the Ozarks’ leading supplier of o ce technology solutions. With today’s unique o ce needs, we’re seeing great success with our VoIP phones and managed network o erings. We are also doing well with mailing equipment along with interactive boards and are dominating in o ce printing equipment.
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Founded in 1966, KPM CPAs & Advisors is a top Midwestern firm, top 300 firm in the U.S. and one of the largest locally owned CPA and advisory firms in Southwest Missouri. With nearly 100 professionals, we have the depth of resources to provide a broad base of technical expertise, while also delivering the individualized attention our clients deserve.
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At KPM, we believe in providing client-centered solutions, staying apprised of industry trends, evolving tax laws and accounting regulations, and enriching the lives of our clients, communities and professionals.
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SHUTTERSTOCKCOURTESYALMS,BRANDONBYPHOTOS “Relationships with the community and with employers are a big part of what’s going to keep talent here.” —Zora Mulligan, p. 49 TOOLS TO HELP YOU DOMINATE Egg-spansion When Vital Farms needed to ramp up production of its popular eggs, the company chose to expand its 417-land location. Page 50 In the Spotlight Beth Domann shares lessons learned under the bright lights of Spring eld Little Theatre. Page 48 The Whole Package The second and third generations of Southern Missouri Containers are leading the company into the future. Page 53 BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 45
“You don’t have to be faithbased to do something like this. It’s about customer service. It’s about culture.”
[CULTURE CLUB]
SYSTEMHEALTHMERCYOFCOURTESYPHOTOS
“Patients often arrive at the hospital in distress, but we can represent a sense of healing for those we serve.”
—Jennifer Murray, Executive Director of Nursing
By sharing personal stories of compassionate care and exceptional service, Mercy employees acknowledge how their work soothes patients during di cult times.
A t Mercy health system, leaders and administrators seek ways to connect the day-to-day work of employees to Mercy’s mission, which is to “bring to life the healing ministry of Jesus through our compassionate care and exceptional service.” The Sacred Moments initiative invites Mercy employees—regardless of position—to submit stories of coworkers who have done something that illustrates the organization’s mission.
Sacred Moments was conceptualized in 2019 during a conversation between nursing leaders in Springfield and Oklahoma City. Since 2020, it has grown into a coordinated effort throughout the organization. Employees submit stories, and a small committee selects stories to share in weekly coworker newsletters and at regular leadership and department meetings. Coworkers are also encouraged to share Sacred Moments in less formal settings. The next evolution, says Schaefer, will be to share Sacred Moments via video. “We honor the gifts that our coworkers bring every day,” Schaefer states. “We want to acknowledge, share and amplify these Sacred Moments. We want this initiative to be a fundamental part of who we are.”
BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 47
Schaefer says, “Patients often arrive at the hospital in distress, but we can represent a sense of healing for those we serve. Sacred Moments is one of the intentional ways we lean into our identity and mission.”
—Keith Schaefer, Director of Mission Integration
BY JENNIFER SWENSON
Sacred Moments are stories of human interaction, laced with a sense of the Divine. They are generally small, drawn from everyday occurrences, yet they are “powerful moments of grace that speak to the core of our mission statement,” according to Keith Schaefer, director of mission integration at Mercy Springfield.
Recognizing When Work Is Sacred
The stories crisscross the organization; they come from nurses, doctors, ancillary staff and even patients and family members. In one Sacred Moment, a cancer patient expresses gratitude for her treatment team, whose compassionate care gives her hope. In another, a nurse places pink flowers on the bedside table of a terminally ill patient, after learning that pink flowers are the patient’s favorite. And in another Sacred Moment, a health-care team prays for a COVID-19 patient, at the patient’s request.
“You don’t have to be faith-based to do something like this. It’s about customer service. It’s about culture. So many businesses serve other people. This is a great way to recognize the good things that coworkers do for their customers.”
Jennifer Murray, executive director of nursing in women’s and children’s services and the emergency department, says that Sacred Moments “brings Mercy back to the root of what we are doing and why we are doing it. We have amazing staff, who don’t always recognize what they are doing as a sacred moment for patients. Whether a patient is bedridden and needs their hair combed, or a pediatric patient wants their fingernails painted, we do so many things every single day. It is powerful to recognize how we love our patients and care for them. At our core, we are a ministry, not just a healthcareMurraysystem.” continues:
BIZ417.COMSeptember/October 202248
“Put your ego and your pride aside and get it done, however you have to do that. We all have to do
“Be the person that people want to hang out with and that they want to hire. Because let’s say Person A is pretty talented, but they’re a total butthole, and Person B is really, really talented and great to work with, though not as talented as Person A. I’m going to go with Person B, because I don’t want to deal with that—life’s too short.”
“Say ‘yes’ because you never know where that ‘yes’ is going to lead.”
“Ifthat.”you expect excellence, you get it.”
********************
“Our philosophy is, ‘If you’re not growing, you’re dying.’ Complacency is death. So you always have to reinvent. Always. You can’t stay the same. That’s just not life, so you always have to be looking for the next thing.”
the deadline’—don’t settle for excuses.”
“The best advice I’ve ever gotten is, ‘Cast a show right, you’ve done 90% of the work.’ That’s the “Whatevertruth.” you have to do to make things happen, that’s what you do. ‘This is the bottom line, this is ]
“I nd that people like to feel like a family and be a part of something.”
THE RECEIPT Beth Domann 1 Frosé Je Houghton 1 Frosé Beth Domann and Je Houghton met up at MudLounge for showbizsometalk.
[ADVICE & WHISKEY
“When it comes to volunteers, you want people that believe in the mission. Some people want recognition, some people want a pat on the back, some people need a hug, so it’s about nding out what it is that makes your volunteers tick.”
Beth Domann is the executive director of Spring eld Little Theatre, which produces fully staged productions, supported by a thriving education department, with a consistent eye toward growth. We grabbed drinks to discuss the lessons of show biz.
“That’s how you get work, the people that work with you are, at some point later on, going to need something and say, ‘Oh, I know who would be perfect for this.’”
ALMSBRANDONBYPHOTO
BY JEFF HOUGHTON
EXCELLENCEEXPECT
During the COVID-19 shutdown, she and her daughter traveled to every state park in Missouri. “It’s a great way to see the state,” she says. She’s speaking from experience. She was once an undergraduate at Drury University— just down the road from her current office at Missouri State. In fact, she was a student worker in the administrative unit of longtime Drury Dean Stephen Good. So in some ways, her return to Springfield feels like coming full circle.
Zora Mulligan is Missouri State University’s first-ever executive vice president.
BY LUCIE AMBERG Z ora Mulligan is aware that she picked an interesting time to assume the role of Missouri State University’s firstever executive vice president. Nationally, she says, “there’s been a lot of conversation about students’ perception of the long-term value of higher education.” Those conversations are occurring alongside a decline in the total number of people graduating from high school. All of this complicates the recruitment picture for colleges and universities, so joining the leadership team of 417-land’s largest university might feel scary. But, Mulligan says, “I don’t feel scared. I do feel energized.” This could come across as a de rigueur—the type of thing people automatically say when they’re taking on a new position or confronting a new challenge. But Mulligan’s professional history indicates that she really is willing to tackle thorny problems. In her most recent position as Missouri’s commissioner of higher education, she helped resolve a long-running question about Missouri State’s flexibility in creating new programs, specifically advanced degree programs. This required balancing Missouri State’s goals against a framework established by state laws and regulations. When Mulligan was chief of staff at the University of Missouri System, she worked through charged issues related to Title IX and equity and inclusion. Along the way, she says she learned that “leaders don’t get to choose what they’re going to be held accountable for.” In her new role, she’ll focus on articulating the value of higher education—something she says is a critical mission for everyone in academic leadership. She’ll also apply a broad lens toward what it means to be a Missouri State student. Given the decline in students of traditional age, “colleges are going to have to look more and more at other kinds of students and other kinds of programs,” she says. And she’s ready for more tough conversations. “I often say that the less you want to have a conversation about something, the more critical it is you do it quickly,” she says. “The more you don’t want to [talk about something], the more important it is to get to it—no matter how hard it She’sis.”looking forward to nurturing and deepening the university’s partnerships with the local business community. She sees several avenues for continued cooperation, including more internship programs and service-learning opportunities. When such interactions are positive and productive, she believes they help transform people who come here for school into longterm 417-landers. “Those relationships with the community and with employers are a big part of what’s going to keep talent here,” she says.
“As a student, in 100 billion years, I would never, never have imagined I would end up in a role like Dean Good’s,” she says. “But here I am.”
BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 49
Hometown: West Plains Degrees: B.A., Political Science and Psychology (Drury University); M.Ed. (University of Kansas); J.D. (University of Kansas) Family: One daughter, Anna Lea Hobbies: “I’m both a homebody and an adventurer,” Mulligan says. “I love to travel, but I also really love to cook and entertain.”
ALMSBRANDONBYPHOTO [NETWORKING NOTES] GET TO KNOW ZORA MULLIGAN Zora Mulligan brings a diverse range of experience to Missouri State University. In previous positions with the State of Missouri and the University of Missouri System, she tackled problems with clarity—and conversation.
Kicklighter attributes his team’s success in the region to its emphasis on investing in vendors and partners. He says the reception since setting up base in Springfield has been phenomenal. If he could give one piece of advice to a company looking to expand into a new market, it would be to look at the investment not through a lens of cost-versus-profit, but through a lens of aggregate impact within a community.
ural Market, Price Cutter and Harter House. The company’s sustainably farmed eggs are also served up at local eateries like Rise and The Order.
FARMSVITALOFCOURTESYPHOTO
THE SECRET TO VITAL FARMS’
In May, Vital Farms announced the expansion of its Egg Central Sta tion corporate office in northwest Springfield, which saw an addition of nearly double its original square footage. The new facilities will have the capacity to employ more than 50 additional team members and generate over $300 million in additional revenue, according to Vital Farms.
The Vital Farms team, cutting the ribbon at the new Egg Central Station.
“The biggest thing that we looked at was how we are integrating into the community and making sure we’re not just a net taker but truly in vesting in the area and becoming a part of the community,” Kicklighter says. “Are there decisions and actions that we took that cost us more VITALITY
BY KATE DUBY C arl Kicklighter, the director of plant operations at Vital Farms, says his answer to the question, “Why Springfield?” changes each time someone asks. Every day, he meets someone new or develops a professional relationship that reaffirms his appreciation for theWhencommunity.histeam knew it was time to expand, they felt it was most im portant to do so in a community where the company’s business model could make a lasting difference, Kicklighter says. When they looked at their existing relationships with partners like Ozarks Food Harvest and Ozarks Technical Community College and saw how much those relation ships had grown over the previous four years, it became “a no-brainer that Springfield was the place for us,” Kicklighter says.
[ROOTED HERE] BIZ417.COMSeptember/October 202250
“Every farm that we have in our network is within an eight-hour drive of the facility,” Kicklighter explains. “So, when you talk about logistics, handling those delicate eggs and making sure they get to the plant in one piece, proximity to our farms plays a really big part.”
Why did Vital Farms choose to expand its Spring eld facility? It came down to the city’s location and its unique perks.
There are several reasons why companies choose the southwest Mis souri region as a home base—not least of which are its central geography and vast network of thoroughfares. These things certainly played a role in Vital Farms’ decision to expand in the area, Kicklighter says. Spring field’s proximity to the company’s other farms, he adds, is a unique perk.
Vital Farms first moved into 417-land in 2017, a decade after it was established on a single Texas pasture. Its eye-catching black cartons line the egg fridges in several local grocery stores, including MaMa Jean’s Nat
Of course, the company has faced its fair share of challenges amid all the exciting developments. The COVID-19 pandemic proved a significant obstacle as the Vital Farms expansion was underway.
Kicklighter believes that a more holistic approach to business makes all the difference compared to just trying to “pinch pennies,” he says. “I know that’s really difficult in times of inflation like this, but when you look at the big picture and make sure you’re picking the right community, I think that’ll ultimately lead to the most success.”
“Trying to build an expansion in the middle of a pandemic may not be something we try to do again, that’s for sure,” Kicklighter says. “But honestly, when you look at how the team really rallied around that, even through all those hurdles, I think it was a remarkable success.”
BIZ BASICS: VITAL FARMS AT A GLANCE Year Founded: 2007 Headquarters: Austin, Texas Company Type: Publicly owned Number of 417-land Employees: 175 Second Quarter Revenue: Net revenue increase of 37.4% to $82.9 million BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 51
Carl Kicklighter giving a tour of the new facility. money, or maybe aren’t as profitable? Absolutely. But ultimately, the return you’ll get from that investment will far outweigh trying to cut costs.”
nixonins.com Your Employees COVEREDFOREVERYTHINGYOUDEPENDONFAMRSVITALOFCOURTESYPHOTO
PRESENTS SAVE THE DATE
“I was the janitor in high school when we first started on Dale Street,” says Kevin, 66. Richard, 62, jokes, “I’m the younger child laborer.” His jobs ranged from painting to working on machines. Pulling weeds at SMC’s second location on Belcrest Avenue was one of his younger broth-
T
Richard Bachus, Matt Ausburn, Kevin Ausburn, Melissa Ausburn and Randy Bachus inside the SMC facility.
Today, SMC has come a long way since the company made its first box, back on April 1, 1972. Nearly 400 employees work at SMC’s three Springfield facilities. Another 200 work at three other divisions: Arrowhead Containers, Inc. in Kansas City, Sooner Packaging, Inc. in Tulsa, and Wonder State Box Co. in Conway, Arkansas.
Recruiting 18 coworkers from Hoerner Waldorf, SMC got its start in a 40,000-square-foot concrete building on Dale Street. Calling each other “Pard,” Ross and Chuck made sales calls by day and boxes by night—and gave their children the chance to develop the same work ethic at the plant.
From Rivals to Partners
he factory floor hums with activity at Springfield’s Southern Missouri Containers (SMC) converting plant, where sheets of corrugated cardboard become boxes.
Workers in bright T-shirts load long, curved dies onto turning cylinders, part of the machinery that prints, cuts, folds and bundles containers for companies like Stockton-based Hammons Black Walnut as well as big names in online retailing. As stacked boxes with eye-catching logos glide by on conveyor belts—filling trucks every 30 minutes—Matt Ausburn says, “I love it here. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.”
The first generation: Chuck Bachus and Ross Ausburn pose for a photo among SMC’s packing products.
“I think one of the things that would surprise Chuck and my dad is the level of capabilities that we’ve grown to over the years and the scale of the organization,” Kevin says.
GROUPPACKAGINGSMCCOURTESYSTIEFERMANN,LEAHBYPHOTOS BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 53
Back in 1971, Ross and Chuck—who had been high school football rivals when they were growing up in Oklahoma—were both employees at Hoerner Waldorf, a packaging company in Springfield. Chuck was offered a transfer to St. Paul, Minnesota, but as he told Ross, he didn’t want to move. Ross then unlocked a file cabinet drawer to show Chuck some calculations he’d made, convincing him they should start their own box business.
LEADERS OF THE PACK
“And that’s kind of what started the brainchild,” explains Richard Bachus, Chuck’s son and current SMC president.
With second and third generations leading the way, Southern Missouri Containers embraces innovation while preserving a tradition of customer service.
BY SUSAN ATTEBERRY SMITH
Matt, 38, and his sister, Media and Branding Specialist Melissa Ausburn, 36, represent the third generation of the two families at the heart of SMC Packaging Group. Matt and Melissa’s father, CEO Kevin Ausburn, says SMC Founders Ross Ausburn and Chuck Bachus probably couldn’t have imagined how much their company would grow and evolve.
[NEXT GEN]
“She’s our quarterback,” Richard says.
SMC’s third generation may not have mopped floors or pulled weeds— they climbed on boxes for fun, Melissa recalls—yet her brother hasn’t forgotten the dirty job of cleaning ink on plates during summer break from the University of Missouri-Columbia, he says. That work ethic still drives the service-oriented company. “If we had a crisis and we all had to come in and make boxes, we’d do it,” Randy says. Outside the Box and Back Again However, the second and third generations were eager to explore other industries and environments.
As a Frito-Lay packaging supervisor in Indiana, Richard says he never considered working for his father’s company after graduating from Drury University—and Randy, a 1987 Drury graduate, says he hated the box business at that time. Randy sold connectors for Positronic for three months before reconsidering the question Jack Gentry, that company’s founder, had asked him in an interview: “Why don’t you go to work for your dad?”
BIZ417.COMSeptember/October 202254
Top photo: The SMC facility today. Middle photo: 1990s-era SMC. Bottom photo: Melissa and Matt Ausburn, back when boxes were just for fun.
GROUPPACKAGINGSMCCOURTESYSTIEFERMANN,LEAHBYPHOTOS
Kevin was a CPA for a large accounting firm in Kansas City for several years before realizing he was more fascinated by his clients’ work than he was by his own. Matt also worked as an accountant in Kansas City before joiningMelissaSMC.was enjoying her work as an interior designer in New York— and then, like the others, she missed her family and the sense of community in Springfield. In 2018, she started at SMC as a receptionist; now, she works with customers through Springfield’s design center.
er’s responsibilities: At three dollars an hour, says SMC Executive Vice President Randy Bachus, 58, “It was good money for a 12-year-old.”
Kevin agrees. “Sometimes there can be friction, but we all have that common heritage that kind of brings us all back together,” he says.
“We’re big on transparency, sharing good news and sometimes things that are more challenging to discuss,” Matt says. That “ownership mentality” also translates to work relationships, Richard says. “We all genuinely care about each other, we listen, and we work together for a common cause,” he says. “If that scrap machine goes down, that’ll shut down the rest of the facility, and that’s a starting position. So really it’s no one is any bigger than anybody else, and we try to treat each other that way and take care of each other that way.”
Core Values Sustainability is a more recent focus at SMC. Inside the converting plant, an employee smiles and waves as he scoops cardboard scraps onto a trolley to be recycled, while a conveyor belt carries scraps that have fallen through grates in the floor.
About 10 percent of what is corrugated and converted at the company ends up as waste, Richard says, but all the scraps get baled and recycled back into Innovationcontainerboard.isacorevalue, too, yet Kevin says company leaders worried when COVID-19 hit in 2020, right after its converting plant was expanded to make room for costly new equipment.
“It’s a great sense of pride to be part of something that my grandpa was cofounder of,” she says. “What I want to do is just continue that on and make him proud.” “I think one of the things that would surprise Chuck and my dad is the level of capabilities that we’ve grown to over the years and the scale of the organization.”
STIEFERMANNLEAHBYPHOTO BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 55
—Kevin Ausburn
They aren’t related—more like a “blended family,” Melissa jokes, yet Richard says the five trust each other like family, moving past differences “and forward with little conflict.”
The family legacy continues, though, in SMC’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) program, offered to workers since 1978. Because employees share ownership in SMC, executives also share financial information with them.
An executive team made up of eight other officers and managers also serves as a counterbalance, Randy adds.
When internet sales soared, though, it wasn’t long before packaging was in greater demand than ever. Thanks to that new equipment, SMC was ready to meet online retailers’ needs for boxes printed on the inside as well as the outside to give socially distanced customers that “unboxing experience,” as Melissa Ausburn calls it. This year, sales are expected to reach $200 million, a 25 percent increase since 2021, Matt says. As the third generation helps lead SMC, their focus is on such “concept to completion,” he says—“all the way from our sales team bringing in a rough sketch on a notepad through multiple revisions and iterations to having a finished concept that the customer’s approved.” Branding—getting a customer’s logo and colors just right—is important, too, Melissa says.That’s something her grandfather and Chuck might not have thought much about 50 years ago, yet she hopes they would be pleased with the quality of SMC’s work today.
A “Blended Family”
PHOTGRAPHERTKBYPHOTO BIZ417.COMSeptember/October 202256 2 0 2 2
WRITTEN BY JENNIFER JOHNMEYER WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY LUCIE AMBERG HOW THE WINNERS WERE CHOSEN
Biz 417’s Best Places to Work is a celebration of elite employers who have proven that they know what it takes to create environments where people love to come to work. Identifying and recognizing these out standing workplaces was a joint effort of Biz 417 and Best Companies Group. The Best Places to Work program was open to all publicly or privately held organizations in the 417 region. To be eligible for consideration, organizations must have at least 15 employees in the region, being headquartered in the region was not a requirement.
The “Best Places to Work” survey process was managed by Best Companies Group (BCG). BCG, an independent workplace excellence research rm. BCG managed the registration process, conducted the two-part survey process, evaluated the data and ultimately chose the employers that were good enough to make the list. To go through the assess ment process, employers needed to register by Febru ary 18, 2022. Part one of the assessment (one-quarter of each organization’s score) consisted of the BCG Employer Questionnaire (EQ), used to collect information about
Participation was free and each organization had the option to purchase access to the “BCG Insights Reportal” organizing the employee data collected through the employee survey process. In addition to the employee opinion data, the “Insights Reportal” also included transcribed employee written comments, as well as benchmarking data from the winning and non-winning organizations. This data will help each company understand their workforce better and equip them with the information to make improvements. Visit BestPlacesToWork417.com for more info or email lcohen@bestcompaniesgroup.com.
PHOTGRAPHERTKBYPHOTO BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 57
The top whereorganizations20417-landerslovetowork
each employer’s bene ts, policies, practices and other general information. Part two of the as sessment (three-quarters of each organization’s score) involved the con dential 78-question Em ployee Engagement & Satisfaction Survey (EESS), which was used to evaluate the employees’ work place experience and culture. The combined data allowed the experts at BCG to conduct an in-depth analysis of the strengths and challenges that exist in each organization. BCG’s workplace assessment experts determined who was good enough to make this year’s list.
BIZ417.COMSeptember/October 202258 1. OMG COMMERCE, LLC HQ: Spring eld 52 2.CEO:Advertising/PR/MarketingemployeesBrettCurry PADDIO HQ: Spring eld 191 DirectorFinancialemployeesServicesofProduction: Ryan 3.Kluttz OLLIS/AKERS/ARNEY INSURANCE & BUSINESS ADVISORS HQ: Spring eld 59 President/CEO:Insuranceemployees Richard Ollis 4. TITANIC MUSEUM ATTRACTION HQ: Branson 90 Chairman/CEO:Travelemployees&TourismJohn Joslyn 5. RICK’S AUTOMOTIVE HQ: Spring eld 40 Owner/President:Autoemployees&TransportationRick Hughlett 6. WEST PLAINS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY HQ: West Plains 109 President/CEO:Bankingemployees David M. Gohn 7. FORVIS (Formerly known as BKD, which was founded in Spring eld in 5,5001923) employees (658 in Spring8.CEO:Accountingeld)TomWatson DUCK CREEK TECHNOLOGIES HQ: Boston, Massachusetts 931 employees (214 in Bolivar) CEO:TechnologyMichael Jackowski 9. SAPP DESIGN ARCHITECTS HQ: Spring eld 21 Founder/President:Architectureemployees Michael Sapp 10. JMARK HQ: Spring eld 110 CEO:TechnologyemployeesThomasH. Douglas 11. PARAGON ARCHITECTURE HQ: Spring eld 28 President/Principal:Architectureemployees Brad Erwin 12. WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY HQ: St. Louis 7,745 employees (37 in Spring13.CEO:Technologyeld)JimKavanaugh ELEVATE ENTERTAINMENT HQ: Spring eld 28 Experiencesemployees& Entertainment Founder/CEO: Broc Barton 14. ABACUS CPAS HQ: Spring eld 100 ManagingAccountingemployeesPartner: William A. 15.Dunton NABHOLZ HQ: Conway, Arkansas 1,196 employees (53 in SpringCEO:Constructioneld)JakeNabholz 16. ARVEST BANK HQ: Bentonville, Arkansas 6,613 employees (134 in SpringPresident/CEO:Bankingeld) Kevin Sabin 17. NEXT LEVEL SOLUTIONS HQ: Spring eld 299 employees (155 in SpringPresident/CEO:Technologyeld) Chris Sawyer 18. ENTRUST PROPERTY SOLUTIONS HQ: Spring eld 33 CEO:PropertyemployeesBrentT. Brown 19. SPRINGFIELD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HQ: Spring eld 23 President:NonproemployeestMatt Morrow 20. PEARSON-KELLY TECHNOLOGY HQ: Spring eld 44 CEO:TechnologyemployeesChelsey Bode The Winners THE TOP 20 PLACES TO WORK IN 417-LAND, AS INDEPENDENTLY ASSESSED BY BEST COMPANIES GROUP. SAME RANK AS LAST YEARNEW TO THE LISTMOVED UP IN RANKINGMOVED DOWN IN RANKING
HELP WANTED
MONEY MATTERS
L ast year, the data from Biz 417’s inaugural Best Places to Work (BPTW) contest told a clear story. Overwhelmingly, top-ranked organizations offered a high degree of flexibil ity—in the form of enviable benefits like remote work and unlimited PTO. These are great perks, but they’re particularly suited for certain types of businesses and careers, which left us wondering: What about everyone else? What about people whose skills and interests lead them toward pro fessions that can’t be performed remotely? What about people who crave the structure and cama raderie of a healthy office and aren’t happy work ing from home? Aren’t there wonderful work places for them, too? This year, the answer is “yes.” Organizations that offer significant flexibility still performed well; if your business can offer remote work, it’s obviously a recruitment advantage. But the 2022 winners have more diverse work environments. Together, they paint a picture of a complex econ omy—one with many kinds of workers, services and workplace cultures. For example, workers at the No. 1 company on our list, OMG Commerce, have significant au tonomy, including the option of working fully re mote, hybrid or fully in-person. At the No. 5 com pany, Rick’s Automotive, no one telecommutes, but employees enjoy family-friendly perks, such as an informal childcare arrangement. They also get a whopping 10% weekly match to their 401(k) contributions. While Rick’s and OMG take slight ly different approaches to making employees feel rewarded, they both earned high marks.
•“If I do good work, I will be rewarded.” (89% vs. 72%)
•“I’mstatements:satisfied with the amount of healthcare paid for.” (92% of BPTW employees agreed with this statement. Just 64% of employees at non-list-makers agreed.)
•“Itransparency.havea good understanding of how this organization is doing financially.” (91% of BPTW employees agreed vs. 68% from companies that didn’t make the list.)
•“This organization gives me enough recognition for work that is well done.” (91% of BPTW employees agreed vs. 74% from companies that didn’t make the list.)
•“Staffing levels are adequate to provide quality products/services.” (83% of BPTW employees agreed vs. 63% from companies that didn’t make the list.)
ONE DIFFERENTIATOR
You’re probably feeling the labor shortage, and your employees are, too. If you’re wondering whether you should even try to fill open positions, consider the following result:
•“I’m satisfied with the disability benefits.” (92% vs. 73%)
BY LUCIE AMBERG
•“I’m satisfied with the dental benefits.” (92% vs. 72%)
As with the 2021 results, the biggest difference between the Best Places to Work and those that didn’t make the list showed up in the “Pay and Benefits” category. Survey respondents were asked whether they agreed with the following
If you’re looking for one cultural change that might set your organization apart, consider what the contest results revealed about financial
•“Overall, I’m satisfied with this organization’s benefits package.” (93% vs. 70%)
KEEP HUMAN RESOURCES HUMAN Good workplaces are filled with workers who feel seen and valued. In three separate sections of the employee questionnaire, respondents were asked how much they agreed with statements about their perceived value within their organizations. The results sent a clear message.
“The 2022 winners have more diverse work environments. Together, they paint a picture of a complex economy—one with many kinds of workers, services and workplace cultures.”
BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 59
Top Takeaways: What Employees Want We combed through the data from the Best Places to Work employee survey. Here’s what we learned from the results.
—Lucie Amberg
•“I feel I am valued in this organization.” (94% vs. 81%)
Brett Curry, CEO
“We take smart, driven and talented people and help them grow faster personally and professionally.”
Landing at the top spot for the second year, OMG Commerce o ers autonomy while encouraging personal and professional growth.
LAST
COMMERCEOMGCOURTESYPHOTOS BIZ417.COMSeptember/October 202260 1
O MG Commerce employ ees value the autonomy and empowerment their employer offers. CEO Brett Cur ry points out that the organiza tion’s ingrained vision, mission and culture statements aren’t only found on the main entrance wall; they’re also embedded in the day-to-day operations, ac tions and decisions of each em ployee—who work in a variety of locations. OMG offers employees a full range of work options, in cluding fully in-person, hybrid and fully remote.
CEO Brett Curry YEAR’S RANK 1
Curry summarizes his leader ship style as one based on trust, support and high expectations. He points out that, while OMG is a fun place to work, it’s not al ways an easy place to work. But it’s all for the greater good. When asked if there was one thing that he would want to express to his employees, Curry has a simple answer.“My greatest joy is helping team members reach their full potential,” he says.
COMMERCEOMG
2
“We’ve worked hard to adapt to current workforce needs and want our team to work where they are at their best,” Curry says. With wide-ranging benefits including a 401(k) match of 4%, 100% paid health-care coverage, unlimited PTO and competitive maternity and paternity leave, Curry adds that OMG’s empha sis is on caring deeply about its employees as people and wanting team members to win both pro fessionally and in life.
BY JENNIFER JOHNMEYER Where Employees “Level Up” AT-A-GLANCE HEADQUARTERS Spring eld # OF EMPLOYEES 52 INDUSTRY Advertising/PR/Marketing
“We do everything we can to help employees grow and level up,” he says. “We take smart, driven and talented people and help them grow faster personally andPartprofessionally.”ofthatgrowth includes ensuring employees understand that being radically candid with leadership is not just welcomed it’s encouraged. When it comes to decision making and business direction, everyone in the organi zation has a seat at the table.
2PADDIO
At Paddio, employees understand the importance of owning their values. The result? A mission that includes enhancing life every day, delivering results—and having fun.
PADDIOCOURTESYPHOTO BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 61 LAST YEAR’S RANK New to the List
P addio, a mortgage lending company that’s new to the list this year, focuses on culture in unique ways. Paddio celebrates its employees while also embracing the community in which its employees work.
“We want to enhance lives every day, deliver results with integrity and have fun,” says Director of Production Ryan Kluttz. “That allows us to ask, ‘What’s the best way to enhance lives in Springfield?’” This personalized approach allows Paddio’s team to run with their creativity—both within and outside the workplace. The results are employees who enjoy their work and enjoy each other, which leads to deeper, more dynamic connections to company culture. Paddio also employs a culture team that works with human resources to focus on employee values, but Kluttz says that the work goes far beyond one team’s“Theresponsibilities.mostimpactful ideas are organic,” he says. “We all have to own it.”
This ownership mindset is part of an annual process that helps everyone focus on core values. In small groups, employees explore how these values are best applied, both in and outside the workplace. They also research ways to slow down and foster broader focus and deeper appreciation for life in general. “We try to be intentional about living out our values,” Kluttz says. As a result of this intentionality, Paddio offers a variety of hobby groups that meet up to participate in activities of their choosing— from disc golf to book clubs. If group members feel like staying in, they can utilize Paddio’s in-house putting greens, ping-pong tables and snack bar. A golf simulator and yoga studio are also in development.“We just want to keep providing more resources for our employees and make sure they have everything they need for their health and well-being,” Kluttz says. “There are so many ingredients to this recipe of dynamic culture.”
BY JENNIFER JOHNMEYER Kluttz
Where Culture is the Key AT-A-GLANCE HEADQUARTERS Spring eld # OF EMPLOYEES 191 INDUSTRY Financial Services DIRECTOR PRODUCTIONOF Ryan
HEADQUARTERS Spring
“What I thought would be a negative turned into a super positive, and frankly now has become a part of our culture and how we operate as an organization. I’m a convert.”
Richard Ollis, CEO LAST YEAR’S RANK 2
Ollis also holds quarterly “state of the agency meetings,” in which the entire organization meets to review financials, rev enue, expenses, profitability and what the company expects to pay out in company stock as people retire. Additionally, he sends a summary of weekly management meeting notes to all employees.
STIEFERMANNLEAHBYPHOTO BIZ417.COMSeptember/October 202262
At Ollis/Akers/Arney, a willingness to embrace change has led to levels of success CEO Richard Ollis never imagined. What has he learned? That exibility, trust and communication mean everything.
OLLIS/AKERS/ARNEY
AT-A-GLANCE eld # OF EMPLOYEES 59 INDUSTRY Insurance CEO Richard Ollis
“We publish what we’re work ing on, problems we’re trying to solve,” he says. “When you’re forced into a situation, as we were with COVID, it teaches you to learn different ways to do things, and sometimes they’re things you maybe should have been doing all along.”
3 forms. Most notably, as a 100% employee-owned company, every person in the organization is an employee-owner, which means they grow their stock portfolios each year—giving them a stake in the company’s outcome.
Where Everyone’s an Owner T o Richard Ollis, employee trust and business trans parency are vital. “Every one has a voice, and they know that,” he Throughsays.his years as CEO of Ollis/Akers/Arney, Ollis says he’s learned how much com munication matters and how to present information in under standable and effective ways, which has led him to new lev els of appreciation for his team. That appreciation comes in many
A key takeaway Ollis took from lockdown was how much remote work could increase both produc tivity and employee satisfaction.
“Our staff performed so well,” he says. “Productivity was up, employee satisfaction was up and we learned how to hold meetings remotely.” As a result, Ollis/Ak ers/Arney now offers a 50/50 hybrid work environment for anyone who prefers to work from home.“What I thought would be a negative turned into a super posi tive, and frankly now has become part of our culture and how we operate as an organization,” he says. “I’m a convert.” This combination of flexibil ity, trust and communication has led to soaring levels of employee satisfaction and a low percentage of turnover. Ollis expects that the company will only continue to grow“Westronger.justwant to keep com municating to our employees that they matter, that their voices count and that every decision is keeping their success in mind,” he says. “They’ve been knocking it out of the park, and I give them so many kudos.”
BY JENNIFER JOHNMEYER
AT-A-GLANCE Branson # OF EMPLOYEES 90 INDUSTRY Travel and Tourism CEO John Joslyn
HEADQUARTERS
Titanic Museum Attraction works hard to ensure its employ ees feel cared for and valued. Titanic’s notable health care ben efits include 100% employer-paid
Titanic also invests in its em ployees. It offers a 50% 401(k) match for up to 5% of employee incomes. The company match is vested 20% per year for up to five years, and fully vested there after. It also offers college tuition reimbursement for programs that help promote an employee’s position, provided they meet spe cific employment and academic requirements. Last, but certainly not least, employees who are paid hourly wages receive gas bonuses. Their paychecks include an extra dollar per hour, which helps offset costs at the gas tank.
B ranson’s Titanic Museum Attraction makes its first appearance on the Best Places to Work list this year. Pres ident and COO Mary KelloggJoslyn credits a work culture that celebrates its employees first and guests next. “If we educate, com municate and develop programs for our employees, they are hap pier as a result, which in turn will create a great guest experience,” Kellogg-Joslyn says.
LAST YEAR’S RANK New to the List
Titanic Museum Attraction o ers a culture of education, communication and personalized sta development. It’s why the team is described as “the heartbeat of our ship.”
In addition, Titanic finds meaningful, creative ways to en courage staff members. A par ticular highlight, the company’s Backstage Magic program, calls in employees from three differ ent departments each month. The employees compile a list of posi tive things they’ve witnessed from their peers before nominating someone as a recipient of Back stage Magic. When the winners are told why they were selected, it happens in front of other staff and guests, which heightens the significance of the moment. Each winner receives a gift card that’s based on their specific needs or hobbies. Kellogg-Joslyn says that the crew is an integral part of the decision-making pro cess, and that everyone comes together to look at how the win ners stories apply to the company overall.“The most important part of our company is communication with our crew,” she says. “We’re not afraid to tackle issues. We learn about our history and why it’s important to understand and honor those events. We go through guest emails and cel ebrate their stories. I love how ex cited our crew Kellogg-Joslyngets.”adds that her purpose for applying as a Best Place to Work was to ensure that Titanic employees understand how valued they are. “We’re just so proud of them,” she says. “They are the heartbeat of this ship.”
ATTRACTIONMUSEUM
BRANSONEXPLORECOURTESYPHOTO BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 63
4TITANIC
BY JENNIFER JOHNMEYER
premiums for dental, long-term care and short- and long-term dis ability coverage, as well as 24/7 telehealth through MDLive—not only for employees, but also for their family members, at no cost.
Where the Crew is the Heartbeat
AT-A-GLANCE HEADQUARTERS Spring eld # OF EMPLOYEES 40 INDUSTRY Auto Transportationand OWNER/PRESIDENT
“We work hard and train hard, and when all the work is done, we play hard.”
AUTOMOTIVERICK’SCOURTESYPHOTO BIZ417.COMSeptember/October 202264
BY JENNIFER JOHNMEYER Where Everyone Is Family
LAST YEAR’S RANK New to the List
5RICK’SAUTOMOTIVE
Travis Comfort, Chief Operating Officer
Rick
“It’s just a great time to enjoy each other’s company, let loose and build some camaraderie outside of work,” ComfortOverall,says.Comfort insists, it’s a simple approach. “We’re not just friends here,” he says. “We really are the Rick’s Automotive Family.”
R ick’s Automotive is another business that’s making its first appearance on our Best Places to Work list—and placing in the Top 5. The company’s 40 em ployees form a close-knit group, and they frequently spend time together outside of work. “We call it a family atmosphere,” says Chief Operating Officer Travis Comfort. “We work hard and train hard, and when all the work is done, we play Workinghard.”hard is easy, thanks to the welcoming atmosphere. Com fort’s wife, Kala, and company Cofounder Karen Hughlett are some of the members of the Rick’s Auto motive family who make themselves available to help with child care emergencies. Additionally, every day at Rick’s can be “Bring Your Child to Work” day; employees’ children are always welcome to spend the day at the company. They’re often found hanging out in the lunchroom or conference rooms. During school breaks, this policy is a huge help. Other benefits of working at Rick’s run the gamut from tradi tional to next-level. Rick’s 401(k) weekly match of 10% sets the com pany apart, as does its unique sab batical policy. “When an employee hits their 20-year anniversary with Rick’s Automotive, we offer them a sabbatical by sending them on their dream vacation, with all expenses paid,” Comfort says. “We have had an employee take a trip to Hawaii; one took an Alaskan cruise…We also had someone take a train trip up the westButcoast.”employees don’t have to wait 20 years for a celebration at Rick’s. The company offers large parties every summer and Christmas. Sum mer party themes vary year to year and are based on employee input. One year, the company rented out every cabin at Shadrack Resort in Cape Fair. Employees played games like cornhole and “minute to win it,” while enjoying barbecue and loung ing around a campfire. For Christ mas, company Founders Rick and Karen Hughlett open their home to all employees, spouses and children with a catered meal, DJ and games. There’s also a gift exchange that in cludes annual hand-painted Li Bien ornaments for everyone.
From employee-planned celebrations to allexpenses-paid sabbaticals, Rick’s Automotive o ers amazing bene ts, but the family atmosphere is what’s most important.
Hughlett
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BIZ417.COM September/October 2022 67
EMPLOYERSOFCHOICE
Get to know the best places to work in 417-land. What makes a good business a great place to work? What makes an employer desirable? It’s the focus and the energy that they put into their employees every day. Get to know the businesses that have put their employees fi rst and become the 417-lands employers of choice.
417-761-5000 2885 W. Battlefield Rd. career at
urrell Behavioral Health is one of the nation’s largest community mental health centers, providing meaningful care to more than 40,000 clients across 18 counties in Missouri. Their provider base of 400 clinicians o ers a full continuum of care through an integrated network. Through their partnerships with more than 100 organizations, including colleges and universities, K-12 schools, health systems, judicial systems and not-forpro t organizations, they are able to remove barriers and help our communities receive the care they deserve to heal, grow and thrive. Even more, they realize that mental health should not be sacri ced due to nancial situations.
Burrell is toopportunityanworkwithapurpose." ADVERTISEMENTEmployers of Choice
417-447-0535 | 2155 W. CHESTERFIELD ST. SPRINGFIELD | OAKSTARBANK.COM
Dee King, Keke Rover, and Dr. Shelly Farnan
B
behavioral health
// burrellcenter.com //
// Springfield "A
Everyone deserves access to a ordable mental health care so Burrell Behavioral Health works with most insurances and o ers options for those who qualify, including discounted fees and nancial assistance. Their employment philosophy is that all people deserve the opportunity to pursue a ful lling career path and have access to competent care in a safe, informed and respectful environment. A career at Burrell is an opportunity to work with a purpose. They ask you to show up every day and use your skill set to advocate for those in need, and in return, they expect their system to care for you.
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Burrell
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Drury university 417-873-7879 // Drury.edu // 900 N. Benton Ave. // Springfield
From the university grounds crew keeping campus beautiful, to the Safety & Security team always on the lookout and professors who o er a hands-on approach, Drury University sta and faculty are the backbone of this nearly 150-year-old Springfield institution.
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immediate families. Drury takes bene ts one step further and believes in providing ample paid time o so employees can rest, relax and recharge, with base-level, full-time employees receiving 320 paid hours o in their rst year. Drury’s o cial culture statement is: “A spirit of community, passionate about student success.” The university embodies those words in everything it does, striving to make the best possible outcomes for students. From the facilities crew who keeps the grounds in bloom to the advancement sta keeping up with university alumni, the Drury work culture is one of collaboration and respect for fellow employees.
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417-447-0535 | 2155 W. CHESTERFIELD ST. SPRINGFIELD | OAKSTARBANK.COM
A gorgeous campus rich in history and spirit, Drury University is one of Spring eld’s oldest businesses and Spring eld’s rst college. Thanks to its dedication to a close-knit community focused on the arts, athletics and academics, Drury is an ideal employer when looking at higher-education opportunities. Many current Drury University employees are former students or have alumni in the family. Drury University’s tuition remission program is a big factor in family retention and a key part of the Drury Di erence. Drury University o ers free tuition at any level for employees and free undergraduate classes for the employees’
417-447-0535 | 2155 W. CHESTERFIELD ST. SPRINGFIELD | OAKSTARBANK.COM
nabholz construction 417-450-6000 // Nabholz.com //
Employees’ quality of life is the priority at Nabholz.
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F ounded in 1949, Nabholz Construction employs over 1,200 industry-leading professionals across seven states. The company o ers a full range of construction, industrial, excavation, energy conservation and environmental hazard services with o ces in Spring eld andNabholz’Columbia.goal is to “grow our people, serve our clients, and build our communities.” This is about more than providing career opportunities; it’s also about improving employees’ quality of life. Many bene ts are o ered including free individual health insurance and access to their nationally recognized wellness program, which provides resources and incentives to encourage healthier lifestyles.
To give employees the tools needed to advance, the company established Nabholz University in 1973. Now, it encompasses over ten di erent programs and provides leadership tracks to employees at every level. These bene ts and initiatives t into a larger culture of building communities — both internal Nabholz communities and the communities in which they live and work.
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Presidents and executives often cook for di erent jobsite crews, and the company has established a program that allows employees to help fellow employees through traumatic life events. They also place an importance on contributing funds and services to non pro t organizations. In scal year 2021, they donated $495,000 in sponsorships and donations to 205 di erent organizations. 2223 W. Sunset St. // Springfield our
people, serve our clients, and build communities."our ADVERTISEMENTEmployers of Choice
"grow
417-881-8333 // OllisAkersArney.com 2274 E. Sunshine St. // Springfield a 100% employee-owned company, Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors is distinctly di erent when it comes to how they communicate, work as a team and make decisions for the success of the company and of their clients. Transparency is key in their work culture with quarterly employer-owner meetings to discuss organization-wide activity.
O ver the last 60 years, Arvest Bank assocates have been supported in their career goals through mentorship programs and leadership trainings. Employees are encouraged to not just share ideas but have those ideas be heard and thoughtfully considered by company leaders. As an example, just this year, Arvest launched awareness debit cards, created by associates and made available to all customers. They have been honored to receive the following awards from Forbes: “Best Employers For Diversity” (2022), “America’s Best-In-State Employers” (2021), “America’s Best Large Employers” (2022, 2018, 2017), “America’s Best Employers for Women” (2018), and "World’s Best Bank" (2019–2022). They also received “Most Loved Workplace” in 2021 by Newsweek.
arvestollis/akers/arneybank
Arvest Bank Team
Bottom row: Richard Ollis, Kevin Robbins Insurance and Business Advisors
Top row: Joe Gaunt, John Akers, Karen Shannon, Paul Long
Flexible work environment is another instrumental factor in their success whether it be telecommuting, exible hours or working while kids are home. Established in 1885, they are a full-service business consulting rm helping companies design and implement programs that address risk management, employee bene ts, human resources and wellness programs.
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Arvest.com417-885-7240
STIEFERMANNLEAHBYPHOTO The vibe in the room was positive and empowering at Biz 417’s Ladies Who Launch. See more photos on p. 76. EVERYWHERE YOU NEED TO BE CALENDAR SCENE 76 Ladies Who Launch 79 10 for the Next 10 Happy Hour 80 Downtime 74 BIZ417.COMNETWORK September/October 2022 73
This quarterly networking event is full of food, fun and socializing. Join fellow Republic area entrepreneurs for an enjoyable evening, and still make it home to spend time with the family! Flat Creek Restaurant, 772 E US-60 Republic; for more information on the “O the Clock” event republicchamber.comvisit and register on the website. 8:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m., Thursday, September 29 MISSOURI PUBLIC TRANSIT EXPO
The Ri , 1900 W Sunset St.; for more information on the event call 417-650-8041 or email jana@weandco.org.
This event is a great chance to delve into some professional development with peers who are saving 75% o travel expenses in the industry. This event held at University Plaza Hotel is one great opportunity to network with public o cials and leaders throughout the midwest. University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, 333 S John Q Hammons Pkwy; for more 7:30–8:30 a.m., Thursday, September 1 GOOD SPRINGFIELD!MORNING, Knock out some networking before the workday o cially begins at the Spring eld Area Chamber of Commerce’s monthly breakfast event. $30 for members, $40 for non-members; Spring eld Art Museum, 1111 E. Brookside.; register at spring eldchamber. com; call 417-862-5567 or email addie@spring eldchamber.com for more information. 5:30—9:00 p.m., Thursday, September 1 WE&CO BUSINESS MIXER
FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE
This event is centered around the idea of “sel ess networking” so all women can FLOURISH. Attendees can expect good food and an even better community. Tickets are $15. Whole Hog Cafe, 224 W. Sunshine St.; for more information on this event email info@come ourishwithus.com. 4:00—6:00 p.m., Thursday, September 8 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
12:30—4:30 p.m., October 2 417 LIMITLESSMAGAZINE’S Bring your daughter, niece or mentee to the rst-ever Limitless: A Mother Daughter Experience presented by Burrell Behavioral Health. This half-day event is designed to open up conversations, strengthen bonds and help inspire girls in a positive, welcoming, expectenvironment.high-energyFromengagingkeynotespeakerstoworkshopsandamarketplaceoflocalresourcesandretail,youcanplentyoftimeforfun.
to inspire and motivate female entrepreneurs in the southwest Missouri area. Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone. Visit e3score. org for tickets and information. 11:30a.m.—1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 22 GOA NETWORKINGMONTHLYLUNCHEON
This annual two-day event is about “leveling up and launching dreams.” It focuses on providing resources and building relationships
7:30—8:30 a.m., Thursday, October 6 GOOD SPRINGFIELD!MORNING, Make new friends and enjoy the company of old ones for an informational breakfast. This event is $30 for chamber members and $40 for nonchamber members. Bob Dixon, 6:00—8:00 p.m., Tuesday. September FORFLOURISH6NETWORKINGWOMEN
This monthly membership meeting is the perfect lunch break to squeeze in some networking. Bring those business cards! $20 for nonmembers while members start at $12; Ozark Community Center; 1530 W. Jackson. Visit ozarkchamber. com for more information. 4:30—6:30 p.m., Thursday, September 22 OFF THE CLOCK
This monthly recurring special event that happens on the rst of every month is the best place to mix and mingle with 417-land business owners. Enjoy light appetizers and drinks during the dinner hour and discuss business with a mutual connoisseur. Don’t forget to mask up for this event!
The Ozark Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly meet-and-greet for its members. Drop in for a few minutes or stay the whole hour. Free for chamber members, Ozark residents and Ozark businesses; location varies each month. Visit ozarkchamber.com for more information. information on this event call 314-231-7272 or register at mopublicstransit.org. 5:30—9:00 p.m., Saturday, October WE&CO1BUSINESS MIXER
Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone. Visit 417mag.com/limitless for tickets and information.
The Ri , 1900 W Sunset St.; for more information on the event call 417-650-8041 or email jana@weandco.org. 7:30–8:30 a.m., Friday, September 2
This monthly recurring special event that happens on the rst of every month is the best place to mix and mingle with 417-land business owners. Enjoy light appetizers and drinks during the dinner hour and discuss business with a mutual connoisseur. Don’t forget to mask up for this event!
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This marketing event is a great chance to hear from experts in the Nixa area. Spend your lunch hour chatting and networking with business professionals. The Bridge, 308 W. Mt. Vernon; for more information on pricing and event details visit nixachamber.com or call 417725-1545. 12:00—3:00 p.m., September 13–14 SCORE E3 CONFERENCEWOMEN’S
After a long workday join fellow business professionals to share stories and network. Come for food, drink, special prizes and loads of connections. Baron Design & Associates, 3810 E. Sunshine St.; for more information contact Parker Reid, call 417-862-5567 or visit spring eldchamber.com. 11:00 a.m—1:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 13 NIXA LUNCHEONCHAMBER
8:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m., October NONPROFIT14 CONFERENCELEADERSHIP
Relics Antique Mall Event Center, 2015 W. Battle eld Rd; for more information on this event contact Jim Carman at 417-877-0233 or visit ozarkscoinclub.weebly.com. 11:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m., Thursday, October 27 GOA NETWORKINGMONTHLYLUNCHEON
FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE
REPUTATION & RESULTS. LEE MCLEAN III, CCIM, SIOR O: 417.887.8826 x LEE.MCLEAN@SVN.COM110 RANKIN COMPANY, LLC ALL SVN® OFFICES INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED Have your attention? Call and ask what’s possible. E. ElfindaleSunshineCornersUndergroundSpringfield Frisco Building presiding commissioner, will be there. Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone. Call 417-8625567 or visit spring eldchamber. com for more information. 7:30—8:30 a.m., Friday, October 7
This event hosted by Drury University is a great opportunity to learn more about nonpro ts and what it takes to support and make them succeed. Come to the 11th annual leadership conference where this year’s theme is “Limitless.”
12:00—6:00 p.m., October 21 OZARK COIN & STAMP SHOW
Come socialize with coin and stamp collectors from all across the U.S. This event is the perfect place to ask questions and mix with people who know a lot about the coin industry. Door prizes will be gifted every hour at this event. Don’t miss out on the chance to learn about the coin and stamp trading world.
Enjoy a catered lunch and get caught up on events! This monthly membership meeting is a chance to hear from fellow chamber members and get updates on the community. $20 for nonmembers while members start at $12; Ozark Community Center; 1530 W. Jackson. Visit ozarkchamber.com for more information.
The Ozark Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly meet-and-greet for its members. Drop in for a few minutes or stay the whole hour. Free for chamber members, Ozark residents and Ozark businesses; location varies each month. Visit ozarkchamber.com for more information. 4:00—6:00 p.m., Thursday, October BUSINESS13 AFTER HOURS Join the Chamber of Commerce’s professionalsbusinessandsome of Spring eld’s nest to network and enjoy the evening. Bring those business cards and come spend the evening socializing after a busy o ce day. Blue Room Comedy Club, 420 W. College St.; for more information contact Parker Reid, call 417-862-5567 or visit spring eldchamber.com.
Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave.; for more information on the event visit drury.edu or call 417-873-7516. 4:00—6:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 18 BIZ BLITZ After you get o the clock join professionals in the Spring eld area for some good eats. Come socialize and still make it home for an evening with the family. At this event you are sure to meet more people and faster, too. Progress, 2144 E. Republic; for more information on the event, attendees can visit spring eldchamber.com or contact Parker Reid at parker@ spring eldchamber.com.
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STIEFERMANNLEAHBYPHOTOS Biz 417 's Ladies Who Launch More than 400 career-minded women attended Biz 417’s fth annual Ladies Who Launch presented by Volt Credit Union at the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center for a powerful afternoon of speakers and inspiration. Date: Thursday, July 14 | Host Organization: Biz 417 | Location: Oasis Hotel & Convention Center | Website: Biz417.com Lunch Keynote Speaker Melissa Barnes. Biz 417 Publisher Logan Aguirre welcomed the crowd. Ladies Who Launch attendees participating in Volt Credit Union’s photo op. Krystal Creach facilitated the Hustle Hour. Keynote Speaker Catherine Price. Logan Aguirre moderated a panel with Biz 417’s 2022 Women Who Mean Business. [THE SCENE] PRESENTED BY
Connect
Reliable Lexus displayed their newest models with a gorgeous oral arrangement. Mercy asked attendees to participate in a “Take Time For You” Pledge. The day ended with a happy hour hosted by Rosie. integrated Four-style networking into the day.
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Husch Blackwell highlighted positive traits with a “Qualities of a Leader” board. Rachel Peacock-Young, Rachel Mhire, Heather Hardinger, Catherine Price and Carla Wootton closed the programing with a surprise performance.
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[THE SCENE] Biz 417 ’s Ladies Who Launch More than 400 career-minded women attended Biz 417’s fth annual Ladies Who Launch presented by Volt Credit Union at the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center for a powerful afternoon of speakers and inspiration. Date: Thursday, July 14 | Host Organization: Biz 417 | Location: Oasis Hotel & Convention Center | Website: Biz417.com Naheel Cannefax, Kesha Alexander, Christie Browne Kristen Wannenmacher Bright, Krystal Creach Jennifer Murray, Erika Warner Lacy Martin, Alyea Alldredge Kristin Carter, Amy Henson MCCROSKEYKALIBYPHOTOS
and Peter Peppers
Magers and Justin Fraker Stacie and Aaron Wells
Gabrielle
Martin and Marty Duda
[THE SCENE] 10 for the Next 10 Happy Hour 2022 10 for the Next 10 honorees and their guests met up with Biz 417 Publisher Logan Aguirre and Editor Lucie Amberg for an evening of socializing and celebrating. Date: July 27 | Host Organization: Biz 417 | Location: Ebbets Field | Website: biz417.com
Lindsay
Ericka
Sullivan and Spencer HarrisMCCROSKEYKALIBYPHOTOS
Josh
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Local radio host Jay Stevens doesn’t just play 1980s rock on air, he also sings it as the lead singer of the ‘80s tribute band Machine Gun Symphony. Growing up surrounded by music, Stevens began singing at a young age. He joined Machine Gun Symphony after moving to Spring eld from Los Angeles. The overlap between his career and hobby helps Stevens expand listeners in both elds. “It’s all kind of cross-branding,” he says. “The guy you hear on the radio or the guy you see shirtless on stage is the same crazy guy.”—Michelle Lewis
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2111 S. Eastgate Ave. Spring eld, MO 65809 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 | $4.95 0 7 4 4 7 0 2 9 3 4 9 1 0 9 VOLUME 7 ISSUE 6
