N OVEM BER 2021 | T HE FI NA NC E ISSU E | A PU B L ICATION OF TH E B U SIN E SS TIM E S CO M PAN Y
Randy Cole & His Team on
THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS IN COLUMBIA
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NOVEMBER 2021
Letter from the Publisher
Money, Money, Mooonnneeeyyy
M
oney. The world doesn’t run without it, and we never seem to have enough of it. The Finance Issue is one that always comes with quite the discussion of what to include. This year, it was pretty easy. Money and financial issues abound. While the world was jointly going through the biggest crisis of our time, the ripples were and are being felt in areas none of us could have imagined. Supply chain issues, hiring challenges, tax issues, and so many other things have become a giant problem for us to deal with after the initial crisis. These problems aren’t focused on just the big companies. Small companies are facing it, too. For example, major auto manufacturers (big company) can’t get microchips (from other big company). When this happens, cars don’t get built. When cars don’t get built, they don’t get transported to dealerships (many are small companies). When they don’t make it to dealerships, local companies that do financing, aftermarket installs, and wash cars don’t get to work (small companies). This has been something that has spread like a virus, from not having Powerade at McDonald’s (local distributors) to the great chicken wing shortage (farmers) of 2021. All of these issues affect big and small companies alike. I often take offense when people say “companies are evil for wanting to make a profit” or “CEOs are greedy.” This is the point of the conversation where I jump in pretty animated. I tend to lean in and ask them if they mean “all” companies or just large corporations. Because, as I point out to them, the small business owners that I know aren’t taking home fat checks while starving their staff. They are trying to put their kids through college. They are cutting their own salaries so they don’t have to lay off their employees whose families rely on those salaries. They are in debt trying to make their dreams
I often take offense when people say “companies are evil for wanting to make a profit” or “CEOs are greedy.” work, not flying around the country on their own personal jets while keeping competitive wages and benefits out of the hands of their employees. It matters when people say things like this, because small businesses are the backbone of our country. Our friends and family and neighbors work in them and own them. And . . . (wait for it) . . . I hope they all do make money . . . a lot of money! Because those are the people that I go to when I need to ask for money for our nonprofits, and they give with such a generous spirit that it will make your heart hurt. What is there to do in a time like this? I’ll tell you. We keep on keeping on, and we hopefully make money. And for the love of all that’s holy . . . be kind to your local small business owners.
JORDAN'S HOMESICK HOLIDAY HODGEPODGE Having recently moved across the country, our senior designer dreams up her perfect COMO Thanksgiving table. Smoked Wings from D. Rowe's Because does anybody really love turkey? Roasted Mixed Veggies from Como Smoke and Fire Yes, I'm picking vegetables from a barbecue restaurant, and yes, you should go there just to order these. Brock's Green Pepper Rings from Murry's Not sure if these count as a vegetable or a dessert, but I want them on my plate. Potato and Farmer's Cheese Pierogies from Cafe Poland Why have regular mashed potatoes when you could have mashed potatoes and cheese in a doughy dumpling? Midwestern Mac & Cheese from Flyover Flyover may think their dishes are to be served "family-style," but I'm keeping this all to myself. COMO Custard + Cookie Creation This doesn't technically exist . . . yet. But this is my perfect Thanksgiving table. Andy's vanilla frozen custard paired with PaPPo's Pizzeria's salted brown butter chocolate chip cookies.
ON THE COVER Randy Cole, chief executive officer of the Columbia Housing Authority. Page 59. Photo by Anthony Jinson
N OVE M B E R 202 1 | T H E F I N A N C E I S S U E | A PU B L I CATI O N O F TH E B U S I N E S S TI M E S CO M PA N Y
Randy Cole & His Team on
ERICA PEFFERMAN PUBLISHER
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3 Ways To Give To Woodhaven:
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2
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Donate a car through our vehicle donation program
Donate to our Paper & Supply Drive
Donate a $5 Walmart gift card for our holiday and birthday Gift Card Drive
Visit our website at Woodhaventeams.org to learn more!
We’re bringing
them bac k!
Enjoy a beautiful view from the comfort of your own igloo! WE’RE BRINGING THIS UNIQUE WINTER EXPERIENCE BACK FOR ANOTHER SEASON ... Bring the family and a blanket! Our heated igloos keep you and your guests (up to 8!) warm, and have an unobstructed view of our beautiful Columbia skyline. Check out the website for more details including how to book your igloo.
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NOVEMBER 2021
President Erica Pefferman
Erica@comomag.com
Senior Vice President Fran Patrick Fran@comomag.com
EDITORIAL Publisher | Erica Pefferman Erica@comomag.com
Editor | Kim Ambra Kim@comomag.com
Copy Editor | Matt Patston
DESIGN Art Director | Cassidy Shearrer
Cassidy@comomag.com
Senior Graphic Designer | Jordan Watts Jordan@comomag.com
Director of Photography | Sadie Thibodeaux Sadie@comomag.com
Graphic Designer | Kate Morrow Kate@comomag.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Lauren Freiman, Alex George, Jules Graebner, Katie Perry Harris, Jessica Jainchill, Amanda Long, Mary Caitlyn Polovich, La Toya Stevens, Tom Strini, Michelle Terhune, Jennifer Truesdale
Director of Operations Amy Ferrari Amy@comomag.com
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OUR MISSION
To inspire, educate, and entertain the citizens of Columbia with quality, relevant content that reflects Columbia’s business environment, lifestyle, and community spirit.
CONTACT
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ON T HEM E
What is one thing you always splurge on?
Photo by Carly Buntin Photography
Dr. Ashley Emel DC, CACCP, Webster Certified
Fran Patrick Senior Vice President
Cassidy Shearrer Art Director
Yinka Adeboyejo Videographer
Kate Morrow Graphic Designer
There is only one thing that I have recently found as my “splurge”. . . PARKING TICKETS!!!! The Duchess of COMO has recently had to create a separate budget line item to accommodate this “splurge” and is not best pleased, as her real splurge is Champagne. All donations are welcome.
Dining out. I love to cook, but there is something so immediately gratifying about spending too much money on food someone else has prepared!
Whenever I fly, I always pay for extra legroom. I’m 6’2” and leg room is a big thing if I am going to be on a flight for more than two hours.
I splurge on my senior doggo. She gets ALL the good foods, yummy treats, biweekly aquapuncture for her osteoarthritis, and all the pets, scratches, and boops she can handle.
Dr. Jennifer Sutherland DC, FASA
2516 Forum Blvd. #102 (573) 445-4444 compass-chiropractic.com
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NOVEMBER 2021
FEATURES
107 BANKING ON COLUMBIA Simmons Bank may be a relatively new name in Columbia, but most of the people serving customers are familiar faces.
NOVEMBER 2021 | The Finance Issue
53 11
47
80
Publisher’s Letter
GOURMET
CELEBRATIONS
A Taste of Cuba
Not Your Average Office
LIVING 25
ART & CULTURE Captured on Canvas
27
PET FRIENDLY Pet Insurance: What Is It
69 COUPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW Sarah & Lauren Moreau
WORKING
and Do You Need It?
73
29
CLOSER LOOK
WELLNESS Health for Your Wealth
31
GUEST VOICES Alex George
74 BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS
77
82 NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT Giving Children and Families a First Chance
85 BUSINESS UPDATE Business is Blooming
89 PERSON YOU SHOULD KNOW
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Matthew Lue
114
32
79
HOMES
GUEST VOICES
THIS OR THAT
A Rustic Retreat
La Toya Stevens
Randa Rawlins
TAXES & THE PANDEMIC Tax expert Alicia Hendricks untangles the tax-filing strings attached to COVID business and individual relief benefits.
59 BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY Bringing stability to the city’s most vulnerable.
64 THE TALENT GAP Attraction and retention are the name of the game.
98 WORK WHERE YOU PLAY Building lifestyle brands for the outdoors.
The Women of Kia of Columbia: Ruth Robb, Brittany Derifield, Katie Faust, Susan Freck, Harmony Jaure, Savannah Mosley
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NOVEMBER 2021
WHY KIA?
In an industry dominated by men, Kia of Columbia is working hard to level the playing field. We have
brought some all-stars to the table in an ever-changing environment and are pulling out all the stops to make sure the women of Kia of Columbia not only succeed, but truly thrive.
“Some of us have been in the auto industry for multiple years and some only a handful of months. We each bring a different perspective and strength to the team. It is refreshing to be part of a progressive thinking company where we are encouraged to succeed and grow by adding our own perspectives and strengths to the team.” - #WomenofKia
Matt McMahon General Manager
Whether it’s helping you purchase your first car, scheduling your service, the voice you hear on your internet inquiry, or the first person you see walking into the dealership, they are there for you.
To connect or learn more about The Women of Kia of Columbia start by scanning the QR code.
Kia of Columbia is giving The Women of Kia the resources, encouragement, and backing that is helping them make an impact in the automotive industry. Follow our Facebook page to get to know more about these amazing women.
- Matt McMahon #KiaLovesCoMo
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.
710 Business Loop 70 W • Columbia, MO 65203
kiaofcolumbia.com
20
NOVEMBER 2021
Living
29 HEALTH FOR YOUR WEALTH Polly Reynolds presents the financial health checklist.
32 A RUSTIC RETREAT
Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park provides comfort not far from home.
47 A TASTE OF CUBA Chefs Katy Ugalde and Greg Butler bring the food of Sagua La Grande to Columbia.
We understand local businesses because
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Let us help you reach your goals this year with our full-stack of services.
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• Digital Advertising • SEO/Paid Search • Email Marketing • Content Creation • Photography/Videography • Graphic Design • Web Design/Development • Promotional Items • Custom Publishing • Brand Management • Social Media Management • Full-scale Ticketing Platform • Event Management • Printing Services
If we make a mistake, it is 100% free — Guaranteed. 573.499.1830 columbiamarketinggroup.com 18 S. 9th St. Ste 201 | Columbia, MO 65201 22
NOVEMBER 2021
Fran Patrick
Senior Vice President & Co-Owner
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Living
ART & CULTURE
Captured on Canvas Local artist Cindy Scott paints moments in time. BY JESSICA JAINCHILL | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CINDY SCOTT
M
emories are usually captured by cameras. But in Columbia, local artist Cindy Scott makes it possible to capture memories from big events on a canvas. Cindy’s steps toward her current career as an artist started in her childhood. When she was young, Cindy’s family culture always pulled her toward creativity. “My parents were both artisans in their own right,” she recalls. “My father was a woodworker. My mom was a crafter and interior decorator. And honestly, I grew up thinking all families were like that.” Cindy later went to art college, where she learned to focus her creativity on painting. However, at the time, she had no inclination toward the art type she currently uses to make her living. “I did not know this type of art existed,” she explains. With her a degree in art education, her main career was teaching art, which she did for 12 years. But, bit by bit, things began to change. By 2015, people started to notice her work. “I’ve always done different creative projects as a side hustle,” she says. “Families would see my paintings somewhere during an event and
then they would contact me and ask me to paint during their events.” Cindy is always a bit nervous before painting an event, but at her first outing, she was especially nervous. “I had no idea what to expect. Didn’t know if I had everything I needed, and that one wasn’t really an event,” she says. “It was a visual collage of local landmarks.” All the same, her first painting was a success, and she went on to focus her work on wedding events, which is no easy feat. Since weddings move so fast, Cindy must be equally fast with her brushes in order to capture the memories on her canvas and make the piece unique to her client. She says: “I’ve always got the best seat in the house. I’m perched somewhere where I can watch everything happening. Conversations are happening around me about the couple. Really, every minute counts when I’m working, so stepping away from the easel to make sure I don’t miss something happening in a different space of the venue requires flexibility, high energy, and the need to quickly refocus and translate each highlight of the event on the canvas.”
In addition to being fast, Cindy must make tough decisions on how to “build” her paintings. There are many memories that can be captured at an event, but with only so much space on her canvas, she must have the awareness to choose the best memories. “I arrive a couple hours before guests get there,” she explains, “and use that time to layout the architecture of the space or the perspective of the scenery. It’s just building layers and layers of layers. Sometimes I paint over them because I run out of room, or something significant happens for the client. Though Cindy has done paintings for many different events, weekend weddings usually take up most of her schedule. Her work has gotten so popular that she has started traveling across the country to paint events. With a schedule that is constantly being filled, painting can be a tiring job. But Cindy keeps her motivation in a special way. “It’s just so exciting to continue hearing about a couple’s story or their vision or the place that these jobs are taking me,” she says. “It’s so exciting that I can’t wait to see who is emailing about a new project, and really I just love being there and seeing a couple’s story get launched into their next chapter.”
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lizziandroccos.com Lizzi & Rocco’s offers pet products and expertise to keep your furry family members active, thriving, and happy. Visit us today for a FREE pet food consultation!
Living
PET FRIENDLY
Pet Insurance: What Is It and Do You Need It? Assessing risk and your pet’s breed can be key to knowing whether pet insurance would be a good investment or not. BY JESSICA JAINC H I L L
W
hat is pet insurance? Certainly, a few people probably asked that question in 1890, when the fi rst pet insurance policy was introduced. Even more people asked that question in the early 2000s, when over 500,000 pets, typically dogs and cats, were insured. But that is ancient history. Now, many pet owners realize pet insurance’s benefits. However, some are still left to wonder what pet insurance entails and whether they need it. The answers depend on many factors, one of them being the pet’s breed. Since a cat’s or dog’s breed can affect their health needs, this can cause variances in their insurance benefits. Amanda Martin, a veterinary technician at All Creatures Animal Hospital, explains: “So I have Great Danes. Some pet insurance will have restrictions on how much they’ll cover or if they even cover them at all since they are considered a genetic high risk. So, in the Great Dane case, we’re looking at heart problems as they age. Great Danes also have a high tendency to bloat and twist their stomach. There are preventative surgeries for that, and insurance may cover preventative surgeries or emergency surgeries.” Pet insurance is not necessarily a ticket to getting reimbursed for every vet bill that comes a pet owner’s way. Lance Hall, the director of operations at Insurance Plus, says that one of the reasons people have bad experiences with pet insurance is that they sometimes do not understand its main purpose. “Ultimately, pet insurance is to help save you money in case something does happen to your pet. One of the big things is helping with preventative care,” he says. Pet insurance encourages preventative care because it gets pet owners to take their pets to their annual checkups, often reducing costlier emergency procedures later on. Lance says: “A vet will be more likely to see something that is going
wrong or stop something from happening to your pet [at an annual checkup]. From the preventative standpoint, it’s a great option.” Another factor that affects the benefits of pet insurance is cost. With a cost between $5 a month and $50 a month, pet insurance might cost more than it saves in some cases. At the same time, pet insurance can cover costs such as dental bills, annual checkups, and even surgeries in some cases. Between Amanda’s two Great Danes, only one dog has experienced the breed’s typical medical issues. It may have been worth it for her to get pet insurance for one, but she would have lost money if she had insured the other. So, what is the answer? Is pet insurance something pet owners need? The question is not one that can be answered with extreme confidence, but Amanda probably gives the best advice: “Pet insurance is very broad, so an owner will have to do their due diligence and research.” Concurring, Lance says, “I think the biggest thing that [pet owners] really do need is to walk through what the coverages are.”
“Pet insurance is very broad, so an owner will have to do their due diligence and research.” — Amanda Martin
COMOMAG.COM
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Protection for your pride and joy For the family you’d do anything for, life insurance could mean everything. I can help you find easy, affordable ways to protect their future. Call me today. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®
Phyllis Nichols, Agent
1006 West Boulevard N | Columbia, MO 65203 573-443-8727 | phyllis.nichols.g15k@statefarm.com
State Farm, Bloomington, IL 2001293
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NOVEMBER 2021
Living
Health for Your Wealth Polly Reynolds presents the financial health checklist. BY JULES GRAEBNER
Y
ou’ve heard the old saying “health is wealth,” but have you ever thought about caring for the health of your wealth, too? “Financial health” is a term that describes the state of your finances and how you interact with them. You don’t have to be swimming in cash to be financially healthy — it just means that you are organized and responsible with your money. “How we are with finances has everything to do with our behavior, not the amount of money we make,” says Polly Reynolds, CPA, CTFA, and vice president and trust officer at The Trust Company. Polly explains that being financially healthy comes from doing things that every Columbia resident should have on their financial health checklist. “Number one is a big thing: Have a budget,” Polly says. “To me, a budget is a plan on paper for your money before it ever hits your account. If you don’t know where your money is going — if you don’t have a plan for that — then how much do you really know that you can save? If you don’t have a budget and don't know what all your expenses are, when
“How we are with finances has everything to do with our behavior, not the amount of money we make.” Polly Reynolds CPA, CTFA, and vice president and trust officer at The Trust Company
WELLNESS
you say, ‘Oh, I’m going to save this much,’ that’s just like throwing a dart at something. It’s very important to have a budget, and that also means that you need to live within your means. You need to spend less than you make. Otherwise, you can end up going down a debt rabbit hole — fast.” Polly says there are many ways to make a budget, like using spreadsheets or apps designed to help budget your money and monitor spending. “The second thing is you need to make sure that you build up an emergency fund. We talk to people about having an emergency fund that is three to six months of your expenses, which is very different from three to six months of your income,” Polly says. Expenses are the things you need, such as food, rent, and utilities. Especially for people with fluctuating income, an emergency fund is important. “We always say you should try to have six months of expenses in an emergency fund because you might have some lower months when it fluctuates,” Polly says. Along those same lines, you should monitor your spending to make sure it doesn’t stray too far from your monthly income. “Stay away from credit card debt,” Polly continues. “It is not a bad thing to have a credit card. What is bad is to have a credit card and not pay it off every month. If you’re going to charge, that’s fine, because that helps build your credit, but you’ve got to pay it off every month. Credit card interest rates are expensive, and I have run into too many people in my profession who can’t get out of the credit card debt hole because interest is so much.” Lastly, Polly says that one of the most important (and often overlooked) ways to be financially healthy is to start planning for retirement early. “So many people graduate from college and start their new job and think, ‘Oh, well I’ve got plenty of time to save for retirement.’ When you’re investing, the time value of money is everything,” she says. “If you start early and you have that money invested all those years, the rewards are significant. It is so important to start investing for retirement early. If you work for a company that has a 401(k), you need to start with at least what they’re matching, because if you don’t, you’re walking away from free money.” Being financially healthy takes discipline, but it’s more than worth the effort. Polly says, “The financial security you have tomorrow is based on the decisions you make today.”
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NOVEMBER 2021
Living
BOOKS, ETC.
Skylarking Skylark's November Book Club Book: "Harlem Shuffle," by Colson Whitehead BY ALEX GEORGE, SKYLARK BOOKSHOP OWNER
V
ery few writers presently writing have been showered with as many accolades as Colson Whitehead. The extraordinary list of his (well-deserved) awards, achievements, fellowships, and recognitions could probably fill up the rest of this article — he won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for consecutive novels, for heaven’s sake — but for me, it is the combination of the beautiful, idiosyncratic way that he puts one word after another, together with the ambition and scope of his storytelling, that makes him a unique force in American letters. Every one of us should be grateful that we live in a time when Colson Whitehead is writing books. And what books! While celebrated for the unflinching examination of race in America in masterpieces like “The Underground Railroad” and “The Nickel Boys,” the sheer range of Whitehead’s output is staggering. He also wrote “Zone One,” a zombie novel unlike any other, and a nonfiction account of his participation in the 2011 World Series of Poker, “The Noble Hustle: Poker, Beef Jerky, and Death,” which also gets my vote as one of the best titles of any book, ever. And no
matter what his subject, everything he writes — in tone, in quirky left-field sensibility, in the sheer deftness and artistry of his sentences — is unmistakably Colson Whitehead. All of which is to say that a new book from the great man is always a cause for celebration and anticipation. His newest, “Harlem Shuffle,” is another departure. It’s a hugely entertaining crime caper set in (spoiler alert) Harlem in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The principal character, Ray Carney, is the proprietor of a furniture store on 125th Street, doing his best to make a living — although not, admittedly, always an entirely honest living. Carney is a typical Whitehead creation. He’s wholly original, funny, complicated, and never quite in control of his own destiny. Ray’s cousin Freddy is the cause of much of his headaches. Ray has always been happy to fence a little jewelry for Freddy on the side and not ask too many questions, but things escalate rapidly when the cousins get caught up in an ambitious (too ambitious, as it turns out) plan to rob a local hotel. The fiasco (which is brilliantly done) means that Ray is suddenly on the radar of a motley gang of local lowlifes — vicious gangsters, crooked cops, and a couple of low-budget pornographers. After that, there’s no going back to his old life of petty larceny. Ray finds himself caught up in the nefarious schemes of his new, unwanted conspirators where the stakes are much higher than he cares for. The novel is structured in three parts, the first in 1959 and the last in 1964, and as Ray gets older, his problems become increasingly intractable. Even as he falls in deeper with the Harlem netherworld, he still yearns for the respectability of running a proper retail establishment. (I can relate on the second part — and, just to be clear, only on the second part.) This tension between Ray’s aspirations and the unavoidable reality he faces every day is in many ways the animating heart of the novel and one that makes him such a complex and sympathetic character.
GUEST VOICE
Every one of us should be grateful that we live in a time when Colson Whitehead is writing books. So far, so entertaining. But this is Colson Whitehead, so of course there’s much more. Beneath the antics of Ray, Freddy, and the attendant cast of characters, Whitehead’s customary dazzling intelligence is hard at work. The author explores the political and socio-economic forces that govern the members of the Black community in Harlem and further afield. In addition to being the story of one man’s struggle to do the right thing, this is a novel about race, power, and how we engage with the culture that surrounds us and defines who we are. This is the first “big” novel that we’ve chosen for the Skylarking book club, and we know there will be an awful lot to talk about. Usually we meet on the last Thursday of the month, but this November, that Thursday is Thanksgiving. While some of you might be looking for an excuse to escape the turkey leftovers by early evening (and ordinarily we’d love to help you out), I’m afraid it’s more than my marriage is worth to open Skylark’s doors that night. Instead we’ll get together at 6:30 p.m. the following Tuesday, November 30. There’s no cost to attend — we just ask that you purchase the novel from Skylark. As usual, we ask everyone present to wear a mask. We won’t be Skylarking in December, but will resume on January 27. Watch out for our announcement of the chosen title soon.
Alex George is the founder and director of the Unbound Book Festival and the owner of Skylark Bookshop in downtown Columbia.
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NOVEMBER 2021
Living
HOMES
“We're the best-kept secret in the area,” Linda Ordway, owner of Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park, says. Cedar Creek may just be the most beautiful outdoor space in town that you’ve never heard of. Not to be confused with Cedar Creek Hotel & Event Center, a popular wedding venue, the Resort & RV Park lies on 167 acres just east of Columbia off of I-70 at 3251 Pine Tree Dr., not far from Artichoke Annie’s Antique Mall. The resort offers a conference center, an executive A-frame lodge, six small cabins, and stalls for 75 RVs with utility hookups and paved aprons. It all overlooks Newman Lake, a great fishing spot. Greg and Linda Ordway bought the property in 2010. Linda manages the day-to-day operations of the resort while Greg handles the administrative side. Previously, it had been a farm, a private retreat for three fraternity brothers who built three small homes around the lake to enjoy with their families, and even a home for a race horse. Immediately before the Ordways, John and Clarice Peters owned the property as Cedar Creek Lodge; they’re the ones who developed the land as a corporate retreat for executives and built the six 800-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom cabins that remain overlooking the lake today.
A Pastoral Getaway
Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park provides comfort not far from home. BY JENNIFER TRUESDALE PHOTOS BY KEITH BORGMEYER
A great place to feel like you’re on vacation just miles from home, the small cabins are lined with wood paneling throughout. Each boasts a small kitchen, a master bedroom with a queen bed, a loft with two queen beds, a living room with a sleeper sofa, and a porch with a swing. Each cabin sleeps eight. The cabins are a stone’s throw from the lake and include access to a fire pit and picnic area. The executive center, located in the A-frame lodge, is a great place for a corporate event, staff retreat, or family reunion. The 3,200-squarefoot lodge has a commercial kitchen, dining space, living space with swinging sofas, an upstairs master suite with a brick fireplace, an amazing 3,000-square-foot deck that seats 200, and, of course, amazing lake views.
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“Previously, it had been a farm, a private retreat for three fraternity brothers . . . , and even a home for a race horse.”
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The conference center boasts 5,000 square feet, perfect for large events. There are breakout rooms, and the space comes with AV equipment. The Ordways plan to build a new conference center that hosts up to 400 in 2022. Newman Lake, a 27-acre man-made lake, is stocked with a variety of fish for those who enjoy the sport. Linda says it is so overstocked that it’s like fishing in your bathtub. Guests who are looking to just come and fish will need a reservation. Visitors can also enjoy paddle boats on the lake or hike through the 167 acres on foot or by horse, as the resort offers stalls and pasture for guests’ horses.
An Assignment from God
For the first few years, the Ordways did book weddings on the property, but they had too many wedding parties damage the property to continue. In 2015, after being approached by groups seeking conference space with lodging for more than 50 people, the Ordways decided to make the resort’s focus a conference space for Christian organizations in particular, offering meeting space to churches, youth groups, women’s ministries, and the like. This objective is in keeping with the Ordways’ lifelong mission of serving God by serving those with disabilities. Since 1988, the Ordways have owned and managed group homes for men with emotional, physical, and developmental disabilities in Branson and Columbia. They had hoped to turn Cedar Creek into the location for another group home, which was the original reason behind buying the property, but, according to the resort’s website: “The state denied that offer, saying they were no longer approving any institutional settings for homes. They came back with a suggestion that the Ordways could start a job development program, as that was the next focus for employment for those individuals with disabilities. They received their contract under the name of Life Enterprises for pre-vocational services, job development, community employment, and dayhab in 2011.”
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The Ordways came upon this life mission when they were attending some Missouri Department of Mental Health meetings for people interested in taking an individual with disabilities into their home. They had previously taken care of a friend's teenage son with disabilities, which got them involved in this area of ministry. Greg, a minister, found himself asking God why he was guiding the family to help these disabled men, and Greg says God told him it was because he needed Greg to teach those with special needs about Jesus. "That's not an answer from God — that's an assignment,” Linda says. “That was 22 years ago, and we've been taking care of other people's children — who are adults, but children in their minds — and helping them get meaningful jobs ever since." The resort employs 27 such individuals parttime, who work with about a dozen life coaches from Life Enterprises, one of the Ordways' businesses under the Life Christian Outreach umbrella. The coaches help the men learn skills and manage their work tasks. "The whole reason we have this resort is to provide jobs for our clients — they do the cleaning, landscaping, handiwork,” Linda says. "Things are not done fast here. We adapt what we do so they can continue to collect a paycheck."
COVID-19 Makes Business Boom
The popularity of recreational vehicles and campers during the pandemic has been well-documented; as the country shut down, those with the means to buy an RV had a ticket
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to travel safely. Without any advertising, word about the resort’s 75-stall RV park with utility hookups overlooking a lake spread quickly. Linda says the RV park is constantly booked; while the park brought in $18,000 to $20,000 per month in 2019, Linda says that figure is up to $45,000 per month in 2021, with no signs of slowing down. Linda says the resort is a “piece of heaven on earth” that you just have to see for yourself.
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Relax, Recover, Reset.
bodyrecovery24.com | 573-694-0494 1512 B US IN E S S LOO P 7 0 W EST, CO LU M B I A , M O 6 5 2 0 2
DID YOU KNOW? 722 children were in the Boone and Callaway County foster care system last year. Caseworkers can have up to 30 cases at a time. Children are in foster care for an average of 26 months. CASA volunteers advocate for 1 case at a time to ensure their best interest remains the top priority.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP CHANGE A CHILD’S STORY.
EVERY CHILD DESERVES A VOICE. LEND YOURS. COMOMAG.COM
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Rost Landscaping
Superior Garden Center
Superior Irrigation
(573) 445-4465
(573) 442-9499
(573) 875-5040
THREE DIVISIONS, ONE GOAL
Quality IN EVERY ASPECT.
One of the most underestimated aspects of landscape design, landscape lighting enhances your property in three ways: accented property features, added security, and increased time for enjoyment of your outdoor space. Create additional living space and expand the amount of usable time you can spend in your outdoor space.
2450 Trails W Ave, Columbia, MO 65202 (573) 445-4465 • rostlandscaping.com 40
NOVEMBER 2021
WHAT THE
HOME
PROS KNOW
BRANDON ROST
ROST LANDSCAPING
ANNE TUCKLEY
ANNE TUCKLEY HOME
JULIE WESLEY & JULIEANNE MATTSON TIGER HOME TEAM
JAKE BAUMGARTNER
BAUMGARTNER’S FURNITURE
SHAUN HENRY ATKINS
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SPONSORED CONTENT
WHAT THE
IS YOUR LANDSCAPER A PLANT PERSON?
BRENDAN ROST
PROS KNOW
ROST LANDSCAPING
Brendan Rost is a Columbia native and son of Rost Landscaping owners Tim and Toby Rost. He grew up playing at the garden center and nursery and has worked in all divisions of Rost Inc. Brendan received his degree in horticulture and design from MU and now works as a designer in the landscaping division. He thrives on building relationships and creating unique landscapes that complement their space.
By Brendan Rost Find more at rostlandscaping.com
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hen hiring a landscaper, most homeowners assume that every installer knows the ins and outs of their plant palette. In the industry however, there are plenty of contractors who don’t keep up with the ever-shifting nursery business. It’s a challenging scene to navigate, but having a deep-rooted interest in your tools of the trade yields better projects made to stand the test of time. Aesthetically, a good landscape is designed to highlight the property and build on its strengths and conceal its weaknesses. This process begins with a thorough understanding of your local plants and their cultivars. Quality designers are able to construct complementary plant palettes to create varied layers, specimen focal points, and rotating seasonal interest. This also promotes longevity as the landscape evolves. Careful planning and good judgement allow us to increase the value of the final product as it ages without bloating the bottom line. On the other end of the spectrum, it’s common to see a of lack of plant acumen wreaking havoc. A common misstep is not understanding growth rates and overall sizes of the plants selected. We commonly see professionals installing varieties of trees against the foundation that will grow to be 50foot tall behemoths. Simply not understanding cultivars of what you’re planting can cost homeowners thousands in foundation repair, tree removal, and plant replacement. Another common gaffe is planting nonhardy, invasive, or pest-ridden cousins of otherwise quality plants simply because the installer doesn’t understand exactly what they have. For example, crabapples are terrific for
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spring color and come in hundreds of cultivars. But many cultivars experience fatal issues with cedar-apple rust, and they can scab while other varieties are totally immune. It’s a perfect snapshot of how a subtle nuance can make a world of difference in the landscape. With proper plant knowledge and planning, we can head off future complications and provide increasing value as the landscape matures. Another benefit to hiring an expert for your project is aesthetic. Part of the appeal to the landscape industry is the opportunity to be creative. There are infinite combinations of materials that yield dynamic and exciting aesthetics beyond the typical suburban landscape. We can break away from the basic, repetitive pattern of one maple tree, three boxwoods, and a viburnum and explore different color and texture combinations to really make your project pop. For example, we get requests for a “Colorado aesthetic.” While the plants that we see at our ski resorts aren’t always hardy here, with a little know-how, we can achieve that mountain look with a Missouri-appropriate plant palette with pitch lob pines and a lowaltitude adapted Aspen.
We pride ourselves on our nursery knowhow and have for the past 36 years. The possibilities are endless, and having a plant person as a designer can ensure your vision becomes reality.
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WHAT THE
COLORS OF THE FALL By Anne Tuckley Find more at AnneTuckleyhome.com
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hat is not to love about fall? The oversized sweaters, the vibrant burst of colors, the ever-so-wonderful nip in the air, hot cinnamon apple cider (perhaps with a hint of rum, you know, to keep you warm). How can one resist? The colors of fall are bold and inherently filled with nostalgia. I have yet to meet a person that has anything negative to say about the aesthetics of this season. While the variations of yellow, red, and orange will always remain the traditional palette for autumn, when I create seasonal decor, I encourage my clients to think outside the traditional. All of those colors are stunning and I am not saying they shouldn’t be used. However, what makes them work and pop to their fullest is to throw in some contrast, and in this case, contrast means cool colors. When you are out shopping for your entryway or table display, look for cool colored and neutral accents to play off the bright, warm hues. Think about those jewel and softer earth tones. Look for deep turquoise, plum, and dark blue, or take a softer approach with a soft green beautifully accented with whites and creams. Rich earth tones beautifully show off those pops of color and add an elegant, luxurious look to your decor. Having trouble finding accents you love? Go simple and paint pumpkins and other gourds in these hues. Or find dark or neutral placemats to create a beautiful base. I promise, adding these non-traditional colors will make you love your fall look that much more.
ANNE TUCKLEY
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PROS KNOW
ANNE TUCKLEY HOME Anne has been in the interior design industry for more than 20 years and has resided in metropolitan cities ranging from NYC to Houston while honing her skills. Her specialties are interior design and home staging with a focus on unique perception. Anne graduated with a BFA in fine art with a concentration in design and illustration. She has extensive experience in designing new construction as well as remodeling and conceptualizing out-of-the-box ideas. She ensures cutting-edge design and superb customer service. 108 CORPORATE LAKE PL. COLUMBIA, MO, 65203 (573) 639-1989 ANNETUCKLEYHOME.COM
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WHAT THE
WHEN SHOULD I REFINANCE? By Julie Wesley & JulieAnne Mattson Find more at tigerhometeam.com
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ow-interest rates have many homeowners wondering if it’s a good time to refinance. Refinancing can save you a lot of money in the long term when done correctly. It’s important to consider the drawbacks as well. Here are some reasons why you might want to refinance, and a few things to be cautious of. REASONS YOU MAY WANT TO REFINANCE: 1. To lower your monthly payment. If today’s interest rates are lower than when you purchased your home, refinancing to a lower rate will reduce your monthly payment down, freeing up cash to help with other bills, your children’s education, or to save towards retirement. 2. To pay off your mortgage earlier. A great way to use the money you save with a lower mortgage payment is to apply it right to your principle, which will help you pay your loan off earlier. 3. To save on total interest. For some, the desire to pay less interest overall makes refinancing an attractive option. Reducing the interest rate and/ or the loan term will save you money long term.
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PROS KNOW JULIE WESLEY & JULIEANNE MATTSON TIGER HOME TEAM
Born and raised in Missouri, Julie Wesley graduated from MU with a degree in housing and interior design. She began her career as an architectural home designer before getting her real estate license in 1982. JulieAnne grew up in South Florida, graduated from the University of South Florida in 1992 with a degree in elementary education, and moved here to marry her Columbia-native husband. She began her real estate career in 2012 with Tiger Home Team.
573-289-4440 TIGERHOMETEAM.COM
4. Change Loan Type. If you have extra cash on hand to make larger monthly payments, it may make sense to change to a 15-year mortgage so you can pay it off earlier. 5. To consolidate debt or take cash out. If you have built up equity in your home, you may be able to borrow against your home to obtain cash to pay off higher-interest debt, to make improvements on your home, or for things like your children’s education or medical expenses. Be careful when borrowing against your home. If the cash you take out goes to increasing your debt rather than resolving it, then you could end up putting your home in jeopardy. Don’t forget about the closing costs involved in refinancing. You will have fees associated with your new loan just like you did
when you purchased your home, so remember to figure the closing costs when you do the math. Also, be cautious about extending your loan term. If you refinance with a 30-year mortgage when you are 10-15 years or more into your current mortgage, you’ll
end up paying way more in interest overall, and have extended your payments for many more years. Of course, a mortgage lender is the best resource for answering your financing questions. If you need someone to talk to further, We’re happy to give you a referral.
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WHAT THE
SETTING THE SCENE By Jake Baumgartner
JAKE BAUMGARTNER
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BAUMGARTNER’S FURNITURE Jake essentially grew up in the furniture industry, as he is the fourth generation involved in Baumgartner’s Furniture. Working very closely with his father, Alan, Jake has been devoted to the stores full-time since 2004. His greatest enjoyment, however, still comes from working closely with the customers. He is married to Sarah, and they have two active boys, Noah and Laine. Jake received his degree in finance from Saint Louis University.
Find more at baumgartners.com
I
s it time to upgrade your living room or entertainment space? With football season in full swing and colder weather around the corner, it’s the perfect time to create a cozy indoor oasis for yourself, your family, and your friends. Whether you want to maximize your game day experience or create the ultimate in-home movie watching realm, there are so many options! When it comes to getting the best setup for your entertaining area, it depends on what your personal preferences are. Some people like to mount their television on the wall, while others prefer to place their television on an entertainment center. An entertainment center can provide storage for DVD players, gaming consoles, DVDs, and more. There are countless styles to make a selection from. Some entertainment centers surround the television, while others just sit below. One benefit when mounting the television to the wall is that it can be a huge space saver. Many people will
(573) 256-6288 BAUMGARTNERS.COM
place an entertainment center below a mounted television to help hide cords or create needed storage space. There are many additional features that can be installed or added to really enhance your
watching experience, such as dimmable lights, surround sound speakers, accent lighting, end tables, and more. These items can add function and fun to the space. With ever-advancing technology, your seating
experience can be super customized. Many theater seating selections have an adjustable headrest, power lumbar support, reclining action, and even wireless phone charging (and USB charging) capabilities built in. Theater seating is comfortable and space-saving. With this style of seating, you can fit more people in a space without sacrificing the comfort of you and your guests. Not only is theater seating stylish, but it’s available in a range of pricing options. There are some models that are more affordable than others, and some models have more features and capabilities than others do. You can explore these options and more at Baumgartner’s in Auxvasse and Columbia. We have a fantastic team of furniture experts that will find the right entertaining space setup for you.
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WHAT THE
WISE DECISION?
SHAUN HENRY
A Columbia native, Shaun Henry found a home at Atkins in 2000 when he started his career as a turf technician. Shaun holds a commercial applicator’s license through the Missouri Department of Agriculture and is a member of the National Association of Landscape Professionals, the Mid-America Green Industry Council, and the Missouri Green Industry Alliance. Shaun strongly believes in the importance of a great customer experience, where the Atkins staff knows the clients and anticipates their needs accordingly. Shaun is an MU alumnus and has a degree in plant science.
Find more at AtkinsInc.com
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So, how do you know when to call for help? Here are some reasons to hire a pro:
SAVES YOU TIME WITH SOMEONE ELSE DOING ALL THE WORK. You’ll have more time doing things you enjoy. What is your free time worth to you?
PROFESSIONAL GRADE EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS INCLUDED. Similar products and equipment the pros use can be bought by you, but often times the equipment is quite expensive and doesn’t make sense to own unless you use it for a source of income. Material pricing and quality can vary, but in general the pros use top notch materials and have a variety of options for the task at hand.
SAFETY. Do you know what you’re doing? If you’re a novice user of pesticides (weed control,
PROS KNOW
ATKINS
By Shaun Henry
id you decide to hire a local lawn care company or did you DIY this season? Each year is different, but this one was particularly trying at times. Drought and upper 90’s in early June followed by two wet weeks making it one of the wettest June’s in the record books! Then, back to drought conditions later in July, August and September. We saw a lot of disease, drought and heat stress, plus mower damage to lawns this season. Many of you know how to manage your lawn and landscape under these conditions and others do not.
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573-874-5100 ATKINSINC.COM
fungicide, insecticide or other) you are at greater risk of misuse. Experience in handling, mixing and applying safely is extremely important. Trained pros are good stewards to the environment and are safety conscience.
looked at just the day before and then there are those issues we only see once or twice every 10-15 years. Professionals come with years of experience and expertise to draw upon.
BETTER RESULTS? Hopefully so. Sometimes things COST. Often times in a conversation with a potential new customer about lawn care and the cost to provide a service, they say “well that’s less money than I spent when I did it myself last time!” I don’t know how accurate that is, but I’ve heard it enough that I am starting to believe it. I hear the opposite at times too, of course! Upfront costs on necessary equipment is often a non-starter for most DIYs. Then the cost related to buying and using the wrong materials at the wrong time can be near traumatic. And again — What is your time worth? You could spend your time on things more productive.
go wrong no matter what you do or who does it, but the whole idea behind hiring a pro is to get more bang for your buck and the best lawn and landscape you can get.
ARE YOU ABLE TO TROUBLESHOOT THE ISSUE YOUR TREE, SHRUB OR LAWN IS HAVING? If not — Call a pro.
job well done. If you would rather save time and potentially money plus rely on the experience and expertise of others, hiring a pro may be a better choice for you. Don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to help!
We look at thousands of lawns and landscapes each year and run across a variety of issues. Many times, your issue is the same as one we
PLANT AND PEST KNOWLEDGE. Correctly identifying your plants and the issues that ail them takes a lot of time, knowledge and experience. Local experts can help you choose the right plant for the right place. They will understand what issues you might face with your new landscape and can help solve pest problems if they arise.
SOME PEOPLE SIMPLY ENJOY WORKING ON THEIR LAWN AND LANDSCAPE. A sense of pride sets in after a
A Taste
Living
GOURMET
of Cuba Chefs Katy Ugalde and Greg Butler bring the food of Sagua La Grande to Columbia BY A M A N DA LO N G | PH OTO S BY K EI T H B O R G M E Y ER
Above: Cubano with tostones (fried smashed plantain); left: Tropical Chicken with rice
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GOURMET
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Born into a family of cooks, including her mother, grandmother, grandfather, and brother (who is a pastry chef), Katy Ugalde has always felt she was destined to be in the restaurant industry. “There is only one lawyer and one teacher [in my family]. Everyone else is in the business,” shares Katy. Katy and her husband, Chef Greg Butler, opened Sagua La Grande on September 8, 2019, in downtown Columbia, at 114 S. Ninth St. The original location was to be in Green Meadows, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the contract fell through. It was real estate broker Arnie Fagan, who also owns the pop-up shop Cool Stuff , who helped Greg and Katy fi nd and sublet their current location from a prior tenant. Originally from Sagua La Grande, Cuba (namesake of their restaurant), Katy came to the United States in 1997 and moved to Dallas, Texas. “I didn’t speak a word of English,” says Katy. Her fi rst job was waiting tables at Tony’s Wine Warehouse, which was owned by a French chef who also spoke a little Spanish. “He was the fi rst person to give me a chance and I worked for him for 10 years. He’s also the one who encouraged me to learn English.” Katy says it was a struggle to be in a new country and not speak the language. She faced many challenges, including discrimination in the kitchen. “I cried every day, and he would say, ‘Katy, you can do it.’”
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Living
GOURMET
Sagua La Grande, Cuba Katy's hometown, for which the restaurant is named.
Katy moved to Columbia in 2010 to work at the Hilton Garden Inn, where she met Greg Butler. The two discovered they were a great team and continued to work together at subsequent locations, including HyVee Market Grill and J. Huston Tavern, in Arrow Rock. Ultimately, they tied the knot in 2017. Like Katy, Greg grew up in the kitchen. “My older brother, who is also a cook, helped me get my fi rst restaurant job at a barbecue joint in Springfield when I was 16,” says Greg. “I worked my way up from dishwasher to prep to line cook.” Greg received his culinary degree from the Kansas City Culinary Institute in 2009. Additionally, Greg is a certified kung fu instructor. In 2003, he moved from Springfield to Columbia to teach, and he still currently teaches once a week at the Martial Arts Center in Columbia, where his son teaches full-time. “I always wanted to open a restaurant,” says Katy. “But everyone tells me, ‘You loco!’ I was freaking out and scared.” Despite her fears, Katy and Greg managed to get their new restaurant location ready to open in six weeks. “I already knew what the menu would be,” laughs Katy. “I’ve been thinking about it my whole life. There is no Cuban food in Columbia, and I wanted to bring all my family recipes, passed down for generations, to the people here.” Cuban cuisine has been shaped by its history, including the Spanish colonization, the arrival of African slaves, and the influence of neighboring Caribbean countries, resulting in a
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variety of unique food traditions studded with marinated, fall-apart tender meats and hints of citrus. The flavor-focused dishes rely heavily on cooking stocks, spices, and vegetables — onions, garlic, bay leaves, cumin, peppers, and tomatoes especially. The tropical climate in Cuba fosters the growth of many fruits and root vegetables that can be found in Cuban dishes. Tostones, a common food staple in Cuba, are made of flattened, deep-fried green plantains. The Loaded Tostones, a creation of Katy’s, is a nacho-like dish with layers of cheese and lechon (pork) or black beans topped with shredded cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions tossed in Mojo sauce. Mojo sauce can be found on many of the dishes on the menu and is a diverse sauce packed with garlic, citrus, and olive oil. It’s good for marinating or dipping. “The thing about Cuban food that I love, and learned from Katy, is that slow-cooked, citrusy, tomatoey, savory combination of flavors,” says Greg. “We also save the braise from each batch, so the flavors just continue to build.” One of the most popular dishes on the Sagua La Grande menu is Cuba’s national dish. Ropa vieja (meaning “old clothes,” a reference to the folk tale that gives the dish its origin story) is usually made with flank or skirt steak. The meat is pressure-cooked and shredded and served in a tomato-based stew of garlic, pepper, and onions with black beans and rice. Ironically, the Communist Party of Cuba criminalized the illegal consumption of beef in 1979. To this day, beef is pretty much
an unattainable luxury for Cuban nationals, so the dish is consumed by only expats and tourists in Cuba. One of Katy’s father’s favorite dishes, arroz con pollo, combines yellow rice with slowroasted, shredded chicken thighs, peppers, onions, and peas. It’s a must-try. Recently Katy added the Cuban fritada to the menu: a burger blended with three meats (chorizo, ground pork, and ground beef) topped with Swiss cheese and lemon garlic aioli. Perhaps the most well-known Cuban dish, the Cubano, showcases flavorful, slowroasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickle, and mustard on toasted Cuban bread. Katy says that every dish on the menu is 100% authentic and made from scratch. “Most of Columbia didn’t know anything about Cuban food before we opened. A lot of people have assumptions about Cuba that are inaccurate due to the politics, but I want to show them it is not what they are thinking.” Sagua La Grande is open Tuesday through Friday for lunch and dinner and available for curbside service and delivery. The restaurant offers catering, including delivering to sororities, fraternities, and local businesses. “We love when local businesses support each other,” says Greg. The café also partners with Columbia Culinary Tours, adding a bit of diversity to the downtown food scene experience. “My customers are such a blessing. When you are new, it can be super hard,” says Katy. “But we love introducing Cuban cuisine to the Columbia community.”
Living
GOURMET
Guava Cheesecake with Cuban Coffee
“I already knew what the menu would be. I’ve been thinking about it my whole life.” COMOMAG.COM
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ARE PLEASED TO PRESENT
& H O L I D AY M A K E R S M A R K E T
T h u r s d a y, D e c e m b e r 2 | 6 - 9 P M Bur Oak Brewing Company Save the date for the ninth annual Pawject Runway Canine Fashion Show! This year for the first time the event is also showcasing local artisans in a Holiday Makers Market. Come shop local, sample hors d’oeuvres while benefitting a great cause! Shopping: 6:00 pm | Fashion Show: 7:30 pm
Tickets are $35, and include an amazing swag bag valued at $75!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
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TAXES &
the Pandemic Tax expert Alicia Hendricks untangles the tax-f iling strings attached to COVID business and individual relief benef its. BY TO M STRINI
T
he COVID-19 pandemic has seeped into every aspect of American life, from death to, inevitably, taxes. The pandemic prompted a host of economic stimulus programs, extended and enhanced unemployment benefits, economic stimulus payments to individuals, child tax credits, PPP loans, and employer tax credits, among other programs. These measures surely rescued the economy from sinking even further than it did, but they also raise a lot of questions regarding fi lings for the 2021 tax year. An understaffed, underfunded Internal Revenue Service is trying to cope with all of this, not to mention a pushed-back fi ling deadline in 2020 and legislative changes in programs and regula-
tions throughout the year. The IRS is behind on processing 2020 and even some 2019 returns. As a result, tax refunds have been very late in arriving. Still, the IRS has at least managed to post a main page for Coronavirus Tax Relief. That page links to 31 related topical pages, each of which drills down to still more pages on sub-topics. Which are relevant to you as an individual tax fi ler? And which matter to you as a small business owner? We turned to Alicia Hendricks, tax manager at Accounting Plus in Columbia, to make some sense of it all. Th is is a cheat sheet, not an instruction manual. Th ink of it as a list of topics to bring up with your tax advisor.
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Individual STIMULUS PAYMENTS “Look over your bank records,” Hendricks says. “Know what you got and when you got it. There’s a lot of confusion on the part of taxpayers. Watch for the IRS letter or form that shows how much you were paid.” More taxpayers than you might think did not notice the intermittent direct deposits and then called the IRS to claim their due and were double-paid. The benefits are not taxable, but they must be reported. Depending on timing and level of confusion, some taxpayers are receiving balance-due letters and notices of reduced or increased refunds — and they’re all arriving very late because of processing delays at the IRS. Some taxpayers moved and never received paper checks for which they qualified. That third stimulus payment, which started going out in March of 2021, appears to be a particular point of confusion.
TAXPAYERS BENEFITS FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN There were host of measures to help parents and kids via COVID relief legislation. Hendricks points out: • The Child Tax Credit rose to $3,000 for qualified children ages 6 through 17 and to $3,600 from birth to age 5. Since July, qualifying parents have received prepayments of $300 for kids under 6 and $250 for kids 6 through 17. These payments phase out depending on income level and filing status; changes in income as the year goes on can make a tax difference at filing time. Further nuance applies to split families; payments go to the parent who claimed the children on the 2019 or 2020 return. What if the kid aged out between 2019 and 2021, but the payments kept coming? No repayment is required for adjusted gross incomes under $80,000 for singles, $100,000 for head of household, $120,000 for married filing jointly. (None of this is simple.) • The Daycare Credit for 2021 rose in response to COVID. Allowable deductible expenses jumped from $3,000 (one child) and $6,000 (two children) to $8,000 and $16,000, respectively, and the maximum credit rate rose to 50% from 35%. Again, income limits and phase-outs apply. (Note that the IRS publication covering this credit runs 20 pages. Have we mentioned that none of this is simple?)
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CHARITABLE DONATION CREDITS Taxpayers can now claim up to $300 per person for donations, even if they fi le with standard rather than itemized, deductions. EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT “EITC applies to mid- to lower-income working individuals, including business owners who fall into those income brackets,” Hendricks says. EITC is a subsidy, not a deduction or tax cut. The qualifying age range, formerly 25 through 65, is now 19 to death. Taxpayers have the option to use their 2019 or 2021 tax returns as a basis to take the larger credit. The COVID-driven American Rescue Plan expanded EITC to provide small subsidies to childless workers and raised subsidies for workers with children. RETIREMENT DISTRIBUTIONS In typical years, many rules and tax penalties apply to retirement fund distributions, especially early distributions. At least seven such provisions have been relaxed or suspended in response to the pandemic. Hendricks says, “If you elected to have COVID retirement distributions taxed over three years, be prepared for the additional income that will be on your 2021 return — don’t miss it.”
BUSINESS owners SMALL
Congress enacted a smorgasbord of measures aimed at keeping businesses, large and small, solvent. PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM Th is Small Business Administration initiative is No. 1 on Hendricks’ list of COVID tax considerations for businesses. PPP loans are intended to help companies keep their workers on the payroll through the hardest times. The loans are forgivable under certain conditions, so of course the loans come with rules designed to head off abuse. Banks served as middlemen, and that adds a layer of complexity. “Each bank had its own way of handling the loans,” Hendricks says, “and people didn’t really know how to apply for the forgiveness.” She goes on to explain conditions for forgiveness: Most of the loan funds had to go to payroll, but up to 40% could cover mortgage or rent, utilities, and COVID-related improvements (ventilation and air sanitizing equipment, plastic shields, etc.). All this had to be documented, and businesses had to apply for forgiveness within 10 months following the time period covered by the loan. That period can vary, as some loans helped businesses through eight weeks and others helped them through 24 weeks. The tax implication: At fi rst, a business could not claim expense deductions for costs covered by the loans. But by the time 2020 tax returns were due, the rules changed, and those expenses were again deductible. (Have I mentioned that this is all very complicated?) The PPP loan program ended in May, but Economic Injury Disaster Loans — which must be paid back — are still available for COVID recovery. The maximum EIDL loan has been raised to $2 million from $500,000. EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT The ERC allows businesses to claim refundable credits for wages paid to full-time employees retained during various pandemic time periods. ERC was originally part of the CARES Act of 2020 and was extended and amended in the Consolidated Appropriations and American Rescue Plan Acts of 2021. It’s especially complex, but the rewards of successful navigation through ERC can be great, up to $28,000 per employee in some cases. The ERC program expires December 31. BUSINESS DINING EXPENSE DEDUCTION “Th is year and next year,” Hendricks says, “business travel and restaurant meals will be 100% deductible. It had been 50%.” The intent, she explained, is to help the hard-hit restaurant and hotel industries. COMOMAG.COM
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Takeaway Generally, tax preparers have a big push leading up to mid-April and then breathe a long sigh of relief. Of course they have their ongoing duties the rest of the year, but they can work at a slower, steadier pace. Not this year. Due to the programs such as those listed above — and we have not listed all that were available or those that are ongoing — crunch time has vastly expanded for accountants and tax experts. “We thought the new tax law of 2018 was a big thing,” Hendricks says. “But last year and this year, it’s been one thing after another.” CARES, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, and the American Rescue Plan came out of Washington in quick succession in 2020 and 2021. The IRS had a hand in implementing several provisions of each of them, even as the agency struggled to write rules and guides for those provisions and process returns for 2019 and 2020 at the same time. Hendricks and other tax experts did their best to keep up and to keep their clients informed of their obligations and opportunities. “The phone has never stopped ringing,” she says. “Usually, when new clients come to us, we ask them for one year’s prior returns. Now we ask for two years, because so many things carry over.” Of course Hendricks’ fi rm, Accounting Plus, always welcomes new business. But if you’re thinking of switching over, maybe wait until 2022. To supplement our interview, Hendricks sent a crib sheet to break down the various tax provisions and help me write this story. On that crib sheet, she delivered her takeaway in all caps, highlighted in yellow and repeated three times:
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GOOD TIME TO DO YOUR OWN TAXES OR SWITCH PREPARERS. IT’S NOT A GOOD TIME TO DO YOUR OWN TAXES OR SWITCH PREPARERS. IT’S NOT A GOOD TIME TO DO YOUR OWN TAXES OR SWITCH PREPARERS.
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Building a
Stronger Community Bringing stability to the city’s most vulnerable.
BY LAUREN SABLE FREIMAN PHOTOS BY ANTHONY JINSON
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acked by a talented and committed team of 86 employees who work day in and day out to support Columbia’s most vulnerable residents, Randy Cole stepped up to lead the Columbia Housing Authority this past May. With programs that impact close to 2,000 households around Columbia and affordable housing that accounts for seven percent of the city’s rental market, Randy and CHA are making a tangible impact on the affordable housing crisis that has been brewing across the nation for nearly a decade. With 10 years of experience under his belt as the housing programs manager for the City of Columbia, Randy says he was excited to step into a role that allowed him to create an even bigger impact on affordable housing in Columbia. But he is quick to celebrate the dedication of his team, who he says are the heart and soul of CHA. “It’s much bigger than me,” Randy says. “Our 86 employees include everything from a maintenance department that handles unit turnovers and maintenance issues on properties to a finance department that provides property management for a variety of properties to a safety department that helps ensure safety by working in partnership with our residents to a supportive services department that provides $1 million annually in supportive service programming to residents we serve.” With an annual budget of $16 million, Randy says the Columbia Housing Authority has the capacity to do a lot of good in and for the community.
Deep Roots and a Long History of Service Created in 1956 by the City of Columbia, CHA was designed to provide affordable housing for the city’s most vulnerable populations. Today, CHA owns 747 affordable
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Opening page: Downtown Columbia photo by Mike Gattorna This page, left to right: Tawanda Edwards, Randy Cole, Bryan Anderson, Charline Johns
Inside CHA
Meet
Charline Johns As CHA’s executive assistant, Charline Johns supports Randy, the CHA Board of Commissioners, staff, residents, and program participants. It’s work that is especially meaningful because she, and her three children, are former residents of CHA’s affordable housing. In early 2018, Charline was living in a two-bedroom apartment with her children, where she was paying $425 each month for rent plus an additional $200 to $300 for monthly utilities. She was earning minimum wage working 25 to 28 hours a week at Subway, and she was barely making ends meet. Things changed dramatically when she moved her family into CHA affordable housing in March 2018. “I knew that my rent would be based off what I was making, which was little to nothing, and with them moving me into a newly renovated, energy-efficient three bedroom, my utilities were cut down to under $100 per month,” Charline says. “My kids had the space and adequate housing to actually be comfortable. My oldest finally got his own room, and that was a big deal for us.” Charline was hired by CHA in May of 2018, and by November 2018, she was financially secure enough to find private housing. But she remains acutely aware of what secure and affordable housing means for Columbia families. “When I was a resident of CHA, I took pride in my home not only because it was newly renovated, but because it did not give me the feeling of an institution,” Charline says. “I actually felt at home, and this is what I believe our families feel when they’re living here. We need the support of our community to continue these efforts. With just 120 units that need to be renovated and the ambition and hope to expand our housing programs, we can get there together.”
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Randy Cole, CEO Columbia Housing Authority
“Our vision is for CHA to be the leading affordable housing provider in the community that supports getting people who are homeless and in a shelter into rental housing, helping people move from renting to home ownership, and helping with mobility along the affordable housing continuum."
housing units while also operating a Housing Choice Voucher Program, formerly known as Section 8, a program that provides vouchers that individuals and families can use to rent from private landlords who participate in the program. CHA also serves a part of the community with a family self-sufficiency program dedicated to helping families grow their income through training programs, and it offers an after-school and summer Moving Ahead program centered around enrichment activities and outdoor play for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. “Our vision is for CHA to be the leading affordable housing provider in the community that supports getting people who are homeless and in a shelter into rental housing, helping people move from renting to home ownership, and helping with mobility along the affordable housing continuum,” Randy says. “The Columbia Housing Authority stabilizes households that otherwise could not afford their own housing, and housing is the best solution to homelessness.”
A County, and Country, in Crisis The need for CHA’s services is greater than what it is able to provide today, thanks to a crisis both in Columbia and across the country. There are currently 600 people on a waiting list for one-bedroom units with CHA, representing a wait of six months or more. Of those 600 people, 90 percent are living in a car, hotel, or shelter or are doubled with a family member or friend. “We don’t have enough one-bedroom units in our housing market,” Randy says. “With the pandemic and changes in the market over the last couple of years, it has come to a head where additional money for rent assistance isn’t going to produce the results we need. We need infrastructure and more affordable housing stock. We will issue a voucher or rent assistance, but people are struggling to connect that assistance to an open property because of a lack of affordable housing, which is a trend that is being seen across the country.” The lack of affordable housing can be attributed to a couple different factors. First, the cost to construct affordable housing has steadily increased over the past decade. In the last couple of years alone, lumber prices have dramatically increased and labor prices have increased along with them. Amplified by the pandemic, the cost of housing is outpacing wage growth across employment sectors. In that same time, regulatory requirements for housing have increased. Both factors have diminished buying power. “We’ve changed what we require as far as energy efficiency, preserving neighborhood character, and requirements for parking,” Randy says. “I value all those things as well, but they all impact the cost of affordable housing. The reality is that our world is a giant spreadsheet, and all these values impact the cost of housing.”
Several short-term solutions over the past couple of years have kept people in housing, but Randy says that making a dent in the affordable housing crisis requires a well-planned and deliberate long-term approach. It simply can’t happen overnight. “The challenge is that investing in affordable housing takes a long-term commitment,” he says. “Buying the land, zoning, engineering, and building. Not that I don’t think we should do it, but we should do it right now.”
Seeking Solutions When a community has enough affordable, stable housing for residents, there is a ripple effect that envelops the community as a whole. According to Randy, a strong affordable housing market helps build the community’s property tax base, provides a more stable workforce and directly impacts children’s educational attainment and success. “When families have stable housing, that means kids won’t be moving from one school to the next as they try to cobble together less-than-ideal housing situations,” he says. “Twenty-eight percent of our students start at one school and finish at the next, and each move sets a child back in learning and future earning potential. Affordable housing should be extremely important to our employers, because the more stable the housing, the more productive employees will be at work.” In order to seize a “once in a generation opportunity” to expand CHA’s portfolio, Randy says CHA has asked Columbia City Council for $4.2 million to overhaul 120 units of public housing that haven’t been renovated in decades. The money would also support the construction of 49 additional units. “The units that we built in the late 1950s and early 1960s don’t meet modern living codes, and they drain a lot of maintenance resources to keep them at a bare minimum level,” Randy says. “These are not places we would want to think are housing our most vulnerable populations. This is the exact type of investment we need to make right now to make an impact on our affordable housing crisis. It is visionary, but not aspirational. We have a successful, proven track record, and it seems like an easy investment to make for a high return on investment from the city and county.” Obtaining local grant dollars would also allow CHA to leverage the state for an additional investment, and the construction for the 169 units alone would create over 100 jobs in the community. “Every year we have hundreds, if not thousands, on the wait list, and for the recent past, there has always been more need than we have available resources,” Randy says. “The fact that we have this opportunity to expand our portfolio seems like a great opportunity to invest in something that has an immediate impact. If city council invests in us, it would be a huge win for first ward residents, where 90 percent of the units are located.”
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The Talent
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Gap Attraction and retention are the names of the game. BY L AU R E N SABLE FREIMAN
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E
ven before the COVID-19 pandemic noticeably impacted the national and local labor market across all industries, the health care, construction, manufacturing, and skilled labor markets were feeling the strain of locating and hiring qualified employees to fill job openings. At the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, a new workforce development division was already in formation to address those challenges. Then COVID-19 hit, and labor shortages became more pronounced. “Since the pandemic, those same categories have labor shortages, but they’re bigger, and the shortages have grown more into other areas like finance, human resources, communications, graphic design, and IT,” says Matt McCormick, president and CEO of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. “Just about every industry has shortages in positions they are trying to fill.”
Where Are the People? The labor shortage is fueled by several factors, most of which have been amplified by the pandemic, Matt says. Though technology has made remote work possible for years, more workers in Columbia and around the United States transitioned to strictly remote jobs during the pandemic. With geographic location no longer a barrier to employment opportunities, many workers have taken jobs with companies around the country. Matt says they’ve seen many examples of Columbia residents leaving local employment to fill remote job openings in other cities, like Chicago or St. Louis. Also due in large part to the pandemic, many workers have completely left the workforce, either due to health concerns, responsibilities as a caregiver, school and daycare closures, or other factors. Matt says women have been disproportionately affected. According to a March 2021 U.S. Census Bureau population survey, 80 percent of those who have left the workforce since the pandemic began are women. As people have left the workforce, fewer students are graduating from school to replace them. According to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans had fewer children in 2021 for the sixth year in a row, signaling the continuation of a trend that first began following the 2008
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recession. This is another factor that is further compounding the labor gap, Matt says. “It is multifaceted,” Matt says. “These are things happening now and things we are monitoring and working to prepare for in the future.”
The State of Unemployment According to Matt, Columbia is home to between 2,500 and 3,000 unemployed eligible workers — workers who are receiving unemployment benefits but are eligible to work. That number doesn’t include those who are no longer receiving unemployment payments but are still eligible to work. Because many of the available labor statistics paint a picture of what's happening across the nation or around the state of Missouri, Matt says the chamber plans to survey Columbia businesses to get a better picture of what is happening locally. “We want to work with Columbia businesses to get benchmark numbers on what we’re needing,” Matt says. “We will start by working with higher education institutions and organizations like Job Point to look at what gaps we have and how we can fill those gaps.”
Preparing for the Future Although planning for the workforce development division was put on hold as the chamber navigated its way through COVID-19, it has now resumed. The idea for the new division was the result of a leadership trip to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in 2019, where Matt and the chamber’s leadership team learned best practices from community leaders in that town. “They have a wonderful workforce development program and we learned a lot about that, and based on feedback from our board and our membership, we decided we needed to move forward with a similar initiative,” Matt says. “We’ve hired a vice president of workforce development so we can continue to move this forward.” Matt says the organization is currently evaluating strategic initiatives targeted at talent retention and attraction. As they meet with businesses throughout Columbia, Matt says their goal is to have purposeful collaborations with businesses and higher education institutions and explore key questions like, “How can we help you prepare for tomorrow, and how can we help you today?”
“How do we retain the talent we have so it isn’t being pulled to other parts of the nation? How do we retain our students out of high school and out of higher education, whether they’re getting certificates or an associate’s degree or a four-year degree?” Matt says. “We are working to make sure we retain those students and that they see that there are career pathways here.” The chamber is also exploring initiatives to attract talent to Columbia. “We have to make sure we have the jobs, the housing, the transportation, the things that people are looking for when they’re looking at a community to move there,” he says. “That way, we can attract the talent here.”
The Employer Perspective At Quaker Oats, plant director Cole Knudsen says that every job opening or posting still results in applications, but the number of candidates is lower than ever. “We were seeing that before the pandemic, and it’s the same trend other industries are seeing,” Cole says. “We aren’t getting as many candidates coming to the table. Of the people who apply, a lot of them are qualified, but it is the quantity that is more concerning.” As a result, Quaker Oats has adjusted the way they handle job openings in an attempt to reach more job seekers. “We’ve had to put more effort into our recruiting,” he says. “We’ve increased the number of ads, we host more events, we increase the amount of time postings are up, and we make sure we are accommodating people’s schedules when we bring them in. It has made it a little more work to keep up, but we are still keeping up.” As many of the open positions are in the production area, Cole says the company aims to bring more visibility to the manufacturing industry by highlighting career paths. By raising awareness, Cole says potential candidates will have a better understanding of the skills necessary for a successful manufacturing career. “We just participated in the Missouri Chamber’s manufacturing day, where we talked about career opportunities and successes you can have by working in manufacturing,” he says. “The primary audience was middle schoolers and high schoolers.” While some companies are working harder for applicants, Matt says that others are beginning to reimagine how they operate.
Due in large part to the pandemic, many workers have completely left the workforce, either due to health concerns, responsibilities as a caregiver, school and daycare closures, or other factors.
“Some companies are looking at ways to do what they did before, but more efficiently,” he says. “That may also mean that they are developing jobs that didn’t exist prior. Maybe a factory that becomes more automated needs more people who are trained to keep the machines up and running.” As the chamber places more attention on linking local businesses with institutions of higher education to build a pipeline of tal-
ent, Matt says that initiative will be one of the “game changers” in helping to grow the labor market for Columbia businesses. The chamber is also working to connect companies to apprenticeship programs through the state. With a strong, multifaceted plan in place to support the labor market in Columbia, Matt says he is confident that the talent pipeline will continue to grow bigger and stronger to
support local businesses, and that Columbia will continue to thrive. “We aren’t relying on one industry in Columbia,” he says. “We have a multitude of economic drivers, from higher education to health care. We aren’t just focused on retail or manufacturing. We are diverse in the types of businesses we have. That gives us the ability to grow and the sustainability to move forward.”
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Living
Sarah & Lauren Moreau
COUPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW
Lauren (left) and Sarah Moreau with their dogs Ava (left) and Maisy.
The couple shares their love of banking and their love of each other, while discussing the perks of marrying your best friend. PH OTO BY JONATHA N A S H ER PH OTOGRAPHY WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DATE?
Lauren: Our first official date was a Chris Stapleton concert — Sarah surprised me with tickets. I feel like we had plenty of unofficial dates before the concert, though. We were gym buddies and would hit up our favorite Mexican restaurant after the gym. Some of the conversations we had over margaritas in those early days inspired our vows. Sarah: I was super nervous, and I was positive that I had made a total fool of myself. I didn't really know [Stapleton], but she loved him. I spent the week before bingeing on Spotify to learn all of the songs. HOW DID YOU MEET?
S: Lauren and I met while working for Central Bank of Boone County. We were friends while working in different departments for several years. WHAT KEEPS YOU BUSY DURING THE WEEK?
S: With running ProsperU, my days are rarely 9 to 5. I take appointments early in the morning and have classes late at night, so every week is an adventure. I’m very involved in the local and state slow-pitch softball community, so you can find us at the ballpark almost every weekend (rain, heat, or cold).
a few minutes each day to touch base, but generally it’s a wave through the window or a quick text to see how she’s doing. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?
S: When we’re not at the ball field, almost all of our free time is spent with our noses stuck in books. Much to Lauren’s chagrin, I’m also a big nerd (video games, board games, graphic novels). Lauren loves cooking, and I am always a willing taste-tester for most of her creations. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ART/CULTURE ACTIVITY IN COLUMBIA?
We both love True/False Film Fest. WHAT IS THE KEY TO A LASTING AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP?
L: Communication and lots of laughter! WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THE TWO OF YOU?
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO WORK TOGETHER?
S: It’s funny — we work together but hardly ever interact or see each other because of the nature of our work days. We try to carve out
S: I’m clearly horrible at predicting the future, but that reminds me of a favorite quote — “I don’t know what the future may hold, but I know who holds the future.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN COLUMBIA?
L: Hands down, Rio Grande! WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT TO WORK ON TOGETHER?
L: Making our house a home for us both. When I moved in, it was the perfect definition of a bachelor pad — very beige and nothing on the walls! It’s been a fun labor of love to find our style. S: In March of 2019, I became the director of Central Bank of Boone County’s ProsperU initiative. Lauren has helped me with late night brainstorming sessions, honest feedback for my crazy ideas, and making sure that I step back and enjoy the process. WHAT IS THE BEST QUALITY OF YOUR PARTNER?
S: We always joke that Lauren’s so tenderhearted. She wears her heart on her sleeve and loves deeply. Whether it’s adopting a stray animal or crying over another houseplant she’s managed to kill, you always know that Lauren cares. L: Sarah’s passion. Whatever Sarah does, she will do with immense passion and is incapable of not giving it her all.
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Looks fun outside, holds fun inside. T h e al l-new Vo lkswa ge n Ta os joemachensvw.net | 1200 Vandiver Dr, Columbia, MO 65202 70
NOVEMBER 2021
Working
80 NOT YOUR AVERAGE OFFICE Convergence Companies’ new space shines.
89 MATTHEW LUE Director of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, The City of Columbia
85 BUSINESS IS BLOOMING Bloom Bookkeeping celebrates five years.
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Working
CLOSER LOOK
NOVEMBER 2021
your adventurous side and be socially rewarding. There’s a reason that rock climbing gyms were the only gym in the USA that saw an increase in sales during the pandemic and are now experiencing its largest growth, and that’s because rock climbing offers numerous social benefits that make it so much fun.” If everything stays on course, COMO Rocks expects to be opening their doors this December. During the month of November, customers can become part of the Ground Up Club — a membership that comes with exclusive perks and is only available to those who join before they open. They will also offer parties, classes, and yoga! 205 E. NIFONG BLVD., STE. 120 WWW.COMOROCKS.COM INFO@COMOROCKS.COM
Windsor Fashions Party Perfectly
Located across from Logboat Brewing Co., in the old Diggs Meat Packing building, you will find Party Perfectly. Set to open on November 27 for Small Business Saturday, Party Perfectly is a boutique brick-and-mortar store specializing in unique party products and event planning services. They offer creative products and brands to enhance a customer’s vision and inspire customized events. Regardless of what you are hosting, Party Perfectly will be your one-stop-shop for all things party. In addition to helping you find the perfect products in-store, staff can also help coordinate your event. Whether you just need a little guidance or full-on coordination, they offer something for everyone. Owner Samantha Boisclair is excited to bring an alternative to the big-box stores so that each event can be more unique and tailored to their customers’ vision. Whether it’s a birthday, graduation,
game night with friends, or a wedding, Party Perfectly wants to help. 1207 ROGERS ST., STE. 102 WWW.SHOPPARTYPERFECTLY.COM PARTYPERFECTLYCOMO@GMAIL.COM
COMO Rocks
Dave McGee and Wil Palmieri aim to bring a world-class climbing gym to Columbia that offers an opportunity for everyone to climb. Their love for Columbia has made them passionate about bringing this facility to Mid-Missouri and sharing their love for climbing with others. Together, the two have nearly 40 years of climbing experience. When asked why they felt there was a need for a climbing gym in Columbia, Wil says: “To have a central gathering place that will encourage you to embrace
Windsor Fashions, a leading special occasion and fast-fashion retailer, opened a new store at the Columbia Mall. The store officially opened its doors on September 9 and can be found across from Bath and Body Works. Founded by the Zekaria family, Windsor opened its first store in 1937 with a mission that continues to this day: To create an oasis that inspires and empowers women. Windsor focuses on providing a broad selection of on-trend apparel for all occasions in a woman’s life. Whether customers are shopping for school-based occasions like prom and graduation, seasonal events like Halloween and New Year’s Eve, or everyday occasions like date night and brunch with the girls, Windsor provides a broad and inspiring assortment of the latest trends. Windsor holds a unique place in the occasion-based retail landscape. During a time when many fashion retailers are closing or downsizing, Windsor is experiencing strong momentum both in-store and online. 2300 BERNADETTE DR., SPACE 426A WWW.WINDSORSTORE.COM
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Briefly in the News
NOVEMB ER 2021
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C ELEBR ATIONS
Monarch Title Company Celebrates 20 Years in Business Members of the community gathered to celebrate Monarch Title Company’s 20 years in business at the downtown Columbia office. The event kicked off with a ribbon cutting celebrating the recent change in ownership; Chuck and Pam Bowman became owners in January 2020. Following the ribbon cutting, State Senator Sandy Crawford presented a Missouri Senate Resolution marking October 7 as Monarch Title Anniversary Day. In 2020, Senator Crawford played an integral role in passing HB 1655, also known as the Remote Online Notarization Bill. She wasn’t alone in advocating for this bill — thanks to support from House Representative Hannah Kelly, Chuck and Pam Bowman, and other MLTA advocates, the bill was
Working
passed into law in May 2020. Remote online notarization allows for official documents to be signed by a notary in an audio-visual call with the signee. The person requesting the notarization has to show proof of identity virtually. In September 2021, Monarch Title Company had two successful closings using remote online notarizations. COM M UNITY
Burrell Shares Vision for Comprehensive Behavioral Crisis Center Burrell Behavioral Health outlined plans to build a comprehensive behavioral crisis center, or BCC, in Columbia. The proposed BCC would be a 24/7 facility offering a full continuum of care for Columbia and Boone County citizens experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. Services at the facility would include 23-hour stabilization, psychiatric assessment, and stay of up to three days in an adult crisis stabilization unit. Burrell also announced a partnership with local addiction recovery nonprofit Phoenix Programs to potentially build the facility on Phoenix property, allowing for seamless referral of those who visit the BCC in need of longer-term social-setting detox treatment, which Phoenix already provides. Along with programming details, Burrell shared renderings of what the exterior of the crisis center could look like. The City of Columbia has budgeted $3 million from the American Rescue Plan Act funds to be put toward a behavioral health crisis facility in Columbia. That budget is currently awaiting approval from the city council.
HEA LTH
Boone Health Receives Stroke Award Boone Health received a Get with the Guidelines — Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. This award recognizes Boone Health’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. Get with The Guidelines — Stroke was developed to assist health care professionals in providing the most up-to-date, researchbased guidelines for treating stroke patients. Each year, program participants apply for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, participants also provide education to patients to help them manage their health and rehabilitation once at home. CO MMUNITY
TRYPS Finds a New Home TRYPS is now open at the Columbia Mall. From a hand-drawn pencil blueprint in December 2020 to the Chamber of Commerce Ambassador ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, August 23, TRYPS is
BRIEFLY
finally home. Thanks to the Columbia Mall team and Rusty Strodtman, the PCE team, the TRYPS Board of Directors, and many donors, the theater group was able to raise the estimated $190,000 needed to renovate, relocate, and reopen. GIVING BAC K
UScellular Donates More Than $92,000 in Wireless Hotspots and Service to Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia To help provide equitable learning access and keep local youth connected during the school year, UScellular has donated 80 wireless hotspots and two years of service to Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia. The hotspots provided to Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia connect to UScellular’s network to provide high-speed connectivity for club members throughout the Columbia area, and each hotspot has the potential to support multiple club members throughout any given day. UScellular has donated $2.6 million in hotspots and wireless service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs in 2021. Additionally, since 2015, UScellular has donated $158,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia to support STEM educational experiences and other initiatives, including $30,000 in 2021.
G IVI N G B AC K
United Way Worldwide Makes Local Investment Heart of Missouri United Way received one of three $10,000 Equity Advancement Grant investments from United Way Worldwide. This award will support their new Equity Fund. This fund, with the advice of the newly forming BIPOC Equity Advisory Council, will enable the co-creation of solutions that ensure everyone in the service area has the resources, support, opportunities, and networks they need to thrive.
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NOVEMBER 2021
D R . DAVI D R U S S E L L
The Columbia College Board of Trustees has named Dr. David Russell the college’s 18th president. David has served as interim president since January 2021, and the promotion to president is effective October 1, 2021. David brings 30 years of service in higher education, including time as the chief of staff for nine presidents at the four-campus University of Missouri System and six years as the commissioner of higher education for the State of Missouri. Prior to entering higher education, David completed a 22-year army career in infantry, personnel management, and public affairs assignments around the globe, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. His personal military decorations include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Legion of Merit.
LUCY VIANELLO
The Missouri Symphony announced that one of their founders, Lucy Vianello, received an award from the City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs recognizing her for her years of dedicated service to promoting the arts in Columbia. Mayor Brian Treece presented Lucy with the award. In his remarks, he called Lucy “one of the matriarchs of Columbia’s arts and culture scene” and said she has “dedicated her life to making music more accessible in our community.”
COIL CONSTRUCTION
Coil Construction announced that the following employees have earned additional professional certifications: Don Prose earned his Professional Engineer designation. The Principles and Practice of Engineering exam, which Don passed, tests for a level of competency in a particular engineering discipline. Don joined the Coil team in 2011 as a project manager and has overseen projects for both new construction and remodels. He also earned his Project Manager Professional certification last year. Maggie Schneider earned her National Council for Interior Design Qualification designation. The NCIDQ examination is the broad-based exam for all interior designers and serves as a foundation for those moving into specialty design areas. Maggie joined the Coil team 2019 as a project manager. Her main responsibilities include project management and interior design consultation.
DANIELLE HARRISON
Harrison Financial Planning is proud to announce that Danielle Harrison has been named a 2021 Rising Star by Financial Planning Magazine. Selected from among nominees across the country, the winners of this award are both young advisors and career-changers. As part of the inaugural award class, Danielle is part of a field of 10 early-career financial planners who embody the values of the profession and are on a trajectory
to make a difference in the field. Danielle is the founder and president of Harrison Financial Planning. Danielle is active in the nonprofit community and recently concluded her threeyear term as board president of Mobility Worldwide — Columbia.
RUSSELL
LAUREN HELMREICH
Downtown Appliance Home Center announced a new coowner, Lauren Helmreich. Following the retirement of longtime co-owner John Graves, Lauren comes into ownership with a vast knowledge of the business. She’s worked full-time at Downtown Appliance since 2010, first as the office administrator and then as sales manager. The store, however, has been a part of her life since she was born into the family business. She will own and manage the business with her father, Don Helmreich.
PROSE
SCHNEIDER
BRIDGID KINNEY
Columbia Independent School announced that Bridgid Kinney will serve as the school’s official head of school through June 2025. Bridgid has been serving as interim head of school since April. After owning a successful business for many years, Bridgid joined CIS in 2013, serving most recently as the director of advancement and operations. In this role, she was responsible for raising millions of dollars and served as an important member of the executive team. She earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy from MU in the spring of 2021.
HARRISON
HELMREICH
KINNEY
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Your House. Your Shelter. ®
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573-442-5291
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PERSONAL INJURY
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The Truth About Privilege La Toya Stevens takes on the uncomfortable topics of privilege and power. BY LA TOYA STEVENS
W
hen you saw the title of this piece, you were probably curious as to what I would say. Perhaps you took offense, or maybe even felt yourself become defensive. You are not alone. When the topic of white privilege comes up, there seems to be a visceral negative reaction. Before we get started, let’s establish definitions. Privilege is defined by Merriam-Webster as, “a right or benefit that is given to some people and not to others.” They go on to define white privilege as, “the set of social and economic advantages that white people have by virtue of their race in a culture characterized by racial inequality.” The truth about white privilege is that if you are white, you have it. It is something you have benefited from whether you acknowledge it or not. Privilege, in and of itself, is neither good nor bad. It simply is. I have had the opportunity to engage in conversations with friends, colleagues, and peers about white privilege, racism, bias, and identity. What I have found is that most white people who have a problem with the term automatically feel like they are being called racist or biased when white privilege is brought up. To be white and privileged does not mean that you did not work for what you have. It does not mean that you didn’t live in poverty. It does not mean you had it “easy.” What it means, in very simple terms, is that you have the privilege of navigating life and not being constrained by your whiteness. You have an advantage that you did not earn; you simply were born with white skin. I remember having a conversation with a former colleague about “the talk.” In case you are unfamiliar with “the talk,” it is a conversation parents have with their Black children about how to interact with law enforcement. My former colleague believed and tried to convince me that I didn’t need to discuss that with my
son when he left to go to college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I explained to her that I don’t have the luxury of not explaining to my son what he can and cannot do. It could cost him his life. More recently, the other day, following the rumors of gun violence during Hickman High School’s homecoming, I spoke with my 15-year-old as he explained what happened and told me how many police cars pulled up to the school.
The truth about white privilege is that if you are white, you have it. It is something you have benefited from whether you acknowledge it or not. He looked at me and I eased into “the talk.” If you ever get stopped by a police officer, always look them in the eyes. Make sure you speak clearly and in your regular voice so they can understand you. (My son is a young thespian — always in character and jokes around a lot.) Make sure you say, “Yes, sir” or, “No, sir” or, “Yes ma’am” or, “No ma’am.” Do not make any sudden movements. Let them know what you are doing and make sure it’s OK before you do it. Do not reach in your pockets for any reason. Never run, even if you’re scared.
GUEST VOICE
“Do you understand me?” I said to my son. He simply nodded yes and I said, “OK.” It is a privilege to allow your children to leave the house and give no consideration to the how law enforcement will perceive them. It’s a privilege I don’t have. As a mother of four Black sons, this is a conversation I will have with each of them multiple times. In America, Black people have disproportionate contact with law enforcement and are more likely to die when engaging with law enforcement than white people. The privilege is that a white child is less likely to be seen as a threat by law enforcement. Biases are simply preferences or aversions to something. A bias can be implicit (subconscious) or explicit (conscious). If you take an honest look at American history, you must concede that our nation was founded by immigrants who stole land from indigenous people, enslaved the Africans who built this nation, accumulated wealth, and set up systems to continue to oppress those they considered inferior. The founding fathers were all white men with a vested interest in acquiring and maintaining power and privilege. History has taught us that white privilege, when denied and unmanaged, will always lead to the advancement of the privileged at the expense of the oppressed. We all have power and privilege. If you have white privilege, I challenge you to find ways to share your power and privilege with those who do not have the benefit of whiteness. As a community, we have been on a collective journey. Columbia values diversity, equity, and inclusion. As with any journey, there are days when everything goes as planned. However, there are also times when unexpected issues delay our progress. My hope is that this series will address some topics people aren’t comfortable talking about and expose feelings you didn’t even know you had. I’m going to be honest: The subject matter may make you uncomfortable at times. But I hope you will lean into that discomfort and identify what is causing those feelings.
La Toya Stevens is an inclusive marketing and communications professional. Her unabashed style highlights cognitive dissonance, dissolves tension, and sets the stage for meaningful dialogue to advance work against racism.
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CELEBRATIONS
Not Your Average Office
Photo by Megan Casady
Convergence Companies’ new space shines. BY JULES N. GRAEBNER | PHOTOS BY REBECCA ALLEN
J
ust one year ago, Travis Cook, Adam Bethel, and Bill Costello were standing in a gutted shell of a building with only a few hard hats and some big dreams. Now, that empty structure has been transformed into the beautiful and functional home of Convergence Companies. With financial, accounting, insurance, and lending branches under the company’s umbrella, it was important to the Convergence trio to have a place where every member of the team would be nearby. “Now, we have the opportunity to collaborate on a daily basis with other professionals,” says Travis, CEO, explaining that individuals from every branch of the company are now able to coordinate with one another at a moment’s notice without having to wait for a response. “It doesn’t cost a client anything. They don’t have to wait for us.”
KEEPING IT COMFORTABLE “We built out of a total of about 8,000 square feet and put 14 offices in that space,” says Bill, senior vice president of Convergence Companies. “At
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this point, we’ve maximized every square inch, but we are still getting ready to add some more modular offices to try to take advantage of the little remaining space we have.” Luckily for the Convergence team, maximizing space does not mean skimping out on the creature comforts. The building, located on the south side of town, is far less clinical than one would expect an office to be. With big windows, spacious individual work spaces, comfortable chairs, soft lighting, and a large kitchen, the Convergence office feels inviting. On the walls, you can spot multiple original works of art commissioned by the team and created by local artist Jenny McGee. “We wanted to feature local artists and the entire essence — everything that we’re doing with this space — is really focused on keeping it local,” Bill explains. “From the contractors we use to the coffee we brew, everything is local here. That’s because we want to give back to the community. We want to do business with people in the community.” Convergence Companies even has two Logboat beers on tap. That’s right: There is an
Above, top to bottom: Adam Bethel, Travis Cook, and Bill Costello now in their new off ices when only one year ago the building was a hard-hat construction zone.
in-office bar. Smack dab in the heart of the office lies the client center, which features cozy chairs, a large wall-mounted television, and a small bar for celebrations. “We see the space as threefold,” Travis says about the office’s client center. “One, it’s an opportunity to talk to clients. Two, it’s a great place — especially as the organization grows — to do some cool things like team happy hour or office parties. Third, it’s a place to do community events. Just the other day, the United Way brought their leadership team as they were getting ready for their upcoming campaign, and we were able to host them here.”
ALL UNDER ONE ROOF The building’s versatility is a big draw; it hosted a pool hall, a bar, a French steakhouse, and a catering company before Convergence took
July 2016 Convergence Financial is formed.
November 2019 Convergence Insurance is formed.
January 2020 Convergence Accounting is formed.
June 2020 Convergence Companies is formed.
August 2020 Financial Planners of Missouri and Convergence Financial merge together under the Convergence Financial name.
September 2020 Construction on Convergence Companies’ new headquarters begins at 3919 S. Providence Rd.
October 2020 Convergence Lending is formed, utilizing Commercial Trust Company as its first loan underwriting partner.
March 15, 2021 Convergence Companies opens its new 8,000-square-foot office.
May 10, 2021 Convergence Financial launches partnership with The Callaway Bank to service investment clients from a new office located in the bank's main branch in Fulton.
over the space. The team says that although figuring out what to do with all the leftover kitchen equipment was a hassle, it was certainly worth it. “We wanted everybody under one roof with some integration, but also a bit of separation, too,” Bill says. “By having all of these services in the same building, it really does make [our client’s] financial lives easier.” “We have a lot of clients that hire us and will use our multiple services,” Travis explains. “If you have a fi nancial advisor, an accountant, and an insurance agent that are all separate, the client has to be their own fi nancial quarterback. They are taking their information, relaying it to each professional, and hoping they didn’t get any piece of communication wrong along the way. But here, we get to be the fi nancial quarterback for our clients. It’s more simple. We’re all in one place, and I think a lot of our clients really like the convenience and simplicity.” Not only was the remodel an arduous process, but the Convergence team also chose to expand during one of the most difficult times for Mid-Missouri businesses. “We did all this in the middle of the pandemic, which I think is significant,” Bill says. “There was so much contraction and fear and anxiety for businesses. In that challenging and uncertain time, we leaned into growth and expansion to provide better services for our clients. Not to toot
our own horn, but we didn’t shrivel up and get in the fetal position during a very tough time — we saw it as an opportunity.” Since then, Convergence Companies has hired 10 new associates and made new connections, like their partnership with Callaway Bank. “The biggest thing we’re working on right now is building a really, really solid foundation of people and professionals,” Travis says. “We want to be a complete and total wealth management company capable of helping thousands of clients here in the Mid-Missouri market and giving them a really high quality product and service. We’re always on the lookout for really great people to add to our team that believe in our cause and what we’re trying to do, and we are always interested in adding more clients to our roster.” Th is growth has already begun, and as Travis has noticed, Convergence Companies’ success is thanks in part to the new office. He says, “My opinion is that since we’ve been around each other, each professional just makes one another better and stronger.”
CONVERGENCE COMPANIES 3919 S. PROVIDENCE RD. (573) 818-2264 CONVERGENCE-CO.COM
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First Chance for Children Mission:
Giving Children and Families a First Chance First Chance for Children provides programs and services to help families succeed. BY KATIE PERRY HARRIS | PHOTOS BY SADIE THIBODEAUX
B
eing a new parent is not easy — and that’s why First Chance for Children is here to help families in Mid-Missouri. From providing diapers to offering educational programs, the local nonprofit exists to help entire families be successful at parenting. When caregivers are given the resources they need to succeed, their children and our community benefit. “We serve all of Mid-Missouri to help children get ready for kindergarten by reducing some of the most common barriers families have,” says Kasey Hammock, executive director of First Chance for Children. “That could be basic needs like having a safe place to sleep or knowing what on-track development looks like. We provide parenting support and community for parents of young children.” Abby Owen, vice president for the First Chance Board of Directors, fi rst became familiar with the organization as a new parent herself, discovering what a great resource the Lend and Learn library could be for herself and her infant. “Until I had a child, I didn’t know everything that goes into it, mentally and physically,” she says. “I’m so
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passionate about First Chance for Children and the unique programs it provides for families with young children.”
SERVING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES First Chance for Children grew out of a group of community organizations and partners who came together to study kindergarten readiness, creating a group called Boone Early Childhood Partners in 2002. The organization started doing research on indicators for kindergarten readiness, and out of that research came the goal to start providing resources. In 2006, the organization became First Chance for Children, reflecting the goal to provide direct services to families in addition to advocacy and information about kindergarten readiness. Today, First Chance reaches nine counties in Mid-Missouri and grows every year; in the past year, they served more than 1,000 families. Their four primary programs, ranging from basic needs support to educational programs, serve families with children under the age of 5.
First Chance for Children provides early childhood programs and family resources to foster healthy outcomes for children and families in Mid-Missouri.
Founded: 2003 Board of Directors: Officers: • Jeremy Milarsky, President • Jennifer Barth, Past President • Abby Owen, Vice President • Chuck Bowman, Treasurer • Melissa Miller, Secretary Members: • Kara Amann-Kale • Cathy Ashbaugh • Alysia Beaudoin • Leigh Ann Clayton • Will Green • Andrew Quint • Shelley Robinson • Bethany Schoengarth
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Kasey Hammock
With its Baby Bags Diaper Bank program, First Chance provides diapers, wipes, and hygiene items to families. Items are available at the First Chance office or through one of their partner programs, and families can pick up items once a month. “One in three families in a research study were shown to not have enough diapers,” Kasey says. “98 percent of the families we serve say that without the service, they wouldn’t have enough diapers for their child. By addressing the health needs of young children, as well as helping to reduce stress and anxiety for parents, we are helping the entire family achieve better success.” Their second basic needs program is Safe Cribs, which provides a pack-andplay crib for any infant who doesn’t have a safe space to sleep. In addition to the crib, the program supports parents through the first months of parenting by providing information and community support. “We try to help make those first few months a little easier,” says Kasey. Baby U is a home visiting program supporting caregivers that is tailored to each family’s specific needs. Serving families from prenatal development to the age of 5, it uses a home visitation model that blends the Parents As Teachers and Nurturing Parenting programs. “We operate from the fundamental belief that every parent is the expert in their own lives and situations, and we are there to support them in whatever skills and education they say they need,” Kasey says. “We walk alongside them in their parenting journey to be their research assistants and their connection to the broader community, if they need that.” The Lend and Learn library is a popular program for all families, regardless of where they live, and designed for caregivers and children through age 5. A free, fun space located at First Chance’s Fay Street location, the library has toys available for check out and provides an opportunity for caregivers to connect. It’s here where Abby, as a new mom, fi rst met other caregivers and new moms. “I was so grateful for the space,” she says.
NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the library has evolved, moving outside to different community parks to bring everyone together in a safe environment. “Especially in the last couple of months, we have seen the need for Lend and Learn grow,” says Kasey. “We’ve had 50 to 60 families show up for our pop-up and play events each week. Families are desperate to get outside and connect with other parents and find a fun opportunity for their kids.”
HELPING MORE FAMILIES SUCCEED As they look to the future, First Chance for Children is focused on their strategic plan. Central to their growth and mission is a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. “Regardless of your income, race, or gender expression, we want to be there for all families, particularly those who have been historically underserved. It’s our mission to decrease some of those lifelong disparities,” says Kasey. Kasey describes hearing stories almost daily about how First Chance has touched a family. “The fi rst response we receive is ‘thank you’ from families who don’t realize how much they need that specific service until they start participating,” she says. “On our team side, we hear how much they learn from families and how powerful it is that families are allowing us into their lives and their parenting journeys.” And when families win, we all win as a community. “By providing these programs directly to families, we are creating a viable workforce for our next generation,” Kasey says. “We are helping to break barriers that cause generational poverty. We are helping build a stronger, smarter, healthier community that can make Columbia and the broader community a great place to work, play, and live.”
FIRST CHANCE FOR CHILDREN 1002 FAY ST. (573) 777-1815 FIRSTCHANCEFORCHILDREN.ORG
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THA NK YO U TO OU R VA LU ED EMPLOY EES
Join our team by applying today at MachensCareers.com or by scanning the code >>
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BUSINESS UPDATE
Business is Blooming Bloom Bookkeeping celebrates f ive years. BY JEN N I F ER TR U E S DA L E | PHOTO S BY C HA R L E S B R U C E I I I
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L
ara Pieper is proof that a professional setback can be turned into a huge opportunity — if you’re not daunted by the fact that the professional journey rarely is a straight line. Resourceful, creative, and determined, the 39-yearold Leawood, Kansas, native and single mom of three boys opened Bloom Bookkeeping in 2016 after losing her job as controller for Socket Telecom. “In the blink of an eye, everything I thought was secure was gone,” Lara says. “But I wasn’t going to let [Socket] — or anyone else in the future — have that much control over my life.”
SOWING A CAREER Lara came to Columbia in 2000 as so many do: to attend school. She went to MU, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in environmental science. She thought she’d be heading for the corporate world upon graduation, but life planted a seed in another field for her. “One of my first jobs after college was office manager at The MacXperts Network [an Apple dealership in the Village of Cherry Hill that is now closed],” Lara recalls. “I was only there a couple of months when the owner decided to run for Congress, at which time I was moved into the chief operating officer position. I was doing managerial, day-to-day bookkeeping and it was something I really enjoyed. I was in that position for nearly 10 years.” With nearly a decade of business accounting experience under her belt, Lara went to Socket, first as assistant controller and then as controller. With the fruits of her bookkeeping career prospering, Lara pursued and finished her MBA with an emphasis in accounting at Columbia College in 2016. Within months of graduating, though, Lara lost her job at Socket.
PROPELLED INTO MAJOR SUCCESS At the time, Lara’s three sons were 3, 5, and 6. The single mother needed to generate some income, so she decided to open her own bookkeeping business, thinking it would just be a side project until she found something more permanent. “But within three weeks, I had enough clients that I realized I could live off it full time.” That was just the beginning. Bloom almost doubled its gross revenue for the first four years. Bloom’s monthly bookkeeping services, which include accounts payable and receivable and banking and credit card reconciliation, are its most sought-after service. Bloom also offers financial organization to help businesses catch up on bookkeeping, fix errors, and keep things on track. Clients receive quarterly or yearly reviews to ensure accuracy. Finally, Bloom offers “QuickBooks 101,” a service particularly helpful to new business owners who want to get their accounting off to a good start. Training clients how to use QuickBooks Online is a part of this service. Bloom’s services are customizable and available á la carte to meet the unique needs of clients, which include a wide array of businesses such as Concannon Plastic Surgery, Sager Reeves Gallery, and Cracked Up Mobile.
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“One of the things I love [about bookkeeping] is working in so many different industries. I get to dabble in insurance, construction, and restaurants,” Lara says. Now celebrating her fifth year in business for herself, Lara works with 60 to 70 recurring monthly clients, but she also works with many on a quarterly or yearly basis depending on their needs. During the worst parts of the pandemic, when small businesses were really struggling to keep their doors open, Lara found ways to help out; despite COVID-19, Bloom had a pretty normal business year. “I looked at it as how my clients were struggling, not how I was struggling,” Lara says. “I did bookkeeping for free or at a reduced rate for a few restaurants for a few months.” Lara tries to be a customer of her clients, as well.
REAPING THE REWARDS With Bloom’s success, Lara has enjoyed some well-deserved accolades and milestones. In 2019, Lara was named to COMO Magazine’s 20 Under 40 Class at age 36, and she was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Mis-
souri Women’s Business Center. In 2020, she opened her first office location on E. Walnut St. after working out of the co-working space, The Hatchery, and from home. Being her own boss also has given Lara more time with her sons, saying it has allowed her “to be the mom I always thought I’d be.” To celebrate its fifth anniversary, Bloom held an open house and ribbon cutting on October 13. It was catered by one of Lara’s clients, Wishflour Bakery. Looking to the future, Lara says she plans to keep Bloom prospering by “continuing to
BUSINESS UPDATE
grow and hire more employees [Bloom currently has one part-time employee], and to serve more Mid-Missouri businesses. It’s opened my eyes to how many people need bookkeeping. What comes easy to me is hard for them. For so many, it’s a weight. What sets us apart is that we partner with our clients and celebrate their successes.” “My services are being sought after because no one in Columbia offers what I can,” Lara explained in her 20 Under 40 interview. “This is more than a bookkeeping service. I am a CFO for hire who is here to help business owners be the most successful they can be.” And that’s why it’s likely that Bloom will continue to flourish and celebrate many more anniversaries to come.
BLOOM BOOKKEEPING 1103 E. WALNUT ST., STE. 104 (573) 777-2775 BLOOMBOOKKEEPING.NET
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Fiscal Year 2021 Impact
$1.4 million in assistance provided
19,609 lives impacted
100%
of every donor dollar funded direct financial assistance
129%
$208,364
143%
10,114
increase in Children’s Outreach
increase in Short-Term Monthly Assistance
helped kids in need across Missouri
Missouri children helped
Thank you to our community partners who helped make this possible. Diamond Sponsors
Grand Chapter of Missouri, O.E.S.
Platinum Sponsors
Central Bank of Boone County Central Trust Company Commerce Trust Company
Gold Sponsors
Columbia Marketing Group Williams-Keepers
Silver Sponsors
Bob McCosh Chevrolet Boone Electric Cooperative Modern Litho
Nickel Sponsors
Acacia Twilight Lodge No. 114 Broadway Supply Company Country Club of Missouri Jefferson Lodge No. 43 Jeffrey E. Smith Companies Job Finders Employment Services Macadoodles Veterans United Home Loans
Bronze Sponsors
Alarm Communications Center Inc. Arena Liquor Ashland Chapter #309, O.E.S. Centralia Lodge No. 59 Cooper Lodge No. 36
Dave Griggs Flooring America Downtown Appliance Hallsville Lodge No. 336 Integrated Facility Services Joe Machens Dealerships Lanit Manor Roofing & Restoration Services MFA Oil Company NH Scheppers Distributing Pancheros Pepsi Co. Target Victoria Chapter #14, O.E.S.
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PERSON YOU SHOULD KNOW
Matthew Lue Director of Finance and Chief Financial Off icer PHOTO BY ANTHONY JINSON
JOB DESCRIPTION
The director of finance serves as the City of Columbia’s chief financial officer and financial policy advisor to the city manager as defined by the city charter. Job duties include directing the finance department by overseeing the city’s financial planning, budgeting, purchasing, accounting, pensions, and other financial administrative functions.
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PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
I began my professional career as an administrative intern for Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City in 2005. I was hired as a full-time staff accountant in 2006, promoted to a treasury accountant, and finally promoted to a treasury analyst. After receiving my MBA, I was hired by the City of Warrensburg in 2015 to be the director of finance and chief financial officer. In November of 2019, I was hired to become the director of finance and chief financial officer for the City of Columbia. HOMETOWN
Kansas City, Missouri. YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA
Two years. QUOTE YOU LIVE BY
“If you don’t make mistakes, you’re not working on hard enough problems.” — Frank Wilczek. FAVORITE VOLUNTEER/ COMMUNITY ACTIVITY
Scouting and Big Brothers Big Sisters. FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT
Creating an ever-changing budget document for the city. A COLUMBIA BUSINESS PERSON YOU ADMIRE AND WHY
Greg DeLine. He was the fi rst person to reach out to me when I was chosen for my position, and he has a really great background story. WHY YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR JOB
Because I have strong beliefs in the way our city manages taxpayer funds. I get to teach others everything I have learned about finance and accounting, and I am constantly learning from others, too. WHY YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR COMPANY
I am passionate about the City of Columbia because there is so much opportunity to do good and affect change. I love that I am a part of making the city a better place by offering transparency and learning opportunities to whomever has an interest in city business.
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IF YOU WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, YOU WOULD
Be a chef and own a restaurant. WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR PROFESSION
People should know and learn what taxes they pay, where their tax dollars go, and who benefits from them.
I love that I am a part of making the city a better place by offering transparency and learning opportunities to whomever has an interest in city business.
THE NEXT CHALLENGE FACING YOUR INDUSTRY
Public entities now have to compete with the private sector for employees. In the past, governmental jobs relied on great benefits to win potential candidates over. We are now in a place and time where actual salaries matter more than the benefits to the majority of the job pool. YOUR NEXT PROFESSIONAL GOAL
To attain a doctorate degree. BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED IN BUSINESS
Be transparent to your stakeholders. HOW YOU WANT TO IMPACT THE COLUMBIA COMMUNITY
Instill a level of trust in the community that the city will do the right thing with taxpayer dollars. GREATEST STRENGTH
Confidence. GREATEST WEAKNESS
Assuming people will do the right thing. WHAT YOU DO FOR FUN
Travel with my family. Our goal is to visit all 50 states. FAMILY
I have a wife, Mrs. Alfreda Lue, and two wonderful kids: Marcel Lue, who is heading to college, and Adrianna Lue, who is heading to high school. FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA
Stephens Lake Park. ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF
Being a father. MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT YOU
Have competed in the American Royal BBQ contest.
S E OF C A F
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Get To Know Mid-Mo’s Top Money Managers
CES OF FA
Find your path to true wealth. Every day, I try to inspire my tribe to live a life of “TruWealth.” I focus on empowering clients to compound both their money and their knowledge about their money. I started my career in financial management at The Boeing Company. Fourteen years ago, I moved to Columbia and embarked on an amazing adventure managing investment portfolios for Shelter Insurance. Truman Wealth Advisors started as a “side gig,” leveraging my institutional knowledge to help individuals with their wealth. It evolved into a full-time venture in 2020. I have a degree in finance from Truman State University and an MBA from Saint Louis University, as well as the chartered financial consultant certification. GOALS FOR THE FUTURE FOR TRUMAN WEALTH ADVISORS I want to continue to build and expand the TruWealth community. My goal is to start not just a company, but a movement. True wealth is focused on optimizing your finances and investments and focused on creating a better design for your life. I started my company because I believe that exceptional people deserve true wealth. They deserve to live life by design and not by default. And, I am committed to guiding my clients who are motivated to achieve it.
Mindy McCubbin TrumanWealthAdvisors.com 573-227-2077
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CES OF FA
$
FIN
COMMERCE TRUST COMPANY. SINCE 1906. Commerce Trust Company provides a full range of wealth and investment planning services to individuals and institutions. Since 1906, Commerce Trust Company, a division of Commerce Bank, has been a leading provider of investment management, financial planning, trust and private banking services. They build a comprehensive team around their clients’ unique personal and financial situation, giving them what’s needed to manage their wealth and achieve their longterm goals. Commerce Trust clients benefit from: a professional, skilled staff of more than 500 employees; access to an in-house investment team of approximately 96 professionals who average 19 years of experience; and knowledge of veteran private client advisors who also average 19 years of experience in client services and the insight that comes with administering more than $62.6 billion of total client assets through all market cycles (as of June 30, 2021). With Commerce Trust Company, clients can feel confident and secure about their family’s future. Commerce Trust takes a full-service approach to wealth management with the goal of helping clients simplify their complex financial life. Their proactive team takes the time to understand a client’s personal and financial goals. Commerce Trust Company develops a customized plan specific to a client’s wealth management needs and works with them to ensure success.
LYLE JOHNSON, MBA
Senior Vice President, Market Executive
NOELLE CASE, CTFA
Vice President, Private Client Advisor
MENDY DIEL
Vice President, Private Banking Relationship Manager
KYLE REYNOLDS, CFP®, CIMA® Assistant Vice President, Portfolio Manager
901 E Broadway | 2nd Floor | Columbia, Missouri | 573-886-5275 Commerce Trust Company is a division of Commerce Bank.
NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE *Please consult a tax professional.
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WORK WHERE YOU PLAY 98
NOVEMBER 2021
Building lifestyle brands for the outdoors. BY M A RY CA ITLYN P OLOVIC H PH OTOS BY A N TH ON Y J IN SON
“
We work where we play,” American Outdoor Brands CEO Brian Murphy says, motioning towards the various animals mounted on the walls of their threeyear-old building in Columbia — a bright, open, fun space that serves as the headquarters for the rapidly growing company. American Outdoor Brands is an outdoor consumer product company consisting of 20 brands that are geared towards outdoor activities such as shooting sports, camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and personal protection. They are a company committed to creating legendary brands that inspire the spirit of adventure and help consumers make the most of the moments that matter. “We want our brands to go from being product orientated to lifestyle orientated — to inspire the next adventure and deliver in the moments that matter,” Brian says. Brian has been running American Outdoor Brands as CEO since 2016. He is a man of many talents; he has an undergraduate degree in finance and entrepreneurial management, a professional background on Wall Street, and is the author of the book See Mix Drink: A Refreshingly Simple Guide to Crafting the World’s Most Popular Cocktails. “I was actually voted most likely to be a professional cartoonist in high school,” Brian explains. “I’ve always been very entrepreneurial, and I had a mentor that said, ‘There are lots of creative people, but if you want to be effective, you should build out your quantitative skillset,’ which is how I ended up in finance.
Exterior photo and Brian Murphy’s headshot provided by American Outdoor Brands. COMOMAG.COM
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as a business called Battenfeld Technologies in the “I hated finance,” Brian adds. “But we have this early 2000s. Over time, their business started coming mantra in my family — we actually wear wristup with more innovative products, which they began bands, it’s kind of dorky — but it says, “We can do selling on their website. Through this, they found that hard things.” So, I thought, what is the hardest thing there was demand outside of Midway. However, since that I could do in finance? I hated it, but what was it is awkward to sell to retail competitors, they made the hardest thing that I could do to see if I could do the decision to sell Battenfeld Technologies to a priit? At the time, that was working on Wall Street, bevate equity firm in 2012. Smith ing an investment banker and selling companies. I ended up & Wesson purchased Battencold calling a bunch of people feld Technologies from the prion Wall Street and somehow vate equity group in 2015, and finagled myself into getting a Brian joined in late 2016 to run job. I never planned to stay in that part of the business. From finance — I always intended there, more brands were acto go into advertising — but quired and eventually that part I ended up being good on the of the business broke off from finance side because I providSmith & Wesson and became ed a creative perspective to its own business, American selling companies. I spent 5 Outdoor Brands. years in that industry workEvery one of the 20 brands ing on selling companies and that make up American Outrestructuring those that were door Brands fall into one of in financial distress. Fundafour lanes: Adventurer, Marksmentally, my background is in man, Harvester, or Defender. — BRIAN MURPHY strategy and finance.” Each brand lane has a team consisting of engineers, designers, product developers, writers, customer service reps, and more. American Outdoor Brands has a team of just American Outdoor Brands history is rooted in enover 300 employees — each highly creative and intrepreneurship. One of the reasons the company is novative when it comes to building out brands from headquartered in Columbia is because they spun out products to lifestyle staples. from MidwayUSA. Larry and Brenda Potterfield, the “We are very entrepreneurial, and if we have an founders of that business, started four brands, Caldidea for something, there is not a whole lot stopping well, Tipton, Wheeler, and Frankford Arsenal, as well
“IF WE HAVE AN IDEA FOR SOMETHING, THERE IS NOT A WHOLE LOT STOPPING US FROM GOING AND DOING IT.”
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us from going and doing it,” Brian says. “A lot of the brands we have look very different from 4 years ago — very old school. We’ve updated a lot and have really taken them from product-oriented brands to lifestyle brands, a brand someone can identify with if they are in this industry.” American Outdoor Brands has a trademarked strategy when it comes to their brands: Dock and Unlock. Dock the brands into brand lanes and go through a process to unlock their value. In this strategy, their brands have power to play and innovate. “We have done this for every one of our brands,” Brian says. “We start somewhere, then transition and execute on a pathway where each brand has what we call ‘permission to play,’ where we look at which product categories they can play in and which they can’t. Th is allows us to expand into more market categories and bigger markets as a result.” The company has a growth goal of $200 million in sales over the next four to five years without any new acquisitions, which would more than double their size today. They plan to execute this through expanding market share, getting into new product categories, reaching new consumer markets, and finding new distribution channels. “Expanding through market share,” Brian explains, “is basically taking an existing category like fi llet knives and getting into electric fi llet knives. New product categories: We didn’t used to be in tents, sleeping bags, or mattress pads, but they are big markets that our camping brands have permission to play in. New consumer markets: We want to reach consumers we weren’t reaching before that are new to us. And new distribution: Outdoor products usually go to stores
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like Bass Pro or Academy, but we have brands that could go to Home Depot, ACE Hardware, etc.” The pandemic served as a challenge for many companies in 2020, but the outdoor industry saw huge growth, resulting in great opportunities for American Outdoor Brands. “A lot of our competitors were thinking that COVID was the end — that the whole world is going to change — and we had a suspicion that people were going to start going outside,” Brian says. “We were prepared for the worst, but we saw this opportunity, so we ramped up our inventory and asked our suppliers to make more products, which allowed us to service customers when competitors couldn’t.” In just the last year, there were 8 to 10 million new firearm owners driven by personal protection needs, 8 million new campers, 3 million new fishing license holders, and 1 to 2 million new hunters. “The great thing about the infusion of new firearm owners is that it is a very different demographic than the past. Two-thirds of the new entrants are primarily women and people of color, which adds great diversity to the industry,” Brian explains. Last year, American Outdoor Brands launched over 40 patented products. Their new office features cutting-edge equipment that helps them continue to be innovative and quick when it comes to launching new products. Different variations of prototypes can be created in-house with 3D printers, allowing for the logistics of the product to be visualized, touched, tried, measured, and tweaked. With the machine shop, there is not much that can’t be prototyped in-house. Design concepts can be created, prototyped, and updated seamlessly, which allows the business to move forward to market more promptly. Through each round of prototypes, the product is presented to the team to get feedback or concerns, as well as to learn how their products work and are intended to be used. “Collaboration is one of our values, and we really spend the time to create areas that are highly collaborative,” Brian says. American Outdoor Brands is the only publicly traded company in Columbia. They are a high-growth company and committed to creating innovative lifestyle brands for the outdoor industry.
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RAPID QUESTIONS
with the CEO
embrace mistakes,
building to represent
and we aren’t hard
our headquarters,
on ourselves for
and closing the
making them. We ei-
other locations. That
ther win or we learn.
was hard because
We have a culture of
brands that were
continuous improve-
established in other
ment. We are always
states had their own
celebrating small
stories, and it was
victories.
tough to deliver that news, while
BRIAN MURPHY What is the biggest
at the same time
What is one
business move
it was exciting for
business mistake
you had to make
Columbia.
you made and
during your time at
what did you learn
American Outdoor
from it?
Brands so far?
We are all about
Choosing Columbia,
failing fast — we
building our new
There’s more! Visit comomag.com for more Rapid Questions with Brian Murphy.
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p ol ishedincom o .co m BY APPOINTMENT ON LY* Photos cou r te sy of Ca r ly B u ntin Photog ra phy @ c arly b u ntinp hoto
Banking on
COLUMBIA
Simmons Bank may be a relatively new name in Columbia, but most of the people serving customers are familiar faces. BY MICHEL L E TERHU NE
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It is July 1865. The Civil War ended in April. The fi rst public university west of the Mississippi River, the University of Missouri, is 26 years old. On the northeast corner of East Broadway and North Eighth Street, Exchange National Bank opens its doors to a growing Columbia. And so the history of that corner bank begins. Mergers and acquisitions are part and parcel of the banking industry. They provide inorganic growth of capital and assets while offering a way for banks to grow organically by increasing their customer base. It has been this way for a very long time. Carl Landrum bought Exchange National in 1964 and subsequently renamed it First National Bank & Trust Co. In 2009, Carl’s son, Mark Landrum, renamed it again while bringing the family’s banks in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas under a single name — Landmark Bank. Simmons Bank, based in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, has a distinguished history of its own, including making Fortune’s list of fastest growing companies in 2020 and Forbes’ list of best banks in America and the world in 2021. Founded in 1903, Simmons began acquiring other banks in 2010 as it looked to grow. In 2019, Simmons started a conversation with Landrum Co. and its Landmark Bank family. February 2022 will mark two years since Landmark converted to Simmons. The timing was memorable. CH-CH-CHANGES Change is never easy. It’s human nature to get comfortable with the status quo. So, when something changes — like the ownership of a bank, for example — some people worry. Matt Williams, regional market president for Simmons Bank in Columbia, says this happens with some customers in every ownership transition. But in 2020, there was little semblance of status quo in any aspect of life.
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New Ownership. Same Leadership.
The former Landmark Bank might be under new ownership, but the same people who have been there for years are still serving its customers. “Our people are always the thing that makes the difference,” says Matt Williams. “We’re really lucky to have a really great group of talented and tenured bankers who have been taking care of our customers for years.”
Kevin Gibbens (23 years)
Denise Whitworth (15 years)
Executive Vice President, Chairman for the Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas division, the largest Simmons division by total loans, deposits, and geography
Market Retail Manager for Columbia, Sedalia, and Kansas City
Holly Gieseke (22 years) Logan Dale (26 years) Executive Vice President, Community Division President for the Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas division headquartered at Simmons’ main bank in Columbia
Sabrina McDonnell (35 years) Executive Vice President, Chief Customer Experience Officer
Steve Tanzey (22 years) Senior Vice President, Division Credit Officer for the Missouri community division
Vice President of Quality Improvement Management
Cheryl (Jarvis) Hornsby (36 years) Senior Vice President, Manager of Private Client Banking
Leighanne Lamb (15 years) Mortgage banking leader for teams in Columbia, Sedalia, Kansas City, and St. Louis
Joe Ritter (15 years) Columbia private client team leader
Photo by Anthony Jinson
Within 30 days of converting to new ownership, the entire country had to change the way it did business. “Our staff was squarely in the middle of learning a new operating environment and new systems [when the pandemic hit], which was extremely challenging,” Matt says. “But I will tell you that I am extremely proud of our staff for the job they did of taking care of our customers and each other during such a challenging time. I think we came through last year and really emerged stronger because our team had a clear focus on what we had to do.” Pandemic or not, what customers do see when banks change hands are new services. Matt says that Simmons has made significant investments in the development of mobile and online banking digital platforms, which now benefit Landmark’s former customers. Simmons also brought along its branded Visa card, which was named the best low-interest credit card by CardRatings.com in 2020. Customer benefits were at the heart of Landmark’s decision to merge. Matt, a well-known regional banker in Columbia for the past 30 years and regional president for Landmark Bank before the merger, says Landmark did an analysis as part of a strategic planning process in 2019. As an independent bank for a very long time, Landmark made a critical decision. “After that analysis, Landmark decided that becoming part of a larger, growing organization like Simmons — with more resources, more technology and products — was really what was going to be the best long-term opportunity for Landmark’s customers,” Matt says. Another of those opportunities, while on the subject of “change,” is Simmons’ Coin Checking mobile app. It’s a completely digital banking option for those who don’t demand the brick-and-mortar banking experience. The increase in digital technology and the arrival of Millennials as the largest generation are two reasons for such growth throughout the banking industry. Throw in a pandemic, where bank lobbies were closed and staff worked remotely, and the timing of Simmons Bank’s arrival in Columbia helped Landmark’s former customers bank with ease.
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“There’s nothing quite like the relationship between a banker and their customer. That necessary trust and partnership is every bit as present with Simmons as it was with Landmark.”
TECHNOLOGY AND THE HUMAN FACTOR Banks have to strike the perfect balance between technology and personal relationships. It’s one of the few industries where the same products and services must work for customers from 18 to 118 years old. There is a wealth of differing opinions across that generational expanse. “There’s nothing quite like the relationship between a banker and their customer,” Matt says. “That necessary trust and partnership is every bit as present with Simmons as it was with Landmark. But you also have to provide the technology that customers are seeking.” Health and safety concerns related to the pandemic pushed some digital-reluctant customers into the 21st century. Nonetheless, Simmons wants to make sure the personal relationship remains intact. In a recent issue of Digital-First Banking Tracker by PYMNTS. com, an online industry publication, Sabrina McDonnell, Simmons executive vice president and chief customer experience officer, addressed the challenge of providing digital banking options while maintaining a personal touch, whether that’s in person, via video, or on the telephone. “If I can’t do it myself and I need personal assistance, I want a person on the other end of the phone who is empathetic, intuitive, and is ready to assist me,” Sabrina said. “And that combination is really what the customer relationship is all about.” Part of that human touch is hearing the same voices and seeing the same faces at Simmons that customers heard and saw for years at Landmark. “Simmons has a history in their acquisitions of keeping local management teams in place and running banks with the people who led them when they were acquired,” Matt says. In the case of the Simmons and Landmark merger, Matt says the people are the overwhelming strength of the institution. “Simmons really saw great value in the leadership team at Landmark,” he says. “You’ll see that reflected here where the same leaders drive market strategies and decisions are made locally, but also throughout the company. Many Landmark leaders have taken on greater responsibility in the Simmons Bank organization.” NEW BANK. SAME COMMITMENT. Matt says that banks are incredibly important to their communities. They provide fi nancial support, employ people who volunteer for local causes, and are driven by a desire to invest in the community itself. “I’ve never seen a better cultural fit than Simmons and Landmark,” Matt says. “Both banks had this really long history and commitment to serving local communities and to providing financial support to those communities. Our belief in community banking, now combined with our new size and scale, allows us to take care of our customers the way we always have in the past, but also to offer additional products and services.” There’s a new name on the building at Broadway and Eighth. What has remained the same since Exchange National Bank started lending money and accepting deposits is the commitment to Columbia’s residents and businesses, and to the people who serve them.
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