CBT | The Relationship Issue 2024

A COMO COMPANIES PUBLICATION THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE FEBRUARY 2024

COUPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW Drs. Lester & Christine Woods

THE

Relationship ISSUE

FALLING OUT OF LOVE WITH YOUR ACCOUNTANT? Make a date with one who... will answer your call helps you avoid the unexpected cares about your business Get the personalized service you deserve.

Serving businesses and individuals in Mid-Missouri.

TRUST COUNTS, TRUST US haasaccting.com | (636) 485-8118 rhaascpa@gmail.com |

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EDITORIAL Erica Pefferman, Publisher

Erica@comocompanies.com Kim Ambra, Editor-in-Chief

Kim@comocompanies.com Jodie Jackson Jr, Digital Editor

Jodie@comocompanies.com

Erica Pefferman

DESIGN Kate Morrow, Creative Director

Kate@comocompanies.com Jordan Watts, Senior Designer

Jordan@comocompanies.com MARKETING Charles Bruce, Director of Sales

Kim Ambra

Charles@comocompanies.com

Jodie Jackson Jr

Amanda Melton, Director of Account Services

Amanda@comocompanies.com J.J. Carlson, Director of Web Development

jj@comocompanies.com Sarah Hempelmann, Marketing Representative

shempelmann@comocompanies.com Becky Roberts, Marketing Representative

Becky@comocompanies.com

Kate Morrow

Jordan Watts

MANAGEMENT Erica Pefferman, President

Erica@comocompanies.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Anthony Jinson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ashley Angerer-Blunt, Jodie Jackson Jr, Matt McCormick, Jonathan Moberly, Michelle Terhune, Brian Toohey, Marcus Wilkins

Charles Bruce

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COMO Business Times and comobusinesstimes.com strive to be Columbia’s leading source for timely and comprehensive news coverage of the local business community.

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THE R EA L ONES

C BT | PU B L I S HE R' S LE T T E R

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have always been a highly relational person. I love people and their dreams and always feel excited about helping them in any way I can to accomplish them. One of the hardest things about being such a lover of people for me is that I’ve had to learn when to hold on and when to let go. This need for painful transitions has come in the form of friends, clients, vendors, and even my children to some degree as they have become adults. Through trial and error, I have learned that relationships with the following people have been critical for any of my past success and will be for reaching my future goals.

INNER CIRCLE FRIENDS It’s great to have a lot of friends. I love the many forms of friendships that I have with people – those that I see every day, those that I see seldom but it feels like we never miss a beat, and many other forms from acquaintance to “ride or dies.”

However, I have learned that the value of having your inner circle small and close cannot be overstated. Most people don’t have the mental and emotional capacity to be fully vulnerable and authentically engaged with more than a few people, but when we do engage in this capacity it is very rewarding.

I’ve had to choose to make changes in this space over the years to leave room for what I needed most from a few rather than some from a lot. Having friends that you know you can cry with, seek advice from, celebrate with, be vulnerable with, and that will show up for you in the middle of your darkest hour without having to be asked is priceless and is only possible with intentionality. I am blessed to have a few of these that have really helped support me through some tough times personally and professionally.

CONNECT WITH US:

I’ve learned that I can’t let the work cut me off from the ‘why.’

BOARD OF DIRECTORS This is the name I have for my team of advisors and professionals that I need to be a successful business owner. This is a team that consists of a banker, a lawyer, an accountant, an insurance agent, and a financial planner. (I’d add marketing person, but I get to be that for myself.)

Not only can they help keep you out of trouble, but if you have any modicum of success, they should all work together to help you maximize your success and profits. Having saved a business through COVID, I can tell you that this group of people is invaluable as well. Without question, my business wouldn’t be here today without them.

pass without catching up, so we have a Saturday morning coffee date on FaceTime every week. This is an example of what I needed to do to be able to stay connected to relationships that were very important to me.

The key to each version of these relationships is intentionality. People prioritize what is important to them. Simple yet true. Who is important to you? Do they know that?

ERICA PEFFERMAN PUBLISHER

FAMILY No amount of success matters if you don’t have your loved ones to share it with. Someone very close to me told me a story about working so hard to achieve their goals only to turn around when they accomplished them to find that those they wanted to share it with the most were gone. It can be a sad truth that as business owners, we feel there’s always time later for the family … that they will understand, but that’s not always true.

The relationships I have with my children and my sisters are my most treasured. I work hard for myself, because I love my work and it fulfills me. But I can’t do that at the cost of time with those that need me. I’ve learned that I can’t let the work cut me off from the “why.”

My sisters and I realized about a year ago that we accidentally let too much time

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/COMOBusinessTimes

ON THE COVER

Drs. Christine and Lester Woods.

Photo by Anthony Jinson

@COMOBusinessTimes

@COMOBizTimes

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C BT | ADVISO RY BOA R D

Meet the Advisory Board for COMO Business Times

CBT’s advisory board is made up of industry leaders and small business owners who help ensure CBT’s content is relevant to our local business community.

SHAWN BARNES

BROOKE BERKEY

NICKIE DAVIS

Director of Business Development and Recruiting Williams-Keepers LLC

VP Relationship Manager Central Bank

Executive Director The District, Downtown CID

MIKE GRELLNER

JEN HEDRICK

MATT McCORMICK

Vice President Plaza Commercial Realty

President SOA Architecture

President Columbia Chamber of Commerce

QUINTEN MESSBARGER

MATT MOORE

ERIC MORRISON

President & CEO Missouri Innovation Center, Inc.

Retired Shelter Insurance

President Sundvold Financial

SUZANNE ROTHWELL

STEVE SPELLMAN

BRIAN TOOHEY

MEGAN WALTERS

Vice President Advancement Division Columbia College

Senior Investment Officer The Bank of Missouri

CEO Columbia Board of REALTORS®

Founder & Team Lead The Walters Team, eXp Realty

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THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE 2024

FEB RUARY 2024 VO L . 2 / I S S UE 2

TA B L E O F CONT E NTS

The Relationship Issue 5 PUBLISHER'S NOTE 6 ADVISORY BOARD 8 CLOSER LOOK 9 MOVERS & SHAKERS 10 BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS 12 MINI FEATURE Entrepreneurs Without Borders

22 C.Y.S.K. The Drs. Woods

24 AS SEEN ONLINE Lovebirds

26 GUEST VOICES Ashley Angerer-Blunt

27 GUEST VOICES Matt McCormick

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28 GUEST VOICES Jonathan Moberly

30 GUEST VOICES Brian Toohey

CELEBRATIONS IMPACTING COLUMBIA, ONE INDIVIDUAL AT A TIME Newly rebranded Impact Support Services has a lot to celebrate.

36 WHAT'S GOING UP? 41 NEW BUSINESS LICENSES 42 DEEDS OF TRUST

31

37

Meant for Mentorship The Columbia Chamber of Commerce Women's Network cultivates connections and creates Leaders in the COMO community.

Opposing Forces Making money is the American way. But what happens when it’s at odds with those who need shelter to survive?

C BT | CLOSER LOO K

Closer Look LA CALLE 8 CAFE Owners Rafael Bobea and his wife, Itzel, have extended their passion for warmth, community, and diversity to the heart of Columbia with the opening of La Calle 8 Cafe, or as they like to call it, The 8th Street Cafe.

With roots extending from the Dominican Republic to Anaheim, California (Itzel’s parents hail from Mexico), they were eager to bring some of their ancestry to Columbia.

“Our cafe is designed to be both elegant and simple, offering a welcoming atmosphere accompanied by the vibrant beats of Latin music,” Rafael says. “We envisioned a diverse space, where everyone feels welcome and comfortable. Our espresso, a blend of five different coffee varieties, has quickly become a favorite among our patrons. For those seeking a taste of Dominican coffee, we brew Santo Domingo coffee daily.” The star of the menu is their famous Dulce de Leche latte, which gained popularity after being featured in the 20K-strong Facebook group, “The Good, the Bad, and Ugly COMO.” Rafael says the positive reviews and viral acclaim have been heartening.

Their goal at La Calle 8 is to provide a fun, elegant, and unique environment for patrons to enjoy a great cup of coffee, along with other menu items like paninis and tropical aguas frescas.

He adds, “We take pride in creating an Affogato that a customer returning from Italy deemed better than the ones he experienced abroad.”

214 S. Eighth St. | @lacalle8cafe | lacalle8cafe.square.site

ENDWELL TAVERNA Endwell Taverna is currently operating every Saturday at the Columbia Farmer’s Market, offering catering for small events and available for pop-ups, while the brick-and-mortar eatery is under construction. A grand opening is expected for spring 2024.

Endwell Taverna is a locally owned and operated Italian restaurant and pizzeria specializing in New York-style pizza, Italian cocktails, and classic Italian American fare. The restaurant offers an accessible dining experience that highlights the best features of Italian cuisine.

Endwell Taverna is a partnership between chef Ted Cianciosi and the chef/ owner of Ozark Mountain Biscuit and Bar, Bryan Maness, and associates.

“It’s impossible to cry while eating pizza. The New York-style pizza is defi nitely the north star at Endwell Taverna but we offer so much more,” Cianciosi says “New York-style pizza has a thin crust that is strong enough to carry a variety of toppings without going limp.” Endwell Taverna features a variety of Italian staples, seasonally driven pastas, locally sourced meats, and deli sandwiches served on sesame flat bread that is baked multiple times a day.

107 N. Ninth St. (coming Spring 2024) | endwelltaverna.com CBT

Would you like us to take a Closer Look at your business? Reach out to our Editor at kim@comocompanies.com.

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THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE 2024

C BT | M OVE R S & S HAK E RS

Movers & Shakers ASHLEY WILKERSON

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland announced that Ashley Wilkerson is the Gold Award Girl Scout from Columbia, Missouri for her extraordinary action addressing children’s literacy. Wilkerson said she was inspired to take on the project when COVID affected her community’s access to public libraries.

Wilkerson decided to take matters into her own hands by building and installing free mini libraries across her community in neighborhoods with a higher family population to reach more kids.

GLENN SMITH

Glenn Smith, PE, has joined the mechanical/electrical/ plumbing department of Klingner & Associates, P.C. as an engineer. Previously, Smith spent nine years managing the design and construction of numerous facilities projects for the State of Missouri.

He holds professional licensure in Missouri and a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering with minors in aerospace engineering and mathematics from the University of Missouri. He is a member of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers and the American

Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and AirConditioning Engineers.

BROOKE TRAMMELL

Knorr Marketing Communications Events announces the addition of a new team member.

Brooke Trammell joined KMC Events as an events manager. She works on event design and concepts, manages logistics planning and coordinating, and leads onsite operations for events.

She also serves as a liaison between clients, vendors, and the KMC team.

Trammell previously worked as an event accountant for Maritz Global Events, learning the back end of the event industry.

She has a bachelor’s degree in public relations with a minor in agriculture from Missouri State University.

TIM MYERS

Tim Myers has been selected as a Top Chief Information Security Officer by Cyber Defense magazine.

Myers joins a list of 150 security professionals nationwide selected for the honor among more than 2,700 applicants. He serves as the manager of information technology security and operations at Missouri Employers Mutual.

At MEM, Myers is responsible for all areas

connected with computer operations including data center and network and server engineering, security, asset management, service desk, telecommunications, and third-party vendor management. He has more than twenty-five years of experience in the information technology field.

He joined MEM in 2017.

WI LK ERS ON

JAMIE McDONALD

The Board of Directors of Girls for the Run Heart of Missouri announced that Jamie McDonald has joined their council as executive director. She received her education at Mizzou.

McDonald has worked in the non-profit arena for the last six years, with years of experience in volunteering, marketing, and grant writing.

SMITH

TRA M M ELL

WILLIAM MAHAN

UScellular has named William Mahan store manager of the Columbia location at 2703 E. Broadway, Ste. 141. Mahan is responsible for leading his team to help customers select the devices, plans, and consumer electronics to best meet their needs.

He brings more than five and a half years of wireless industry experience with UScellular to this position, most recently serving as a sales manager in Moberly. CBT

M YERS

MAHAN

Are you or your employees moving up in the Columbia business community? Send us your news at kim@comocompanies.com

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CBT

Briefly in the News

GIVING BACK

UScellular Donates Equipment to Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia’s Photography Club UScellular is giving back to the community by donating needed items to Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia. With its “Gift of Connection” program, UScellular is donating $5,000 worth of equipment to support the organization’s photography club.

The club received Dell computers, Apple iPads, and cases, a Fujifilm camera and film, a 4K camcorder, Apple pencils, a phone tripod, a lighting kit, and a ring light.

“Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia does so much for the Columbia community, so we want to help them deliver the much-needed support they provide with a donation of equipment for its photography club,” said Teri Twyman, agent development manager for UScellular in Missouri and Kansas.

The donation is one of forty nonprofit donations to organizations across the country in honor of UScellular’s 10

THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE 2024

fortieth anniversary. The company is helping organizations that bring people and communities together to enjoy connections through arts, music, sports, and food.

Since 2009, UScellular has invested more than $35 million in monetary donations, technology resources, and countless experiences to nonprofit organizations across the country.

COMMUNITY

MU Health Care to Partner with Red Slipper Warrior Project MU Health Care is partnering with Red Slipper Warrior Project to help girls find their warrior spirit while maintaining their identity in the process. The Red Slipper Warrior Project was founded after CEO Tim Tinnin’s late wife, Angie, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. She often remarked that she felt like cancer had become all that she was.

B R I E FLY I N T HE NEWS

Tinnin took his experience with Missouri’s SWAT team to create a way to foster the “warrior mindset” within women and girls going through a cancer diagnosis. Now RSWP has grown to include a package for women that includes a go-bag, sparkly slippers, and a community to rally behind the warrior. Little girls receive Hope, a stuffed bunny with their slippers, so they know they never have to fight alone.

We have sent packages to twentythree states, Canada, and the UK, and now we are thrilled to be launching this project on a wider scale with our partners at MU Health Care,” Tinnin says. “Every little girl receiving treatment will be a Warrior.”

RSWP’s goal is to reach every little girl and every woman who is “in the fight” and help them become better advocates for their cause.

GIVING BACK

‘Hug a Hero’ Campaign Raises $4,925 for The Fisher House Central Bank of Boone County and Central Bank of Audrain County collected $4,925 in donations for the Mid-Missouri Fisher House at the Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital during its “Hug a Hero” event in November.

Visitors could donate $10 to the Fisher House and receive a “Hug a Hero” hat at any Boone or Audrain county branch location. The check was presented to The Fisher House at a bank-wide celebration. The MidMissouri Fisher House serves as a “home away from home” for the families of veterans or military service members receiving treatment at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Medical Center. There is no cost to stay and there is no financial eligibility required.

EDUCATION

Columbia College

“Investing in the teachers of today and tomorrow is as critical as ever, Columbia College is committed to partnering with current and future educators every step of the way.”

— D R . S A ND R A HA M AR

Receives Grant to Grow Missouri Educator Workforce Columbia College recently received a $70,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that the college will use to launch its ConnectUP! Program, which aims to build and strengthen the statewide teacher workforce.

The grant was awarded through the state of Missouri’s “Developing an Educator Workforce that Expands Yearly” awards, also known as the DEWEY awards. The college was one of fifteen higher education institutions to receive equivalent awards.

“Investing in the teachers of today and tomorrow is as critical as ever,” says Dr. Sandra Hamar, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

“Columbia College is committed to partnering with current and future educators every step of the way. This program is a three-stage approach toward helping teachers while emphasizing increased opportunities in rural areas.”

The program will recruit new students interested in becoming a teacher by giving them access to technology resources such as laptops and internet connection to take online or virtual courses; provide scholarships to existing students during their student teaching

semester where they are paired with an experienced teacher and mentored in the profession; and offer monetary support to help graduates purchase teaching and learning supplies in their first or second year of teaching.

H E A LT H

Big Tree Medical Introduces Bioidentical Hormone Pellets Big Tree Medical, a local concierge medical practice, announces the addition of bioidentical hormone pellets to its range of personalized healthcare services for both men and women. The new offering is designed to optimize hormonal balance, a common concern that can impact various aspects of daily life. The key benefits of bioidentical hormone pellets are: • Increased energy – Achieve a renewed sense of vitality and stamina.

• Balanced mood – Regain emotional equilibrium for a more stable and positive outlook.

• Improved sleep – Experience better sleep quality and enhanced overall well-being.

• Mental clarity – Sharpen cognitive function and mental acuity.

• Restored libido – Enhance intimacy and overall sexual wellness. CBT COMOBUSINESSTIMES.COM

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BORD E NT R E PRE N E U R S

Columbia, Missouri and Cape Town,

South Af rica swap ideas and students.

BY J O D I E JAC KS O N J R

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THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE 2024

DERS WIT HO UT

W

ith the temperature hovering just above freezing, Columbia visitor Tiisetso Madisha pulled his heavy red coat shut and shivered. Back in Cape Town, South Africa, more than 8,600 miles away where Madisha attends Western Cape University, the early December weather was a balmy eight-four degrees.

Madisha and fellow WCU student Bobongile Bidla were halfway through a two-week stay at the University of Missouri. The pair of student entrepreneurs came to Columbia through the Entrepreneurs Without Borders partnership between Mizzou and WCU. The South African scholar-entrepreneurs were also the guest presenters at the Columbia 1 Million Cups gathering at the REDI Hub on December 6.

“We all think we are so different and live in different worlds — until we talk,” Bidla said a week later before a going away presentation at the MU’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) on the bottom floor of Cornell Hall. “We face the same challenges and opportunities.”

CEI director J. Scott Christianson beamed at Bidla’s observation.

“This exchange is so rich,” he explained. “The lessons our students learn will last a lifetime. That is what is most gratifying.”

In July 2023, Mizzou juniors Nez Redi and Michael Moriarty traveled from Columbia to WCU for a two-week trip in the first exchange in the Entrepreneurs Without Borders pilot program.

The CEI is housed within the Trulaske College of Business and focuses on creating opportunities for students to learn outside the classroom through building connections with international collaborators.

Moriarty’s business, EcoReuse, focuses on keeping furniture out of landfills by repurposing discarded items that often have not worn out. Redi’s first business was a clothing brand with a similar aim of sustainability and eco-friendliness.

“It’s not just the shirt or the style, but what does the brand stand for?” Redi explained. Connecting the vision of that message to potential customers — “let them see the change we’re trying

Top photo; from left to right: Michael Moriarty (MU), Babongile Bidla (WCU), J. Scott Christianson (CEI director), Tiiseto Madisha (WCU), and Nez Redi (MU).

Left: Tiiseto Madisha and Bobongile Bidla presented their insights to Columbia’s 1 Million Cups gathering on December 6.

to make in the world” — is one of his biggest challenges, whether in the U.S. or on another continent.

“The entrepreneurial ecosystem emerged from COVID energized,” Christianson said. And that energy is feeding the concept of “social entrepreneurship,” which he explained as, “I want to build a business, but I want to do something good in the world.”

Moriarty and Redi both stressed the importance of collaboration and building community when they went to Cape Town. Madisha and Bidla said they saw examples of those ideals during their time in Columbia, noting that the collaborative nature of startups and entrepreneurs was especially notable among the 1 Million Cups meeting group.

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Bidla, a political studies master’s candidate at UWC, is interested in learning how organizations use technology to address key social issues, and she works as a research assistant and freelance content writer. Madisha, a senior studying business communications, economics, and financial management, is a founder of the LAMP program designed to connect high school students with university study opportunities, in addition to providing career guidance.

Madisha’s program will incorporate virtual reality to help expose high schoolers in South Africa to post-secondary opportunities. He said three out of every five students there don’t finish high school.

Whether from South Africa or Columbia, entrepreneurs making presentations at 1 Million Cups have the same needs: financing and connection to working capital, connecting with customers, and making sure their pricing structure is adequate and sustainable. But the differences are stark.

Columbia’s unemployment rate is around 2.4 percent. In South Africa, the unemployment rate hovers just below 30 percent, the highest on the African con-

tinent. A national energy emergency also hampers and discourages business success in South Africa, which practices “load shedding,” an ongoing period of national blackouts of energy supply.

Madisha and Bidla said they are committed to helping improve the South African economy, but they also see global possibilities for their companies.

They both said the 1 Million Cups experience and questions from the group made an impression. They were eager to connect with or help initiate a 1 Million Cups chapter in the Cape Town area, where connecting with government agencies designed to provide guidance for startups is difficult and time consuming. It can take up to two months to get an appointment with the Small Enterprise Development Agency, Madisha said.

Bidla said she was even more confident that collaboration, rather than competition, is the key to businesses helping other businesses get started and succeed.

“We need to not be afraid to take a risk and not be afraid to look for people to collaborate with,” she added.

When Moriarty and Redi traveled from MU to UWC, they attended lectures on business practices and participated in entrepreneurship workshops — while setting aside plenty of time to explore some of Cape Town’s storied historical buildings and tourist attractions.

“Going to South Africa was exactly the experience I needed,” Redi said. “Witnessing another group of people going through life and observing their struggles helped me to tap into my creativity.”

Redi and Moriarty worked with local entrepreneurs at UWC where they traded and brainstormed ideas, workshopped prototypes, and shared feedback with one another.

Moriarty said he learned what entrepreneurship looks like from a global vantage point, adding, “This is an experience that I feel will help me jumpstart my future career.”

Meanwhile, Christianson said he was encouraged by seeing and hearing about the Entrepreneurs Without Borders experience.

“Our challenges do not seem to be lessening as time goes on,” he said, pointing to the student entrepreneurs in the room at Cornell Hall. “Young people like this – they are going to be the ones to solve it.” CBT

WHAT THE

BUSINESS

PROS KNOW

BANKING

Brad Roling Mid America Bank

COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION

Vaughn Prost Prost Builders

MARKETING

ACCOUNTING

Erica Pefferman

Kristie Kopriva

COMO Marketing

Accounting Plus + Insurance Plus

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BANKING

BANKING LOCAL, MORE THAN JUST AN APP ON YOUR PHONE

WHAT THE

BRAD ROLING

Market President – Columbia

573-615-2343 | midambk.com

2.

Convenience: Ever had a day of running errands that included multiple trips to different banks?

Building a relationship with your local bank can cut the hassle of having multiple accounts at different banks. You can streamline processes and have just one or two points of contact for all your banking needs.

3.

Increased Security: Banks use state-of-the-art security to make sure your money and information stays safe. It’s also important for you to stay diligent and aware of any suspicious activity. Having a relationship with your bank means they are more likely to know when something on your account looks suspicious and alert you of the activity.

broling@midambk.com

I

1.

Build credibility: One of the most important reasons to establish a relationship with your local bank is to build credibility. The more dealings you have with your bank, the more they get to know you and view you as a reliable customer. This can make it easier to obtain loans or lines of credit, open accounts or have access to other financial services.

PROS KNOW

Brad Roling is the Columbia Market President for Mid America Bank. Brad has more than 10 years of banking experience that he uses to help businesses in and around Columbia thrive. When he is not helping your business with its financial needs, Brad is serving the community in a variety of capacities. He is proud to serve on the Ronald McDonald House Mid-Missouri Board of Directors as Treasurer, the Columbia Chamber Foundation Board, and Beta Theta Pi Advisory Board. Brad is a proud Mizzou grad and loves cheering on the Tigers!

By Brad Roling

n today’s world, you can do almost anything right from the phone in your hand. It’s handy to bank that way as well.

While digital banking is convenient, secure, and a great way to do business on the go, there are many benefits to banking somewhere local. Banking local means a place where you can walk in and speak to a person face to face, who knows your name and your business. Let’s talk about why having a relationship with your local bank is important and beneficial.

BUSINESS

4.

Personalized Advice: Having conversations with your bank and banker about your financial goals gives you an invaluable resource for building your personal or business goals. When you have a good relationship with your bank, they

can offer sound, personalized advice pertaining to your financial situation.

This will help you plan for the long-term and set yourself or your business up for success.

Taking the time to establish yourself with your local bank has many benefits for you and your business. And while looking for a bank that is the right fit for your needs may take time, it will be very worthwhile and pay dividends in the end. If you are searching for a local, community focused bank to work on your financial goals, I would love to talk. It’s never too late to achieve your dreams.

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HOW TO DECIDE IF SOLAR IS RIGHT FOR YOU

WHAT THE

VAUGHN PROST

BUSINESS

Owner & President

PROS KNOW

Vaughn Prost is the owner and president of Prost Builders lnc., a design/build and construction services firm located in Columbia. Vaughn has over forty years of domestic and international design and construction experience as a cost and scheduling engineer, structural engineer, owner’s construction representative, and general contractor.

By Vaughn Prost info@prostbuilders.com

D

oes solar-generated electricity make sense for you?

Maybe. Maybe not. Everyone’s situation is different, and you can’t really know until you have done a full evaluation. At Missouri Solar Applications, we have a process in which we work with you to determine if solar is a good opportunity for your business and/or your home. Sometimes it doesn’t make good financial sense. Sometimes it is a no-brainer.

Often, the answer is somewhere in between.

First and foremost to consider are your goals. Do you want to “go green” and decrease your carbon footprint? Would you like to lower or eliminate your electric bill?

Is it important for you to have emergency backup in case the grid goes down for a time? All these factors go into the decision to get solar and what sort of solar system we would design for you.

A key part of our process is mapping out a year’s worth of your electric usage. This helps us design a system which optimizes the money you spend. In Missouri, a solar system is going to produce very well in the late spring, summer, and early fall and then not as much in the winter. We want to make sure we design a system for you that considers projected production and your pattern of usage so that you don’t pay for a solar electric system that is too big or end up with one that is too small.

With net metering, when you produce more solar than you need in the summer, that excess production goes back on the grid and to your utility company. In the winter when you aren’t producing as much, you can get your excess credits back. But since Columbia’s net metering only gives you the retail amount back, we consider this when helping you decide how big of a system to buy.

(573) 635-0211 | prostbuilders.com 3305 Crawford Street Columbia, MO 65203

We also help you determine which solar incentives you may be able to take advantage of: Federal tax credits, utility rebates, federal grant and accelerated depreciation are the primary incentives to consider. We factor these into your final proposal. At MSA, we can also help you update your lighting so that you have the most energy-efficient lighting. This can lower your electric usage and factor into the overall payback calculations.

Over the years there has been an increased emphasis on renewable energy with solar being a key part of the plan. Utility companies are investing millions of dollars into big solar farms to decrease their reliance on oil and coal. These investments need to be paid for, which often means the cost is passed onto the consumer resulting in higher rates.

When you invest in your own personal solar system and are generating your own power, you lock in your costs and eventually end up with free electricity. If you need to finance the upfront costs, you can end up swapping your payment to the utility for a payment to the bank. The difference is, eventually you pay off the initial costs and then you just have free electricity. It’s an investment that pays for itself in a short amount of time.

Give us a call for more information and for a free site survey and no-obligation consultation to help you determine if solar is right for you. There may be no better time than now to consider making a solar investment. An investment in your own solar energy plant!

Missouri Solar Applications has been providing quality solar systems to Missouri since 2008 and is associated with local general contractor Prost Builders — still going strong after 75 years. We are one of the top local solar companies in Missouri with: • More than 400 solar systems installed.

• Utility rebate and USDA grant specialist on staff for “free money” if you qualify.

• OSHA trained and certified installers.

• Our own team of professionals including structural and electrical engineers, lighting technicians, and grant writers.

• Insured with multi-million-dollar coverage.

• We use American-made solar products.

• Principals active in solar energy for over 45 years.

• Better Business Bureau accredited.

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MARKETING

WHAT THE

ERICA PEFFERMAN

THE IMPORTANCE OF ROCK-SOLID PARTNERSHIPS IN MARKETING

President & Owner

BUSINESS

PROS KNOW

Erica Pefferman is the owner and president of COMO Companies, which owns and operates COMO Magazine, COMO Business Times, COMO Marketing, and COMO Tickets. In 2017, Erica was named Outstanding Business Woman of the year and her team was named the Columbia Chamber Of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year.

By Erica Pefferman erica@comomarketing.co

B

uilding a strong relationship between a client and an agency in marketing is like having a solid foundation for a successful business bromance. It’s not just about exchanging pleasantries; it’s about creating a dynamic duo that can conquer the marketing world together. So, why is this relationship so important?

First off, communication is the name of the game. Picture this: a client and agency that are on the same wavelength, vibing together like peanut butter and jelly. When there’s a chill flow of communication, ideas get tossed around, plans come together, and everyone’s nodding in agreement. No one wants a marketing miscommunication meltdown – it’s all about keeping it real and making sure everyone’s on the same page.

Trust is another major player. You know you’ve hit the jackpot when a client can kick back and relax, knowing their agency has got their back. Trust is like the secret sauce in a successful marketing recipe.

Clients need to trust that the agency can whip up some creative magic and make their brand shine. Likewise, agencies need to trust that the client knows their audience and goals inside out. It’s a twoway street, and when trust is present, it’s smooth sailing.

Collaboration is the cool kid at the party.

Imagine a brainstorming session where everyone is tossing around ideas like confetti, feeding off each other’s creativity.

A great client-agency relationship means working together seamlessly. It’s not

573.499.1830 | comomarketing.co

just about the agency doing their thing; it’s about the client jumping into the creative mix. When both sides bring something to the table, that’s when the marketing magic happens.

Flexibility is the laid-back surfer dude of the client-agency relationship. In marketing, things can change on a dime – trends, audience preferences, you name it. A solid partnership allows for some easygoing flexibility. Need to pivot the strategy? No problem. A chill clientagency duo can ride the waves of change without wiping out.

Efficiency and cost-effectiveness are like the dynamic duo of Batman and Robin. A well-oiled client-agency relationship means fewer hiccups, less back-and-forth, and more bang for the buck. Nobody wants to waste time and resources on unnecessary backpedaling.

When the client and agency are in sync, they can tackle projects with superherolevel efficiency.

In the end, the relationship between a client and agency in marketing is all about keeping it casual, yet effective.

It’s like having a great conversation over a cup of coffee – relaxed, enjoyable, and full of ideas. So, whether you’re the client or the agency, remember to keep it cool, communicate like buddies, trust the process, collaborate like a dream team, stay flexible, and watch the magic unfold in the most laid-back way possible.

Cheers to the power of a chill clientagency connection!

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KRISTIE KOPRIVA

BUILDING COMMUNITY WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION: A NEW ERA OF TEAM UNITY

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Executive Assistant As the Executive Assistant, Kristie is integral to the effectiveness of the organization, serving as the right hand person to the partners and the team, to ensure smooth operation of dayto-day activities and also social and community events.

573-445-3805 accountingplusinc.com 573-615-0291 insuranceplusllc.com

By Kristie Kopriva kristie@accountingplusinc.com

I

n a time when traditional pillars of community like social clubs and neighborhood gatherings are less central in people’s lives, businesses have a unique opportunity and dare I say—obligation, to fill that role for their teams. As an Executive Assistant, part of my responsibility is to help foster a sense of community here at our firm and I want to share with you some ways to increase the impact on your team: EMBRACE THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY HUB • Shared Values and Vision: Cultivate a company culture that resonates with a shared sense of purpose, much like that found in traditional communities.

• Inclusive Social Events: Plan and host events that are not purely business-focused, allowing team members to forge deeper connections.

COMMUNICATE WITH COMPASSION • Open Conversations: Encourage open-hearted dialogue that builds trust and a sense of belonging among team members.

• Active Listening: Show genuine interest in the lives and well-being of your staff, actively acknowledging their contributions both in and out of the office.

CELEBRATE AND SUPPORT • Recognition: Acknowledge personal milestones as well as professional achievements, reinforcing that every individual is valued beyond their work output.

• Support Networks: Create systems for peer-to-peer support, mentorship, and collaboration that mirror the mutual aid found in traditional communities.

LEAD WITH PURPOSE AND EMPATHY • Lead by Example: Live out the values of community and empathy, inspiring your team to do the same.

• Empathy in Action: Understand the challenges your team faces outside of work and be prepared to offer flexibility and support.

In this new age, let’s redefine the workplace as a source of community, unity, and shared purpose. It’s time to build organizations that not only succeed in business but also enrich the lives of their members, fostering a sense of belonging that many yearn for.

You may not have a staff member dedicated to this role at your business, but the job is important nonetheless and can be infused in small ways to create huge impact on the lives of those at your workplace.

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Impacting Columbia, One Individual at a Time

BY M ICHELLE TER HU N E

IF YOU HAVEN’T HEARD MUCH about Alternative Community Training (ACT) lately, that may be because you missed the organization’s big news. As of November 1, 2023, ACT is Impact Support Services — a rebrand that better reflects its role in providing a variety of services to individuals with disabilities in Columbia.

Impact Support Services (ISS) was Missouri’s first provider of independent living services more than three decades ago.

Even though there are now thousands of ISL providers in the state, Impact Support Services is still an industry leader. In fact, the Viewpoint project, which produces award-winning documentaries designed to inspire and educate, is producing a series about Impact Support Services and the work it does. Actor and host Dennis Quaid will tell Impact Support Services’ story far and wide when the documentary begins airing on public television partner stations this spring.

“We have always put individuals first, so we’ve never actively taken part in traditional marketing or promotion,” says Don Lafferty, ISS executive director. “With the name change, our upcoming fiftieth anniversary, our expanding services, and all of the opportunities we’ve made available to our community, we are being more vocal about shining a light on our services. Every aspect of your life can and should include everyone regardless of ability. We actively make that a reality.”

The organization’s rebranding grew out of a strategic plan shepherded by Lafferty when he took over as executive director.

The organization’s mission and its name

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needed to catch up and reflect its broadened scope of services.

“The services available to individuals utilizing Impact Support Services reflect everyday life,” Lafferty says. “We provide five essential services, including day services, youth services, career services, residential services, and in-home family services. Our mission is to connect people to meaningful experiences to live the life of their choosing.”

“Choice” is also an integral part of how the organization operates.

“The individuals we serve tell us the services they want, when they want it, and where,” Lafferty says. “Our 225 staff don’t decide where to go for an outing. The individuals we serve make that choice and our team makes it happen.”

Heather McGee, director of marketing and development, says “connection” is another reason the organization embraces its new brand.

“We want to connect with more families, more people who want to live independently, more employers who have career opportunities to fill, and more of our expanding community,” McGee says.

“That’s what it’s all about — creating an inclusive community where everyone belongs, participates, and is valued.”

MORE RESOURCES TO RESPOND TO GROWING NEEDS Impact Support Services is funded by a combination of state and federal tax dollars, individuals’ Social Security Disabil-

ity benefits, and some Vocational Rehabilitation and Boone County funding. It also receives grants from a variety of organizations partnering in its work, and donations from individuals, families, and businesses, via its website or through CoMoGives.

Donations help pay for a long list of items, including assistive medical equipment, day trips, going to the movies or out to eat, eyeglasses, dental work, coats, work uniforms, transportation, and a lot more. Impact Support Services is focusing on growing donations to help the organization purchase much-needed housing that will help individuals maintain their independence.

“There’s a big need for affordable and accessible housing in Columbia,” Lafferty says. “The individuals using our residential services often have to find long-term roommates to help pay the rent for a living space that’s clean and in good repair.

There is such a need for housing that we’re committed to finding property, purchasing it, and making it accessible.”

A new brand, a YouTube channel, a commitment to quality affordable housing, and a documentary in production aren’t the only changes on the horizon.

In early spring 2024, Impact Support Services’s management team and career services will move to 14,000 square feet of space currently under renovation at 1605 Chapel Hill Road. Day and youth services will remain in their current location at 2200 Burlington, opening up space to serve even more individuals.

As the number of those it serves grows, so does Impact Support Services’s need for

1975

1987

1989

1995

2023

Alternative Community Training incorporated in 1975.

ACT becomes the organizations new name.

ACT opens its new facility at 2200 Burlington.

Services expand beyond Boone County.

ACT rebrands to Impact Support Services.

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C E LE BRAT IONS

“We want to be a strong, local, vocal proponent for individuals with disabilities. We want to educate others about the value of including individuals with disabilities in their lives.”

— DON LAFFERTY, executive director

more employees who are passionate about working with individuals with disabilities.

Its staff delivers tens of thousands of hours of service every year. And other Columbia businesses seeking employees should take note: In the last five years, Impact Support Services has connected individuals with employment opportunities in more than 125 companies as part of its career services. The organization is always on the lookout for more individuals seeking employment and for more businesses seeking great employees.

SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE In September 2025, Impact Support Services will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary.

The organization has grown tremendously throughout its history, but its primary focus has remained constant.

“We want to be a strong, local, vocal proponent for individuals with disabilities,” Lafferty says. “We want to educate others about the value of including individuals with disabilities in their lives.” CBT

IMPACT SUPPORT SERVICES 1605 Chapel Hill Road (as of spring 2024) 573-474-9446 Impactmissouri.org

Spring 2024 Impact Support Services expand to an additional 14,000 sq ft location at 1605 Chapel Hill Rd. COMOBUSINESSTIMES.COM

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CBT

C

THE DRS. WOODS

A shared passion for souls and community intersects for this couple’s careers and family.

Bishop Lester Woods and Pastor Christine Woods are co-founders of Urban Empowerment Ministries, which has evolved and grown in its nearly twenty-years of community service to become one of the most influential churches and movements in Columbia.

HOW DID YOU MEET?

Lester: I’m a musician and Christine is a singer. We met on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia during a Legion of Black Collegian Gospel Choir rehearsal. I was asked to play keyboard for the choir and she was a singer.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DATE?

Lester: We went to lunch at G&D Steakhouse.

Christine: Although I don’t think he expected me to order a steak. But what was I supposed to eat? I wanted what he ordered: A KC strip, of course.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO WORK TOGETHER?

Lester: Recently, the main time we really work together is in the church or on special events, or on ideas for the church or community.

Christine: Most of the time we understand each other’s body language and we know if something is working well or isn’t. Working together seems to work well.

WHAT KEEPS YOU BUSY

After work, I often have activities at the church or planning sessions for the Source Summit community work.

justice, we just fit like a hand and glove, even though we do the same work but through different methods.

WHAT INTERESTS OR EXCITES

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE

YOU ABOUT WORKING IN THE

HOLD FOR THE TWO OF YOU?

HEALTHCARE FIELD?

Christine: The most excitement I get is to have the privilege of breaking barriers and stigma of mental health that has plagued people of color and other underserved populations.

Lester: I work full-time in Jefferson City.

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WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?

WHAT IS THE KEY TO A LASTING AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP?

Lester: The 3 C’s — Communication, Compromise, and Complement.

Communication is a two-way conversation where you listen and respond. Compromise is where you don’t necessarily get everything you want, but ensure each other’s needs are met. Complement is where each of your gifts and talents support each other to make each other whole.

Christine: Communication and spending quality time with each other.

WHAT IS YOUR PARTNER’S BEST QUALITY?

Lester: The best quality of Christine is her ability to overcome obstacles and excel in every aspect of her passion.

Christine: Lester is passionate. He’s a family man: a provider, protector, a priest, and prophet in our home. He provides for me and the girls.

Lester: I like to ride my bike on the local trails.

Christine: I mostly like to stay home and do something completely mindless, like watching “Good Times” all day — spending days when I don’t have to exert any mental energy.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ART/ CULTURE ACTIVITY IN COLUMBIA?

Lester: Driving around the city looking at houses and enjoying the city’s growth and development.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN COLUMBIA?

Christine: We love to eat out! We frequent our favorites such as G&D Steakhouse, CC’s City Broiler, G&D Pizzaria, and Murry’s.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT TO WORK ON TOGETHER?

YOUR RELATIONSHIP?

Lester: Our favorite project together has been our family. Raising our two daughters, Lesli and Kiyah, has been the joy of our life!

Christine: We have different career paths, but they complement each other. With our foundations of social

Christine: Raising our two beautiful daughters. Th is brings us the greatest fulfi llment. CBT

DURING THE WEEK?

Christine: I own Crowned Counseling, a mental health group practice, and work as an assistant teaching professor for the School of Social Work.

Lester: I think we have a future of community service and support, which will bring a positive change to many in our sphere of influence.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT

Photo by Anthony Jinson

CO U PL E YO U S HOULD KNOW

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CBT

Lovebirds

A Columbia couple enjoys playful love and marriage a second time around.

BY J O D I E JAC KS O N J R

W

hen their fi rst New Year’s Eve together rolled around ten years ago, Bob Bartlett and Priscilla Bevins made a just-for-fun list of resolutions.

“One of the resolutions was to say, ‘I love you’ at least once every day, and mean it,” Priscilla recalls.

“I don’t think we’ve missed,” Bob interjects with a bright smile that illustrates how the nonagenarian couple — he’s 98, she’s 92 — is as playful, or more so, than even younger married couples.

Priscilla agrees.

“Even if he’s driving too close” to other cars, she says. “But I still love him.”

And the playful banter commences.

“She’s trying to tell me how to drive,” Bob explains. “I’ve been driving since I was 14 years old.”

There was also an epic road trip more than 70 years ago when Bob and his Navy buddy, Lewis Brooks, grew bored with their jobs, bought an Army surplus Jeep, and drove from Virginia to Latin America on what would later become the Pan American Highway.

“That doesn’t prove a thing,” Priscilla adds with a measure of self-reflection.

“I’ve always been too ready to make a comment about his driving — or my fi rst husband’s driving. Every now and then I’ll say, ‘You’re on your own. I’m going to shut my eyes.’ And miraculously we get there.”

“Getting there” has been a lifelong adventure for both Bob and Priscilla. His fi rst wife, Ada, died in 2013 just shy of their sixty-third anniversary. Priscilla’s 24

THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE 2024

fi rst husband — also named Bob — was a fifty-five-year love affair at the time of his death. Her second Bob is like her fi rst — caring and thoughtful — yet different in many ways.

“When I talk in my sleep and mention Bob, he doesn’t know who I’m talking about,” she says trying to hide a playful smile. Priscilla had two strokes last summer and Bob was diagnosed with a heart issue, but that didn’t temper their open affection for each other.

“I think that because of our health issues, we’re probably both afraid of losing each other,” she adds. “But I think maybe that’s a little harder for Bob. I survived the death of one husband. I know the world

doesn’t end, even though it left a huge hole in my heart.” She points toward Bob No. 2. “I think that’s one reason he’s turned as bossy as he has — he thinks I’m overextending myself.”

So, who is the boss? Bob starts to answer, “Um ...” and Priscilla quickly quips, “It’s still undecided.” Bob smiles again.

“I suppose as we’re getting older, each of us is afraid of losing our competency, and trying harder to control things is part of how that’s expressed,” Bob adds.

Back in 2013, about three months after losing Ada, Bob bumped into Priscilla on his way into a class to get help with his new iPad. Priscilla, who had been widowed two years prior, was leaving her class on how to use Facebook. They’d already known each other for about thirty years through their involvement at Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Columbia, but they struck up a brief conversation that day and agreed to go on their fi rst date.

There were five more dates the following week as the pair kept finding more ways that they were connected. They were married on August 3, 2013. Priscilla moved into Bob’s home at Lenoir Woods.

The Lenoir community prides itself on helping older adults age in place; Lenoir also has assisted living options.

“We could be in assisted living right now, or in the future,” Priscilla says.

Both Bob and Priscilla are well-traveled. Bob’s varied experiences include Naval service in the waning years of World

A S S E E N ONLINE

War II. Though he wasn’t deployed during the war, he was asea during post-war actions. Born in Newport News, Virginia, he was employed by the Shipyard there, and was connected to that industry for multiple years. Priscilla was raised in Ohio.

Both couples enjoyed traveling, and travel remained a vital part of their lives when Bob and Priscilla got married.

“We could do just about practically everything for ourselves and traveled a lot,” he says. Priscilla adds, “We said at the time that we knew the day would come that we wouldn’t be able to do that. But we’re not going to sit and pout. We’ll be glad.”

Now it’s important for the pair to avoid “extreme environments.”

“We’ve had to give up anything that uses extra energy. We live a much more sedentary life,” Bob explains. But are they at peace with that reality?

“At our age,” he says, “we have to be.”

For younger folks who wonder what it takes to be married successfully for decades, there are some key elements to consider.

“Tolerance and understanding are very important,” Bob notes. “You can’t be impatient because things aren’t just the way you want it. And I think we’re both pretty adaptable.”

It’s also important to be connected emotionally and physically, no matter your age, Priscilla says.

“It’s important to remember to express your appreciation for the other person,” she continues. “We find that through the day we kiss each other, hug each other, say ‘I love you.’ Have some playfulness in the relationship together.”

They express sorrow that many couples do not maintain that emotional, even playful bond. Bob and Priscilla recall being in line at a fast-food restaurant some time back when Bob leaned down and kissed his bride.

“Later,” Priscilla remembers, “as we were going to our table, a couple at least twenty years younger was sitting there, and the lady looked at me and said, ‘I saw him kiss you,’ sort of in a fun way, and she said, ‘We gave up that stuff years ago.’

When Bob and I got to our table, we said, ‘Isn’t that too bad.’”

Their public affection has had other admirers. On their third date, they went to a restaurant that had wide tables, and Priscilla expected it might be challenging for Bob to hear her if they sat across from each other.

“I scooted in and said, ‘Why don’t you sit here?’” and Bob took a seat next to her, Priscilla says. “It was also nice because I could pat his knee, or he could put an arm around me.”

They still sit side-by-side when dining out. Once when they were visiting Newport News for Bob to show Priscilla his boyhood stomping grounds — and they returned to Columbia via Ohio for Priscilla to show Bob where she grew up — a waiter presented them with a note from another diner who wrote, “I really love seeing you two in the love bird position.”

The anonymous diner also paid their bill.

Bob and Priscilla also had warm, loving relationships with their first spouses, but there were also differences. For instance, Ada was Dutch-born, raised in a different culture. She and Bob were “totally different people,” he says. It’s different with Priscilla.

“She knows every song I know. Every expression is familiar to her,” he adds.

When they read the Sunday “funny pages” together, they both laugh. “With my fi rst wife, she never got the joke.”

Priscilla’s “fi rst Bob” struggled with depression later in life, which sometimes had a negative impact on their relationship. But both Ada and Bob No. 1 were “loving people” and well-educated, she explains. And unlike her fi rst husband, Bob No. 2 “tends to be a very positive, upbeat kind of person.”

Priscilla has one daughter; Bob has three sons and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When they made plans to get married, Bob and Priscilla decided to sign antenuptial agreements to preserve their individual estates and finances, even though their children had not expressed any reservations.

“We were both in good financial condition,” he says. “We told our children we had done that so we wanted them to breathe easier — and not think Priscilla’s some kind of gold-digger,” Bob says with a gentle laugh, adding, “Or maybe I could be seen as the gold-digger.”

Bob is a prolific reader and writer, producing a limited edition, hardbound book titled, “A Bartlett Chronicle: Life in America Through Eleven Generations.” It’s an impressive tome (277 pages) and includes the saga of Bob’s Jeep trip through Latin America. He also produced a spiral bound book, “War Stories: A Collection of Talks for the M. Graham Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, plus some unpublished World War II memoirs.” The accounts begin with Bob’s primary Revolutionary War ancestor, Private John Bartlett.

Priscilla, meanwhile, has begun writing memoir pieces about her childhood and early life.

They continue to have fun as they navigate life together, unsure what the rest of the journey will look like. Priscilla’s grandfather and father lived into their 90s. Her mother was 97 when she died. Bob’s father died at 95 and his mother was 91.

“I would say we have genes on our side,” Priscilla says. CBT

This story originally appeared January 29, 2024 , at comomag.com.

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C BT | GUEST VOICES

Heal thy Relationships: What They Are and How to Grow Them

BY ASHLEY ANGER ER -BLUN T

THINK OF THE WORD: relationship. It may bring up images of romantic partnerships or feelings of support from a family.

Human connection is vital to our health and overall wellbeing and adds richness and depth to our lives. Relationships can have as much an impact on health as smoking, diet, and exercise.

We can identify many healthy relationships by how they make us feel. We should feel comfortable with and connected to the people who surround us. As cheesy as it may sound, you want to surround yourself with people who will continue to make your light shine brighter. You want people around you who will pick you up and support you.

When seeking to grow a relationship, look for someone who supports you and who challenges you in a way where you can openly and safely communicate your feelings. No matter the nature of your relationship, whether in a family or a friend group, you’ll want the same essential elements: trust, accountability, respect, honesty, support, cooperation, intimacy, and fairness.

Creating and participating in healthy groups and relationships allows our feelgood hormones to release, which help combat anxiety, depression, and trauma while promoting happiness, motivation, and hope.

Knowing what a healthy relationship is and how it should feel is only one part of the puzzle. We all have to work to maintain and grow relationships. Fostering any healthy relationship begins with connection and support.

We can build connections or dive deeper into existing relationships by trying new hobbies or activities and sharing our experiences. A new experience could be as simple as reading the same book or as exciting as travel. Sharing experiences opens lines of communication and creates moments of belonging, which can strengthen the bond between two people.

A natural part of relationships is conflict. Consider pausing, taking responsibility, and solving the problem together if you enter into an argument. Sometimes, saying “I love you and I need space” or “I need to cool down before going further in this conversation because I respect you and want to be here to talk” can save a disagreement from out-of-control escalation.

Respect is a massive piece of healthy relationships and managing conflict. Set-

Ashley Angerer-Blunt is the Director of Outpatient Service at Burrell Behavioral Health.

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ting boundaries in the heat of the moment can be challenging’ but if you can, there may be enormous payoffs for both parties.

My best advice is to listen, ask questions, and learn.

Finally, showing support for friends and loved ones is vital. If there is a big event or stressful situation at work, show up. Sometimes, “showing up” means physically attending an event. Other times it’s lending an ear to listen. Be their cheerleader!

Your commitment will go a long way in helping someone feel loved.

Weathering conflict, opening up and making space for others — these are important, but sometimes challenging, skills to master. Therapy can help us develop and hone those skills, ultimately leading to healthier and more fulfilling connections to the people we care most about. CBT

C BT | GUEST VOICES

The Importance of Building Strong Relationships in Business

BY M AT T MCCORMIC K

IN THE EVER-EVOLVING LANDSCAPE of the business world, the adage “it's not what you know, but who you know” holds.

Forming and nurturing robust business relationships not only enriches your professional journey but also contributes to a more fulfilling work-life balance.

NETWORKING The cornerstone of cultivating meaningful connections in your career is networking.

It transcends mere professional interactions; it's about forging relationships with individuals who share similar career trajectories or life experiences. Engaging in programs like EPIC (Emerging Professionals In Columbia) and Women’s Network through the Columbia Chamber of Commerce opens doors to connections with like-minded individuals, fostering a supportive community.

A well-crafted professional network is a valuable asset, presenting opportunities for employment, collaboration, and personal growth. In sales, these connections become conduits for warm referrals, creating a network effect where your trusted relationships can extend their reach to benefit your clients. Attending industry events and conferences not only enhances your expertise but also introduces you to peers facing similar challenges — such as Women’s Network where our members learn to lean on others in similar places. Leverage these relationships to gain valuable insights, and reciprocate by introducing colleagues or clients, creating a symbiotic network that thrives on collaboration.

MENTORSHIP Another avenue for strengthening professional relationships is through mentorship. Whether seeking guidance from industry veterans or admiring the career trajectory of someone you respect, mentor-mentee relationships are invaluable.

Mentors provide a compass for navigating career challenges, offering insights and perspectives gained through years of experience. They are reservoirs of wisdom, guiding skill development and facilitating knowledge transfer. This is a great opportunity for our EPIC members to get career insights in various situations.

For those taking the mentorship role, it's a chance to pay it forward and contribute to the growth of the next generation. Offering advice on certifications, skill acquisition, and strategic career moves, mentors play a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of their mentees. These relationships are not just about professional growth; they often transcend into lasting friendships that endure beyond the confines of the workplace.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION Conflict is an inherent aspect of any relationship, and in the realm of business, where financial stakes are high, addressing conflicts promptly is paramount. Proactive conflict resolution involves effective

communication, active listening, and collaborative problem-solving.

Recently, our EPIC members delved into the ten tactics for successfully navigating conflicts. Key takeaways include initiating difficult conversations when emotions are in check, opting for face-to-face communication, avoiding blame, and seeking understanding. The importance of avoiding gossip, controlling narratives, and separating experiences from situations emerged as crucial strategies. The overarching advice is to address conflicts promptly; delaying only allows issues to fester.

In the intricate dance of business relationships, networking, mentorship, and conflict resolution are interconnected threads that weave the fabric of a successful and fulfilling professional journey. As you navigate your career path, remember that investing time and energy into these relationships is an investment in your growth and the collective success of your network.

By actively participating in programs, embracing mentorship, and approaching conflict with a proactive mindset, you contribute not only to your success but also to the resilience and strength of the professional community around you. As you build bridges, share insights, and navigate challenges together, you'll find that the journey becomes more enjoyable, and the connections you forge become an enduring source of support and inspiration. CBT

Matt McCormick is the president and CEO of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.

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Relationship and Culture Building with New COMO Organization Leaders

BY J ONATHON MOBER LY

I’VE FOUND IN MY COMBINED twenty years in leadership roles as a dean here at Columbia College and at a small university in Nebraska, a high school football and track coach in the St. Louis area and Nebraska, and as a small business owner that there is a guaranteed return on time spent developing relationships with those you’re leading, and the culture of your organization is vital to its success.

I was curious how other new organization leaders in Columbia approached these efforts: Jill Schlude, chief of police for the Columbia Police Department; Randy Cole, CEO of Columbia Housing Authority; and Dawn Sullivan, head volleyball coach at the University of Missouri.

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What did you want to accomplish in your first six months?

An eighteen-year veteran of the Columbia Police Department, Chief Schlude was well aware of the issues that needed to be tackled: recruitment and retention of police officers, increased training opportunities for officers, and maintaining the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies accreditation.

Randy Cole knew the challenges he would face having previously been a partner of the Columbia Housing Authority (CHA): getting acquainted with his team, connecting with partners for CHA, and ensuring that CHA received the resources it needed.

GUE ST VOIC E S

Dawn Sullivan’s priorities were fi nding the right coaches and support staff who “shared my values, but were different people,” ensuring she had “the right people” on her roster, and getting players to talk about “who they are as a team and where they want to go” so a foundation could be developed.

What did you try to learn about stakeholders when you met with them?

Strengthening her current relationships and building new ones were priorities for Chief Schlude. She focused on her organization’s goals, how the goals intersected with CPD, and the team’s experience of interacting with CPD. Chief Schlude’s next step was to keep them involved with her and the command staff .

Cole’s initial meetings focused on, “What do you see as our strengths, weaknesses, and threats?” Cole is a big believer in “getting out and being seen” so that he can hear from frontline staff what’s going on and make sure the leadership team is aligned.

Coach Sullivan’s objective in initial meetings is “making them feel comfortable and know that I care.” She ensures that she comes away with an understanding of their value to our program and what they need so that they can fi nd a way to work together with the realization that “you can only do so much at one time.”

What return on the investment do you get as a leader in the time building relationships with stakeholders?

The return that Chief Schlude sees is that “it allows hope and an idea of a

path forward,” especially due to the issues that CPD is facing.

Cole’s return is “getting really in tune with the organization from a data standpoint and just feeling where people are at so that you can make good decisions and also get buy-in from people at all levels.”

Coach Sullivan’s return is to ensure that her support staff , coaches, and athletes feel valued.

“Taking time to get in a room with a whiteboard and have honest conversations with the players about what they valued and where they wanted to go with the program allowed us to establish our foundation: Love, Family. and Grit (LFG).”

What appeared to be some common themes in stakeholders’ thoughts on the organization?

Chief Schlude had been able to see the struggle of having so many officers and fi rst-line supervisors who were young in their tenure and how overwhelmed the department was due to being short-staffed, which led to frustration. These themes showed Schlude that they needed to have cross-generational conversations and “get back to being a team instead of us versus them.”

The time Cole spent showed “how undeniably dedicated” each staff member was to CHA residents and the needs of the residents, and the ability to respond to crisis without much intervention at all. Improvements needed were “general teamwork and communication across the organization.”

“COVID was really hard on our organization working remotely; getting everyone back to the office and working across teams was a priority,” Cole said.

Unlike Schlude and Cole, Coach Sullivan was able to select her coach-

ing staff and an opportunity to bring in a super-majority of new players to the program. Coach Sullivan’s initial meeting with the five remaining players from before she moved into the role focused on “this is who I am, but I want to know who you are and where you want to go.” Some common themes from those same conversations were “uncertainty and lack of trust.”

What advice would you give to individuals who are moving into new leadership roles?

“You have to recognize that it’s not about you, it’s about those you’re serving, and people feeling part of that vision,” says Chief Schlude. “You have to be realistic on timelines and that culture doesn’t change overnight.”

Chief Schlude went on to advise, “It’s highly likely you’ll be chewed up and spit out in the process, but you have to focus on making the place better and enriching employees.”

Cole’s advice was “just doing the basic things of working hard, trying to always do it right, and knowing that you will eventually break through barriers in front of you if you keep putting in the effort.” Cole also discussed how it’s important to recognize that it takes all types to run an organization and when confl ict arises, “it’s oftentimes just communication with different personalities.”

“You need to know who you are and realize that it’s okay to take some time to fi gure that out,” says Coach Sullivan. “Those you are leading need to feel valued and be part of the conversation on values and where we want to go.” Once those values are in place, “You need to ensure the decisions you make are value-based and driven by purpose while building others to lead.” CBT

Jonathon Moberly, JD, MBA; Dean of the Robert W. Plaster School of Business; Columbia College

COMOBUSINESSTIMES.COM

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C BT | GUEST VOICES

2023 Boone County Housing Market Review

BY BRIAN TOOHEY

THE REAL ESTATE MARKET in Boone County has fluctuated dating to the start of the COVID pandemic in March 2020.

During 2023, home sales struggled from inflation worries and volatile mortgage rates. The days of receiving multiple offers within the first twenty-four hours of listing the right house aren’t quite over, but it’s not nearly as prevalent as last year.

Single-family home sales in Boone County finished 2023 down 13 percent on top of a decline of 16 percent in 2022.

Although sales have declined, the numbers are within range of a typical year before the pandemic from a boost in new construction sales last year. Existing homes saw the largest decline, down 16 percent, while new construction homes posted a sales increase of 14 percent.

Home sales would’ve declined more, but the fourth quarter posted a surprise sales gain of 3 percent over the same period last year. The city of Columbia posted a sales decline of 18 percent, while sales in Ashland increased by 18 percent and Centralia was up 7 percent.

Home prices seemed to be an anomaly for the second year in a row. The average priced single-family home in Boone County increased 5 percent to $343,436, and the median price was also up 5 percent to $302,990. Although home price appreciation seems to be at a more reasonable level than 2020 through 2022, it’s unusual to see price appreciation while experiencing a double-digit sales decline; even more so two years in a row. Another

interesting price fact for Boone County is the number of sales with a price over $1 million. Before 2020, our market would have six or fewer sales at or above $1 million. Since 2020, that number has averaged more than fourteen sales.

One factor that has pulled sales down and pushed prices up is the number of months of home inventory on the market during the year. Available inventory for sale in Boone County, especially the city of Columbia, has been a problem since before the pandemic. Since coming out of the Great Recession, home inventory on the market has steadily declined, reducing the number of options for homebuyers. The average amount of inventory for sale did increase during 2023 to a monthly average of 2.2 months, but it’s still far below the previous average for the last ten years of 3.52 months of inventory.

The number of days a home is on the market jumped 58 percent to 30 days from when a home hits the market and then goes under contract. This seems like a huge increase, but in 2012, the average days on the market (DOM) were seventy-nine days. Days on the market have been following the same trends as the amount of market inventory, where DOM has steadily declined year over year.

For 2024, many housing economists are predicting an increase in home sales, which will also lead to continued price increases. Inventory will continue to remain low, while mortgage rates are expected to decline throughout the year from the 2023 high of over 8 percent for a thirty-year fixed-rate mortgage. Homes priced above $500,000 will probably underperform sales below $500,000 as borrowing costs will remain higher than a few years ago. CBT

Brian Toohey is the Chief Executive Officer for the Columbia Board of REALTORS®

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THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE 2024

Meant for

Mentorship

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce

Women’s Network cultivates connections and creates leaders in the COMO community.

BY M A R CU S WI L K I NS

COMOBUSINESSTIMES.COM

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A

s chief operating officer of Burrell Behavioral Health’s central region and current chair of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network, Megan Steen has witnessed up close countless examples of mentorship. But it was the view from mere inches away — of her 1-½-year-old daughter coloring while Steen earned her MBA from home during the pandemic — that expanded her appreciation of the concept.

“I have tons of pictures during that time period where she is ‘helping me with homework’ while I’m on my laptop,” Steen says. “I look back often and think about how glad I am that she got to see me earn that degree and be a part of it as much as possible.”

Sometimes Mom is our first mentor.

Of course, mentorship can take many forms across generations and throughout a lifetime, a reality championed by the Women’s Network. Founded in 1981, the Women’s Network dedicates itself to the personal and professional growth of business people, encouraging participation and recognition of women in the community.

Its Mentorship Program connects community leaders with women at different points on their career paths. Mentors provide support, facilitate opportunities, make introductions, assist with establishing goals, and challenge mentees to seek leadership opportunities.

An alumna of the program herself, Steen was paired with Teresa Snow — who imparted many pearls of wisdom as a former anchorwoman, MU Health Care public relations director, and mother of not one but two sets of twins. She is also an emeritus chair of the Women’s Network.

“I remember telling Megan, ‘You can do everything, but you don’t have to do it all at once,’” says Snow, who now runs multiple businesses with her husband, Ben. “In the scheme of things, if a mentor gives you one nugget of good advice, then it’s worthwhile.”

With the benefit of hindsight, Steen concurs — and now strives to maintain healthy work-life boundaries.

“It was beneficial for me to hear that perspective,” Steen says. “Teresa connected me to a lot of great individuals at MU Health, and she also helped me gain a better understanding of striking that balance.”

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THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE 2024

“There’s a flowing stream of energy in our network. If I hear something that changes my life, I’m going to change somebody else’s life someday.”

– Michele Curry

Pay it Forward

“The Columbia Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network is a strong, committed group of communitarians who embrace change.”

– Katie Steele Danner

A rising star in the local business community and a dedicated townie involved in various COMO endeavors, Michele Curry can look back at the moment and laugh.

But as a young professional seeking guidance, as she began her professional ascent, she was mortified.

The year was 2016, and Curry had been paired with then-Boone County Commissioner Karen Miller. The get-to-know-you coffee date was on the calendar, and Curry, well — forgot it.

“She’s a very powerful woman, and you don’t miss a meeting with Karen,” says Curry with a sheepish laugh. “This is one of those pairings where you’re supposed to show up, be accountable, and prove that you’re here to work on yourself. It was very unlike me.

“Fortunately, she figured that out quickly.”

Curry and Miller would go on to forge a tight bond, working in tandem as Curry explored opportunities, focused on her career goals, and began notching achievements. For Curry, the relationship was a lesson in the fundamentals of the mentorship dynamic — one she would embody when she was matched with her first mentee only a year later.

“Some folks might struggle in mentorship and try to be more of a friend than a mentor,” says Curry, who served as Women’s Network chair in 2021. “It can be both.

And sometimes that Venn diagram is highly overlapped. But to be a friend and a confidant can sometimes get in the way of telling somebody what they don’t want to hear.”

These days, Curry is assistant vice president treasury management officer for Commerce Bank. Curry also indulges a side hobby as an actor with the Columbia Entertainment Company where she has a role in the stage classic Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, opening this month.

Curry says she uses lessons learned from her mentor-mentee relationships almost daily, something thirteen pairs can look forward to in the Mentorship Program’s 2024 cohort. Lisa Driskel-Hawksby, cochair of the program, helps orchestrate the matchmaking process.

“We gather information about what applicants are seeking from the program, and it really runs the gamut,” says COMOBUSINESSTIMES.COM

33

“We all know society doesn’t work perfectly, and that’s why we have nonprofits.

That’s also why we have professional organizations like the Women’s Network.

It’s why we seek out people to help us be better, do things better and to just be good.”

– Liz Townsend Bird 34

THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE 2024

Driskel-Hawksby, a business development specialist for REDI. “Some people are at the entry level of their career and want to grow in that field. Others are interested in a variety of fields. Some are looking for things on a more personal level. And some are young moms balancing work and life, trying to figure out how they’re not going to lose their personal identity.”

For Liz Townsend Bird, another former Women’s Network chair and mentorship program alumna, it was a means to expand her horizons. Townsend Bird had spent seventeen years in advancement, external relations, and donor relations with the University of Missouri, Kansas State University, and Stephens College. Her mother is retired MU English Professor Marty Townsend, and her husband, Scott Bird, is a former strength and conditioning coach for Mizzou Athletics.

The Women’s Network and Mentorship Program helped Townsend Bird discover her true passion for community building, and she now serves as director of development at the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri.

“My whole world revolved around higher ed, and there’s so much more to Columbia,” Townsend Bird says. “I’m proud of the work we do at the Food Bank serving thirty-two counties and about 100,000 people every month through our partner pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. We all know society doesn’t work perfectly, and that’s why we have nonprofits."

She adds, “That’s also why we have professional organizations like the Women’s Network. It’s why we seek out people to help us be better, do things better and to just be good.”

Leading Ladies

Katie Steele Danner might have leadership in her DNA, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t self-made. A former member of the Missouri House of Representatives, she is also the former director of admissions at Truman State University and former director of various administrative offices for the State of Missouri.

These days she is aptly tasked with directing the Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation, the Show-Me State’s premier women’s professional development program. Over the years, the Women’s Network has sponsored participants to join

the cohort of women in the Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge, a yearlong, statewide traveling symposium providing women leaders with education and experiences to help them address critical issues facing Missouri.

“The Women’s Network is a strong, committed group of communitarians who embrace change,” Steele Danner says. “All of the city’s higher education institutions, I think, bring in some fresh blood that wouldn't normally be there in a community the size of Columbia. The Chamber of Commerce understands the value of broadening horizons by participating in the Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge and then bringing those learnings back to Columbia.”

As Steen helps amplify that enthusiasm while presiding over her one-year term as chair of the Women’s Network, she has an eye fixed on sustainability.

“We want to reach a broad pool of people in different parts of their careers, and we want our programming to speak to all aspects of professional development,” Steen says. “The theme this year is ‘I’m with her,’ which celebrates the idea that you don’t have to be a woman to support women. It’s part of the reason why we opened this year’s program with Matt Moore [CEO of Shelter Insurance and chair of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce] and I addressing the importance of male sponsorship.”

For the twenty-five women — and one man — participating in this year’s Mentorship Program, there are many common themes. Among them: ambition, open-mindedness, confidence, and a sense of community.

There is also a fundamental commitment to cultivating relationships and fostering success — perhaps the most critical elements of mentorship.

“There might be a tendency to think of the mentor-mentee journey as finite — I was a mentee, I graduated, now I’m an alumna and forever a mentor,” Curry says.

“But you continue to be a mentee in all aspects of your life. There’s a flowing stream of energy in our network. If I hear something that changes my life, I’m going to change somebody else’s life someday."

Curry summarizes that ongoing experience, adding, "I’ve got some golden nuggets that I’m ready to share with anybody who’s willing to hear.” CBT

“We want to reach a broad pool of people in different parts of their careers, and we want our programming to speak to all aspects of professional development.”

– Megan Steen COMOBUSINESSTIMES.COM

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C BT | WHAT ’ S GO I N G UP ?

What’s Going Up? U-Haul is adding more self-serve storage space.

STO RY BY J ODIE JACKS O N JR

A NEW THREE-STORY U-HAUL selfserve storage facility is under construction at 3615 Vandiver Drive on the west side of Menard’s and Bass Pro Shops.

The project was listed among the December 2023 building permits issued by the Columbia building and site development office. The construction entails 19,598 square feet and the building permit lists a valuation of $15 million. Snyder Construction Group LLC of Ozark, Missouri is the general contractor.

The building and site development office issued 101 building permits in December with a total valuation of $46.46 million.

Other permit highlights include: • Five permits for residential additions totaling $282,655.

• Three permits for commercial alterations totaling $122,500. The permits include a 650-square-foot, $100,000 project at Family Dental Center, 1101 N. Providence Road for small renovations to an existing dental clinic to add exam rooms.

Professional Contractors and Engineers is the contractor.

• Seven permits for residential alterations; valuation $586,095.

GettyImages.com

The permit list includes a $300,000 complete remodel of a home on Bingham Road. The contractor is Odd Job Jay. • A cell tower replacement at 3902 Clark Lane has a project value of $146,090. The site owner is Wireless Horizons Inc. • Two commercial infill permits; valuation $276,577. One of those projects is a 5,000-square-foot infill at 2100 Lake Ridgeway Road, Suite 104. The contractor is Septagon Construction Company Inc. • Two new commercial permits; valuation $17.6 million. The new U-Haul facility is included in that total.

• Three permits for decks; valuation $46,654.

• Four permits for duplexes; valuation $852,347. Two duplexes — Apartments 101 and 102 — are at W. Southampton Dr., each valued at $187,609. Both comprise 2,043 square feet and the general contractor is Willco Construction LLC. The duplexes are part of Mill Creek Senior Living by Americare.

• Forty-six re-roofing permits were issued with a valuation of $1.18 million. The big-ticket item on the December re-roofing permit list was Linen King at 2600 Maguire Boulevard. Blusky Restoration Contractor is heading up the $460,186 project that includes installing a Durolast PVC membrane over the metal trip panel.

• Twenty-four permits for single family homes (detached); valuation $9.74 million. The home that tops the list is an $804,254 construction (7,280-squarefeet) on Silver Valley Drive in the Copperstone development. The contractor is Zack Girard.

• One permit for residential, roofmounted solar panels, with a valuation of $63,499.

• Two townhouses, with Beacon Street Homes as the contractor.

One is located off Umbria Court and is 2,577 square feet with a $372,741 valuation. The second townhouse is in Vintage Falls, and includes 2,129 square feet with a valuation of $283,806. CBT

If you see a building popping up and wonder, “What’s going up?”, email jodie@comocompanies.com and let us know!

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THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE 2024

Opposing

FOR C ES Making money is the American way. But what happens when it’s at odds with those who need shelter to survive?

BY M I C HE L L E T E R HU NE

H

ousing affordability is a hot topic in news coverage. If you’re a homeowner with a comfortable mortgage or a renter who has money left over every month to make car payments, buy groceries, eat out, and take vacations, the subject may not mean much to you.

But those two words hit close to home if you’re homeless, about to be evicted because you can’t afford the upcoming increase in your rent, or if you’re one of

the 62 percent of people in the United States who live paycheck to paycheck, as reported by Lending Club. The same is true if you can’t get a Section 8 housing voucher because you don’t quite qualify, or there aren’t any left where you live, or if you have a voucher but can’t find a landlord who will accept it.

Shelter is a basic requirement. It’s among the psychological needs at the base of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, next to breathing, water, food, sleep, and clothing. And yet

in this country, one of the wealthiest in the world by multiple measures, shelter is not a constitutional right.

Private businesses and landowners control the country’s commerce and industry and while developers and landlords benefit from their rental property investments, hundreds of Columbia residents struggle to find a place they can afford.

What is the relationship between the basic need for shelter and a free-market society? It’s complicated, to say the least.

COMOBUSINESSTIMES.COM

37

The Gulf Between Income and Housing Costs The major issue in housing affordability is the massive gap between the cost of rents and the incomes of many Columbia residents. Most elderly or disabled adults are on fixed incomes. Adults who are employed can’t earn enough to afford the rental units available. It’s a matter of simple economics.

According to the Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI) 2023 “Facts and Figures” report, the median household income for Boone County is $51,276. That’s an hourly wage of about $24.65.

However, the Missouri minimum wage as of January 1, 2024, is about half that — $12.30 per hour or roughly $25,584 per year.

In 1981, the U.S. government began defining those who spend more than 30 percent of their monthly gross income on housing as “cost-burdened.” That’s because if you’re spending more than 30 percent, you have only what’s remaining to pay taxes and spend on groceries, healthcare, transportation, childcare, clothing, and other expenses. Darin Preis, executive director of Central Missouri Community Action Agency, cites the statistic that 50 percent of renters in Columbia are housing cost-burdened.

According to data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, you must earn $24 an hour or more to afford $1,000 in rent to avoid becoming cost-burdened. If you’re at Columbia’s median income, you can spend about $1,280 on rent to stay at or below 30 percent. But if you earn only minimum wage, 30 percent is only $639.60. However, according to Rent.com, the numbers are problematic. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Columbia is $850, which would require earning at least $15 an hour. Only 1 percent of rental properties fall into the $500-$700 range, and 66 percent rent for more than $1,000 a month.

While these one-bedroom numbers compared to incomes are eye-opening, bear in mind that it’s more often families who struggle to find affordable housing. Families need more space.

Landlords Want a Return on Their Investment At face value, the solution seems easy. Landlords need to reduce the amount of rent they charge so more people can afford to live in them. But if the landlord isn’t a nonprofit or governmental organization, their properties are investments, and they want them to yield a profit. As the cost to build, renovate, and maintain rental units continues to rise, and mortgage rates remain high, landlords find themselves needing to charge more — not less — to make a profit.

Then, there’s the simple law of supply and demand. A market like Columbia is driven by the transient student population which can pay more, often by splitting rent among multiple students. And currently, the rental vacancy rate is just 5 percent — the lowest that number has been in a decade, says Conrad Hake, program director for Love Columbia.

When demand is high and supply is low, landlords are in the driver’s seat.

“The economics just don’t work,” Preis says. “If you purely apply market-driven solutions to this problem, there is no solution.”

The Columbia Housing Authority administers Section 8 housing vouchers for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Randy Cole, the housing authority’s executive director, says that any landlord can accept housing vouchers if their properties meet certain requirements. One criterion is HUD’s annual maximum rental rates. The second criterion is rent reasonableness.

“This is basically like how a realtor might run comps on a home sale,” Cole says.

“The rent may be at the top end, but it can still be reasonable based on its location, its amenities, what’s in the unit, and relative to other units within that location.”

If landlords want or need to charge more than HUD will pay, they will. And even if a property could meet HUD criteria, many landlords choose to not accept vouchers, especially after investing in renovations and other improvements.

Some voucher holders, who have been exemplary tenants for years, suddenly find themselves facing eviction when a landlord raises the rent.

Under Cole’s leadership, CHA has become more aggressive in attracting landlords who accept vouchers and ensuring that properties are well maintained for renters. CHA currently works with 300 landlords and employs a housing ambassador to help landlords and prospective renters navigate the system. CHA has worked to increase the number of vouchers allotted locally and increased utilization of them by $1 million between fiscal years 2020 and 2022. They’re on pace to have all CHA’s vouchers in use by the end of the first quarter of 2024.

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THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE 2024

Self-Actualization Moreality, creativity, spontaneity, acceptance, potential

Self-Esteem Respect, conf idence, status, recognition, dignity, achievement

Love and Belonging Friendship, intimacy, family, community, sense of connection

Safety and Security Personal security, resources, income, health, property

Physiological Needs Breathing, water, food, shelter, sleep, clothing COMOBUSINESSTIMES.COM

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“The economics just don’t work.

If you purely apply market-driven solutions to this problem, there is no solution.”

Single-family house being built by CMCA and partners, located on Hickman Avenue in Columbia.

— DAR I N PR EI S Executive Director of Central Missouri Community Action Agency

Despite those positive strides, there are still many Columbia residents who can’t find an affordable place to live. As CHA works to find a place for everyone holding a voucher, the issue remains that there aren’t enough vouchers to fill the need.

Location, Location, Location Merely having affordable rental units available isn’t enough. Columbia residents with lower incomes often can’t afford to own and maintain a vehicle, which means they rely on public transportation to get to work, buy groceries, and access healthcare and other services. Location is crucial.

The University of Missouri and MU Health Care are unsurprisingly Columbia’s two major employers. Moreover, their physical location in the heart of the city attracts other businesses that employ significant numbers of those earning minimum wage and slightly above. Safe and reliable transportation is a must for maintaining employment, so living within walking distance of a workplace or near a bus stop is vital.

Zoning and infill policies are often barriers to building high-density affordable housing in central locations. Love Columbia helped organize Columbia’s Affordable Housing Coalition, which explores policy changes that could help expand multi-family affordable housing in the city. Hake says there are opportunities for the develop40

THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE 2024

ment of new units on vacant lots in central Columbia if such issues as setback requirements and infill limitations are revised in current zoning regulations.

“It’s worth keeping in mind that someone may not want a six- or eight-story highrise built next to their single-family home,” Hake says. “But there are also situations where the lot can’t have a house built on it just because the required setbacks are ten feet in either direction. So, some movement on zoning and setbacks would help make some progress.”

Of course, several affordable housing units have been built in Columbia over the years, but the number of units can’t keep up with demand. Cole says the current voucher inventory is less than five hundred units. Columbia needs more.

In addition to affordable housing units built by CHA, some have emerged from nonprofit and government partnerships and others have been built by private developers with government assistance and incentives. CHA is building thirty-four new units at its Kinney Point development at Sexton Road near Garth Avenue. CMCA received funding from the city via the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help cover about one-third of the cost of building fourteen units on a vacant lot on Providence Avenue in the crucial city center.

It’s Complicated The relationship between affordable housing here and the people who need it is a fraught

one. A local leader says private developers aren’t bad people just because they don’t want to build Section 8-qualified housing.

They’re exercising their right to earn money.

Likewise, affordable housing advocates emphasize that people who need help paying for housing in Columbia aren’t looking for a handout — they’re trying to survive.

Cole, Hake, and Preis say there needs to be more government funding and incentives for the construction of affordable housing units. It takes a village to get them done.

For example, CHA’s Kinney Point is funded by low-income tax credits, the Missouri Housing Development Commission, city of Columbia ARPA funds, and Veterans United.

There are no simple solutions to the growing problem of housing affordability because the needs of tenants and private landlords are at odds.

“From a landlord’s perspective, it’s a financial investment that’s intended to provide for their financial security, which is higher up the needs hierarchy. Whereas the resource they’re providing is a survival resource for a household,” Hake says. “As long as that discrepancy exists, we’re going to see a power imbalance between the two.”

Columbia agencies and organizations are exploring solutions. But that’s a challenge when incomes need to rise, and housing costs need to fall. Neither government nor private developers can solve the problem on their own. It will take more. Perhaps together, advocates say, everyone can get what they want while providing others with what they need. CBT

C BT | NEW BUSINES S L I CEN S ES

New Business Licenses Hole In The Wall

Simmons - Columbia

E 912 Business Loop 70

Hickman ATM

Bar/tavern.

E 220 Business Loop 70

Life Care Partners

Simmons - Columbia

of Mid-Missouri, LLC 3909 Iguana Dr Home-based business.

Manifest 2228 Country Ln Young men’s growth company.

Clark Lane ATM 1140 Woodland Springs Ct

OTG Painting & Maintenance, LLC E 368 Catherine Dr OTG painting and handyman painting and basic maintenance.

Ann’s Dream

The Kitchen Grill

Healthcare, LLC

& Games

N 303 Stadium Blvd

3711 Discovery Pkwy

Send caregivers to clients with

Restaurant w/ full bar with

disabilities homes to assist with

indoor & outdoor

their daily living needs.

recreation & sport areas.

Fit Factory Supplements E 503 Nifong Blvd Nutritional supplements.

Hometown Veterans Medical LLC

Essence Essentials 511 Mary St Online and craft sales of headwear.

CC Handyman E 421 Hackberry Blvd Commercial cleaning.

612 Big Bear Blvd Delivery of home medical oxygen

Betz Jewelers

rental equipment to veterans of

E 601 Broadway

the Columbia VAMC.

Retail jewelry - new ownership. CBT COMOBUSINESSTIMES.COM

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C BT | D E E D S O F T R U ST

A DV ERT IS ER I N DEX 404 Portland Event Center......4

Accounting Plus......................... 19

Anthony Jinson Photography...2

Big Brothers Big Sisters.............3

First State Community Bank...3

Worth at least $872,000

$13,400,000 Columbia Hotel Partners LLC First Midwest Bank of the Ozarks LT 2E Century Sub Plat 2 Lot 2

$1,299,200 Jaime Hecht The Bank of Missouri LT 9 Toalson Estates

$5,520,000 Columbia MO Storage LLC Labette Bank LT 1 Bluff Creek Recreational Park Plat 1

$1,236,000 Jonathan Galloway Neighbors Bank LT 131 Westwood ADD

$3,626,592.53 Route Z Investments LLC The Missouri Bank STR 7-48-11 /SE/NW $3,570,000 Right Track Rentals LLC The Missouri Bank LT 1307 Auburn Hills Plat 13 $3,500,000 Rock Valley Properties LLC The Central Trust Bank LT 5 Rock Valley Plat 2

GKR Motor Cars........................ 43

$2,130,000 Liddle Acres LLC First Midwest Bank of the Ozarks LT 101 Liddle Acres Plat 1

Haas Accounting..........................3

$1,900,000 Mark D. Sheely The Central Trust Bank LT 5B Toalson Estates

COMO Marketing....................... 18

Mid America Bank..................... 16

Plaza Commercial Realty........ 41

Prost Builders..............................17

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Deeds of Trust

THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE 2024

$1,675,000 Wildwood Enterprises LLC First Mid Bank & Trust Str 4-49-12 //S Sur Bk/Pg: 5581/125 Ac 82.03 Ff W/ Exceps $1,500,000 Arise Holdings LLC Boring PE II Investments LLC LT 19 Pannell Place $1,380,000 Bryan Columbia Hotel LLC The Central Trust Bank LT 6 Keene Estates PL 1

$1,200,000 John E. Weaver The Central Trust Bank LT 218 Oak Hill Estates Plat NO 2 $1,200,000 John E. Weaver The Central Trust Bank LT 24 Bluff Creek Estates Plat 1 $1,122,000 Ilyas S. Mousadakos Phelps County Bank LT 7 Cedar Lake SUB BLK 2 $1,200,000 Stephen Nagel River Region Credit Union Str 24-50-14 /Ne/Nw Sur Bk/Pg: 2819/21 Ac 10.17 Ff Tract 1 $1,079,000 Alissa Gerke Hawthorn Bank LT 229 Oak Hill Estates Plat NO 2 $1,000,000 John G. Miller Regional Missouri Bank LT 1 Butch’s Investment Plat 1 $900,000 AASRA Holdings LLC Show Me Properties LLC LT 38 PT Bouchelle ADD $872,000 Alternative Community Training Inc. Commerce Bank LT 1609C Chapel Hill Center Condominium CBT

Ever dream of a place... to showcase collector-worthy cars, entertain f riends, and impress clients?

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Extend social time beyond the golf course with your own Personal Luxury Garage on the GKR Motor Car Campus.

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Nationally known for creativity and quality in custom cars, GKR leveraged the same passion in bringing car condos from dream to reality for Mid-Missouri.

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Escape, Gather, or Entertain in your exclusive luxury garage decorated to match your unique hobbies and tastes.

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Bourbon bar and golf simulator?

Theater-quality seating for the big games? Or an interior so unique that only you can dream it?

Scan the QR code or visit our website to find out more and join the growing waitlist.

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WE MOVE YOUR PAS S I ON FOR CARS FORWARD

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