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DAVID SPEAR Alleyway Arts

Welcome to the team!

Chris Rosskopf

Community Bank President

Columbia

At The Bank of Missouri, we provide ﬁnancial of our customers. We do this by supporting our communities through relationships and community investments. That’s why Chris Rosskopf is a natural ﬁt for the role of our Community Bank President in Columbia.

Chris is personally invested in the Columbia banking and senior leadership experience legacy of community banking. Welcome to the team, Chris! Live well, Bank well.

ADVERTISER INDEX

PUBLISHING

David Nivens, Publisher david@comocompanies.com

Chris Harrison, Associate Publisher chris@comocompanies.com

EDITORIAL

Jodie Jackson Jr, Editor jodie@comocompanies.com

Kelsey Winkeljohn, Associate Editor kelsey@comocompanies.com

Karen Pasley, Contributing Copyeditor

DESIGN

Jordan Watts, Senior Designer jordan@comocompanies.com

MARKETING

Charles Bruce, Director of Client Relations charles@comocompanies.com

Kerrie Bloss, Account Executive kerrie@comocompanies.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Keith Borgmeyer, Jodie Jackson Jr, Kelsey Winkeljohn

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sunitha Bosecker, Lori Galaske, Jodie Jackson Jr, Brandon Knight, Matt McCormick, David Nivens, Steve Spellman, McKenna Stumph, Michelle Terhune, Brian Toohey

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OUR MISSION STATEMENT

COMO Business Times and comobusinesstimes.com strive to be Columbia’s leading source for timely and comprehensive news coverage of the local business community. is publication is dedicated to being the most relevant and useful vehicle for the exchange of information and ideas among Columbia’s business professionals.

Nineteen seventy-four. On August 8 that year, just five days before I turned 11, President Richard Nixon resigned. It turned out that, indeed, despite his pronouncement otherwise, he was a crook.

That was not the highlight of my life in 1974. While the seeds of my journalism career were planted as I watched the Watergate drama unfold, my social consciousness and the foundations of my heart were also taking root in the music coming from the jukebox at The Golden Rule Café in Belle, Missouri. The wonderful little diner was the first meeting place for what would become Faith Baptist Church, with my dad as the founding pastor, and the church soon took up quarters, as did our family — and about a billion brown recluse spiders — in the former Dahl Hardware store across the street from Mabel and Raymond Thompson’s Cafe.

My younger buddy, Mike, was their son, and we ate our fill of cheeseburgers and fries, all while the jukebox was telling stories that echo still in my mind. I once worried that I lacked an appreciation for art and culture — which happens to be the theme of this month’s COMO Magazine and COMO Business Times — but then I consider how the tunes from my formative years still influence me. The settings and songs remain fixed in my heart: The jukebox at The Golden Rule and the soul-stirring old hymns at Faith Baptist Church. Singing “Sweet Hour of Prayer” or “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” a cappella. Amen and amen.

Take a nostalgic trip with me back to 1974 ...

Some of the all-time music legends are already legends, including one-name stars. Think Cher. Another guy, well, his last big hit from 1973 — “You Were Always on My Mind” — will continue to play on that jukebox even after his overdose death three years from now. Maybe you’ve heard of him: Elvis.

Ringo, George, Paul, and John are now making solo albums. Michael Jackson is beginning to branch out on a solo career, but The Jackson 5 is still making hits, too. And nearly all of their posters hang on my youngest sister’s wall.

It’s a time of myriad one-hit wonders: “Seasons in the Sun” (Terry Jacks, and compare the lyrics to Freddie Mercury and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” OMG), “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” (Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods), “One Tin Soldier” (Coven, from 1971), and anthems for the ages: “Time in a Bottle” (Jim Croce), “Cat’s in the Cradle” (Harry Chapin), “When Will I Be Loved” and, in a shoutout to Seinfeld fans, “Desperado” (both by Linda Ronstadt).

Do you understand? ALL of these artists are recording in 1974: Dolly Parton, Gordon Lightfoot, Aretha Franklin, John Denver, Olivia Newton-John, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Stevie Wonder, Barry White, Anne Murry, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, Chicago, Diana Ross, Marvin Gay, Neil Diamond, The Rolling Stones ... and a couple of 20-something up-and-comers, Elton John (“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” 1973) and Billy Joel (“Piano Man,” 1973).

And still among the Top 25 on the Billboard 100 is the simple wonder “Top of the World” (The Carpenters), the song I remember most from that old jukebox.

“In the leaves on the trees, and the touch of the breeze / There’s a pleasing sense of happiness for me.”

Mike and I empty the ash trays at every table, I pop another coin into the jukebox, Karen and Richard Carpenter are harmonizing, then Mabel brings cheeseburgers and fries to our table. She’s so happy that we’re happy that she’s crying. She hugs us as if she never wants to let go.

And I know the feeling.

It’s late fall — getting dark earlier – and from our cozy spot in The Golden Rule, I spy leaves blowing along Main Street. A cold drizzle begins to fall. The streetlights begin to glow. My warm bedroom above the church is just across the street. God, I miss 1974.

JODIE JACKSON JR EDITOR jodie@comocompanies.com

There’s nothing but blue sky — and some colorful seeing eyes — for master muralist David Spear in the Arcade District.

by Keith Borgmeyer

Photo

CBT’s Advisory Board

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.

Drew

Where can you find COMO art? Just open your eyes.

Art and culture is such an important part of Columbia’s identity, and I think that differentiates us from other similar-sized communities. Unique sculptures seem strategically placed all around downtown. Original paintings — often available for purchase on the spot — adorn the walls in countless restaurants and businesses. Murals color our city on buildings all over town.

As the April issue of COMO Business Times features the theme “Art and Culture,” it bears repeating that art is not an afterthought or a random addition to our city’s fun landscape. In fact, art really is a part of Columbia’s DNA. It’s easy to take our public art and the bustling art hubs here for granted, so here’s a reminder to rekindle our gratitude.

Back in the mid-90s, then-City Manager Ray Beck and Mayor Darwin Hindman came away from a national conference in Phoenix with an idea to make public art a strategic part of economic and cultural development. In one of the scores of ways he left his fingerprints on Columbia, Beck shepherded the city’s Percent for Art program and the creation of the Office of Cultural Affairs.

The Percent for Art, established by the Columbia City Council in 1997, allows for 1 percent of the cost of any new city construction or renovation project to be used for site-specific public art. Any aboveground capital improvement project with a budget of $1 million or more must include public art as part of the project. Where can you find these Percent for Art creations? The better question is — where can you NOT find them? If you’ve entered City Hall at Eighth and Broad-

way, you saw or walked through the “Keys to the City” sculpture that commemorates Columbia’s history. That’s a Percent for Art project.

Going to swim or workout at the Activity and Recreation Center (ARC)?

“Taking the Plunge” is a twelve-foot-tall sculpture in the atrium. Head downtown to the Wabash Station and you’ll find David Spear’s four-painting series that features local folks. Those are Percent for Art creations. (And, by the way, that’s David Spear on the cover of this month’s CBT.)

Some other examples: the city’s new fieldhouse at Perry Philips Park features three Percent for Art sculptures by David Spear. Travelers passing through the new terminal at Columbia Regional Airport can’t miss the colorful murals and paintings there. The parking garage on Walnut and Fire Station No. 8 at Nifong Boulevard and Bearfield Road feature Percent for Art commissioned work.

And coming soon: Even our new overpasses and highway connectors under MoDOT’s Improve I-70 project are going to be dressed up to reflect the community’s character – and funding for those touches is coming from a private-public partnership of Columbia businesses and leaders. A new urban park is under development downtown as part of the thriving and growing North Village Arts District.

We also have amazing festivals and events that bring up and coming and world-renowned film directors and producers, musicians, authors, and artists to Columbia. Our city’s art and culture

In fact, art really is a part of Columbia’s DNA. It’s easy to take our public art and the bustling art hubs here for granted, so here’s a reminder to rekindle our gratitude.

talent and passion are the envy of even larger cities.

This issue of COMO Business Times and COMO Magazine tells some of these stories and invites us all to refresh our gratitude for the incredibly diverse and multi-faceted art scene that makes Columbia a great place to live, work, learn, and play.

DAVID NIVENS PUBLISHER david@comocompanies.com

WE BUILD

Founded as a small construction company over 75 years ago, Nabholz has grown into a strong team of professionals serving our clients, communities, and each other. With a wide range of Missouri projects under our belt, we have the experience to deliver your project successfully — regardless of size. spaces for

The Ozark Mill, Ozark, MO

Closer Look

NAILSBY.LAUREN

After a move from Eugene, Missouri, to Columbia, Lauren Latta decided to open her own nail service business, Nailsby.lauren. For two years, Lauren has been helping freshen up clients’ nails through her unique approach to nail art.

“I have always had a passion for nail art, as well as traditional art like drawing and painting and sculpting,” Lauren explained.

Growing up as a young black girl in a small rural town was not easy for Lauren. She said she made great memories coming to Columbia as a child and looked forward to moving to the community.

Her passion for nail art began with an unpleasant experience at a nail salon when she was 15, and that is what drove her to provide nail services. She now o ers alternative 3D nail art, as well as men’s nail enhancement services.

Lauren hopes to bring “con dence through nails” to the community and hopes to grow with the community while giving back to her city.

“[I] would love to make sure that extravagant nails are accessible to everyone in the community who wants them,” Lauren said.

nailsbylaurennn.glossgenius.com

PIERPONT FARMS

Samantha Powell and Bailey Norton became owners of Pierpont Farms when former owner Rob Hemwall decided to sell the farm after more than twenty years of running it. Hemwall cited the nancial strains of the COVID pandemic in his decision to sell.

Although the property needed a lot of work, Samantha and Bailey decided to make it their home in March 2024.

“From that day on, it’s hard to explain it other than the universe has been guring it all out for us,” Samantha explained. “We’re two people with very little, if any, background in country living, farming, et cetera, and here we are doing it.” eir 177-year-old home sits on fourteen acres along with a 100-year-old barn, high tunnels, and greenhouses. It’s also now home to two dogs (along with additional fosters), two mini-donkeys, three barn cats, ve Nigerian Dwarf goats, and sixty birds.

“To say the least, we have been learning a lot over the last year and a half, and I’m con dent that we’ll have a lifetime of learning and growth ahead of us,” Samantha added.

e farm’s current o erings include fresh eggs, a photo venue, and wild owers coming in the spring.

“We hope to bring beauty and genuine joy to the community,” Samantha said. “Whether it’s in colorful farm fresh eggs, a beautiful bouquet of ‘just because’ owers, or an incredible backdrop for those beloved family photos.”

8810 S. Rt. N | 314-960-5922 | FB: Pierpont Farms | IG: @pierpont_farms CBT

Cutting-Edge Community

Sawdust Studios invites you: ‘Pull up a chair, grab a tool, and build something remarkable.’

STORY AND PHOTOS BY KELSEY WINKELJOHN

A FINE LAYER OF SAWDUST SETTLES on workbenches and tool surfaces, casting a warm, golden glow reminiscent of an old Western lm. And in a way, Sawdust Studios — a community woodworking space — feels like one: rugged, adventurous, and full of possibility.

In one corner, a skilled 90-year-old man leans over a bandsaw, studying his work with careful precision. Across the room, a middle-aged woman steadies her hands on a wood lathe, shaping her latest project. A man in his late 20s measures a fresh board of lumber, ready to bring his vision to life.

Founder Cruz Chavez is at the heart of it all, joined by his newest co-owner, Zach Gramke, who took on that role just three months ago.

A VISION TAKES SHAPE

Chavez began his studies at the University of Missouri as a pre-med biology student. However, after graduating, he realized that medical school wasn’t his true calling, so he transitioned to construction, starting with framing and ultimately moving into remodeling.

“I picked it up really easily, and I started a home construction company,” Chavez said, referring to Cruz Custom Construction, which launched in 2015. “In the process of doing that, I also started getting better at woodworking.”

As his woodworking skills advanced, so did an idea. He imagined a space where individuals could learn, create, and collaborate while enjoying unlimited access to quality tools. With support from family and friends, Chavez made his vision a reality by launching Sawdust Studios on Nelwood Drive in July 2020.

In August 2023, he teased expansion plans on Facebook by posting a photo of a renovated space on Paris Road — their current location. e new 7,000-square-

foot facility o cially opened in December 2023, o ering even more room for creativity and collaboration.

LET’S GET DOWN TO SAWIN’

Sawdust Studios o ers a variety of handson opportunities for woodworking enthusiasts of all skill levels, from casual hobbyists to dedicated craftspeople.

Members, for example, enjoy 24/7 access to a fully equipped facility after completing a two-hour shop safety class that covers equipment usage and best practices. Membership also includes several perks, such as free lumber delivery from Cardwell Hardwoods, a complimentary thirty-minute consultation with a professional woodworker, and access to donated lumber. More details are available on the Sawdust Studios website.

e studio also o ers workshop classes for individuals looking to experience woodworking in a structured class environment before committing to a membership or just for recreational enjoyment. Currently led by Chavez, these sessions explore a variety of single-session projects,

including spoon carving, cutting boards, and birdhouses. No initial safety class is required to participate.

For a more immersive learning experience, Sawdust Studios o ers a table-making course led by master craftsman Joe Marshall. is course includes 15 hours of personalized instruction, allowing participants to create a unique piece that can become a cherished family heirloom.

Additionally, Sawdust Studios provides an apprenticeship program. is subscription-based initiative enables participants to enhance their skills through a variety of courses. Each project is divided into four two-hour sessions, delivering handson guidance that helps develop technical skills while fostering a strong sense of community.

A NEW CHAPTER

Gramke, a former elementary educator with Columbia Public Schools for ten years, rst discovered Sawdust Studios through the apprenticeship program in January 2024. However, woodworking was not new to him.

“I had a really fantastic shop teacher in middle school, and I even had the opportunity to take him as a shop teacher in high school,” says Gramke. “I spent, like, six years in woodshop, and over the last twenty years, I’ve made several things as more of an amateur.”

Following the upheaval of COVID-19 and the loss of his wife to cancer in 2023, Gramke was in search of a fresh start — one rooted in passion and creativity. After several months in the apprenticeship program, he became increasingly aligned with the studio’s mission, and in October, he approached Chavez with a new idea.

“I mentioned possibly coming on here and seeing if he [Chavez] needed any assistance or partnership. At rst, he was, like, ‘I’ve never really considered that.’ And then a week later, he’s, like, ‘I can’t stop thinking about it.’”

BUILDING A COMMUNITY

In January 2025, after a year of involvement with Sawdust Studios, Gramke o cially became a co-owner, and the partnership has since proven to be a perfect match.

He and Chavez share a common vision: to cultivate an inclusive space where collaboration and community ourish.

“As a Latino man who has experienced exclusion based on the color of my skin, I feel it’s been very important and integral to our success that, no matter who you are, I don’t have any preconceived notions about your abilities or whether you’re going to t in here,” says Chavez. “We provide a safe place for everybody because I haven’t always felt safe everywhere.”

e name “Sawdust Studios” was intentionally chosen to move away from traditionally masculine branding, ensuring the space feels welcoming to all. Chavez wants woodworkers to feel empowered to create, no matter their age, gender, race, or experience level. Gramke supports this vision of inclusivity and further emphasizes the studio’s desire to foster a close-knit community; part of that mission involves actively engaging with and participating in the larger COMO community.

“We’ve partnered with Missouri River Relief, CCUA [Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture], Fretboard Co ee, and the farmers market,” says Gramke. “It just feels like we’re always meeting incredible people.”

In mid-March, CCUA partnered with Sawdust Studios to host a raised planter building class. Participants gained

hands-on woodworking experience while learning the fundamentals of gardening. Similarly, Sawdust Studios is looking to do “Co ee with Cruz” at Fretboard. e studio will create boards for Fretboard to serve their co ee on, and Fretboard will feature a weekly “woodworking tip of the day” video to help boost creators’ e ciency.

Chavez refers to this approach as “cross-pollinating” businesses, fully embracing the studio’s mission of empowering individuals with practical skills while fostering meaningful connections within the community.

rough collaborations, Chavez and Gramke frequently witness people bringing their dreams to life. eir ultimate goal is to make woodworking accessible to anyone interested, o ering the tools — both literal and gurative — to create something meaningful. Re ecting this vision, their guiding philosophy is simple and unanimous: Let’s build something remarkable. And to them, anything has the potential to be remarkable.

“It doesn’t have to be a big dining room table,” says Gramke. “It can be a bowl. It just needs to be something you’re proud of.” CBT

SAWDUST STUDIOS

3150 Paris Rd, Columbia, MO 65202

(573) 333-7297

sawdust247.com

Diversity in Housing Is Needed Now More Than Ever

BY BRIAN TOOHEY

April is Fair Housing Month — the same month President Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act of 1968. e Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, familial status, sex, and disability.

e REALTOR® Code of Ethics takes further steps and prohibits REALTORS® and their clients from discriminating against sexual orientation or gender identity. Some states and local governments have added sources of income and military service as protected classes as well, but only in the areas of their jurisdiction.

Diversity has been a hot topic politically for the past few years and even more so in the past few months, as some claim diversity issues are no longer problems in society. However, when it comes to housing, the reality is far from equal is far from equal. Home ownership for whites has been 70 percent or above since the mid-1990s, as high as 76 percent. Unfortunately, homeownership has not been as stable for minorities.

In 1970, two years after the Fair Housing Act, black homeownership was 41 percent. In 2004, black homeownership hit a high of 49 percent. As the Great Recession a ected housing, black homeownership fell below the 1970s levels to 40 percent in 2017, and today is only at 46 percent. A slight improvement, but still far below white ownership. Hispanic ownership has only increased 1 percent in the past twenty years from 47 to 48 percent, while Asian (Asian, Native Hawaiian and Paci c Islander) homeownership is at 63 percent, but has only been tracked for the past ten years.

Diversity in housing and fair housing laws provide numerous bene ts to com-

munities, such as preventing discrimination, encouraging diverse communities, strengthening local economies, and building generational wealth.

e primary purpose of the Fair Housing Act was to prevent housing discrimination. One of the main forms of discrimination before 1968 came in the form of “redlining,” where banks created maps of neighborhoods with higher percentages of non-white residents outlined in red. ese areas were considered risky, and lenders refused to lend to people looking to buy homes in those areas.

e Housing Act eliminated this practice, but the e ects can still be seen in communities.

Fair housing protections also promote the creation of diverse communities. Another form of discrimination involved restrictive covenants in subdivisions, which prohibited certain ethnic and religious groups from purchasing homes in speci c areas. It may be surprising to see the content of some covenants and restrictions in Columbia’s oldest neighborhoods; although these covenants are

unenforceable due to the Fair Housing Act, the discriminatory language remains recorded. e Fair Housing Act worked to eliminate such practices to prevent segregation and promote diverse neighborhoods, thereby fostering stronger social ties among di erent groups.

Local economies are strengthened by fair housing laws by providing families with secure, stable housing. Stable housing gives families more disposable income and provides employers with a more diverse labor pool. It also encourages neighborhood investment and reduces poverty and crime.

Diversity in housing and fair housing laws are more relevant today than ever before. Especially in the local real estate market, where market inventory is in short supply, o ers must be competitive against other buyers. In addition, diversity strengthens neighborhoods and promotes economic and social equity by ensuring that housing opportunities are based on merit and choice rather than prejudice or bias. CBT

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

Supporting Local Agriculture for Small Business Growth

BY MATT M C CORMICK

AGRICULTURE IS MORE THAN JUST AN INDUSTRY IN OUR COMMUNITY

it is the foundation upon which many of our small businesses thrive. From the food we eat to the materials that support our retail, hospitality, and service sectors, the local farm and agricultural community plays a crucial role in the economic success of our region. When we invest in local agriculture, we are not just supporting farmers, we are strengthening the entire local economy, including the small businesses that make our community unique.

THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF SUPPORTING LOCAL AGRICULTURE

Local farmers provide the raw materials that drive a variety of industries. Restaurants and grocery stores rely on fresh, locally sourced ingredients to attract customers looking for quality and sustainability. Farmers markets serve as incubators for small businesses, giving local vendors a space to sell their products while drawing shoppers to downtown areas where they might visit other businesses as well. Agri-tourism, farmto-table experiences, and local food processing all contribute to economic activity that bene ts more than just the agriculture sector.

Additionally, when we keep our agricultural dollars in the community, we stimulate job growth. Agriculture and agribusinesses create employment opportunities across multiple sectors, including logistics, manufacturing, and retail. By supporting local farmers, small businesses can bene t from a stable, reliable supply

chain that reduces costs and increases economic resilience.

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY TIES THROUGH LOCAL AGRICULTURE

Beyond economic bene ts, supporting local agriculture fosters stronger community ties. Farmers are often deeply rooted in their communities, participating in local events, supporting schools, and contributing to charitable initiatives. By purchasing from local farms, businesses can help sustain this culture of community involvement and philanthropy.

Moreover, partnerships between small businesses and agricultural producers create opportunities for collaboration and innovation. Whether it’s a local brewery sourcing ingredients from a nearby farm or a restaurant featuring a seasonal menu based on what local farmers are harvesting, these relationships lead to unique business o erings that attract customers and drive success.

RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURE

As we celebrate the impact of local agriculture on our small business community, it is our privilege to honor those who have made exceptional contributions to the industry. is year, we congratulate ENDOVAC, our Agriculturalist of the Year, for their outstanding dedication to innovation and sustainability in farming. ENDOVAC has demonstrated leadership in agricultural practices that not only bene t their business, but also serve as a model for other farmers and agribusinesses in our region.

We also recognize Rebekah Hammett, this year’s recipient of the Friend of the Youth Award. Rebekah has been a tireless advocate for agricultural education, ensuring that young people in our community have access to the knowledge and resources they need to pursue careers in farming and agribusiness. Her e orts have inspired the next generation of agricultural leaders, reinforcing the longterm sustainability of this vital industry.

A CALL TO ACTION: SUPPORTING AGRICULTURE FOR A STRONGER FUTURE

e continued success of our local farms and agricultural businesses depends on community-wide support. As consumers, we can choose to buy local produce and products. As business owners, we can look for ways to partner with and promote local farms. As advocates for economic growth, we can champion policies that support agricultural sustainability and innovation.

When we invest in our agricultural community, we invest in the future of all small businesses. e strength of our economy depends on collaboration, and by supporting our local farmers, we are laying the groundwork for a more prosperous, resilient, and connected community.

Once again, congratulations to ENDOVAC and Rebekah Hammett for their well-deserved recognition. Your hard work and dedication are a testament to the vital role agriculture plays in shaping our community. Let’s continue to work together to support and celebrate this essential industry for years to come. CBT

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

Entrepreneurs On Call

Previewing Missouri Startup Weekend 2025.

BY SUNITHA BOSCKER | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MISSOURI STARTUP WEEKEND

IN THE HEART OF MISSOURI, a weekend-long event is shaping the future of startups, turning ideas into companies and dreamers into founders. Missouri Startup Weekend (MOSW) has evolved into a transformative experience, o ering aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs the chance to develop and pitch their ideas in an electrifying, high-stakes environment.

e 2025 Startup Weekend runs April 11-13 at EquipmentShare’s corporate headquarters at 5710 Bull Run Drive.

Originally launched as Columbia Startup Weekend in 2011, the event has a history of producing industry-changing companies, including Zapier, a billion-dollar “unicorn company,” and EquipmentShare, now a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. Over the past thirteen years, MOSW has not only built a reputation for fostering innovation, but has also become a must-attend event for those looking to immerse themselves in Missouri’s thriving startup ecosystem.

Missouri Startup Weekend began with a simple yet powerful idea: to create a space where entrepreneurs could test their concepts, nd co-founders, and connect with industry leaders. e inaugural event in 2011 set the tone for what was to come, as its rst winner, Zapier, went on to become a Silicon Valley success story.

A PRIZE WORTH COMPETING FOR is year, the stakes are higher than ever. e winning team will take home a prize package worth $45,000, including $10,000 in cash, $15,000 in MVP development services from Aviron Software, a $15,000 branding and design package from Digital Bullpen, and a full legal entity formation sponsored by Transitions Law Group. e winner will also receive press release coverage from Relevance and the potential for up to $150,000 in investment from Redbud VC.

e MOSW team is not just about the money — it’s about setting participants up for long-term success.

“Over time, we’ve focused on giving winners the best shot at building their companies post-weekend,” Startup Weekend director Maria Heyen explained.

INTRODUCING THE SPRINT TRACK

New for 2025 is the Sprint Track, a feature designed for early-stage startups already working on their business ideas. Instead of starting from scratch, Sprint Track teams will re ne and accelerate their existing ventures while bene ting from

the same high-energy environment that MOSW provides.

is addition acknowledges that not all participants are rst-time entrepreneurs. Some have already made progress and need a nal push to turn their ideas into market-ready businesses.

“It’s about supercharging progress,” Heyen said, emphasizing that the goal is to make the weekend as valuable as possible for every attendee, regardless of their stage in the startup journey.

AN EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER

Attending Missouri Startup Weekend is more than just a learning opportunity — it’s an intense, high-energy, and fully immersive experience. e event will take place at EquipmentShare’s newly launched Technology & Development Center, coinciding with the company’s ten-year anniversary celebration.

Participants can expect gourmet meals crafted by EquipmentShare’s executive chef and his team. Food might not be the rst thing that comes to mind when thinking about a startup competition, but it’s an integral part of the MOSW experience.

“One of the coolest surprises is the amazing culinary team at EquipmentShare, who volunteer to cook over seven meals and late-night snacks throughout the weekend,” Heyen said. “It’s something participants rave about every year.”

Beyond the food, the event features unique activities, including sunrise yoga. But the real value lies in the networking and mentorship opportunities.

UNPARALLELED ACCESS TO TOP MENTORS AND JUDGES

A key aspect of MOSW is the access it provides to industry leaders. is year’s event will feature high-caliber mentors such as:

• Marc Bernstein, founder of Balto ($50M+ raised)

• Joe Davis, investor at Headline ($4B+ AUM)

• Bess Goodfellow, partner at HPA ($100M+ AUM)

e judging panel is also loaded with talented individuals:

• Wade Foster, co-founder of Zapier

• Willy and Jabbok Schlacks, co-founders of EquipmentShare

• Chrystal Graves, founder of Liquid

• Jyothi Vallurupalli, investor at Lightbank

• Lori Coulter, co-founder of Summersalt

e mentors and judges have built billion-dollar businesses, invested in top VC funds, and know exactly what it takes to launch and scale a company. As Heyen puts it, “ ere’s no other event in the state where you’ll nd this level of talent, resources, and connections all in one place.”

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

MOSW attracts a diverse crowd, from rsttime founders to seasoned entrepreneurs. About a third of attendees are students, and last year’s event saw participants from ten di erent states. Some attendees return year after year, while others come for the rst time, eager to pitch their ideas.

For those hesitant to participate because they don’t have a tech-based idea, Heyen reassures them: “We welcome any and all ideas — whether they’re high-growth tech startups, software solutions, hardware innovations, or even scalable non-tech businesses.” While around 90 percent of pitches tend to be tech-focused, the event has also helped launch successful local businesses.

GETTING INVOLVED

Missouri Startup Weekend isn’t just for participants — it’s for the entire community. Visitors can attend the Friday and Sunday pitch sessions for free, and general admission tickets are available for those who want to engage in networking and experience the event without joining a team.

For those interested in competing, the deadline to sign up is Friday, April 4. However, given that last year’s event sold out two weeks in advance, organizers encourage early registration. CBT

MISSOURI STARTUP WEEKEND 2025

April 11 - 13, 2025 @ EquipmentShare HQ

Visit mosw.io for more information, including ticket sales and event details.

PYSK

Talia Jackson

President and Chief Executive Officer, Heart of Missouri United Way

Job description: I’m in charge of all aspects of running the Heart of Missouri United Way. I have a sta of eight that makes all the magic really happen.

You are brand new to this role. When did this job start, and what was the process that brought you here? I started Monday, March 3. When my husband, Kerrick, and I arrived in Columbia, we immediately signed up to be donors for United Way. I have previous experience with United Way in other cities and know what a great organization it is. rough various connections, I met the previous CEO, Andrew Grabau, who ultimately asked me to be on the Heart of Missouri United Way Board of Directors. I started that role in May 2024. As we were going through the selection process to replace Andrew, our board chair, Mitzi Clayton, asked me if I would consider doing an organizational assessment to help the new CEO (a person that we were still trying to nd) get settled in their role. I talked with my husband and some other trusted advisors and decided that if I was going to do the assessment, I would want

the chance to implement my ndings — so I decided to throw my name in the hat for the CEO position. And now here I am!

What is your background/experience with HMUW or United Way in general? As I mentioned, I’ve been on the Heart of Missouri United Way Board since May 2024. My experience with United Way goes back to 2016, when I was a part of the Governance Academy for the United Way of Greater Kansas City. I also volunteered with the Capital Area United Way when we lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from 2018 to 2020.

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Years lived in Columbia: 2010 to 2015 and again since August 2023.

Your husband, Kerrick, is the head baseball coach at Mizzou. We’re guessing you’re not only a MU Tiger fan — but you might also lean toward a favorite MLB team. Which one? Being from St. Louis, I de nitely lean towards the St. Louis Cardinals; however, at home we often cheer for individual players (irrespective of team) that Kerrick has coached and/or mentored through the years.

Favorite recent project: My recent projects have been all about getting our house and family settled after going through three relocations in a span of about four and a half years. So painting walls and hanging pictures were my most recent projects.

A Columbia businessperson or nonproﬁt leader you admire — and why: Adonica Coleman would be at the top of my list. I’ve known her for a long time, and I’ve loved watching her grow and evolve her business and her brand. She sees needs in the community and then uses her skills, resources, and networking abilities to address those needs. She’s able to do that in both the business sector and the nonpro t space, which I think is remarkable. I tell her that I want to be like her when I grow up!

Why you are passionate about your job: I love that I get to use the skills

that I have developed over my corporate career of twenty- ve-plus years to truly help others. Working in corporate America, we have missions and visions, but ultimately the job is about the bottom line and making money. Here I get to help make the community in which I live better, and that’s pretty cool.

If you weren’t doing this for a living, you would be … Well, I was retired when this position called me, so I guess I would still be retired!

Tell us something about the local United Way that most people might not fully understand: I think people believe that United Way simply generates revenues through campaigns and then allocates those funds to nonpro t organizations. And while that is true, the behind-the-scenes processes of vetting and working with those nonpro ts is where the magic happens. We work with those organizations to make sure the services they say they are going to deliver with the funds we allocate are really delivered at the end of the day. We also work with those nonpro ts to help make them better organizations in general. So while, yes, we are giving funds, there’s really much more to it.

One reality of public life right now is that there seems to be so much division between ideologies, political stripes, and even religious beliefs. What are your suggestions for navigating that environment and seeking common ground? e common ground is that we are all human — we get one life and should strive to make it the best life we can. At Heart of Missouri United Way, we unite friends and neighbors to create better lives for those in our community. We focus on improving outcomes in education, health and basic needs, and nancial stability, which transcends ideologies, political a liations, and religious beliefs.

Biggest lesson learned in your working life: My grandmother said you catch more ies with honey than vinegar, and while I don’t consider

people to be the equivalent of ies, the essence of that proverb is that you will get further in life treating others well than not. I try to always treat people well, and I think it has paid o in my working and non-working life.

Your greatest strength: e broad background I’ve had working in various industries and in various roles has made me well-rounded and experienced in areas that will allow me to help support and grow this organization.

Your greatest challenge or weakness: Coming from the corporate sector, I don’t have fundraising experience on my resume. But I do have two things that will help address that gap. One is a set of fundamental skills, such as relationship building, negotiating, and communication, that is key to fundraising. e second is a great sta and board that will be able to make connections and help support our fundraising e orts.

What you do for fun: I’m the wife of a collegiate baseball coach and the mom of two baseball-playing boys. Fun is baseball in my world!

Who makes up your family: My husband, Kerrick, and I have two boys. Zion is 13 and an eighth grader at Gentry Middle School. Laz is 12 and a sixth grader at Gentry. ey both play baseball for the Warriors Baseball Club. We also have two 6-year-old chocolate Labs named Satchel and Gibson.

Most people don’t know that you … is is a tough one because I’m a pretty open book. But I can say that when I was younger, I wanted to be Miss America ... even though I never competed in any pageants! CBT

Keep local events

WHAT THE PROS KNOW BUSINESS

MYTHS ABOUT THE COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

By Vaughn Prost info@prostbuilders.com

MYTH #1

Commercial construction projects are always expensive and over-budget. While it’s true that many construction projects can go over budget, this is not always the case. Good planning, effective management, and choosing the right contractors can significantly reduce the chances of budget overruns. According to the Project Management Institute, the primary reasons for budget overruns typically involve scope changes, poor project planning, and unforeseen complications-not inherent problems in commercial construction. Proper risk management and contingency planning can keep costs under control. Prost Builders goals are always to be on-budget, on-schedule, and have complete client satisfaction for every project. We succeed at that goal much more than not, but if the client requests any changes, then the schedule and cost may change accordingly.

MYTH #2

Commercial construction is all about new buildings; renovation is not as popular. Renovation and remodeling projects are increasingly common in commercial construction and are often driven by sustainability concerns, the desire to repurpose the building, and preserve older buildings for historic reasons. In fact, renovation projects can be just as popular as new construction. The demand for building renovations has risen, as many businesses aim to modernize their facilities or meet environmental standards without the cost of new construction. Prost Builders has been responsible for many historic renovations and restorations in the state for 76 years and we’re proud of the legacy of preserving these important Missouri buildings for future generations.

VAUGHN PROST Owner & President

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.

(573) 635-0211 | prostbuilders.com

3305 Crawford Street Columbia, MO 65203

MYTH #3

Commercial construction is a maledominated industry and does not offer opportunities for women. While historically the commercial construction industry has been male dominated, the trend is changing. There are more women in leadership positions in construction than ever before. National Association of Women In Construction (NAWIC) have been pivotal in promoting women in the industry and many companies have programs aimed at increasing diversity and support for women in the workplace. Habitat for Humanity even hosts a WOMEN BUILD day for all women in construction to help build a new home for deserving first generation homeowners. Prost Builders proudly supports WOMEN BUILD as a sponsor and sends female employees who wish to participate each year to Habitat for Humanity’s local events.

MYTH #4

Commercial construction projects always take longer than expected. Delays in commercial construction can occur due to various factors like weather, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions, but the idea that ALL commercial projects are delayed is a myth. With proper scheduling, regular progress monitoring, and efficient project management, many projects are completed on time or ahead of schedule. Prost Builders’ Project Managers and Superintendents work closely with each other, make contact regularly with their subcontractors, suppliers, owners, owner’s representatives, and design team. This enables us to stay on schedule unless uncontrollable delays come into play.

When you’re ready to start your new project, Prost Builders is your partner in DesignBuild and General Contracting, because we have had 76 years of experience in the business to benefit your business growth.

VA Hospital in Columbia. Prost renovated the hospital rooms, kitchen and morgue and added a warehouse addition.

SPRING INTO MARKETING: FRESH CAMPAIGN IDEAS FOR THE NEW SEASON

By Charles Bruce III charles@comocompanies.com

As the chill of winter fades and the world awakens to the colors of spring, it’s the perfect time for businesses to refresh their marketing strategies. Just like spring brings new energy, your business can shake off the winter slump and bloom with new ideas. Here are some creative ways to help your brand “spring” into action and make a lasting impact.

1. Celebrate Seasonal Themes Spring is synonymous with growth, renewal, and vitality. Incorporate these themes into your messaging and visuals by using bright, cheerful colors like greens, yellows, and pastels to evoke feelings of freshness and optimism. For example, create social media posts with blooming flowers, sunny skies, and outdoor settings to align your brand with the season’s vibrancy.

2. Launch a Spring Cleaning Campaign

Spring cleaning isn’t just for homes — it’s a great metaphor for simplifying and refreshing customers’ lives. Offer promotions that focus on decluttering, organizing, or revitalizing. For instance:

• Retailers: Feature sales on items that help with organization or a wardrobe refresh.

• Service-based businesses: Promote services like home cleaning, lawn care, or even digital decluttering, such as email management.

• B2B companies: Encourage clients to streamline operations with your products or services by positioning them as tools for “cleaning up” inefficiencies.

CHARLES BRUCE III Director of Client Relations

Charles Bruce is the Director of Client Relations for COMO Companies which owns COMO Marketing, COMO Magazine, and COMO Business Times. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and his MBA from the University of Dubuque. When Charles isn’t being the life of the party, he can be found climbing a large mountain. In December 2023 he climbed the Imja Tse mountain in Nepal.

3. Run a Seasonal Giveaway

Engage your audience with a springthemed giveaway. Partner with complementary businesses to create a prize bundle that includes spring essentials — think gardening tools, outdoor gear, or spa treatments. Use social media platforms to boost participation, asking users to like, share, and tag friends to enter. This approach increases your reach and strengthens your brand’s connection to the season.

4. Host or Sponsor Local

Events

Spring marks the return of outdoor gatherings and community events. Show your support for the community by sponsoring or hosting activities like:

• Farmers markets

• Charity walks or runs

• Family-friendly festivals

Use these events to promote your brand by handing out branded merchandise or offering exclusive discounts to attendees.

573.499.1830 | comomarketing.co

5. Highlight Eco-Friendly Initiatives

With Earth Day falling in April, spring is the ideal time to emphasize sustainability. Share your company’s eco-friendly practices or launch a green initiative. For example:

• Introduce biodegradable packaging.

• Plant a tree for every product sold during the season.

• Organize a community clean-up day, showcasing your brand’s commitment to the environment.

Spring Forward with Confidence

Embrace the energy of spring to breathe new life into your marketing! This season is all about fresh starts, so why not refresh your approach and connect with your audience in a way that feels vibrant and exciting? Show off your brand’s creativity, adaptability, and ability to keep things fresh.

Spring is here — let’s grow your business and plant the seeds for success. For more great tips on how to do this, visit the COMO Marketing blog!

UNEXPECTED BUSINESS EXPENSES

By Brad Roling broling@midambk.com

Being in business can often come with expenses you weren’t expecting. Let’s talk about a few of those expenses so you can be prepared for them:

• Legal and insurance fees are necessary but can sneak up on you. If you plan to register your business as an LLC, Corporation, or with any other type of structure, there will be fees associated. You will also have legal fees if you choose to have any paperwork drawn up through an attorney. Lastly, you’ll want to make sure your business has the proper insurance, which can mean monthly or yearly payments.

• Office equipment and software fees are a cost that can add up. Running to an office supply store may be costly and time-consuming. Find a local vendor that will check in monthly and bring you the supplies you need or consider setting supplies to ship to you on a reoccurring basis. Also, consider what software you need to run your business, like Point-ofSale (POS) systems, accounting software, and website costs, and budget for them.

• Location expenses come with more than just rent each month; having a brickand-mortar location can be like owning a second home. There are property taxes, utilities and maintenance costs

to consider. Be sure to research what these costs will be before getting into a building that has significant costs.

• Employee-related expenses can pop up at any time. Depending on the type of employees you plan to have, you may have salaries and benefits to pay. There is also the cost associated with recruiting new employees and then onboarding them.

BRAD ROLING Market President – Columbia

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 as Treasurer, Heart of Missouri United Way Board of Directors, Executive Board for Scouting America, Great Rivers Council, and Beta Theta Pi Advisory Board. Brad is a proud Mizzou grad and loves cheering on the Tigers!

573-998-8900 | midambk.com

• Emergencies can throw a wrench into your well-laid financial plans. You could have equipment break down that needs to be repaired or replaced or simply have unavoidable expenses. Keeping a reserve of easily accessible funds can help ease the burden of a financial emergency for your business.

At Mid America Bank, we offer accounts tailored to your business’ needs. Our business checking options fit businesses of all sizes, while our savings accounts help you plan for the future. With the expertise of our Treasury Management team, we provide solutions to streamline payments, manage expenses, and reduce risk. The team at our Columbia branch is here and ready to support you and your business!

KEY BENEFITS OF MANAGED IT SERVICES FOR SMALL TO MID-SIZED BUSINESSES

By David Black DBlack@gfidigital.com

Small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly challenged with managing their IT systems in today’s fastpaced digital world. From cybersecurity concerns to network management, these responsibilities can quickly overwhelm internal teams, detracting from the business’s core objectives. That’s where Managed IT Services come in, providing the support and expertise SMBs need to stay competitive and secure.

What are Managed IT Services?

Managed Network Services offer a proactive approach to handling your organization’s IT infrastructure. This includes services like network monitoring, firewall management, server maintenance, security monitoring, and workstation support. For SMBs, partnering with a managed IT service provider ensures that their network operates smoothly without requiring constant internal attention.

Transforming Your Business Operations with Managed IT Services

As technology continues to evolve, the demand on IT professionals grows. SMBs often find themselves stretched thin, balancing daily operations with critical IT tasks. By outsourcing IT functions to an experienced MSP, organizations can focus on strategic growth, leaving network performance and cybersecurity to experts who understand the unique needs of their environment.

Enhanced Security & Reduced Downtime

Cyber threats are a growing concern, and the safety of your data should be secure. The experts at GFI Digital can ensure your business has the latest security measures in place to protect against evolving threats. Regular updates, proactive monitoring, and security audits keep your network

DAVID BLACK Vice President of Technology Services

David joined GFI Digital seven years ago, first as a contract Program Manager before becoming Director of Architecture and Engineering. Now serving as Vice President of Technology Services, he brings over 30 years of experience in the technology industry. Throughout his career, he has led Security, Network, Server, Data Center, and Big Data teams across the Contact Center, Manufacturing, and Communication industries. With a strong background in technology leadership, David is committed to driving innovation and operational efficiency.

croofe@gfidigital.com (media contact) marketing@gfidigital.com (general) (877) 434-0012

safe, allowing you to maintain business continuity with minimal interruptions.

Boosting Productivity and Efficiency

With managed IT services handling routine tasks like network performance optimization, data backups, and device management, your internal teams are free to focus on core business objectives. By ensuring the IT infrastructure is always running at peak efficiency, employees experience fewer disruptions and can work more effectively.

Strategic IT Planning and Scalability

As your business grows, so too do your IT needs. Partnering with GFI Digital means you have an IT ally who can offer strategic guidance on scaling your operations, adopting new technologies, and preparing for future IT requirements. Our team works alongside you to develop long-term strategies that align with your business goals and help you stay ahead in an increasingly digital world.

Access to Specialized Expertise

When you partner with GFI Digital for your managed IT needs, you’re gaining access to

a team of experts. Our engineers, analysts, and IT specialists are continuously educated on the latest technologies and industry standards, ensuring your IT environment is optimized for success.

Peace of Mind with GFI Digital’s Managed Network Services

At GFI Digital, we provide more than just routine IT support. We serve as your outsourced IT partner, helping safeguard your network, improve efficiency, and ensure your business stays secure. By trusting GFI Digital with your IT infrastructure, you’re giving your business the tools to thrive in an ever-changing digital landscape. Contact us today or visit our Managed Network Services page to learn more about our IT services.

GFI Digital is a full-service provider of office technology, including multi-function copiers, printers, and information technology services. For more than 25 years, GFI Digital has grown into an industry leader in office technology, copiers, printers, data center, networking, security, and system administration. Having a passion for customer satisfaction has earned GFI Digital a reputation for customer service. We make technology simple!

And the Orchestra Played On

BY MICHELLE TERHUNE

Orchestras are among the industries that su er from a chronic condition. It does not a ect the human bodies of its professionals, but it does a ect the body’s livelihood. Orchestras famously have what’s referred to as Baumol’s cost disease.

First diagnosed in the 1960s, this economic disease is caused when wages and operating costs rise in industries where productivity growth is low or nonexistent. For example, it takes orchestra members the same amount of time to play Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 now as it did when the work was rst performed in the nineteenth century. But the money it takes to support an organization like the Missouri Symphony continues to grow. And that can put the future of MOSY and all orchestras in danger.

Other factors also threaten their survival, such as declining interest in classical music. A cionados of the genre tend to be older, white, and wealthy, limiting audience potential. And in a post-pandemic, streaming world, people are less likely to want to show up at a theatre to experience a live performance. Orchestras are a business. e fact is that they’ve never been able to sustain themselves on ticket sales, but they’ve been around for centuries. How is MOSY doing these days? Fortunately, this orchestra is playing on.

THE BUSINESS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC

Trent Rash, MOSY’s executive director, said only a few cities the size of Columbia have a professional orchestra. MOSY is a mid-sized orchestra that averages about fty musicians divided among the strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion sections. ose professionals have day jobs. More than half are music professors, teachers, or private instructors. However, they are paid for rehearsals and performances because they are, indeed, professional musicians. And like anyone with a contract side hustle, they receive an annual 1099 tax form.

Filling the stage with such talent isn’t an inexpensive endeavor. at’s where a large portion of MOSY’s roughly $750,000 annual budget is spent. Front-o ce operations are lean, with three full-time sta , including Rash, a director of operations, and an orchestra manager, who is also the director of the MOSY Conservatory. at’s the organization’s educational arm, where young musicians are encouraged to become advocates of classical music.

“It is such a gift to have an orchestra in a community of this size,” Rash said. “ e fact that we do and the fact that we have close relationships with the University of Missouri, with Stephens College, Columbia College, and the Columbia Public Schools — along with the collaborations we do with a number of the other arts organizations — is a really special thing. I don’t want people to take it for granted because it is di cult for us to simply exist in a community of our size. e sustainability factor is always on the table because we need a lot of support to keep the doors open.”

MOSY also has three part-time sta : a marketing manager, an events manager, and an assistant conductor. e orchestra’s position of conductor and music director is likewise part-time. Wilbur Lin is the associate conductor of the Colorado Symphony, dividing his time between his home in Denver and his role with MOSY in Columbia. Notably, Lin is only the third conductor in MOSY’s 55-year history, which speaks to the consistency of creative leadership for the organization. But MOSY has made many changes, especially in the past few years, to keep this classical culture alive and well.

REMAINING RELEVANT

“It’s all about relevance in this day and age,” Rash says. “I don’t think culture is dead. I just think people have changed their view of what culture is. We have to show people there is still relevance in this classical form of music as much as there is in the pop side, and that they are, in fact, related.”

Classical music often gets a bad rap for relevance in the twenty- rst century. Composers are too often only associated with wig-wearing white European guys who composed music long ago. But there are moments of good rap, such as Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 performance with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. K.Dot demonstrated that classical music is accessible, regardless of age, race, or musical genre, and that’s the kind of thing MOSY wants to promote.

While selling more tickets to events will help MOSY’s bottom line, it won’t make the orchestra pro table. In fact, Rash says that ticket sales account for only about 30 percent of annual revenue. Performances do well to break even, and most end up in the red. e organization relies mostly on donors and corporate sponsors to come up with the other 70 percent.

is isn’t a new problem. After renovating the Missouri eatre in 2008, MOSY found itself $3.7 million in the hole. e University of Missouri, which had signed a three-year lease agreement in 2011, ended up purchasing the theatre from the organization in 2014 for that amount, giving MOSY a clean slate.

No longer drowning in debt, MOSY began building its reserves, which is vital for the survival of any nonpro t. But pandemic shutdowns sent it reeling and forced the organization to dip deeply into those reserves. For example, even though the 2020 summer music festival was canceled, MOSY paid its musicians some of what they would have made. Revenue still hasn’t kept pace. At the end of the last scal year, MOSY had a budget de cit of $101,000.

Other factors caused some budget-related hiccups. In December 2022, the MOSY Board of Directors adopted an August 1 to July 31 scal year to align with the academic year. And in 2018, the organization rebranded itself, dropping the privilege-oriented “Society” from its name. at change ran deeper than its moniker, marking MOSY’s switch from a membership-based nonpro t to a donor-based model. However, fundraising plans designed to capitalize on the organization’s ftieth anniversary were thwarted, as MOSY’s anniversary year was — wait for it — 2020.

BUILDING A BIGGER TENT

Rash says audience numbers are rising. e annual holiday show is a perennial sellout, lling the Missouri eatre to capacity. But other concerts may attract only about 500 attendees. e summer Fire y Music Festival features multiple performances held in multiple venues, and MOSY hires additional talent for this one. About 30 musicians from orchestras around the country join MOSY for a summer residency.

While these performances are traditional, MOSY has been pushing the envelope to attract a more unconventional following. e point of these events is to engage new people.

“We’re having to change the way we engage with people because they want more return on their investment. ey want more than just a concert,” he said. “ ey want a true experience.”

Preludes at the Pubs began during the pandemic when indoor performances were forbidden. MOSY paid chamber ensembles to perform at restaurants with outdoor seating.

e music is free for the venue and patrons, although donations are encouraged, and most performances now have corporate sponsors.

“It has come to have a quite a following,” Rash says. “ ere are at least 50-plus people who come just for us. It’s a winwin for the restaurant and us.”

MOSY has held three iterations of “Sound Bites,” where local chefs work with Lin to create dishes that complement an

“I don’t think culture is dead. I just think people have changed their view of what culture is. We have to show people there is still relevance in this classical form of music as much as there is in the pop side, and that they are, in fact, related.”

- TRENT RASH Executive Director, The Missouri Symphony

orchestra performance, such as Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.” is immersive experience sold out all three times, forcing MOSY to move from Cooper’s Ridge Event Center to Kimball Ballroom at Stephens.

“I have seen such a demographic shift with that particular event,” Rash says. “I’ve seen a lot of people who are Gen Xers or younger, a lot of millennials, even some Gen Zers making a date night out of it. So, that has de nitely been a way that we can engage with a di erent sort of audience demographic.” en there’s the Black History Month Concert, which combines the orchestra performance of Black composers with relevant narratives. For example, the rst one, held in 2024, took place at Second Missionary Baptist Church. A small chamber orchestra performed Carlos Simon’s “Requiem for the Enslaved” accompanied by Rev. Clyde Ru n’s narration of records written by enslaved people.

And if sitting in the beautifully restored Rococo Missouri eatre isn’t compelling, other events give audiences the option to move around, such as a lab concert experience held in 2023 at the State Historical Society of Missouri as part of the Fire y Music Festival.

“We created an avenue between the strings, the brass, and percussion called ‘ e Avenue of the Brass,’” Rash said. “You could actually walk through the orchestra. You could walk up and down the stairs and sit at di erent levels to listen.”

Like a wily party host who wants to encourage mingling, the orchestra put out fewer chairs than there were attendees. As a result, “everyone walked around – even people who have been coming to the symphony for fty years. People were enthralled. ey were mesmerized,” Rash recalls.

In 2024, the audience could wander around the Jesse Hall rotunda during the performance, participate in the creation of a living art piece, or contemplate the music during yoga on the top level of the rotunda.

“We still o er music in the traditional setting at the Missouri eatre,” Rash said. “But some people aren’t able to get their imagination there without some more active participation.” e traditional symphony isn’t dead. But building a bigger tent that makes room for more diverse audiences is key for MOSY’s survival.

RAISING THE CURTAIN

Rash says virtually all MOSY members became donors when the organization changed its structure. And Columbia businesses continue to provide sponsorships and opportunities for MOSY musicians to perform. MOSY receives grants, although public and foundation funding for the arts is on a downward trend. To build back its reserves, MOSY will have to take a di erent tack.

Rash says the nonpro t is exploring the launch of a capital campaign in the near future to raise at least $1 million. At least half will likely go into an endowment, and the rest will bolster operations and pay o debt. Plus, it’s an opportunity to bring more disciples to the classical table.

MOSY musicians will still perform in the Missouri eatre. But e orts to cast a wider net are paying o , despite the scourge of Baumol’s cost disease. And that is a prelude to success. CBT

Story

Bringing art to the community.

BY LORI GALASKE | PHOTOS BY KEITH BORGMEYER

Columbia is home to a thriving art community, and if you aren’t prone to spend an afternoon in one of the various galleries or museums, simply take a drive around town and let the art come to you. Throughout Columbia — from the North Village Arts District to the Arcade District and downtown and scattered around town — passers-by are gifted aesthetic breaks from the brick-and-mortar buildings that are common to cities.

And some of the artwork occupies a few extra doses of space.

“Murals impact our community a little bit quicker. They’re more accessible,” said Columbia muralist David Spear. “You’re bringing art to the people, and you’re bringing new life to a community.”

Spear’s work decorates the walls of Columbia restaurants Addison’s and Sophia’s. He grew up as a creative, and art was a part of his home life with his grandmother encouraging him to become the artist she knew he already was. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) and his graduate degree from MU, but it was his job as a bartender at Addison’s that changed the trajectory of his career.

Unbeknownst to Addison’s owners, Spear created a large charcoal drawing of one the servers as an example of what could go on the wall.

“I showed them the rough drafts, and they decided to go with that plan,” he said.

After several years bartending, Spear took what he had saved and traveled. Those travels later inspired his work for Sophia’s.

“I traveled around Europe for a few months, saw a lot of Greek mythology,” Spear said. “When I came back, they were making Sophia’s. I was getting married and had a baby on the way, so I decided to do Greek mythology in a modern context. I used my wife when she was pregnant and her mother and grandmother — the thread of life — for The Three Fates painting in Sophia’s.”

When Spear created the pieces for the original Addison’s on Cherry Street, he had just opened a downtown studio called Alleyway Arts. To transfer the works of art from studio to restaurant, he and one of Addison’s owners, Matt Jenne, simply walked the pieces through the bustle of The District. When Sophia’s recently moved locations in south Columbia from 3915 S. Providence to 3910 Peachtree Drive — about 250 feet to the west — Spear and Jenne hit repeat: T hey walked the original Sophia’s paintings from the old location to the new.

One of Spear’s favorite things to do when creating a mural is to collaborate. He recently completed a mural for the Missouri Department of Conservation in Salem, Missouri. The mural covers a span of roughly 250 feet by twenty-five feet and is located on the exterior of the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center (ONCRC). Inspiration came from multiple collaborative meetings with members of the community, ONCRC volunteers, and the Department of Conservation.

“We got different groups together, and we did brainstorming sessions,” Spear said. “I wrote down everything they wanted to be in the mural, and then I did another session with the volunteers of the ONCRC. We did the same thing, and I wrote down everything. At the end of these sessions, I told them, ‘OK you get three dots to put what you think the most important thing is.’ Whatever got the most dots got into the mural.”

The first large mural that Spear created is closer to home, located at 1000 College Avenue. It depicts the story of one of Columbia’s most famous citizens, William “Blind” Boone, who lost his eyesight as a child. Boone went on to become a well-known ragtime pianist. The mural covers 100 feet horizontally and twenty feet vertically. Spear’s murals around Columbia don’t stop there. His most recent work of note is located in the Arcade District.

THE STORY OF A MURAL

Previously the last stop for beef cattle, visionary Bobby Campbell repurposed what had been a portion of Columbia’s stockyards, as well as an area with multiple manufacturing plants, and brought it back to life in 2022 as the Arcade District. With a tag line of “Innovate. Disrupt. Live,” Campbell’s venture is a nod to expecting anything but status quo.

Campbell approached Spear as well as another Columbia muralist, Adrienne Luther Johnson, and asked each of them to create a mural for separate sides of the Redbud VC building at 709 Fay Street. Each artist met with Campbell separately and created their mural based on his vision without the benefit of collaboration with the other.

Luther, also known as co-owner of downtown restaurant Cafe Berlin, along with husband Sam, generally creates art that is playful and with bright colors. She enjoys working with children and for children, and her work is scattered across the windows and chalkboards of businesses and restaurants around town as well as on playgrounds.

“The Arcade District’s branding is create/disrupt/live,” he said. “So I was kind of going off of that scheme, and what’s around his [Campbell’s] idea of disrupting. I have that eyeball on each side with the six hands around it, and they’re not tearing the city up; they’re just kind of disrupting things a little bit.”

Behind the Brush

Another image represents the balance of mind, body, and soul (in, as Spear calls it, the “weird yoga shape”). Triangles show up several times in the mural. Spear’s inspiration for those came from the area itself, noting, “There are a lot of triangles around the area. There’s a seeing-eye triangle mural that’s on the old gas station cover that’s nearby.” He took the triangle one step further and incorporated Pablo Picasso’s quote, “The sun is a thousand rays in your belly.”

Adrienne Luther Johnson

• Grew up in Jefferson City

• Teaches pop-up art classes and outdoor art classes

• Enjoys pop music

• Considers her philosophy “Treat art as play”

• Her mother and grandmother taught art classes

• Artist Brianna Heath aided Luther in painting the mural

Brianna Heath

• Played soccer at Columbia College

• Enjoys skateboarding

• Performs ﬂowstar, a form of dance

• Uses physical movement to inspire her visual art

• Created the mural on the window of B-Side Records

“I was really intrigued by the idea of having the feminine form that large on a building that is of a more masculine architecture,” she said of her work for the Arcade District. “It was very interesting and a challenge to paint the female form on those edges, but it was actually really fun because you have these really harsh verticals and you have to add the curvature of a woman’s body. It was a really interesting creative process.”

Spear, for his part, also enjoyed the creative process and had some fun with it.

Some of Spear’s symbolism in the mural comes from “taking the ideas from the past and working with them and then replacing your ideas into the future.” You can see this on the mural where, as he says, “on the left side is the old Wabash train. On the right it’s a newer version of the Wabash train, but it’s all done in code like it’s like a matrix. It’s like where the past and the future meet at that person in the middle.”

THEN AND NOW

Murals are nothing new — just ask a caveman. According to National Geographic, the oldest known cave paintings are estimated to be 65,000 years old, with the majority of pieces being closer to 40,000 years old. Spain and France house most of those natural galleries, but they are not alone. Russia, Argentina, Bulgaria, Indonesia, and, yes, even the United States (Tennessee) are just a few of the countries where cave art can be seen.

Our prehistoric, cave-dwelling ancestors created their murals primarily with red and black paint made from various rocks. Today’s muralists prefer acrylic paint that comes ready-made — no pounding to smithereens necessary.

While today’s walls tend to be a bit more uniform in shape and texture and obtaining the paint itself a little less labor intensive, one thing remains the same: the subject matter. Both then and now, artists depict life. In the caves, we see a variety of animals and humans either hunting or being hunted, resting or at work or play, and lest we think that abstract art is something new, we see examples of it in cave art called finger flutings.

Art has come a long way in the past 65,000 years, but as with prehistoric cave paintings, and indeed all works of art, murals are forms of communication: from one generation to another, from one culture to another, and from artist to beholder. CBT

Street Talk

BY JODIE JACKSON JR

THE WAVE OF CUTS in federal spending has reached Columbia. A $2.13 million grant awarded to the Business Loop Community Improvement District for improving the Business Loop is now o the table.

Carrie Gartner, executive director of the Loop CID, said in a public announcement on March 11 that she had “disappointing news.”

“ e Federal Highway Administration has informed us they cannot allocate any of the funds for our Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant and that the project should be stopped,” Gartner wrote. “ is is the result of an Executive Order that required federal department heads to provide an assessment of all current grants and other funding with an eye towards cutting speci c programs. At this time there is no additional information coming from USDOT.”

e city was the grant recipient, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).

“We are all working to understand what the path forward might be,” Gartner added. “It’s unclear whether we can get the funds reobligated to our project or whether a new grant process will be introduced to reallocate these dollars to projects meeting new criteria.” She said if federal funds are no longer available, the Loop CID will work with the city “to explore other locally initiated funding tools that are not reliant on grants.”

Focusing on Feral Felines

e Columbia Board of Health has moved a mid-March meeting to April 10 to seek public input on proposed changes to the city ordinance related to feral cats. e February issue of COMO Magazine featured the article “Corralling Cats on the Prowl,” which provided a glimpse at animal control ordinances that cat rescue groups say are burdensome. ese meetings will include sta

presentations, review of existing ordinances, and discussions between Board members.

e April 10 meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the city/county health department at 1005 W. Worley St.

Arriving, Coming, and Changing ... It’s here ... Home Goods is open for business at e Shoppes at Stadium, and renovation work is beginning at the former Macy’s building where Trader Joe’s will soon open shop. In addition, Smalls Sliders has announced plans to expand its cheeseburger franchise to Columbia and Je erson City. A news release said a husband-wife duo that owns two Scooters Co ee locations in Missouri plans to bring two of the burger business’s Smalls Sliders Cans to COMO and Je City “within the next several months.”

And just like that, Columbia’s Penguin Piano Bar has a new owner. Dan Rader, owner of MyHouse, a downtown nightclub and sports bar, said in a news release that e Penguin will reopen on April 3. e popular downtown dining and entertainment venue abruptly closed in February after reopening last spring following a nearly four-year COVID hiatus.

Rader said guests at e Penguin “can expect the same vibe you’ve enjoyed in the past, in an improved space.”

Columbia Insurance Group announced a new brand identity that includes a shorter name — Columbia Insurance — on March 10. Todd Ruthru , president and CEO, said in a news release that the new brand identity marked “a signi cant milestone in the company’s ongoing business transformation.” e branding initiative includes a new modern logo, shortened name, updated website and emails, and a small series of videos.

Moving Missouri Forward

e Columbia nonpro t Local Motion will present the Moving Missouri Forward Summit at the Broadway Hotel from Wednesday, April 16, to Friday, April 18. e $100 registration fee includes all sessions and meals, and hotel rooms are available at a block rate. For the full details on the summit, including speakers, schedule, and more, visit lomocomo.org/summit.

Serendipity Will Host Black Alchemy

Matchbook Marketing, a student-run marketing agency at the University of Missouri, has announced the return of Black Alchemy, an annual event celebrating the work of local Black artists. e event will be held at Serendipity Salon & Art Gallery in Columbia from 4-7 p.m. on April 26. Matchbook Marketing is collaborating with Mizzou Black Creatives, a student-run organization that supports Black artists on campus, to bring the event to life. e event is free and open to the public. CBT

Street Talk is a monthly overview of “word on the street” business and community news. Street Talk is sponsored by e Bank of Missouri.

The Loop faces a grant freeze, The Penguin is already back, and corralling cats.

New Business Licenses

Issued March 2025

My Quilty Pleasure

1900 N. Providence, Columbia

Good Day Farm

Medical marijuana dispensary

812 Vandiver Drive, Columbia

Sweet Pea’s Studio LLC

4500 Stellar Drive, Columbia

Silverball

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

122 S. Ninth St., Columbia

Moore Water & Air

1610 Burlington Street, Columbia

Lashes By Samantha LLC

900 Rain Forest Parkway, Columbia

Florida Nails Forum

Sophy Sam 1400 Forum Boulevard, Columbia

Wilcox Iconography LLC 1609 N. Lakewood Dr., Columbia

B’s Lock & Key LLC

5431 E. St. Charles Rd., Columbia

Mid America Bank

4601 Stellar Drive, Columbia

AADAMS LLC

Ashley Adams 1830 N. Black Walnut Ct, Columbia

TJ’s Mobile Barber Shop 1704 Oxford Drive, Columbia

Club Car Wash Operating, LLC

Plumbing trade contractor 1591 E. Prathersville Rd.

Birdie’s Bakery

Morgan Brooks

2300 Bennett Springs Drive, Columbia

MNA Group LLC

500 E. Walnut St., Columbia

Evevia Massage

4603 John Garry Drive, Columbia

Edgy Cowgirl LLC

111 S. Ninth St., Columbia

Pastel Waxing

1020 E. Walnut St., Columbia

American Realty & Development

Construction

709 Highway 28W, Belle, Missouri

Crosshair Pest Control LLC

Johnny Wingate

8596 N. Cedar Ct.

Flock Safety

1170 NW Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta, Georgia

573Freelance

Rober Welch

731 W. Monroe St., Mexico, Missouri

Compass Electrical

Solutions LLC

Construction

10510 Lackland Road, St. Louis, Missouri

Ramapo Communication Corp.

General contractor

20 Romanelli Avenue, South Hackensack, New Jersey

JP Builders Homes LLC

General contractor

7280 E. Sunny Vale Dr., Columbia CBT

Issued by the city of Columbia’s Finance Department.

What’s Going Up?

Trader Joe’s is almost here, downtown gains a new Mexican restaurant.

BY JODIE JACKSON JR

e former Macy’s building is undergoing alterations to make way for Trader Joe’s, the Country Club of Missouri is undertaking a $5 million renovation project, Tractor Supply is getting a Live Goods Center, and a new Mexican restaurant is going in downtown. ose projects are among the highlights of the city of Columbia’s February building permit report. e city’s Building and Site Development o ce issued 78 building permits with a combined valuation of $23,683,679. e February building permit totals for the Boone County Resource Management o ce showed 44 permits with a total valuation of $5,067,237.

Combined, the city and county issued 122 building permits with an aggregate valuation of $28.8 million.

Columbia’s breakdown included:

• Residential addition: 3 permits, $164,819 valuation.

• Commercial alteration: 10 permits, $9.47 million.

• Residential alteration: 6 permits, $352,782.

• Pool: 1 permit, $51,800.

• Commercial in ll: 4 permits, $707,739.

• Commercial new: 1 permit, $188,000.

• Deck only: 1 permit, $30,000.

• Duplex: 8 permits, $1.17 million.

• Re-roof: 20 permits, $281,182.

• Single family detached: 21 permits, $11.27 million.

Highlights of the February permit list includes:

Shell work on the existing Macy’s building for a new TRADER JOE’S tenant at 201 N. Stadium, Ste B. e property owner is e Kroenke Group (TKG). e permit listed a valuation of $3.2 million for a 14,500 square foot project. Don C. Musick Construction Inc. of Brentwood is the general contractor. Star Heating of Columbia is the mechanical contractor.

e Kroenke Group has also applied for permits for interior work, with a valuation of some $1.8 million for refrigeration and similar work. Maly Commercial Realty, which manages multiple Columbia commercial properties, con rmed the Trader Joe’s news is November, shortly after it was announced that Home Goods was going into the former Bed, Bath and Beyond store in e Shoppes at Stadium. Further retail additions to the Macy’s building have not been released, and the o cial opening date for Trader’s Joe’s has not been announced. Columbia would be Trader Joe’s sixth location in Missouri, with existing stores in Brentwood, Chester eld, Creve Coeur, Des Peres, and Kansas City.

e COUNTRY CLUB OF MISSOURI at 1300 Woodrail Avenue is launching a $5 million clubhouse and renovation that comprises 23,888 square feet. e renovation includes

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

the men’s and women’s locker rooms and lounges, kitchen and bar, and seating area. Additions include a new entrance canopy, a “Grand Room,” and a covered patio.

e general contractor is Professional Contractors and Engineers. Fuel/gas and plumbing contractor is Questec Constructors Inc. e architect is Renner Howell Architects.

TRACTOR

SUPPLY COMPANY

at 4151 Paris Road is having an interior remodel for a Live Goods Center. e project is 18,780 square feet and has a valuation of $600,000. e general contractor is Joshua Niemann. Electrical contractor is Mid-Missouri Electrians.

Another Kroenke Group property — 403 N. Stadium, Ste. 101 — received a building permit for commercial alteration. e site will be remodeled for a LOVESAC modular furniture

shop within the existing single-story multi-use building. e addition is part of the strip mall between McDonald’s and Chick- l-A. e general contractor is Daniel De Jager.

Emery Sapp & Sons is building a NEW PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE at Flat Branch Park, at 29 S. Fourth St.

QDOBA MEXICAN EATS restaurant is getting space prepared at 821 Elm Street. e 2,530 square foot project has a valuation of $332,784. e general contractor is Courtney Construction LLC of Mountain Grove, Missouri.

TOMPKINS CONSTRUCTION is the contractor for all eight duplex permits o Alan Lane. e total valuation for the duplexes is $1.17 million.

Top-dollar single-family homes getting permits in February include:

• 6408 Adare Manor Drive. Old Hawthorne North, 6,513 square feet, $832,565 valuation. e builder is Lombardo Homes of Columbia.

• 6309 Adare Manor Court. Old Hawthorne North, 9,168 square feet, $1.29 MILLION . e builder is Creative Building and Design.

• 914 Cayman Court, e Villas at Old Hawthorne, 6,193 square feet, $771,334 . e builder is Petersheim Custom Homes.

Boone County permit totals for February include:

• Single-family residential: 9 permits, $2.98 million

• ree- and four-family residential: 3 permits, $525,000

• Modular/double wide: 1 permit, $30,000

• Other nonresidential: 1 permit, $15,000

• Other structures: 6 permits, 269,608 Additions/alterations

• Residential: 8 permits, $676,382

• Nonresidential: 4 permits, $479,150

• Residential garages: 3 permits, $83,000

• Miscellaneous permits: 9 permits, $21,555

e top-dollar homes on the single-family residential list are:

• 8050 W. Woodson Dr., $661,209 . e builder is Precision Built LLC.

• 10961 E. Bowling Lane, $514,525. e builder is Anderson Homes. CBT

1st

The monthly friday upon which the open-air event "First Fridays" occurs in Columbia’s North Village Arts District.

$45,000

The potential total prize package value for the winner of Missouri Startup Weekend.

$75

The annual membership fee at Vidwest Studios. (It’s only $35 for students, seniors, and military personnel.)

10 years

The age of Charlie Bittle, a Columbia artist with works on the walls at Cafe Berlin.

$750,000

The Missouri Symphony Society’s (MOSY) annual budget – roughly.

1821

The date of the oldest records in the Boone County Recorder of Deeds office.

1968

The year President Lyndon B. Johnson signed The Fair Housing Act.

1974

The year Dungeons & Dragons was created. The table-top role-playing game has a fervid following in Columbia.

2022

Columbia entrepreneur Bobby Campbell reimagines a portion of Columbia’s stockyard area, creating The Arcade District.

Burrell Expansion Marches On

Mental health provider marks two years with Phoenix Health.

BY M C KENNA STUMPH

INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING signi cant substance abuse and other mental health issues now have access to more inpatient or outpatient services at the Phoenix Health clinic, which Burrell Behavioral Health began operating two years ago.

Burrell added the Phoenix clinic in 2023 and the organization further expanded its footprint by purchasing the former Rainbow House facility on Towne Drive and renovating its primary Columbia location o Berrywood Drive. Burrell sought to complete the expansions and renovations in response to a community mental health needs survey that showed gaps in local mental health services.

“Our core charge has been and always will be about a social services safety net for individuals who are underserved or underinsured,” said Mat Gass, president of Brightli’s Central North Region. “As an organization, we’re constantly looking for gaps and opportunities for services that we can provide.”

Brightli is Burrell’s parent company.

Burrell’s Phoenix Clinic at 90 E. Leslie Lane, just north of the Providence/I-70 interchange, is a substance abuse clinic o ering screenings, assessments, and outpatient therapy as well as medication and residential inpatient services. Burrell’s renovations include a waiting room expansion, adding a heat treatment room, upgrading the kitchen, and expanding the number of residential rooms from sixteen to twenty- ve beds. e outside makeover included new privacy fences, lighting, and a camera system for security. Patient artwork now adorns the interior clinic walls as a therapeutic touch for individuals receiving treatment. Inpatient services may be provided for a period of one to nine weeks.

Scan the QR code to read more about how Burrell is filling critical gaps in behavioral health care for Columbia.

Federal Spending Cuts: What Are YOU Going To Do About It?

BY STEVE SPELLMAN

RAPID SPENDING CUTS OUT OF WASHINGTON have been all over the news the early part of this year already.

e instant layo s have reached some federal employees living here in COMO. Local public and nonpro t organizations with established federal grants have experienced funding ows that are at least temporarily frozen. Local mortgage lenders working to qualify home buyers for federal programs, like via the VA, are not sure they if can turn in new applications.

Mayor Bu aloe on a weekly Facebook video suggested: stay informed, call your elected o cials, and meanwhile support local non-pro ts.

Staying in the know and helping with charitable endeavors is always good advice, but you’ll get no call to political action from yours truly here (believe it or not). Instead, I’m challenging readers to pragmatically stop and think about what you are actually going to do in their own lives.

In many a corner o ce, the periodic strategic planning exercise involves a stereotypical SWOT Analysis - brainstorming about an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and reats. An overdue question has come to light: what would be your organization’s updated SWOT analysis in regard to your federal contracts?

Maybe federal programs used to be a Strength: as a preferred contractor or you are good at grant writing. Or an Opportunity: if the next omnibus bill could bring a boon to your industry.

But now, even deals you thought were stable are less certain, and become a reat to your established M.O.

Scan the QR code for insights from Steve Spellman on the local impact of federal budget shifts. CBT