Evolution of an Enterprise, Chapter 21: Community Jobs

Jason Mitchell and Michael Mardis spend long hours working to grow their fledgling business, design studio theworkshop 308 LLC.

However, they still find time to volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks, participating monthly in the Outdoor Sports Buddies program.

Now, Mitchell and Mardis are putting their professional skills to use for the charity. They’re building a wine cabinet that will be auctioned Aug. 16 at BBBS’ A New Taste fund-raiser at Bass Prop Shops’ White River Room. A New Taste will feature food from 17 Springfield restaurants, live and silent auctions and a vehicle raffle.

“It’s a great organization that has a simple goal,” Mitchell said of BBBS. “Volunteering, and giving back to the community, is something we said we wanted to do early on, both as individuals and as a company.”

Mitchell and Mardis got involved with BBBS in February, just a month after they opened their studio at 308 W. Commercial St. Outdoor Sports Buddies gives children something fun to do once a month, while waiting to be paired with a “big brother” or a “big sister.” Activities have included soccer, laser tag and bike races.

“We are in this life together,” Mardis said. “Why not help people and try to be a positive influence along the way? It can change someone’s life and add meaning to your own.”

When BBBS put out the call for items to be donated for the auctions during A New Taste, Mitchell and Mardis knew they could help.

The wine cabinet will be made from a salvaged 100-year-old house door, reformed with a steel base and bamboo veneer. It will hold up to 18 bottles of wine and 12 glasses.

“We are going to auction a handcrafted, functional piece of art created by local up-and-coming entrepreneurs,” said Laurie Soulsby, event coordinator for BBBS. “How lucky are we?”

Mitchell said volunteering in the community can provide fertile business-networking opportunities, but he said that’s not why they give their time.

“It’s something everyone should find time to commit to if they can, no matter their place in society,” said Mitchell, who also volunteered in Chicago as a mentor for high school students interested in architecture, construction management or engineering careers. “It’s nice to forget about our self-indulgences. … If we were volunteering solely for PR benefits, we’d be volunteering for the wrong reasons.”

Mitchell and Mardis both said they want to devote more time to BBBS in the future.

“Jason and Michael have a sincere passion for the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters,” Soulsby said. “They are dedicated young men.”