Springfield Business Journal

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We welcome tips and letters to the editor from readers. Be consise, preferably under 250 words. We reserve the right to edit all letters for style, brevity, space and clarity. No anonymous letters or thank you letters will be printed.

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Springfield Business Journal
P.O. Box 1365
Springfield, MO 65801

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Letter to the editor: We welcome letters from our readers. Be concise, preferably under 300 words. We reserve the right to edit all letters for style, brevity, space and clarity. No anonymous letters or thank you letters will be printed.
Press releases: Attach your news and related photos.
Newsmakers: New hires, promotions and awards.
From the Ground Up: New construction projects.
Open for Business: Businesses that have opened, relocated or come under new ownership within the past six months.
On the Street: Photos from community and business events.
Business Spotlight: Tell us why your story has merit for this news feature.
Complaints, Corrections, Clarifications: Let us know of erroneously published facts.

Editors' Pick

Open for Business: Bark Yard

The Bark Yard dog park and bar concept launched; Charity Fent Cake Design LLC moved; and a pair of business owners collaborated on opening The Hidden Hut LLC.

Where Startups Can Begin

Jessica Burkland, a Missouri State University business instructor in the Department of Management, talks about small business start-up trends in a post-pandemic year. Burkland, who owns Activate Consulting & Training and volunteers as a small business mentor for SCORE of Southwest Missouri, says startups that offer new services and products to help people work from home or that enhance mental health could find greater success.

Our Year In COVID

Jim and Debbie Meinsen, co-owners of TCI Graphics, say the past year has been one of the toughest they have faced. Now in the company's 50th year, the couple says they learned a few things in 2020.

90 Ideas: Lessons From Programming

Charlie Rosenbury, president of Self-Interactive, calls on his experience in programming to illustrate lessons he has learned running a business and life in general. Springfield Business Journal's 90 Ideas is presented by Great Southern Bank.

No Ceiling: Tragic Punctuation

Darline Mabins talks with SBJ’s Christine Temple about growing up after a tragic accident took the lives of her mother and older brother. Mabins is now the regional branch sales manager for Arvest Bank. No Ceiling is an SBJ podcast, going in depth with local women, sharing their journey to the top of their professions.

Working for the Team

Caleb Scott, owner, coach and player for Queen City Insane Asylum semi-professional football team, talks about the ways that the team works to support each other on and off the field. Scott says you can’t force people to become leaders, they have to come naturally.

Sustained Through Relationships

Steve Williams, owner of Crosstown Barbecue, discusses the role relationships have played throughout the 51 years that Crosstown Barbecue has been in business. He says that while he puts effort into providing the best food he can, ultimately “people like to do business with people they like.”

Growing a Bond

Randy Bacon, professional photographer and humanitarian, relates his experience building relationships with clients since he became a photographer. He says building relationships with his clients and perfecting his craft are the most important things he does to spread his business.

What’s In A Name: Crackerjack Shack

Sandy Higgins, owner of the Crackerjack Shack, shares the reason behind the business’ name. She says part of the inspiration goes back to a painting her daughter had in her room when she was younger.

Just Moving Ahead

Heather Kite, owner of Rooted Deep Farms, relates how she started up her business in the summer of last year. She says it was a long journey, but she is satisfied with the choice she made.

Design Thinking

Amy Susan, director of public relations at EquipmentShare, discusses EquipmentShare’s philosophy of design thinking, and how field experience dictates their innovation. Design thinking consists of brainstorming, collaborating, beta testing and a practical implementation of solutions.