YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
It’s a common theme among this year’s fastest growing companies. Change. Technology, regulations and consumer supply-and-demand require companies to adapt and innovate. And that’s why you see these companies in Springfield Business Journal’s 2018 Dynamic Dozen. They listened to their clients’ needs and wants, and rallied their employees to make strategic changes.
You’ll recognize several of these companies are returning to this stage, but more than half of them are newcomers, leading with Hurts Donut Co. at No. 1 with an impressive 457 percent revenue growth in the past three years.
Another thread in the success of these companies is the strength of their employees. That’s why we’re also recognizing five top employees in southwest Missouri.
Growth can be difficult to navigate, but these companies have shown it can be done across industries. Congratulations to all the honorees for their tireless efforts to better their companies and our community.
—Christine Temple, Features Editor
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.
Lumber prices are falling fast, turning hoarders into sellers
Mercy leader connects rising COVID cases, low vaccination rates
The Girl Scouts have unsold cookies left, 15M boxes
Major US mall owner files for bankruptcy
Philips recalls ventilators and sleep apnea CPAP machines over cancer concerns
Future of Fiber: CU, Lumen partnership to offer citywide, high-speed internet connection
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
