Biz 417 May/June 2025

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Biz 417 May/June 2025

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Culture

An Open Letter to the New Springfield City Leadership

Read recommendations for the future of Springfield, Missouri, guided by survey responses from the local business community.
Taylor Warwick
New on the Scene

Get to Know Taylor Warwick, COO of Mercy Springfield Communities

After years of leading health care expansions in Kansas City, Taylor Warwick embraces new opportunities as COO of Mercy Springfield Communities—and looks forward to diving into life in the Ozarks.
A&B Cycle team
Rooted Here

A Century of Cycling with A&B Cycle

For the past 100 years, A&B Cycle has been a mainstay in Springfield, Missouri. Its continuous commitment to serving its customers—from loyal cyclists to new riders—has solidified its spot providing 417-landers with a way to get outdoors.
College Station Theater
On the Rise

Keeping College Station Theater Local

With many changes over the past 15 years, Paul Tillman and his dad, Scott, have decided to keep the ownership and operation of College Station Theater local.
Better Block SGF and Springfield's Medical Mile
Vantage Point

Better Block SGF and Springfield's Medical Mile

A new placemaking effort is underway on Medical Mile, that 2.8-mile stretch between two giant health care systems on National Avenue in Springfield, Missouri. Better Block SGF is ready to tackle a very long challenge.

Networking in the Ozarks

Find out where to meet and network with other business leaders in Springfield and southwest Missouri.

FIND OUT MORE

BIZ DIRECTORIES

Find the best in the biz right here.
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The Latest

Jeff Johnson and Steve Faria at Shepherd of the Hills
Strategy

How to Take Your Business in a New Direction

When Jeff Johnson and Steve Faria acquired Shepherd of the Hills in 2017, they purchased part of Ozarks history. Adding a new element...

nov 2019 | Strategy
Hanna Perez with GO CAPS mentors Joseph Meissert and Dave Garner at Paul Mueller Co. in Springfield MO
Manufacturing

How Two Students Used GO CAPS To Gain Real World Experience

Real-world experience is the best way to learn if a career is right for you. High school graduates Hanna Perez and Joshua Bruce did just...

nov 2019 | Education, Manufacturing
OzWater bottles on a production line
Strategy

Is Springfield, MO Sitting on a Pure Water Source?

How Chad Sitton and Deer Lake Partners discovered a pure water source in Springfield, MO and founded OzWater.

nov 2019 | Companies, Entrepreneur
Labels by Ample Industries in Nixa MO
Manufacturing

Learn About the Printing Industry on the Job with Ample Industries

Ample Industries is a manufacturer of custom pressure-sensitive labels, and they work with many locally owned businesses including...

nov 2019 | Branded Content, Business Services, Manufacturing, Marketing
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2019
Biz 100 Honorees
Biz 100

Meet the 2019 Biz 100

Our annual list of the most powerful and influential business leaders in southwest Missouri is back for year four.

nov 2019 | Automotive, Business Services, Companies, Education
2019
Missouri State University President Clif Smart
Biz 100

Person of the Year: Missouri State President Clif Smart

Missouri State University President Clif Smart is on a mission to raise the profile of Missouri’s second largest university, and his...

nov 2019 | Education, Features, People
Compilation of products made in southwest Missouri
Manufacturing

Products Made in Southwest Missouri that are Used Globally

Cashew chicken isn’t the only notable thing made in southwest MO. Check out this small sampling of local plants and headquarters, plus the...

nov 2019 | Manufacturing
Concept art of Aquarium at the Boardwalk from Kuvera Partners
Strategy

Q&A: Kuvera Partners on Branson’s Aquarium at the Boardwalk

Los Angeles-based development company Kuvera Partners owns several Branson attractions. Recently, Kuvera announced Aquarium at the...

nov 2019 | Branson, Companies, Family, Q&A

Get Connected with Biz 417

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The Launch

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Biz Events

Browse local networking events on our calendar.
417 Out and About team
Culture

417 Out and About

At a game night, a group of friends began talking about the challenge of retaining LGBTQ professionals in Springfield. From that...

mar 2023 | #417Culture
Advice & Whiskey with Crista Hogan
Leadership

Advice & Whiskey with Crista Hogan

After 21 years, Crista Hogan knows how to run the Springfield Metropolitan Bar. And yet she’s still innovating and tweaking things to get...

mar 2023 | Advice & Whiskey
2023
Andi Hilburn-Vaini, owner/operator of 28 McDonald's restaurants.
Women Who Mean Business

Andi Hilburn-Vaini is a Woman Who Means Business

Andi Hilburn-Vaini, one of the Biz 417 Women Who Mean Business for 2023, is the owner/operator of 28 McDonald's restaurants.

mar 2023 | Features, Leadership, People, Q&A
2023
Audrey Garard, owner of Grooms Office Environments.
Women Who Mean Business

Audrey Garard is a Woman Who Means Business

Audrey Garard, one of Biz 417's Women Who Mean Business for 2023, is the owner of Grooms Office Environments.

mar 2023 | Features, Leadership, People, Q&A
Boyd Elementary Gets a Second Life
Offices

Boyd Elementary Gets a Second Life

For 110 years, Springfield elementary students filled the halls of the former Boyd Elementary.

mar 2023 | Downtown Springfield
Francine Pratt's Look
Style

Francine Pratt's Look

Known for her chic, stylish and tailored approach to fashion, local businesswoman and entrepreneur Francine Pratt’s personal style has...

mar 2023 | Biz Style, Style
Get to Know David Argueta
Communication

Get to Know David Argueta

David Argueta’s passion for healthcare led him from growing up in Texas to taking on the role of president of Mercy Hospitals Springfield...

mar 2023 | Business Services, Leadership
2023
Joselyn Baldner, president/CEO of Central Bank.
Women Who Mean Business

Joselyn Baldner is a Woman Who Means Business

Joselyn Baldner, one of the Biz 417 Women Who Mean Business for 2023, is president/CEO of Central Bank.

mar 2023 | Features, Leadership, People, Q&A

The Latest Biz People Pics

See pictures from Good Morning Springfield
Biz People Pics

Good Morning Springfield April 2021

April 2021 Good Morning, Springfield! presented by Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. April 1, 2021. Springfield Sign. Photos by Hannah...
See pictures from Good Morning Springfield.
Biz People Pics

Good Morning Springfield 2021

Good Morning, Springfield hosted at the Oasis Convention Center on February 4, 2021. Photos by Hannah Brown.
See pictures from PARK(ing) Day 2020
Biz People Pics

PARK(ing) Day 2020

This year, Better Block SGF partnered with Mudhouse coffee to transform a parallel parking space outside of the shop to demonstrate the...
See pictures from Biz 417's Ladies Who Launch 2020
Biz People Pics

Biz 417's Ladies Who Launch 2020

More than 300 career-minded women logged on to YouTube Live for a powerful afternoon of speakers and inspiration at Biz 417’s third annual...

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20 Best Places to Work in Springfield, Missouri

From Idea to Startup: Build Your App and Compete for Pre-Seed Capital with Codefi

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Most Recent People Stories

An Open Letter to the New Springfield City Leadership

Better Block SGF and Springfield's Medical Mile

Bonnie Nolen with Bon Bon’s Candy House

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