Biz 417 May/June 2025

View Issue

Biz 417 May/June 2025

SUBSCRIBE

417 Magazine
Home
417 Bride
417 Custom
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.
Financial
Attorneys
Meeting Spaces
Lunch Spots
Biz Services
More

The Latest

2021
Priscilla McKinney: CEO and Momma Bird of Little Bird Marketing
Women Who Mean Business

Priscilla McKinney is a Woman Who Means Business

As CEO and Momma Bird of Little Bird Marketing in Joplin, Priscilla McKinney has positioned herself as a leader in the market research,...

mar 2021 | Features, Leadership, Marketing, People
2021
Stephanie O'Connor: Vice President - Chief Information and People Officer of City Utilities
Women Who Mean Business

Stephanie O'Connor is a Woman Who Means Business

As Vice President - Chief Information and People Officer of City Utilities in Springfield, Stephanie O'Connor utilizes her unique skill set...

mar 2021 | Features, Leadership, People, Q&A
Dori Grinder in HBA office
Leadership

The New Face of Springfield's Home Builder’s Association

Dori Grinder has worked for 2 different chambers of commerce in the past 10 years­­. Now she’s on to her next role: serving as executive...

mar 2021 | Build, Leadership, Women in Business
Springfield Symphony Orchestra
Strategy

Why the Springfield Symphony Has Embraced Online Performances

After introducing a streaming option in 2020, Springfield Symphony Orchestra is keeping its online performances, even for life...

mar 2021 | Art, Music, Strategy
Online shopping stock photo
Corporate

Amazon is Coming to Southwest Missouri [Updated]

Amazon is building a distribution and warehouse facility in Republic.

feb 22 2021 | Companies
Downtown Springfield, MO skyline
Strategy

How Successful Would a Work Incentive Program be in Springfield?

Northwest Arkansas’ Life Works Here initiative is seeing great success so far in attracting people to the region with money and a mountain...

feb 18 2021 | Leadership, Strategy
Katie Jones, 2021 10FTN10 Honoree
10 for the Next 10

3 Reasons to Nominate Someone for 10 for the Next 10

We all have someone we admire professionally. Biz 417 wants to know about your career crush, so nominate them for our annual feature.

feb 11 2021 | 10 For the Next 10, Entrepreneur, Leadership, Strategy
Four Leadership Tips From Nicki Gamet
Women in Business

Four Leadership Tips From Nicki Gamet

Gamet took over as Mercy Lebanon’s hospital administrator mid-pandemic. These are her top tips for building a strong team—no matter the...

feb 08 2021 | Health, Leadership, Strategy, Women in Business
Advertisement

Get Connected with Biz 417

Biz Break

Get access to local stories, networking events & more.

The Launch

Connect with women building and owning their careers.

Follow Us

Keep up with breaking 417-land Biz news.

Subscribe

Powerful business, in your hands.

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 One Million Cups Christmas Party
Biz People Pics

One Million Cups Christmas Party 2019

One Million Cups presents their Christmas party at the Springfield Art Museum on December 11, 2019. Photos by Brad Zweerink.
See pictures from B-School with Biz 417's Person of the Year, Clif Smart
Biz People Pics

Biz B-School: Person of the Year, Clif Smart presented by OTC CWD

Biz 417’s Person of the Year Clif Smart spoke about the profound impact he’s been able to make on Missouri State University and within...
See pictures from Biz 100 Party 2019
Biz People Pics

Biz 417's Biz 100 Party 2019

On November 13, attendees raised a glass to the most powerful and influential business leaders in 417-land at the third annual Biz 100...
See pictures from Biz B-School: The Business of Pot
Biz People Pics

Biz B-School presented by OTC Center For Workforce Development: The Business of Pot

Five of southwest Missouri’s professionals spoke about what the new medical marijuana industry means for our region at Biz 417’s B-School.

Most Recent Biz Blogs

20 Best Places to Work in Springfield, Missouri

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

Where to Meet for Lunch on Mondays

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

Most Popular Biz Stories

Nick St. George Upholds the Tasty Legacy of St. George’s Donuts

Women Who Mean Business

How Plaza Shoe Store has Stayed Successful for Nearly 70 Years

Want more biz? We deliver.

Subscribe to Biz