Biz 417

20/06/2025

Goldfish, autographs and tiny pop culture icons—every item in Dr. Mark Smith’s office tells a story. 📚

Mark Smith, Dean of the McQueary College of Health and Human Services at Missouri State University, shares keepsakes from his office that capture who he is and his time in America since traveling from Great Britain.

18/06/2025

What started as a part-time job in a bike shop turned into a full-circle career for Christopher McNeese, who now owns A&B CYCLE—a Springfield staple that's been serving riders for 100 years. 🚴‍♂️ Today, the shop is solar-powered, Trek-focused and still rooted in old-school customer service that keeps generations coming back.

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.

16/06/2025

🚀 Powerhouse women. Game-changing insights. Meet the Women Who Mean Business panel at Ladies Who Launch—featuring top executives, entrepreneurs and change-makers who are redefining leadership in 417-land. 💡 Leadership journeys 🔥 Strategies for success 💬 Real talk on resilience and impact. Get ready to be inspired. Get ready to lead. Secure your spot today! 🎟✨
https://417mag.ticketspice.com/biz417-ladies-who-launch-2025

13/06/2025

🚀 Meet Lara Krug, the first-ever Chief Media & Marketing Officer of the Kansas City Chiefs! 🏈✨

Lara is redefining the game. From engaging with fans in Chiefs Kingdom to leading international growth, she’s making history and building a passionate community of supporters.

Join us for a sneak peek into her journey, her vision for the Chiefs and how she’s empowering the next generation of women in sports! 🌟

https://ladieswholaunch.biz417.com/

10/06/2025

📣✨ Attention Springfield Leaders! 🎓💼

Class is back in session! Biz 417 B-School returns July 10 for an exciting live Q&A with new City Manager David Cameron and Mayor Jeff Schrag, moderated by Publisher Logan Aguirre and presented by OMB Bank. 🗣️🤝
Join us for a discussion about their ideas for streamlined permitting, smart growth and an “open for business” City Hall! 🏙️🚀

➡️ Seats are limited. Reserve your spot now! https://417mag.ticketspice.com/biz-417-b-school-a-live-qa-with-david-cameron-and-jeff-schrag

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09/06/2025

What's inspiring you? 📚✨ Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan recommends The Right Call by Sally Jenkins.

06/06/2025

🎾 Hector Cruz and David Hoover launched Hampton Paddles after asking, “Why can’t pickleball paddles be quality and pretty?” They launched in September 2024 at a local fall festival and haven’t looked back. Their 2025 goal? Sell 400 paddles and expand to pro shops and other pickleball venues.

Busy dad of three Hector Cruz balances work at The Focus Group, CellARide and Evangel University while chasing the entrepreneurial itch. Read about how and why he developed Hampton Paddles with business partner David Hoover.

03/06/2025

We pulled some of our favorite quotes from this issue’s stories—words that inspired us, challenged us and stuck with us. 💬 Swipe through for wisdom from local leaders shaping southwest Missouri.

02/06/2025

📣 ✨️Calling all local women with stories to share! Biz 417 has partnered with speaker coach Lori Robertson to bring you a high-impact program! ⁠
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Join us for a transformative six-week journey where you'll: ⁠
✅️ Identify and clarify your unique message ⁠
✅️ Develop a captivating 15-minute signature talk ⁠
✅️ Gain the confidence to wow your audience⁠
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Whether you're just starting out or looking to enhance your skills, this is your chance to shine! 🌟⁠
Applications for our Fall 2025 class are NOW OPEN! Spots are limited, so don't wait—apply today and step into your spotlight! 🎤💪⁠
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https://ladieswholaunch.biz417.com/remarkable

28/05/2025

We’re honored and proud to share that FourOneSeven has been named the recipient of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award!
2024 was a milestone year for us—we launched a full rebrand of our flagship publication, updating everything from the logo to the mission that drives our entire company. That rebrand officially debuted in September, and it reflects our deep commitment to celebrating life in 417-land.
We’re so grateful for the opportunity to spotlight this region every day. Thank you, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, for this incredible recognition.

As Publisher Logan Aguirre said in her acceptance speech, “We’re proud to be for the Ozarks. And today, we’re proud of the Ozarks.” ❤

Read all the details ⬇️
https://www.417mag.com/blog/springfield-chamber-award/

27/05/2025

Abacus! offers year-round, personalized tax strategies through its ALIGN method, helping clients minimize surprises and maximize financial growth. With a proactive approach, the team makes taxes a seamless, strategic part of your financial year.

Avoid tax season surprises—discover how Abacus! uses the ALIGN method for personalized, year-round tax planning and smarter financial decisions.