Biz 417

12/23/2025

Who knew Lego bricks could help solve big problems? 🧱 efactory uses hands-on building to spark creativity, get teams talking and figure out solutions in a whole new way.

At efactory, coaches guide companies as they tackle complex business challenges the same way kids play—with imagination and a pile of Lego bricks.

12/23/2025

Who knew Lego bricks could help solve big problems? 🧱 efactory uses hands-on building to spark creativity, get teams talking and figure out solutions in a whole new way.

12/22/2025

Meet the newest Biz 417’s Ladies Who Launch speakers—and the program that helped bring them to the stage.

Remarkable, created by Biz 417, empowers more women to step confidently onto stages across 417-land. Over six weeks, participants work with a speaking coach to shape a meaningful message, develop a 15-minute talk and deliver it with confidence.

This year marks a first. At Biz 417’s Ladies Who Launch, we’re featuring a dedicated Remarkable session with speakers from our earliest cohort to our most recent.

Taking the stage:
🔸Kylie Jackson, The Great Game of Business
🔸Ettie Berneking, Mercy Hospital Springfield
🔸Sarah Hough, Bass Pro Shops

This session is proudly sponsored by Mercy Springfield Communities.

Can you imagine yourself up on stage too?
Apply for the Spring 2026 Remarkable cohort by December 31.

Your voice belongs on more stages: ladieswholaunch.biz417.com/remarkable.

12/18/2025

Long days, strong coffee and a deep love for this community. Dr. Lyle Foster talks work, balance, favorite orders and what keeps him going.

https://www.biz417.com/advice/leadership/advice-whiskey-lyle-foster/

12/18/2025

Get to know Dr. Lyle Foster! ✨

Click the to read more.

12/17/2025

We’re thrilled to announce our 2026 Ladies Who Launch keynote speaker: Jenny Wood, bestselling author of Wild Courage and former Google executive.

Wood brings bold clarity and grounded courage to the stage, helping leaders rise through honesty, authenticity and growth. Her work challenges familiar advice and encourages women to embrace the traits that make them powerful.

Join us August 13–14 at the Branson Convention Center.
Tickets are on sale now: https://biz417.com/ladieswholaunch.

12/16/2025

A behind-the-scenes look at where the magic happens 🥤✨ We toured the Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company and followed the journey from bottle to box. Take a peek inside!

12/11/2025

417-land has something big to celebrate. 🎉

Shoutout to Ollis/Akers/Arney and Keep Supply for ranking in the top five in their categories for the national America’s Best Places to Work award from Best Companies Group!

Their standout survey results from Biz 417’s Best Places to Work contest earned them national recognition as finalists. That’s the power of listening to your people.

We’re thrilled to see two local companies honored on this scale. Way to go, teams!

P.S. Ready to hear your team’s truth, build a better culture and get recognized for it? Registration for Best Places to Work 2026 is now open: https://bestcompaniesgroup.com/best-places-to-work-in-the-417/.

12/11/2025

By day, Chris Slagle is a quality control inspector at Paul Mueller Company. By night, he’s spreading Christmas cheer as one of the Ozarks’ most beloved Santas. 🎅🏻

Quality Control Inspector at the Paul Mueller Company, Chris Slagle moonlights as a drummer—and, come December, Santa Claus.

12/09/2025

Presented by Grooms Office Environments, Best Places to Work is where recognition meets real insight. It’s your team’s truth, straight from the people shaping your culture every day.

⏩ New this year, the program is open to teams as small as 10 employees, inviting more small-but-mighty workplaces across 417-land to take part.

When you register, you’re not just vying for a title. You’re gaining access to honest employee feedback that highlights what’s working, where to grow and what your people value most. The recognition is rewarding. The insight is transformative.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about building workplaces worth cheering for. And when companies invest in their people, 417-land gets stronger.

Ready to hear your team’s truth? Register today: https://bestcompaniesgroup.com/best-places-to-work-in-the-417/.