The Ozarks Small Business Incubator hosted “EPIC: Growing Beyond the Ozarks,” its annual National Small Business Week event, May 7 in West Plains.
More than 90 people from across the region attended the event, which brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders and state and regional partners for networking and presentations focused on business growth.
This year’s EPIC theme focused on helping businesses expand their reach beyond the Ozarks. The event featured keynote speaker David Newman of Newman Berkshire Heritage Farm, along with roundtable speakers Heather Mincer of Yes Honey, Andrew Bedell of The Landing and Anna Mayberry of H&M Ranch Store.
Speakers discussed how their Ozarks-based businesses have connected with customers and opportunities outside the region through storytelling, relationship-building and quality products or services.
EPIC also included a pitch competition. Four local entrepreneurs advanced through two rounds of PitchFest eliminations to compete as finalists.
Amelia Protiva with Birthkind, a platform designed to connect birthing parents with qualified professionals, won the pitch competition. Other finalists were Judy Hunter with Hunter HR Solutions, a human resources firm; Logan Waggoner with Cedar Lane Co., an e-commerce and editorial platform connecting consumers with locally made goods in southern Missouri; and Joe Dickens with JD Shoyu Co., a shoyu microbrewery.
Attendees commented on the event’s speakers, networking opportunities and pitch competition in post-event survey responses.
“The keynote was amazing, the connections and energy were great, and the pitches were really impressive,” one attendee said.
“Having the vendor tables was a great way to network with fellow entrepreneurs,” another respondent said.
“EPIC: Growing Beyond the Ozarks showcased the innovation and ambition that define our region’s entrepreneurs,” said OzSBI CEO Heather Fisher. “This year’s speakers and pitch competitors reminded us that businesses rooted in the Ozarks can reach customers, markets and opportunities far beyond our borders. We are grateful to everyone who showed up to connect, learn and support small business growth in our community.”
OzSBI thanked the community and event sponsors, including Platinum Sponsor Community First Banking Company; Gold Sponsor Hirsch Feed and Farm Supply; Silver Sponsors Bear Crossing Truck Wash & Tire Center, Ramona Heiney State Farm and Ozark Marketing; and Bronze Sponsors Taylor Grubaugh Chevrolet Buick GMC, The Fisher Firm, Piney River Brewing Co., Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative, BURO and Codefi.
OzSBI also thanked Conjure House Coffee and Jeff Wood for providing coffee and food for the mixer, and Piney River Brewing Co. for providing handcrafted beer and soda.
A recording of the event livestream is available at youtube.com/@ozsbimo.
