Biz 417

417 Magazine is proud to be counted in the top five finalists at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award! This award recognizes small businesses and their impact on our local economy, and we made the list along with other finalists Dake Wells Architecture, Ireland Architects, Ozark Empire Fair and Volt Credit Union. “I'm incredibly proud of our team,” says 417 Magazine Publisher and owner Logan Aguirre. “They bring their best and brightest minds and hearts and creativity each day." A huge congratulations from the 417 team to Dake Wells Architecture for taking the top spot at this year’s awards. We wouldn’t have been selected as finalists without you, our audience. Thank you for reading, subscribing, engaging, attending our events, giving us feedback and giving us a community to cheer. Link to read more in the comments 👇

Biz 417's Women Who Mean Business feature focuses on the women in our region who are committed to excellence in and out of their workplace—who are ambitious, compassionate, dynamic and inspiring. If you know of a woman who checks all these boxes (and more), nominate her today at the link below! Submissions close October 28.

Biz 417 is proud to announce the 2024 Biz 100 list, honoring the most influential business leaders in 417-land! Each year, we celebrate individuals who showcase exceptional vision, determination and resilience. These leaders have made significant impacts in their fields and serve as inspirations to the business community. To see if you or someone you know made the list, visit our blog at the link below. 🏆 If you'd like to honor and connect with these top professionals, don’t miss the 2024 Biz 100 Celebration presented by SumnerOne on November 13! Purchase your tickets now at the link below, and join us for an evening of networking and celebration. ⬇️

Biz 417’s Best Places to Work Celebration presented by The Warrior’s Journey is an annual event that honors the top 20 small and large businesses in the Ozarks who demonstrate exemplary company culture, productivity and customer retention, as determined by Best Companies Group. This event celebrates their accomplishments, provides an inspiring keynote and reveals the rankings for the top 10 Small Employer and top 10 Large Employer live. This year, we had the privilege of hearing from John Perry, Nixa High School Head Football Coach and the host of the “Never Stop Getting Better” podcast. Thank you to our sponsors, The Warrior’s Journey, Ollis/Akers/Arney, JMARK, Oasis Hotel & Convention Center and 37 North for making all of this possible! A huge congratulations to all 20 employers, and a special congratulations to our first place Small and Large Employers: Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors and West Plains Bank and Trust Company! To learn more about each of these companies and see the full photo gallery, visit the links below!

Biz 417 is proud to announce the Fall 2024 cohort of Remark/Able! Over the next six weeks, this exceptional group of women will embark on a transformative journey of confidence and community. They will select and refine their core message, crafting it into a compelling and impactful signature talk. Through workshops and personalized coaching, they will master the art of delivering their message with grace, confidence and poise. As they prepare to take the stage at both local and regional events, these remarkable women will gain invaluable skills and experience. Their time in the program will be dedicated to honing their public speaking abilities, building their personal brand and making a lasting impression on their audiences. We are incredibly excited to witness their growth and achievements throughout this journey and look forward to seeing the powerful impact they will undoubtedly make in their communities and beyond!

Biz 417’s 2024 Best Places to Work Celebration presented by Warrior’s Journey is right around the corner! This program celebrates the top 20 small and large businesses in the Ozarks that maintain exemplary company culture and are trailblazers in our community. The winners are based entirely on a data-driven, anonymous survey from employees, demonstrating the importance of employee-ownership and emphasizing the impact effective corporate leadership has on achieving successful business performance, employee engagement and customer retention. Interested in fist-bumping the best of the best in 417-land business? Get your tickets today at link below! ⬇️

On July 18, 612 of the Ozarks’ most influential and energetic women came together for another inspiring day at Biz 417's Ladies Who Launch, presented by Forvis Mazars. The seventh annual women’s leadership conference, our biggest one yet, kicked off with the first ever Rise & Shine Official Pre-Conference Workshop, presented by Burrell Behavioral Health and led by People Centric Consulting Group Engagement Specialist Stephanie Anderson. Participants in the workshop learned how to cultivate their influence in and out of the workplace. One attendee said, "This was the best pre-workshop I’ve ever attended. I loved the interactivity." Throughout the day, attendees were encouraged to embrace their journeys as they celebrated authenticity and rooted for one another. Speakers shared leadership lessons, bold action plans for taking the next step in your career and stories about leading with empathy. Featured speakers included Biz 417 Publisher Logan Aguirre, keynote speaker Humanitarian and Filmmaker Mallory Brown, Director & Founder of The Rebound Foundation Christina Ford, the 2024 Biz 417 Women Who Mean Business honorees and Owner of SpeakHer Lori Robertson. Together, we discovered that work-life balance might be a myth, but peace comes from prioritizing what truly matters and letting go of what doesn't—whether for a season or permanently (like having a spotless house!). Thank you to our sponsors for making this powerful event possible: Forvis Mazars, Husch Blackwell, Mercy, Reliable Lexus, Maxon’s Fine Jewelry, Rosie, Cereset and Alps Pharmacy & Gifts. View our full Facebook gallery of the event below! ⬇️

Take the leap and apply for Biz 417’s Remarkable Fall Class of 2024! This is your moment to grow, learn and shine as you embark on a journey of empowerment and connection. With expert coaching from Lori Robertson and a supportive community led by Logan Aguirre, you'll master the art of impactful storytelling. Over six weeks, you'll gain the skills and confidence to deliver a compelling 15-minute signature talk that resonates with your audience. Applications close this Friday, July 12—don’t miss out on this chance to empower yourself and inspire others. Seize the opportunity and apply today at the link below!

In our Biz 417 July issue, we’re proud to announce Biz 417’s 2024 10 For The Next 10—the 10 people in 417-land who are setting the scene for the next 10 years. These trailblazers are cultivating innovative ideas, chasing big dreams and building spaces that will change our community for generations to come. These award recipients come from various industries, but each of them exude determination, poise, passion and, most importantly, a deep love for 417-land. To learn more about each of them and the impact they’re having in our community, read our Biz 417 July issue now! Please help us congratulate Biz 417’s 2024 10 For The Next 10 in the comments below!

We are proud to introduce the inaugural cohort of Biz 417’s The Legacy Network, presented by Guaranty Bank and hosted at Drury University! Beginning in September, these 22 individuals embark on a journey of personal and professional development, refining their leadership skills, network and influence. With curated programming, developed and led by Biz 417, members learn from the best minds and subject matter experts in our region, have unparalleled access to mentors and connect with a peer network to ultimately curate a lasting legacy. Please help us welcome the 2024 Cohort tagged below! ⬇️