OzSBI reports a big success with EPIC: Growing Beyond the Ozarks

The Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) hosted EPIC: Growing Beyond the Ozarks, its annual National Small Business Week celebration, on May 7. More than 90 people from across the region attended the event, which brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and state and regional partners for a day of networking, learning, and inspiration.

 

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.

 

Each speaker shared valuable insight into how their Ozarks-based businesses have connected with customers and opportunities beyond the region by staying authentic, sharing their story, building relationships, and providing a quality product or service. Their experiences reminded attendees that growth does not mean leaving your roots behind. It means using those roots as part of what makes your business unique.

 

EPIC also featured a Shark Tank-style pitch competition. Four emerging local entrepreneurs advanced through two rounds of PitchFest eliminations to earn a spot as finalists. The winner of the pitch competition was Amelia Protiva with Birthkind—a platform to connect birthing parents with qualified professionals, followed by Judy Hunter with Hunter HR Solutions—a human resources firm, Logan Waggoner with Cedar Lane Co.—an e-commerce and editorial platform to connect consumers to locally made goods in Southern Missouri, and Joe Dickens with JD Shoyu Co—a shoyu microbrewery.

 

Attendees praised the event’s energy, speakers, and opportunities for connection. In post-event survey responses, one attendee shared, “The keynote was amazing, the connections and energy were great, and the pitches were really impressive.” Another respondent noted, “Having the vendor tables was a great way to network with fellow entrepreneurs.” Others highlighted the quality of the local speakers, the flow of the event, and the value of hearing from businesses growing beyond the region.

 

OzSBI CEO Heather Fisher shared, “EPIC: Growing Beyond the Ozarks showcased the innovation and ambition that define our region’s entrepreneurs. 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 would like to thank the community for its continued investment in supporting small businesses throughout the Ozarks. This event would not have been possible without the generous support of EPIC sponsors, including Platinum Sponsor Community 1st 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, Inc., BURO, and Codefi.

 

Special thanks also go to 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 for the mixer.

 

Those who missed the event can watch a recording of the livestream at www.youtube.com/@ozsbimo