 
College of Business
Administration
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About Us
About
Us
Who
We Serve
Economic
Impact
Staff
Instructors
About
Us
Missouri State University's Small Business Development Center,
with offices located in Springfield and West Plains, is part of a nationwide
network and is affiliated with, and supported by, Missouri State's College
of Business Administration. Our local center was established in
October of 1982 to provide businesses with training, products and solutions
designed to help them become part of Missouri's thriving business sector.
The Center is a
nonprofit entity that receives financial support from Missouri
State University, the U.S. Small Business Administration and through private
donations. Tax-deductible
contributions to support the ongoing training and consultation efforts of
the Center are not solicited, but welcome.
The Missouri State SBDC provides
consultation, training and products for potential and existing small
businesses in Southwest and South Central Missouri.
On this web site, you will find training opportunities, product information, and
details regarding the services available to your company through the SBDC.
All services are focused on providing assistance to existing and
prospective businesses that will result in positive economic impact.
Impact is further defined as: job
creation, job retention, increased sales, new business creation, business
retention, dollar amounts of loans, and increased profitability.
The SBDC has the
following distinctions, which aid the center in offering you the most
comprehensive services available:
- Associate
Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce
-
Official
loan packager for the SBA Export Working Capital Program
-
Certified
by the National Association of Small Business Development Centers
Our resource
partners also include:
- U.S.
Small Business Administration
- Missouri
Department of Economic Development
- Missouri
Department of Agriculture
- Missouri
Secretary of State's Office
- Area
Chambers of Commerce
- Greater
Ozarks International Trade Association
- Private
Companies
- Financial
Institutions
- Institute
For Procurement Assistance
Missouri state university -
West Plains Satellite Office
The SBDC Satellite Office in West Plains was established
in December 1998. Missouri State
University-WP is
the local university that hosts and supports the program, while the SBDC is
actually a satellite center of the Springfield SBDC. The
West Plains SBDC Office is located in the West Plains Civic Center.
For more information call (417) 255-7966.
"The
Small Business Development Center at Missouri State University helped us
navigate through the Federal Governments paperwork to secure SBA loan
financing for our business. Without them, it would have been difficult and
time consuming for us to complete all of the required paperwork. As business
owners, our productivity and efficiency is important to us especially since
our time is already limitedThey guided us effortlessly through the various
requirements of the SBA loan application. Because of the work of the SBDC,
we were able to secure a working capital loan to expand our business in
Ozark. We are very grateful and appreciative. Since the approval of our SBA
loan we have continued to use the services at the Center whether business
planning, cash management, or even one-on-one consultations. This Center
does provide a valuable service to many small business owners, to our
employees, and to our expanded communities"
-
David & Rheanna Ellingson, Accent Flooring
Who
We Serve
Missouri States SBDC
helps both established businesses and those just beginning.
The only requirements are a strong desire to help yourself and an
interest in contributing to the stability of Missouris economy.
SBDCs
Serve:
- Manufacturers
employing up to 500
- Wholesalers
employing up to 100
- Retailers
with annual gross sales of up to $6.5 million
- Service
businesses with gross revenues of up to $6.5 million
-
General
construction firms with average annual receipts of up to $31 million
- Special
trade construction with average annual receipts not exceeding $13
million
- Agriculture
with average annual receipts of up to $750,000.
Economic
Impact
FY2006 RESULTS
Take a look at the positive
results generated by Missouri State University's SBDC Consultants.
These results are based on impact interviews signed and documented by
local business owners.
Staff
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Rayanna
Anderson,
Director
Rayanna Anderson is the
Director of the Small Business
Development Center, as well as a consultant and instructor. She has consulted with over 1,600 businesses and has received
the National Consulting Award from the National Association of Small
Business Development Centers. She has helped small business owners acquire over
35 million dollars in financing.
Plus, five of the businesses she has consulted with have
received the Excellence in Business Award from the Missouri
Small Business Development Center, and one business has received the
National Blue Chip Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
She holds an MBA from Missouri State University with
an emphasis in marketing. Rayanna
also has four years of accounting experience and ten years of
management experience prior to joining the SBDC in 1991.
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Isabel Eisenhauer,
SBDC Consultant
Isabel Eisenhauer has joined the Missouri State
University Small Business Development Center as a Consultant.
Isabel is a Sales and Marketing Professional with 19 years
experience with two Fortune 100 Corporations.
As an Account Manager with Northrop Grumman (formerly Litton),
Isabel had customer support and service responsibility for their single
largest customer, representing 44% of gross sales.
Prior to this, Isabel designed, implemented, and utilized a sales
forecast system which provided planning information to Senior Management
and unit demand information to Middle Management. Experience with
Hewlett Packard included contributing in the Marketing function (New
Product Introduction Management, Reseller Channel Management, and Sales
Development) and the Finance/Accounting function (Financial Planning,
Financial Reporting, Special Projects, and Cost Accounting).
An area of significant accomplishment was during a three month
assignment in Germany which resulted in improved relationships between
the seven domestic divisions and the European distribution center.
Isabel has worked extensively with international divisions
located in Italy, Puerto Rico, England, Canada, Germany, Singapore,
Scotland and China. Other
experiences include owning a Management Consulting/Accounting firm
providing services to small businesses and as an Associate Faculty in a
small Community College teaching business courses.
In addition, Isabel is a professional photographer providing
wedding, family and high school portraiture as well as artistic
landscape and architectural photography.
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Tara
Horton,
Training Coordinator
Tara Horton is the Training Coordinator for the SBDC. She has over
12 years of experience in marketing,
advertising and public relations work. She is currently responsible for coordinating and marketing
the projects of the SBDC outreach program in training and professional development for the small business community.
She works directly with business and industry leaders to design training and professional development programs
to meet specific company needs in assigned areas. Tara holds of Bachelor of Science degree in Radio, Television
& Film - Sales / Management from Oklahoma State
University.
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Russell Wyrick,
Coordinator,
West Plains SBDC
Russell Wyrick is the Coordinator of the West
Plains Small Business Development Center. His office serves
Howell, Texas, Douglas, Oregon, Shannon, Wright, and Ozark Counties.
Russells background
includes over 14 years of small business ownership experience in
manufacturing, service and retail ventures. As an entrepreneur, his
companies have performed work for customers such as Dell, Hewlett
Packard, Fujitsu, Texaco, Chevron, Hertz, Estee Lauder, Lenovo,
Apple, and Red Lobster as well as various schools, colleges, local,
state and federal government agencies such as the Environmental
Protection Agency. Russell holds a Bachelors of Business
Administration degree in Management from Northwood University along
with several various technical certifications. Prior to joining the
Missouri State University SBDC in July of 2007, Russell was serving
as President of Trimax Corporation, VP of Sales and Marketing for
Pointman Corporation and as an SBDC Consultant in Cedar Hill, TX.
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Instructors
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Lisa Bernet is a native of
Springfield, Missouri with over 15 years experience in corporate and
non-profit marketing management. As an independent marketing
consultant she works with business and industry leaders to design
training and professional development programs focusing on tactical
execution. She has 10 years experience in national brand management
with Reckitt Benckiser (Frenchs) Commercial Division and WillowBrook
Foods, excelling in strategic and tactical marketing, financial
planning and overall execution. She also worked at Noble &
Associates as a Senior Account Executive. There, she coordinated and
executed vision concepting sessions with top executives from
companies such as DuPont. As Executive Director of the non-profit
Downtown Springfield Association she coordinated downtown events
with independent downtown business owners. Lisa is a magna cum laude
graduate from Missouri State University with a B.S.B.A. in Marketing
with a research emphasis. |
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Shirley Boerngen, currently an independent consultant, has
over 25 years of international banking experience. She has provided
presentations on various aspects of international banking for
Eximbank, Washington, D.C., World Trade Center, St. Louis, World
Trade Club, St. Louis, Treasury Management Association, St. Louis,
and numerous businesses throughout Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky.
Shirley was a committee member for the Global Business Group of the
NACM, St. Louis, and the St. Louis School Partnership. She is a
graduate of Kaskaskia College, Centralia, IL. She also attended the
America
Institute of Banking, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL
and World Trade Institute seminars. Shirley is a Certified Treasury
Professional. |
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Lesa Brownell
of Compliance Design educates
companies with a wide variety of compliance needs about creating
balanced compliance programs. Lesa has
more than 20 years of industry experience in the international
business and marketing sectors where her vision and expertise in
export compliance have significantly contributed to company growth
and development. Offering a unique blend of creative and operations
strengths, Lesa has achieved exciting company and product
turnarounds and is recognized for her success in growing
international business markets. Her strategic approach to
international business was evident in her work as International
Sales Manager for Ken-A-Vision and as an International Sales
Representative at Labconco. She is known for her ability to quickly
identify and diagnose compliance issues while working with companies
to refine their organizational structure in Export Management,
product lines, sourcing, market position and advertising. Lesa
received her Bachelor of Arts in International Business and
Marketing from Park University. |
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Chris Bouchard
is the Associate State Director of the Missouri Small Business
Development Center, located at the University of Missouri, Columbia. He
is responsible for managing the development and deliver of business
education and assistance programs statewide. Chris has worked
internationally developing small businesses. Prior to joining the SBDC,
Chris owned and managed two businesses in Columbia. Prior to going into
business for himself, Chris was a pilot for ten years on active duty in
the Air Force. He has been an examiner and senior examiner for the
Missouri Quality Award and currently serves on the Board of Overseers.
Chris graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of
Science degree in geology and obtained a masters degree in Business
Management from Central Michigan University. He is certified by the
National Development Council as an Economic Development Finance
Professional. He has also been active in many civic organizations. |
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Eric Jensen is a partner in The Law
Firm of OReilly & Jensen, LLC. He is a graduate of William Jewell
College, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. Eric
wrote for the Law Review, and his article: When Hired Guns Backfire:
The Witness Immunity Doctrine and the Negligent Expert Witness, appeared
in the Fall 1993 issue. Eric was chosen for the Order of Barristers,
and won the Sheridan Award for Appellate Advocacy. He devotes a large
portion of his practice to the representation of individuals and
employers in employment discrimination litigation. He advises human
resource professionals on policies and procedures as part of his
practice. Eric is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Kansas. He
is licensed in the United States Court for the Western District of
Missouri, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of
Kansas, and has practiced before the United States Court of Appeals for
the Eighth Circuit.
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John Kirby
is a native of Springfield,
Missouri and practices as a Certified Public Accountant with John A.
Kirby, CPA, LC. John worked for several local CPA firms before starting
his own practice in 2005. As a CPA, John provides accounting and tax
services to area small businesses and individuals. As a QuickBooks
Certified Professional Advisor, he assists clients with their specific
QuickBooks needs. John is a member of the Missouri Society of Certified
Public Accountants and Springfield Business Works. He is a graduate of
Missouri State University with a B.S. in Accounting. |
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Mike
Renfer
is President of Allegiant Partners, LLC.
He has more than 33 years of experience in marketing, sales,
manufacturing and general business management. Mike has done extensive
work with program development in customer retention, customer
development and direct data base marketing. Mikes previous work
experience includes 20 years of brand and business building with Frenchs
(a division of Reckitt Benckiser) and H.J. Heinz, including 12 years of
operations management with H.J. Heinz Co. where his responsibilities
included quality assurance, production and plant management. Mike was
also a U.S. Naval Officer for 4 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science
degree in Biochemistry from Bethany College. |
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Julie Short established J.P. Short
& Associates, Inc. in 1997 to provide marketing and advertising, market
research, strategic planning, and training.
Prior to forming the company, Julie was Vice President of Marketing for
Reckitt Benckiser (French's) Commercial Division for eight years.
Her career also includes establishing and managing MARTELL
Marketing Research and consulting with Fortune 500 companies, as Senior
Vice President of Noble & Associates Marketing Group.
She has gained extensive experience in marketing and
advertising by working nationally with companies of all sizes.
Julie received her MBA with emphasis in marketing from Missouri
State University.
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Lori Strawhun is currently the
Human Resources Director for the Springfield-Greene County Library
District. Previously, she was the Corporate HR Director and
Compliance Officer for Lastra America Corporation, a lithographic plate
and chemistry manufacturer. Her experience there includes
corporate growth, restructuring and merger/acquisition in a
multi-national environment. She also worked as a Program Director
at St. Joseph Health Center
in St. Charles and Lake Saint Louis, Missouri.
Lori is a member of the Society for
Human Resources Management (SHRM) and served on the Missouri State
Council of the SHRM in 2007. She served as the 2007 President of
the Springfield Area Human Resources Management and has served on
numerous committees within that organization, since 1998.
Lori
was previously an advisory board member for Bryan College
and has volunteer resume reviews and mock interviews for students at
OTC, Evangel and Vatterott. Lori
holds a Bachelors of Science degree in social work with a minor in
social research from
Missouri
State
University. She has a Master of
Science degree in Human Resources Management with emphasis in
organizational development from Lindenwood
University in St. Charles, Missouri.
Lori holds both PHR and SPHR
certifications.
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Michael
Wehrenberg is President of Wehrenberg
Design Company, an Internet development and marketing firm. Wehrenberg
Design Company was founded by Michael Wehrenberg during his junior
year
(1997) at Drury University and has continued to serve his clients with
web design, maintenance and marketing services. By providing these
services, Wehrenberg has met with great success. His client list has
quickly grown to more than 100 businesses, including Seagate
Technologies, Lambert's Caf, CJR Commercial Group, Bill Beall Co.,
Clary's,
Community Partnership,
Dameron Color Labs and
Premier Auto
Outlet.
In 2001, Michael Wehrenberg
was named one of Springfield Business
Journal's 40 under 40. He is involved in local organizations like the
Springfield Victory Mission, the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch and
Springfield Rotaract. He is a member of the Springfield Area Chamber of
Commerce.
Michael also serves on the business advisory board for the
Drury University SIFE Team and the only student-run business incubator
in the country, DSIFE, Inc. |
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Robert J. Winnie
is
President and co-founder of The
Winnie Group, a marketing and advertising firm. Bob also owns Wild Bear
Log Homes, which locally markets and sells cedar
log homes. Prior to
founding The Winnie Group in 1991, Bob was Senior Vice President for
Noble & Associates. He has 30 years experience in marketing,
advertising, manufacturing, and sales with national, regional and local
companies. Bobs background includes strategic planning, new
product development, program development and promotion planning. He has
developed marketing programs for national brands such as Allen Canning,
Jimmy Dean, Katahdin Cedar
Log Homes, General Foods,
Sara Lee and Tyson.
His extensive marketing and sales experience includes work on the
street, in the office and on plant floors. Bob earned his
Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a
marketing emphasis from Ferris State University. |
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