School of Rock SpringfieldFormer professional musician and instructor
Jennifer Jester on Aug. 5 opened School of Rock Springfield, offering performance-based music instruction at 1658 E. Sunshine St. Jester, daughter of late developer Bill Jester, said startup costs were $150,000, including the $50,000 franchise fee. The Springfield native has served as executive director of the International Tuba Euphonium Association and performed intermittently with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra and the River City Brass Band in Pittsburgh. “I’ve always been an oddball musician who liked business,” she said, noting she’s moved home to be closer to family. School of Rock’s four programs for various age levels combine weekly lessons and group rehearsals. Students 10 years and older work toward live shows, which are held three times a year, she said. Rates range from $155 to $250 per month. With 12 part-time employees, the 3,300-square-foot Springfield operation joins more than 100 in the franchise system across seven countries. Hours: 2–7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday. Phone: (417) 887-7625. Web:
SchoolOfRock.com/SpringfieldThe Concrete Lifter LLCCo-owners
Eric Ferguson and
Donald Woodward opened the Concrete Lifter LLC on May 1, offering repair work for settled, cracked or uneven concrete on driveways, sidewalks, patios and garage floors. Based out of a home office at 1241 W. Cardinal St., Ferguson said he injects liquid expanding foam to lift or level concrete in problem areas. “It’s an alternative to ripping it out and replacing it,” he said of the polyurethane product manufactured by HMI. Ferguson, who previously ran auto auctions for Manheim/166 Auto Auction, works as the project estimator and installer, while investor owner Woodward is active in marketing. Woodward also operates an American Family Insurance agency. Ferguson said the duo spent more than $70,000 in equipment purchases, including an injection gun, heat reactor, generator and 160 feet of hose. Jobs range from $200 for lifting a stamped concrete walkway to $2,500 for repairing a garage floor. Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: (417) 315-6949. Web:
TheConcreteLifter.comRosAmungThorns LLCAfter nearly two months operating a floral design shop out of her north Springfield home,
Theresa Carter moved RosAmungThorns LLC to commercial space on May 18 at 1842 E. Bennett St. Leasing 600 square feet from Mark Adkins of Farmers Insurance, the full-service florist specializes in weddings, events and tributes, offering fresh and artificial botanicals. Carter, who has been designing since 1992, previously worked for Linda’s Flowers and has taught floral design classes at Ozarks Technical Community College. Now offering daily deliveries to residences, offices and funeral homes, she averages five deliveries a day and has decorated for eight weddings since relocating. Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.–noon Saturday and by appointment. Phone: (417) 720-4004. Web:
RosAmungThorns.comSend new business info to sbj@sbj.net.[[In-content Ad]]
