Missouri Small Business Development Center at Missouri State University's Lance Coffman: "When you have the right people in the right place, you set up your organization for success. "

Old Missouri Bank's Hunter Cox: "It’s not easy to get your business dreams off the ground, but knowing what’s involved with a business or commercial loan ahead of time can be an advantage."

SBJ interviews the founder and CEO of FEMastermind LLC.

The Pew Research Center conducted a survey earlier this year that found half of working parents of children younger than 12 said it was somewhat or very difficult to handle child care responsibilities.

One bike shop replaced another in the Rountree neighborhood; 7 Brew Coffee expanded its Ozarks footprint; and Gloria Hereford launched her first restaurant, Mama G’s Kitchen.

Survey data inform economic development trends.

Officials with the regional workforce network have started fundraising.

Alex Peck became a first-time business owner with the opening of Offworld Tattoo; husband and wife Brandon and Brittny Stockstill opened Bowl’d Behavior in Bolivar; and the remodel of a former employee pharmacy building on the Bolivar campus of Citizens Memorial Hospital resulted in the launch of CMH Dermatology Clinic.

SBJ started the awards in 2011, and today 240 men in the community are able to claim the title.

Civil Kitchen is the top recipient in the second round.

Bontiea and Tom Goss also were executives at Pro1, and prosecutors allege they used nonprofit funds to enrich the business.

The latest survey data yield results.

Bike shop purchases Queen City Cycles to add second shop.

Coffee and plants blend at new shop in Deerbrook Marketplace.

The announcement coincides with the coffee and food shop’s 15th anniversary.

An ownership change took place for longtime retailer Computer Innovations; Ozark home-based company Bee Flight Aerial Services; and an office for Springfield-based Ozarks Elder Law LLC relocated.

Read the profiles of this year's honorees.

Food trailer Swirly’s Ice Cream & Waffles began serving cool treats; St. Louis-based Visionary Wealth Advisors LLC opened its first Springfield office; and Fuel Fresh American Grill opened in Branson.

Chiseling away at a wealth gap that has kept capital out of the hands of minority-owned businesses is the goal of a new Downtown Springfield Association grant program.

Salon Knot LLC changed ownership; Tonisha Manier opened Mimi’s Soulfood; and Noah Alldredge started a new venture in the health and fitness field.