Open for Business

Benefits by Design Inc.

Benefits by Design Inc. opened its first office in Springfield on Oct. 27 at 1031 E. Battlefield Road, Ste. 123. The Kansas City-based company offers individual, family, and group life and health insurance coverage through several major providers. Licensed agent Jillian Ledgerwood Merrill - who has an insurance and customer service background - manages the Springfield office and is its sole employee. She notes that Cary Hall, the company's president and founder, hosts "Health Insurance Advocate," a Saturday morning radio program broadcast locally noon-1 p.m. on Saturdays on KSGF, 104.1 FM and 1260 AM. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone (417) 883-5224.

While You're Away LLC

Jeff and Kristin Etem enlarged their home-based business While You're Away LLC, effective Sept. 1, to include commercial and residential cleaning, lawn care, handyman services and pressure washing. The Etems opened their Springfield-based business in 2002 to care for pets while their owners were away. "Folks were always calling and asking us to do something else while we were feeding the animals, so we decided to make it official," Jeff Etem says. He says the business has 275 clients. Rates are $12 per day for at-home pet care, and $25 an hour for other services. Hours: By appointment, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone (417) 880-9804.

HomeSafe Inspection Inc.

Homer Berry, licensee for HomeSafe Inspection Inc., opened his home-based office Oct. 13 in Ava. HomeSafe is a national corporation based in Oxford, Miss. Through the use of infrared and acoustic sensors, Berry says he can "see" moisture in the walls of a home which indicate mold or termite infestation. The same technology pinpoints electrical hotspots and areas of energy loss. Prices for a combined home inspection and energy audit begin at $250 for a 1,500-square-foot house. HomeSafe serves Christian, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Ozark, Taney, Webster and Wright counties. Hours: By appointment, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone (417) 880-5199.

Compiled by Barbara Burgess. Springfield Business Journal brings you new businesses each week. Send business info by fax to (417) 799-0603 or by e-mail to sbj@sbj.net.