Open for Business

Caroline Carnahan opened Ms. Lee’s Elite Imports on Nov. 29 at 1362 Bryan Road in Nixa. The store features hand-carved, imported Asian furniture, according to General Manager Kathy Chao. Inventory includes dining room tables, chairs, plant stands and bookshelves, with items priced between $20 and $8,000, she said. The store also sells artwork and traditional Chinese clothes. Hours: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon–6 p.m. Sunday. Phone: (417) 724-8899.

Realty Executives of Springfield

Kelly Norris opened Realty Executives of Springfield on Oct. 1 at 3333 E. Battlefield Road, Ste. 1000. Norris is broker and franchisee for the full-service agency that deals in both residential and commercial real estate. The firm currently has 14 agents, but Norris said he plans to double the staff during the next few weeks. Phoenix-based Realty Executives International has about 800 franchise locations nationally. David and Mary Sekunda opened Realty Executives of Republic last December, though they aren’t affiliated with Norris. Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday. Phone: (417) 616-8700.

National Church Planting Office

Wayne Guinn is director for National Church Planting Office, which relocated Sept. 1 to 244 W. Primrose St. after three years in Mansfield, Ohio. National Church Planting Office’s mission is to recruit and train church planters, who help establish churches. It also provides financial consulting, direct loans and helps church planters establish relationships with potential donors, according to its Web site, www.bbfincpo.com. The organization has helped plant more than 70 independent Baptist churches nationally, Guinn said. National Church Planting Office is a wholly owned subsidiary of Springfield-based Baptist Bible Fellowship International, which also owns Baptist Bible College in Springfield and Boston Baptist College in Boston. Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: (417) 889-1017.

Reporter Cory Smith brings you new businesses each week. He may be reached by e-mail at csmith@sbj.net, by fax at (417) 799-0603 or by phone at (417) 616-5854.