Open for Business

Heather and Westan McNew opened M Gym on Oct. 29, a competitive dance training business. Instructor Heather McNew, 24, has been dancing since she was 3, competitively since she was 8. The couple rents use of the aerobics room at Club Nutrition & Fitness, 3401 E. Ridgeview. Heather McNew instructs both youths and adults, charging a one-time registration fee of $25 and a monthly fee of $35 for weekly classes. “I like teaching better than I do performing,” McNew said. “I like watching the kids get excited about it.” The couple spent about $1,500 to start the sole proprietorship, mostly on rent and fliers. Classes are offered 11 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Saturday, and Heather McNew said she hopes to offer Tuesday night classes soon.

Chef du Jour LLC

Karen Eicher-Bridges and her daughter Erin Bridges opened Chef du Jour LLC on Oct. 16. The pair offers personal chef services and cooking classes in clients’ homes. Eicher-Bridges, a U.S. Personal Chef Association member, said they use all their own equipment, shop for groceries the day of the job assignment – mostly from Harter House – and clean up afterward. She said gift certificates are popular and are usually bought for candlelit dinners for two, which run $150. They also cook two or three weeks’ worth of meals for between $260 and $340. Eicher-Bridges said they don’t have set hours but can be reached at (417) 844-0661.

LaDon Mortgage Ltd.

Don and Lavita Kennemer moved LaDon Mortgage Ltd. from Ozark to Springfield and nearly tripled their office space July 10. The couple moved the commercial and home construction lending business from 1,200 square feet at 2902 N. 20th St. in Ozark to 3,300 square feet 1442 E. Bradford Parkway. Don Kennemer said he moved his 31-employee operation simply because the company outgrew its Ozark space. Hours are 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Contact Cory Smith with your Open for Business submissions. He may be reached by e-mail, by fax at (417) 799-0603 and by phone at (417) 831-3238.