Last year, it was about survival. This year, it’s about coming out swinging.
Springfield Business Journal’s Dynamic Dozen awarding fast-growth companies has been challenging the last two years for obvious reasons. Only a few market segments are advancing revenues at a pace worth honoring. It has been more challenging to receive a deep pool of Dynamic Dozen candidates.
But even in these recessionary times, there are some great stories to tell and solid companies from which to learn. Hard times have a way of producing good times for those that adapt.
Last year, the editorial team saw companies that were doing things differently to stay alive and thrive. Companies were diversifying with new markets or products (Incredible Pizza Co. and CoxHealth), discovering unique funding sources for expansion (Healthcarefirst) and sticking to employee training even though budgets were squeaky tight (Queen City Roofing). The 2009 stories provided hope and proof to Ozarks businesses that they could ride out the recession, too.
So here we are in 2010. The fact that the Dynamic Dozen has not turned into the Tepid Ten or the Halfhearted Half Dozen means businesses are not backing down. That’s why we brought out the boxing theme. The 12 we’ll present at the event – March 4 at the Doubletree Hotel – and in the editorial booklet released to guests that night are leaders in their corners.
There are some surprises, both in Springfield and in the Joplin market, where SBJ Publishing Inc.’s Joplin Tri-State Business Journal will recognize its own set of 12 fast-growth companies on March 18.
Considering the awards are based on three years of revenue and percentage growth, I was surprised to see construction, manufacturing and retail companies on the board. Representing those sectors in Springfield are Allied Roofing Systems, MaMa Jean’s Natural Foods, Russell Cellular and Wehr Construction, according to the company surveys verified by Missouri State University’s College of Business Administration. In Joplin, Able Manufacturing, Branco Enterprises, Grillstuff.com, R.E. Smith Construction and Vintage Stock performed well enough to make the cut, based on results verified by BKD accountants.
Not surprising are the health care and education sectors, represented in Springfield by Citizens Memorial Healthcare, CoxHealth, Healthcarefirst and Ozarks Technical Community College, and in Joplin by Crowder College, Freeman Health System, Oasis Salon & Day Spa, Ozark Center, Pittsburg State University and The Independent Living Center.
When the stories are told at the awards ceremony and in the March 8 issue, we’ll know why and how. I hope you can make it to the event or pick up the paper to learn it firsthand. Through the information provided and networking afforded, SBJ Publishing wants to equip you with the right one-two punch for your business.
Springfield Business Journal Editor Eric Olson can be reached at eolson@sbj.net.
Click here for the 2010 Springfield honorees.
Click here for the 2010 Joplin honorees. [[In-content Ad]]
