Small Business Week '98 celebrates entrepreneurs

"It's a Jungle Out There," but southwest Missouri small businesses are surviving and thriving in the perilous world of commerce.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, America's 23 million small businesses employ more than 50 percent of the private work force, generate more than half of the nation's gross domestic product, and are the principal source of new jobs in the U.S. economy.

In appreciation for what small business does for its country, the president has declared the national celebration of Small Business Week June 1-5.

Local events for Small Business Week 1998 begin early with the Congressional Small Business Video Conference May 29 and culminate with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce's W. Curtis Strube Small Business of the Year Award luncheon, and the Business After Hours mixer, both June 4.

A variety of programs and seminars cover everything from establishing a business plan, to marketing products and services, to resources for the small-business owner or would-be entrepreneur.

Featured events are as follows.

?The Congressional Small Business Videoconference will be offered 8-10 a.m. May 29. This free event, held at the Small Business Development Center, Glass Hall, Room 112, on the Southwest Missouri State University campus, will enable local businesspeople to meet with government officials to help design a small-business policy agenda. Registration is required at 836-5685.

?The SBA/RMI Kickoff Breakfast officially begins Small Business Week at 7:30 a.m. June 1 at Heritage Cafeteria, 1364 E. Battlefield. Small Business Administration award nominees will be recognized, and awards will be presented. Area lenders will be honored by the SBA and Rural Missouri Inc. Congressman Roy Blunt is the speaker for the event. The cost is $6. Call 864-7670, ext. 122, to register.

?Protecting, Pricing and Marketing a New Product is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. June 1 at the Small Business Development Center at SMSU. This seminar is targeted to businesses that wish to expand their product lines and those with ideas for new products or services. The cost is $45. To register, call 836-5685.

?The SCORE Pre-Business Seminar, presented by the SBA's Senior Corps of Retired Executives, will focus on small business start-up and operation, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. June 2 at the chamber offices, 202 S. John Q. Hammons Pkwy. The cost is $10. To register, call 864-7670.

?In keeping with the jungle theme of Small Business Week, SMSU's Small Business Development Center and NationsBank will sponsor the Jungle Marketing Seminar 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 3 at the University Plaza, Illinois Room, 333 S. John Q. Hammons Pkwy. Nationally renowned speaker "Jungle Bob" Smith will discuss how to profitably apply the laws of the jungle and successfully grow a business. The cost of the seminar is $149 and registration is required at 836-5685.

?The Small Business Resource Fair will be held 2-7 p.m. June 3 in the University Plaza Hotel's Colorado Room. This free event features resources to help small businesses survive and thrive in today's marketplace. For more information, contact the Small Business Development Center at 836-5685.

?Good Morning, Springfield! will be held at 7:30 a.m. June 4 at the Clarion Hotel, 3333 S. Glenstone. Businesspeople will have a chance to catch up with what's going on in the Queen City of the Ozarks during this breakfast program. The cost is $10. To register, call 862-5567.

?The winner of the 1998 W. Curtis Strube Small Business of the Year Award will be announced at the official awards luncheon, noon-1:30 p.m. June 4 at the Clarion Hotel, 3333 S. Glenstone. The cost is $18 per person, and registration is required at 862-5567.

?The festivities continue at the chamber's Business After Hours mixer, slated for 5-7 p.m. at Rivercut Golf Course, 6290 S. Farm Road 131, Brookline. To get there, take Campbell Avenue south to Weaver Road, turn west on Weaver to Farm Road 131 and turn left. There is no admission charge for this event.

INSET CAPTION:

The winner of the W. Curtis Strube Small Business of the Year Award

will be announced June 4.

Small Business of the Year

1998 Nominees

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Butler, Rosenbury & Partners

Perkin-Watts Advertising and Marketing Services

LCS Kleen-Aire

Ozark Mailing Service

Sunbelt Environmental

Marketing Partners/Embroidery House

Bass Litho Color

Mostly Memories

Ollis & Company

Look for profiles on these companies in this and recent issues of SBJ.[[In-content Ad]]