- Date published
We’ve rounded up five (of the many) reasons why it’s great to be a small business owner in Springfield, MO in honor of Springfield Small Business Week.
1. There are a ton of awesome resources
The Springfield community is jam-packed with resources and programs that are focused on helping businesses succeed.
Whether it’s one-on-one consulting through the local Small Business & Technology Development Center, practicing your pitch at 1 Million Cups, or skilling up your workforce with Management Development Institute trainings, we’ve got a strong support network in place to help businesses grow.
Companies can take on investment through the efactory’s accelerator program, be paired with a mentor through SCORE, and even explore the world of government contracts with PTAC.
And you’ll never feel like you’re going it alone. There’s a world-class Chamber of Commerce, dozens of industry associations, and plenty of networking groups to be part of.
2. The market is just the right size
Springfield knows what it means to be a sweet spot, and we aren’t just talking about being the home of Andy’s Frozen Custard. The community is big enough to support a wide variety of businesses and services, but still small enough that you can still feel connected.
It’s a community where low startup costs allow business owners to test ideas and see what sticks, whether it’s a zombie-themed hot dog shop or a storefront focused solely on teas and spices.
3. The collaboration is unparalleled
We love seeing local favorites come together. And in Springfield it happens a lot. You’ll regularly see small business owners getting together to solve problems, advocate for common sense solutions, and just generally help one another out.
We also love when they get together to make something delicious. Check out some of our favorite edible collaborations below.
- A Beautiful Mess + Askinosie Chocolate CollaBARation Bar
- MudHouse Coffee + Mother’s Brewing Company creating Winter Grind
- Hotel Vandivort sourcing from multiple local suppliers for The Order’s menu
4. We’ve got the talent you need
Springfield has a strong, dedicated workforce. We have a stellar educational system that produces top-notch high school, vocational school, and college graduates.
And innovative programs? We’ve got those too. GO CAPS, Middle College, and SPS Choice Programs are just a few ways we’re working to meet our region’s needs.
Workforce development is a key focus for community leaders. We’re always working to grow our local talent pool and recruit new professionals to be part of our community.
5. Small business can grow big
Springfield has a rich history of entrepreneurship. Major enterprises like O’Reilly Auto Parts and Jack Henry started in our own backyard as small businesses.
Johnny Morris started selling fishing tackle out of his father’s liquor store in 1972. From right here in Springfield he went on to build Bass Pro Shops, with estimated annual revenues now topping $2 billion.
And it’s not just us
We’re not the only ones taking notes on Springfield’s bustling business scene. The city landed at number one on Forbe’s 7 Cities You Didn’t Expect to be Great for Business list last spring, and that’s only one of the Queen City’s recent accolades. Just this morning Springfield landed at number 16 on WalletHub’s Best Large Cities to Start a Business list, outranking any and all other Missouri cities. Sorry, Kansas City and St. Louis.
- Best Places to Start a Business by WalletHub
- 50 tax-friendliest Cities in America by MSN
- Best Cities for Hispanic Entrepreneurs by WalletHub
- 10 Best Cities for Starting a Business by Inc.
- Top 100 Places for Business & Careers by Forbes
- Most Entrepreneurial Small and Mid-Sized Metros by SmartAsset
- Top US Metro Areas for Startup Growth by Forbes
Feeling inspired?
If all this has got you inspired to pull the trigger on your small business dreams, be sure to let us know! Schedule a time to visit the efactory, meet with our staff team, and learn about ways we can help. You can get started with one-on-one business consulting, workshops and trainings, find office space, and more.
Check out the full lineup of events taking place during Springfield Small Business Week and share your own story using #SGFSmallBiz.
