Our Impact

The America’s SBDC State Star award winners will be honored at a private reception at the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve on Tuesday, September 2nd, during the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Annual Training event. The SBDC State Star Award recognizes outstanding individual achievement within America’s SBDC Network. State Stars are nominated by their peers, and winners are selected by their State Directors. The State Stars demonstrate exemplary performance, make significant contributions to their Networks, and are committed to the success of America’s small businesses. Charles “Tee” Rowe, America’s SBDC President and CEO, says, “Our State Stars represent the best of America’s SBDC Network. They are dedicated professionals who go above and beyond to help small businesses succeed. Their exceptional performance and unwavering commitment to entrepreneurial growth make them true champions of economic development in their communities.” The 2025 America’s SBDC State Star Awards go to: Mel Washington , Alabama Misty O’Connor , Alaska Catherine Torres-Balauro , American Samoa Lou Farina , Arizona Karissa Graham , Arkansas Dennis Murphy , Central California Gonzalo Fernandez , Los Angeles CA Dr. Nancy Mangold , Northern California Jay Allis , Orange County / Inland Empire Viridiana Rosales-Trujillo , San Diego & Imperial Hope Hartman , Colorado Laura Feliciano , Connecticut Jill McAndrew , Delaware Yahaira Hurtado , District of Columbia Marge Cirillo , Florida Todd Anduze , Georgia Cynthia Yamasaki , Hawai’i Kyle R. Guelcher , Idaho Ian King , Illinois Huss Sadri , Indiana Larry Wajda , Iowa Michelle Spriggs , Kentucky Ada Womack-Bell , Louisiana Christine Cole , Maine Luis Diaz-Colorado , Maryland Sandra Ledbetter , Massachusetts Shannon Schwabe , Michigan Mike Paulus , Minnesota Anthony Cambas , Mississippi Dr. Lance Coffman , Missouri Rich Gannon , Montana Kiley Phelps , Nebraska Kelli Kelly , Nevada Ed Miles , New Hampshire Mark Rizzo , New Jersey Della Bedingfield , New Mexico Michelle Catan , New York Lisa Ruckdeschel , North Carolina Ashley Louw , North Dakota Adelpha Lynn Kapileo Magofna , CNMI Mousa Kassis , Ohio Greg Jones , Oklahoma Kevin Leahy , Oregon Michael Taijeron, Jr. , Pacific Islands Aleshia Marshall , Pennsylvania Armando Zayas , Puerto Rico Sandra McNamara , Rhode Island Scott Mace , South Carolina Melissa Meidinger , South Dakota Josh Brown , Tennessee Amy Reid , Texas Gulf Coast Virgel Conner , North Texas Manzel McGhee Jr. , Northwest Texas Maricela Brown , South-West Texas Roger Koyle , Utah Nancy Shuttleworth , Vermont Karen Jones , Virgin Island Heather Fay , Virginia Ursula Sanson , Washington Marsa Myers , West Virginia Stephanie Robey , Wisconsin Devan Costa-Cargill , Wyoming

In this episode of “Going Public” we speak with Jakob Pallesen, who personally conducts the trainings that will be offered during Southeast Missouri State University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) eight-week Early-Stage Business Bootcamp. This series launches the newest cohort beginning August 26 and runs through October 14 at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. Early-Stage Business Boot Camp participants will join a peer network of entrepreneurs and small business owners and learn from professional consultants and guest speakers. Participants will also discover the resources necessary to start and grow a business and best practices for business planning. Participants will learn foundational knowledge and skills about starting and growing a business. Through funding from the Southern Missouri Innovation Network (Innovate SOMO), the Early-Stage Business Boot Camp is offered throughout the state of Missouri. The mission of Innovate SOMO, developed by Missouri State University’s efactory partnership with Codefi, is to create greater earning potentials and invigorate the statewide economy. You can email Jakob Pallesen at jpallesen@semo.edu to learn more about the event. For more information and to sign up for the Early Business Bootcamp, visit https://missouri.ecenterdirect.com/events/26304.

Across the Show Me State, a wave of entrepreneurial energy is growing. The Early-Stage Business Boot Camp, designed with aspiring entrepreneurs and new small business owners in mind, is now registering participants for the Reynolds County cohort. This fall cohort will take place at the University of Missouri Extension office, 180 S. Main St., Ellington, Sept. 23 – Oct. 28. It is being offered in partnership with the MU Extension office and Ellington Chamber of Commerce. “This program is so impactful to our participants as they navigate how to start and grow their business,” said Sandra Smart, business consultant and technology and commercialization specialist at the Missouri SBDC at MSU. It’s the mission of the Southern Missouri Innovation Network (Innovate SOMO), Missouri State University’s efactory partnership with codefi, to open up pathways for greater earning potential and invigorate the statewide economy. These boot camps are one essential piece to making that happen.