- Date published
The recognition showcases outstanding service for clients regionally.
A year of impactful work supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening Missouri’s small business ecosystem has earned the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Missouri State University’s efactory multiple statewide honors for 2025 achievements.
The awards, announced earlier this month during a statewide Missouri SBDC Business Development Program (BDP) call, recognize both individual team members and the center’s overall performance.
Individual honorees include:
- Sandra Smart, named a Top 3 performer in Capitalization and Events, reflecting her success in connecting businesses to funding opportunities and delivering impactful programming.
- Tara Horton, honored with the Program Excellence Award for consistently delivering high-quality services and measurable outcomes.
- Macee Curtis, recipient of the Unsung Hero Award, recognizing exceptional behind-the-scenes contributions that support team success.
Sandra Smart, senior program manager, business support
Tara Horton, assistant director, training and development
Macee Curtis, regional program coordinator
In addition to individual recognition, the Missouri SBDC at Missouri State received the Outstanding Center Achievement Award, underscoring the center’s overall performance and impact in 2025.
The team also received the Collaboration Award from University of Missouri Extension for the GovCon event held in August 2025. This recognition highlighted the strong partnership and coordinated efforts between the team at Missouri SBDC at Missouri State University and Allen Waldo, APEX Accelerators. This honor was presented in January during the Business & Communities Professional Development Virtual Conference and recognizes strong partnership efforts that expand services and opportunities for clients statewide.
“These awards reflect the resilience, dedication and collaborative spirit of our team,” said Chrystal Irons, director of business support and training at efactory. “We’re proud to support Missouri’s business community and to be recognized for the impact of that work.”
The Missouri SBDC Business Development Program (BDP) supports a statewide network of centers that provide consulting, training and resources to help businesses start, grow and succeed.
Physical awards will be presented at a future in-person gathering later this year.