The Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) celebrated National Small Business Week with its annual “EPIC: Farm to Fork in the Ozarks” event on May 8. Nearly 70 entrepreneurs, farmers, and community leaders gathered to network and hear from a lineup of speakers representing the region’s vibrant agricultural and business sectors.
Keynote speaker Karin Velez of Just Grow Something opened the program, followed by roundtable presentations from Emily Reavis (WPH Ranch), Becky Bradley (Mini Mosaic Acre), Sandy Jones (Jones Hill Ranch), and Miriam Montalvo (Rustic Waters Homestead). Patty Cantrell of the Heartland Regional Food Business Center capped off the speaker series with insights on scaling local food enterprises.
A highlight of the afternoon was a “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition. Magic Keller of Ozarks School of Botanical Medicine won the $1,000 prize with a proposal for hands-on classes on native medicinal plants. Viv Iacovlev of Viv Pixel Studios placed second, followed by Jeremy Myers of Snowbird Banjo Company and Charity Bledsoe of Charity K.
“EPIC continues to be a powerful platform for showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit in our region,” said OzSBI CEO Heather Fisher. “The energy and exchange of ideas were truly inspiring.”
OzSBI extends its thanks to event sponsors, including Community 1st Banking Company, Hirsch Feed and Farm Supply, Ozark Marketing, Montgomery Farms, 37 North Realty, and the Howell County Commission, as well as to Conjure House Coffee, Piney River Brewing Company, The Truck Patch, and West Plains Greenhouses and Nursery for their support.
Since 2012, OzSBI has assisted more than 520 local businesses, helping entrepreneurs build skills, secure funding, and grow successful enterprises across the Ozarks. For more information, visit www.ozsbi.com or call 417-256-9724.
