EPIC 18
Hear the journey local entrepreneurs faced when starting their own business, the rewards and pitfalls, and what it took to become successful.
Event Schedule:
Keynote Speaker - Ellen Rohr
Ellen nearly sank her husband’s plumbing company after his partner died unexpectedly. Boy was she humbled! It seemed like lots of money was moving through the company, but at the end of the month there was never any money left. In desperation, Ellen figured out how to make lots money and turned the business around. She inspires thousands, in workshops, presentations and online, to make business un-complicated and live life un-leashed.
Ellen is also a successful franchisor, helping launch a plumbing franchise to 47 locations and $40 million in sales in under 2 years. Now, she is the president of Zoom Drain and Sewer, LLC. She is a columnist for Huffington Post, PHC News, and an “in the trenches” contributor to many business journals and trade magazines. Ellen is a popular, high-energy TV Celebrity who has been on over 50 news programs, encouraging people to make their own money.
Ozark Innovators
Chad Sisco - Paintmasters Collision Repair
Chad Sisco, owner of Paintmasters Collision Repair, graduated Alton High School in 1994. He attended Nashville Auto Diesel College for auto body repair from 1994-1995. From 1995-2001 he was a painter at DRS Technologies in West Plains, MO. In 2001 Chad started Paintmasters Collision Repair and since has expanded from collision repair and parts to including quick lube, tires sales & alignments, U-Haul Rentals and used auto sales. In 2016 Chad moved his business from Rover to a new 6500 square foot building in Alton, MO.
Kathy McFarland - Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company
Kathy McFarland is a career English teacher of 30 years and a lifelong gardener. She currently is media and public relations director for Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company in Mansfield, MO. As a 9-year employee of the company, she enjoys sharing the story of Jere Gettle's interest in heirloom seeds and how at a young age he turned his passion of saving heirloom varieties into a hugely successful business.
Jonathan Bergman - Hire Well Now
Jonathan, “JB,” is the president and founder of Hire Well Now (HWN), an employee recruiting and retention consultancy. Through a unique suite of tools and resources to recruit, screen, hire, onboard and retain the right people, JB and his team have consulted a wide variety of AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, Cricket, Boost, PCS Metro and U.S. Cellular retailers in developing employees for long-term success. JB attended the University of San Diego, majoring in Business Communications. In San Diego, he began his 26-year love affair with retail, with a national sporting goods company. Since that time, he has held various positions in management and HR. His focus was always on the people. His success in retail and sales management led him to wireless, when he was recruited to launch a series of wireless operations in the Midwest. JB lives in West Plains, Missouri with his wife and 4 children.
Pitch Competition
The EPIC Pitch Competition will feature 2 divisions, a student division and a community division. The student division will be students from the area who are thinking about starting their own business once their schooling is complete.The community division will those who are in the first phase of building their business.
All contestants will who enter the pitch competition will pitch their business idea at the 2nd Annual Pitch Fest on April 11th. 3 Finalist will be selected to pitch during the EPIC Pitch Competition.
OzSBI Entrepreneur of the Year
Since 2014 OzSBI has honored an area entrepreneur by naming them OzSBI’s Entrepreneur of the Year. This takes place at our annual Small Business Week event EPIC.
National Small Business Week, gives us the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from our 7 county area. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.
We will announce the OzSBI Enterpreneur of the Year after the Pitch Competition.
The EPIC Mix and Mingle follows the main event at 5:30 and features food, wine and beer from local businesses.
Thank You EPIC Sponsors
