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What is the Ozarks Small Business Incubator?

The Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI, pronounced OzBee) is a business support center that accelerates the successful development of new and growing companies. OzSBI is a "project" of Downtown West Plains, Inc, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, but was developed to serve a much broader region.

The mission of the Incubator is to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the South Central Ozarks Region through the development and expansion of entrepreneurial enterprises. OzSBI is focused on cultivating local businesses that produce new goods and services, creating a positive balance of trade in our region.

What does the Incubator do?

OzSBI serves as a catalyst for entrepreneurship by providing a broad spectrum of business support services and resources in a multi-tenant facility. The Incubator's support services and resources are designed to guide entrepreneurs through the initial stages of business planning and development to the final execution of their plan.

Through every stage OzSBI provides entrepreneurs with on-going support tailored to their needs. We connect entrepreneurs to qualified community, state, and federal resources and provide hands-on professional and business training.

OzSBI maximizes entrepreneurs' success by helping them navigate resources, strengthen knowledge, improve skills, form strategic alliances, and secure proper capitalization.

Who does OzSBI help?

The Ozarks Small Business Incubator provides support services for start-up entrepreneurs as well as those with long-established businesses. The Incubator focuses specifically on businesses located in Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Shannon, Texas, and Wright Counties. So, whether you are incubating a new business idea, or trying to improve your current business model, the Ozarks Small Business Incubator is available to help.

OzSBI Management Team

• Bryan Adcock
  Executive Director, Ozark Action
   
• Toney Aid, OzSBI Director
  Owner, Downtown Antiques
   
• Mark Basom
  Retired Manager, JC Penney
   
• Cathy Proffitt Boys
  MSU-WP - Assistant Professor of Agriculture/Entrepreneurship
   
• Bob Case
  Director of Economic Development
  City of West Plains
   
• John Coleman
  Investor, Sumotext, Inc.
   
• Chris Dyer
  MSU-WP - Dean of Academic Affairs
   
• Tom Marhefka 
  President, Ozark Radio Network
   
• Junior Stewart
  Owner, Stewart Construction
   
• Gene Weinbeck
  Founder, FundRaiser Software

OzSBI Staff Members

• Toney Aid, OzSBI Director
• Heather Fisher, OzSBI Coordinator
• Brittany French, OzSBI Administrative Assistant