EPIC includes a keynote speaker, a business roundtable, a mixer, and a business pitch competition. In previous years, we have featured dynamic keynote speakers such as Ellen Rohr from Zoom Drain and Sarah Hill from Healium. The event has also highlighted local entrepreneurs through roundtable discussions, including participants like Bobby Walker from Devil’s Backbone Knives and Jolene Durham from Piney River Brewing. The pitch competition has been a launchpad for successful businesses, including Court Square Cafe in Alton and T&A Squared Wood Products.

For 2025, EPIC promises to continue its tradition of providing valuable insights and opportunities for the entrepreneurial and agricultural community. Aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners, farmers, and producers in the Ozarks region are invited to attend EPIC 2025 to gain knowledge, network with peers, and be inspired. Details for the event can be found on the EPIC: Farm to Fork in the Ozarks event page, and on our Facebook event.

Keynote Speaker: Karin Velez

Karin will be joining us from Peculiar, Missouri, where she runs her business, Just Grow Something, while managing her homestead. She is a lifelong entrepreneur with a passion for building small businesses with a track record of owning and operating multiple businesses throughout her life.

Just Grow Something is Karin’s way of empowering others to grow their own food, no matter their space, experience or goals. She shares her expertise through her award winning podcast, garden consulting services, classes, and speaking engagements to help you get started or take your garden to the next level.

Join us on May 8th to meet Karin and hear her keynote “Cultivating Success: Income Diversification for Rural Entrepreneurs and Small Farms”

• Missouri Department of Agriculture
• The Fisher Firm
• 37 North Real Estate
• Ramona Heiney Agency

• Howell Oregon Electric Co-Op
• Current Electric
• Taylor Grubaugh Chevrolet Buick GMC

Kevin has always been passionate about agriculture. As a 5th generation farmer, he quickly became active in 4H, FFA, and the American International Charolais Breeders Association. His family has a deep history in agriculture starting out as row crop farmers then diversifying into seedstock cattle in the late 1980s. The AgButler platform stems from the means of which actually put Kevin through college and young adulthood as a day laborer on cattle operations across the country. His vision is to create a platform connecting agricultural communities and supplying a tool that can revitalize rural America.

Brook Kaufman is the President & CEO of Visit Rapid City where she leads the charge to grow the local visitor economy. Prior to joining Visit Rapid City, she was the CEO of Visit Casper where she played a pivotal role in a variety of marketing efforts, including taking the lead in promoting the Great American Eclipse which passed directly over Casper in 2017. Through her leadership during the Eclipse, Casper welcomed thousands of visitors, received national and international media coverage and realized significant economic impact. Brook spoke to the EPIC audience about how she led the eclipse marketing effort in Casper, Wyoming, which saw a significant economic gain during the eclipse in 2017. She presented seven essential strategies for successfully marketing your business, services and product, or event to eclipse tourists.

Sarah Hill is a 12-time mid-America Emmy award-winning TV journalist who developed Healium for herself as well as the millions of others who want to self-heal their anxiety for better sleep and human performance. As the CEO of Healium, Hill has 25 years of experience building unique media franchises. She holds two patents for biometrically-powered media, her company’s mental fitness products are clinically validated in 5 peer-reviewed journals, and her immersive experiences have been viewed more than 7 million times. Healium’s roots are in virtual travel for Veterans. In 2015, Hill’s team built a program called “Honor Everywhere”, which uses virtual reality and augmented reality to allow aging Veterans the opportunity to virtually visit their WWII, Vietnam, Korea, & Women’s Memorials.

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. a new franchise concept operating in 12 locations, and tracking $18 million in franchisee sales. She is a columnist for 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 150 news programs, encouraging people to make their own money.

Gary has been an entrepreneur and owner of multiple businesses in Missouri since 1990. He created an acronnym that has shaped his life’s foundation: CHARGE (Create Habits Around Real Goals Everyday). He studied entrepreneurs such as Sam Walton, Brendon Burchard, Brian Tracy, and Charles Red Scott and learned their principles. Then he built his roadmap to personal success.

Ted Amberg began his career in entertainment in 1991 performing magic professionally at parties. His passion for magic soon led him to create his own booking agency that promoted all types of entertainers, bands, and other unique acts.  Ted attended Missouri State University, majoring in marketing and business management. He has written several industry best-selling books and courses that teach other similar companies how to run their companies effectively with a focus on safety, professionalism and marketing. He has been the recipient of several business awards, including the Springfield Business Journals 40 Under 40, Best Place to Work, as well as Springfield’s prestigious Small Business of the Year Award.