The Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) is excited to host its annual National Small Business Week celebration EPIC: Growing Beyond the Ozarks on Thursday, May 7th. This year’s event will focus on helping entrepreneurs, business owners, and producers expand and reach customers beyond the Ozarks. Through inspiring stories, practical insight, and meaningful connections, EPIC is designed to encourage attendees to think bigger about what is possible for their businesses.
EPIC keynote speaker David Newman, owner of Newman Heritage Farms, will be sharing his experience and some tips on how he grew from their small farm into a successful operation and the first choice for many top chefs, retailers, and direct-to-consumer customers across the country. David owns and operates Newman Heritage Farms out of Myrtle, MO with his wife Kristin, they have a shared commitment to quality, hard work, and doing things the right way.
“EPIC is all about helping people see that growth does not have to mean leaving your roots behind,” said Heather W. Fisher, OzSBI CEO. “David Newman’s story is warm, honest, and incredibly inspiring because it shows what can happen when you believe in what makes your business special, build strong relationships, and keep moving forward even when the path is not easy. We want every attendee to leave feeling encouraged, connected, and excited about what comes next for their own business.”
David will kick off EPIC with his keynote, “From Our Farm to Their Table: Expanding Beyond the Ozarks.” In his presentation, he offers a candid look at the risk, challenges, and persistence required to grow beyond your home market while staying true to where you began. Attendees will hear how relationships, resilience, and a commitment to quality helped carry Newman Farm beyond the Ozarks and onto tables across the nation.
EPIC attendees will also have the opportunity to hear four entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win $1,000. The finalists, chosen at the final round of PitchFest on April 23, have worked with OzSBI mentors to streamline their presentations for the final pitch. EPIC attendees will play a key role in the competition voting for the People’s Choice Award.
Following the Pitch Competition, three entrepreneurs will share their journey growing a national brand during the Ozark Innovators Roundtable. Roundtable participants include Heather Mincer with Yes Honey–a honey-sweetened soda alternative brand made with clean ingredients and sold on Amazon and in retailers as far away as Hawaii, Anna Mayberry with H&M Ranch Store–craftor of genuine leather handbags loved by over 52,000 Facebook followers, and Andrew Bedell with The Landing–a 23 acre riverside Current River destination that combines lodging, dining, and float-trip access into one easy Ozarks getaway.
EPIC will wrap up with a Mixer featuring complimentary food and drinks. This excellent networking opportunity will also include the announcement of the Pitch Competition winner, so be sure to save time in your schedules to see who wins!
EPIC: Growing Beyond the Ozarks will begin at 1:00 on May 7th with registration, followed by a welcome address by OzSBI CEO Heather Fisher, and the keynote presentation at 1:30. There will also be vendor tables by OzSBI sponsors and speakers. EPIC tickets are free, but space is limited! Reserve your seat now at crm.ozsbi.com/epic26.
Community First Banking Company is the Platinum Sponsor of EPIC: Growing Beyond the Ozarks. OzSBI is grateful for their support of the services we offer to the business community. For more information about EPIC, visit OzSBI’s Facebook page @ozsbimo, website at www.ozsbi.com, or call 417-256-9724.
