The Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI), in partnership with the Missouri Department of Economic Development (MO DED), hosted a member-only convening on February 5 bringing together local business owners for an open conversation on the realities of starting and growing a business in Missouri
The session welcomed 20 entrepreneurs from Douglas, Howell, and Oregon counties to create a space to share what is working, what challenges persist, and what would make it easier for businesses to launch and grow. Insights shared during the session will help inform future state-level efforts to strengthen Missouri’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) Office of Entrepreneurship, created in 2024, is designed to champion and promote policies and initiatives that foster entrepreneurship and small business growth across the state. The office’s singular focus is to prioritize the needs of entrepreneurs and reduce business startup barriers, by enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Key focus areas involve improving access to capital, fostering innovation, and devising economic growth through new business creation.
The session was facilitated by Taisia Gordon, the Director of the Office of Entrepreneurship within the MO DED. “Across Missouri, we’re making a concerted effort to hear directly from entrepreneurs and the organizations that support them,” said Taisia Gordon, Director of the Office of Entrepreneurship. “These conversations help us better understand where challenges exist, where gaps remain, and where opportunities are strongest. By gathering insights from regions like the Ozarks and sharing them statewide, we can identify common themes, recognize regional differences, and pursue practical, informed approaches that strengthen our state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
“OzSBI is proud to convene conversations that connect entrepreneurs with decision makers,” said Heather Fisher, OzSBI CEO. “Creating space for honest dialogue helps ensure that future programs and policies reflect the real needs of Missouri’s small business community.”
