2020 Small Business of the Year Awards Celebration

-Heart of Missouri CASA {Ribbon Cutting and Finalist Seminar: Monday, October 5, 3:30 pm, 105 East Ash St, Ste 102.} 

Heart of Missouri CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) believes every child who has been abused or neglected deserves to have a dedicated advocate speaking up for their best interest in court, at school and in our community. To accomplish this, CASA educates and empowers community volunteers who ensure each child’s needs remain a priority in an overburdened child welfare system. When the state steps in to protect a child’s safety because the people responsible for protecting them have not, a judge appoints a trained volunteer advocate to make independent and informed recommendations and help the judge decide what is best for the child. Oftentimes, the CASA volunteer is the one consistent adult in a child’s life while they’re in foster care. Children with CASA volunteers are more likely to receive therapy, healthcare, education and other important services. Created in 2005, Heart of Missouri CASA now supports over 150 volunteers who advocate for over 300 children a year.  Learn more about Heart of Missouri CASA at www.homcasa.org or 573.442.4670.

-Job Point {Ribbon Cutting and Finalist Seminar: Wednesday, October 7, 3:30, 400 Wilkes Blvd} 

At Job Point, we see many people who come to us with labels such as dropout, criminal, slow—labels that society has put upon them, labels that distort these individuals’ self-images and limit what they allow themselves to achieve. The staff at Job Point help peel back these labels to unleash each individual’s full potential. Our compassionate advisors and instructors provide career planning, job placement assistance and innovative training to people with life challenges, such as a mental disability, legal history or a teenage pregnancy. Since 1965, Job Point has helped tens of thousands of mid-Missourians achieve economic independence and find personal fulfillment. Job Point’s consumers have gone on to work in careers that pay a living wage, with some paying over $40 per hour. Over time, this adds up to tens of millions of dollars paid in taxes and reinvested back into the local economy, reducing Federal, State and local assistance. With our help, many individuals have cast aside their labels and found employment, bettering their lives and the lives of those who rely upon them.

-Just Jeff's {Ribbon Cutting and Finalist Seminar: Wednesday, October 6, 3:30 pm, 510 E Green Meadows Suite 101 } 

“It’s not just a burger, it’s Just Jeff’s!”  In 2013, Jeff Spencer came home with a hot dog cart and the idea to travel to festivals serving up “good quality fair food.” Seven years later, Just Jeff’s has two unique restaurant locations and a loyal fan base that appreciates the cleanliness, quality food, and friendly atmosphere. Come hear Jeff’s success story and enjoy an award-winning cheeseburger just like your “mama used to make!”

-PedNet Coalition {Ribbon Cutting and Finalist Seminar: Thursday, October 7, Noon, 201 W. Broadway, Building 2, Suite A} 

 PedNet is an independent nonprofit that provides walking, biking, and transit solutions to meet people’s everyday transportation needs. We advocate for sidewalks, trails, protected bike lanes, intersection improvements, bike boulevards, public transit, and policies that make streets safe for everyone. As a member-based organization, we represent 8,000 people in Columbia.

-Restoration Chiropractic {Ribbon Cutting and Finalist Seminar: Tuesday, October 6, 1 pm, 1413 Grindstone Plaza Drive } 

Restoration Chiropractic is a neurologically based chiropractic corrective care facility. They focus on restoring HOPE, HEALTH, and LIFE to the families of our community through principled chiropractic care. Their vision is to create one of the healthiest cities in the world right here in Columbia, MO by allowing people to achieve optimal health, naturally! For the past 4 years, Restoration has served the community of Columbia and grown to be one of the largest chiropractic offices in town. This year, in the midst of a worldwide health and economic crisis, Restoration is staying faithful to their mission by expanding the practice in order to create the capacity to serve even more people in this community. Restoration Chiropractic has become a beacon of hope for the city of Columbia through their passion for encouraging people to seek a healthier lifestyle, by reaching outside of their four walls to educate about true health, and by giving back to help meet needs in this community. They look forward to a lifetime spent serving the mission of chiropractic to the people of Columbia! 

Thank you to our sponsors:
Small Business Week: Presenting Sponsor Williams-Keepers LLC; Small Business Week: Gold Sponsors Veterans United Home Loans, FASTSIGNS, Boone County Lumber,  and Missouri Employers Mutual; Small Business Week: Media Sponsors The Columbia Missourian, The Columbia Daily Tribune, The Business Times Company, Cumulus Media, and KRCG CBS 13; Small Business Week: Printing Sponsor Minuteman Press, and Columbia Printing & Sign; Small Business Week: Signage Sponsor Moore & Shyrock-Real Estate Appraisers; Small Business of the Year Awards Celebration: Presenting Sponsor Central Bank of Boone County; Small Business of the Year Awards Celebration: Supporting Sponsor, KRCG CBS 13; Small Business of the Year Awards Celebration: Awards Sponsor Vision Works Marketing Group; Small Business of the Year Awards Celebration: Location Sponsor The Broadway - A Doubletree by Hilton; Small Business of the Year Awards Celebration: Silver & Food and Beverage Sponsor Columbia Insurance Group Small Business of the Year Awards Celebration: Video Sponsor The Evoke Group