The Entrepreneurial Spirit

The Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Team recently competed in the Regional SIFE Competition in Rogers Arkansas. The regional competition was held on March 26, 2012 and was one of 11 held around the country. During the competition, the SIFE Team reported the results of their community outreach projects, through a written annual report and a presentation, to a panel of business leaders. The team was evaluated based on how well they used business concepts learned in in class to improve the quality of life and standard of living for those in need in the community. The MSU-WP SIFE Team partnered with several community organizations to complete six projects during the 2011-2012 academic year; two more projects are expected to be implemented and completed by the end of the summer. SIFE projects are supported, in part, through the Wendell Bailey Endowment for Entrepreneurship.
The MSU-WP SIFE Team received the Rookie of the Year Award at the competition in Rogers. This was the team’s first year to compete in a regional competition.

MSU-WP SIFE Team at 2012 Regional Competition

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is sponsoring a food drive during the next two weeks.  In order to make things interesting, they would like to have a competition for faculty and staff (grouped by building.)

What you need to know:

1. Any and all nonperishable food donations will be accepted.
2. You will need to turn in your donated food to your building contact:

• Academic Outreach – Deanna
• Broadway Building – Ron
• Cass Hall – Alyssa
• Civic Center – Kristen
• Drago College Bookstore – Kathy/Sharon
• Garnett Library – Sylvia
• Kellett Hall – Debbie
• Looney Hall – Barbara
• Lybyer – Cathy
• Melton Hall – Donna
• Putnam – Rogers
• TRIO – Mary

3. For each canned food item turned in will be worth one point.
4. Every item turned in that applies to the Rotary Backpack Program will receive two points.
5. The collection will begin 2/20/12 and end on 3/02/12.
6. SIFE students can be contacted anytime between 2/20/12 and 3/02/12.  To reach the SIFE students, contact Cathy Proffitt Boys at 255-7278 or cathyboys@missouristate.edu.
7. Points for food donation when turned in to SIFE must be collected and signed off by one SIFE representative and one representative from your building.

Rotary Backpack Program Food List

• Hormel Completes for Kids
  • Mac and Beef
  • Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • Pasta and Chicken
  • Campbells Soup at Hand
    • Vegetable Beef
    • Chicken Noodle
  • Campbells Microwaveable Soup Bowl (15.4 oz)
    • Various types such as chicken noodle, veg beef
  • Horizons Organic Milk 1%
  • Mac and Cheese Bowls
  • Hamburger Helper microwavable bowl
  • Chef Boyardee (7.5 oz bowl)
    • Beefaroni
    • Spaghetti and Meatballs
    • Beef Ravioli
    • Mini Micro Beef Ravioli
  • Island Orchard All Natural Juice (6.75 oz)
    • Grape
    • Apple
    • Fruit punch
  • Kelloggs Cereal (individual servings)
  • Great Value Applesauce (Plain and cinnamon)
  • Kellogg’s Nutri Grain Cereal Bar
  • GV Fruit Cups (4 – 4oz pack)
    • Cherry mixed fruid
    • Peaches
    • Diced pears
    • Mandarin oranges
  • Austin Cheddar Cheese Crackers

For six generations, the Gruccis have built a multi-million dollar fireworks business while keeping ownership in the family. To learn more, go to http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/219928

Check out the job and volunteer opportunities available to MSU-WP students on the Opportunities page!

Friday, April 29, 2011 and Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the Missouri State University-West Plains Lybyer Technology Center.  Proceeds will benefit Missouri State University-West Plains SIFE (and other participating MSU-WP student organizations.)

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is sponsoring a Personal Finance Seminar on Thursday, November 18 at 4:00 pm in Melton M112. The guest speaker will be Kathy Vassaur, Certified Counselor and Branch Manager of Consumer Credit Counseling Service. Topics will include debt, bankruptcy, collection practices, budgeting and setting financial goals.   We hope to make this an ongoing seminar to support the personal finance educational components of some of our classes.  This event is open to the public so everyone is encouraged to attend.

Heather Legler thought it would be fun to make a little money doing something she loved. Heather, currently a student in Missouri State University-West Plains Entrepreneurship program, began her business in early 2010. Heather’s Heavenly Cakes and More offers many delicious baked items, including:

• Breads, featuring sunflower wheat bread and whole grain low carb bread and a variety of others.
• Bagels, including plain, sesame, poppy, cinnamon raisin, onion, garlic, sundried tomato, and many other types of bagels.
• Pies, including 9-inch Apple, pecan, cherry pies, and more.
• Cakes, featuring wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and layer cakes in a variety of flavors.

Heather says, “The rewards I get from doing the cakes are the faces I get to see when they see their special cake. I get to put my heart and soul into every cake that I make. It is the best feeling in the world.” In addition to the professional rewards of having her own business, Heather found additional benefits. “For me I get to stay home with my son and get to watch him grow that is another thing I like about having my business.”

When asked to share some words of wisdom to others considering starting their own business, Heather suggests continued advertising, including word of mouth. “The more you get your name out there the better chances of making it.”

Heather has also just started another business, Pre-Paid Legal, a company that provides legal service plans.  For more information about Pre-Paid Legal, contact Heather at 417-396-8550.

For more information about Heather’s Heavenly Cakes and More, check out her web site at www.heathersheavenlycakesandmore.com or her Facebook page, Heather’s Heavenly Cakes and More. Or contact Heather at 417-396-8550 or heathersheavenlycakesandmore@gmail.com.

Robert Samuelson was featured in The Week (October 15, 2010) discussing “Three myths impeding job creation.”  We know how important entrepreneurship is to the economy and job creation.   Samuelson addresses three misconceptions that must be addressed before workable, entrepreneur-friendly laws can be established. 

The first myth Samuelson addresses is that most entrepreneurs start companies that directly affect many people.  In truth, most entrepreneurs start companies that are very specialized and have limited impact. 

The second myth is that entrepreneurs have “some epiphany suggesting a new product or technology.”  In reality, most entrepreneurs get to where they are today through persistence and years of hard work.  That’s not to say that “ah-ha” moments don’t happen; they are just not as common as we might be led to believe.

The final myth Samuelson discusses is that entrepreneurs need government incentives to succeed and take risks.  In reality, entrepreneurs can best be served by the removal of government policies that hinder small businesses. 

What do you think?  Do you agree or disagree?  What government incentives (or removal of disincentives) would it take to encourage you to start your own business?

I discovered a really cool grocery store in West Plains this week.  This is a surprising statement coming from me because grocery shopping is one of my least favorite activities.  Howell Valley Grocery is already at the top of my list of favorite stores, however, for several reasons.  For one thing, you will find items rarely seen in other grocery stores, such as milk in glass bottles, Vidalia onion and peach salsa, and more varieties of mushrooms than you can shake a stick at.  Even though unique food products are reason to be excited (and I’m very excited about milk in glass bottles!), the real reason Howell Valley Grocery is such a neat store is that many of the products they carry are locally grown, produced, or made.  The milk is produced and bottled in Mountain Grove.  The mushrooms and salsa come from Tecumseh.  The vegetables are locally grown and the baked goods are locally baked.  The meat was raised by West Plains FFA high school students and purchased at the livestock auction at the county fair.  So not only does Howell Valley Grocery support other local entrepreneurs but also encourages future ones.

A recent study of the Community Policy Analysis Center found that 61.5% of all businesses in our seven county service area employ fewer than 5 people and 80.2% employ fewer than 10 people.  An OSEDA report found that 13.13% of the population in the West Plains area were entrepreneurs, which was second highest in the state, following the Northwest Region at 14.02%.  Small businesses are so important to our local economy. Supporting local businesses benefits us all and it is wonderful to see innovative local businesses providing outlets for the products and services of other local businesses.  Look for opportunities to buy locally.  Not only will you find high quality and unique products, but you will find the shopping experience is fun and interesting.

What are some of your favorite locally products and services?

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is off to a good start for the 2010-2011 school year.  Congratulations to our new officers:  President Emily VonAllmen, Vice President Joshua Dye, and Secretary/Treasurer Travis Wildeman.  We still need a SGA Representative so if you are interested in serving and are available to meet on Thursdays at 4pm, just let me know (417-255-7278 or cathyboys@missouristate.edu.) 

We plan to meet at least once per month on Tuesdays at 1pm.  If you are interested in joining, just let me know.  We are also discussing potential project(s) for this year and will appreciate any ideas or suggestions.