Jesup Group Podcast

The Community Development Institute (CDI) with Shelby Fiegel Episode 21

This podcast episode features Shelby Fiegel, Director of the Community Development Institute (CDI) at the University of Central Arkansas.  The Jesup Group focuses on entrepreneurship, community development, and growing digital economies in rural southwest Missouri. While most of our podcasts feature entrepreneurs, this episode is focused on how CDI is creating stronger, more vibrant communities through an intentional program that brings people who love their communities together to share i...

Finding Bliss in Persistence and Entrepreneurship

This podcast episode features Megan Escalante. Megan owns Pineapple Bliss, a growing specialty desert shop in Joplin, Missouri and a new location in Springdale, Arkansas. On this podcast episode, Megan discusses her journey as a serial entrepreneur. She discusses her entrepreneurial journey where she learned and became more resilient at each stop. The journey began with a degree in bio chemistry and transformed to two successful businesses in cosmetology and a growing restaurant chain. L...

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs with Unlimited Potential with Chris Forsythe- Episode 18

This month’s podcast features Chris Forsythe from Precision Coffee in Nevada, Missouri. Chris could be described as a serial entrepreneur. In 2017 he left his steady, hourly wage job (that he worked at for 17 years) and since that time he has begun three businesses. We’re going to discuss his journey as an entrepreneur, the challenges of limiting beliefs for aspiring entrepreneurs, and the opportunities he feels are available for people who recognize they already have the skills it takes to ...

A Truly Local Episode on Creating Vibrant Rural Communities - Episode 17

This month's episode features John Newby, who writes a weekly syndicated column titled "Building Main Street, Not Wall Street" and community development approach he calls "Truly Local" as well as Sarah James, a repeat guest who is a local entrepreneur and community activist in Granby, Missouri.  These two guests are passionate about the possibilities in rural areas and have some great advice for rural areas, no matter your size.  Check out this episode and the resources below mentioned on thi...

Jesup Group Startup Stories- Brewing Culture and Serving Community : Episode 16

Indian Springs Brewing Company and Briar & Thistle are located in downtown Neosho on the historic Neosho square. These two women owned businesses have formed a strategic partnership to serve great beer, fantastic food, and create a unique "third place" that creates a sense community.  Listen to this podcast to hear how both of these women overcame early challenges and intentionally designed their businesses to serve their community by leveraging one another's strengths. If you have a histo...

Jesup Group Startup Stories- Midwestern Interactive Developing a Digital Workforce in Southwest Missouri : Episode 15

Bart Paden is a Jasper County native and co-founder of Midwestern Interactive, a rapidly growing software development firm located in Joplin, Missouri.  Bart discusses how he developed an entrepreneurial mindset that's allowed him to try, fail, and try again- eventually building one of the most robust digital services firms in the four-state region. To most people, growing a software development company in Joplin, Missouri is an unlikely proposition. Bart shares how he is growing digital t...

Jesup Group Startup Stories- Organically Creating More Resiliency and Opportunities in Rural Communities: Episode 14

Mark Hudson is a Barry County native created one of the first premium poultry and livestock feed companies in the region along with a small group of Barry County entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurs created Majestic Milling Company near Wheaton, Missouri.  Listen to this podcast to learn how Mark and his partners developed a rapidly growing business based on insights, curiosity, and willingness to develop products for an underserved growing market. We’ll also discuss long-term plans to grow an...

Jesup Group Startup Stories- Creating a Business from a Blog: Episode 13

This month's podcast features Tiffany Jordan. Tiffany is a homeschool mom from Goodman, Missouri. She started a blog as an easy way to share her children's homeschool education experiences with family. Over the past few years, Tiffany learned how to turn her blog into a successful business. Tiffany recently shared her passion for education, experience, and entrepreneurship to create a youth entrepreneurship event in her home community.  In this episode, learn how Tiffany created her first ...

From the Mission Field to a Mission for Vibrant Community Spaces, with Ben McNelly

This month's podcast features Ben McNelly of Full Bore Studios and Pennington Station. Ben is a software developer/ entrepreneur from Joplin Missouri. Ben's story is a great example of how curiosity, determination, and resourcefulness can develop marketable skills and a successful business.  Ben has built a successful software development group focused on VR, automation, gaming, and the internet of things. He also recently opened Pennington Station, a gaming and VR experience destination i...

Jesup Group Startup Stories- From the Semi Seat to the CEO Seat: The Kelly Anderson Group

This month's podcast features Kelly Anderson, CEO of the Kelly Anderson Group. Kelly shares his journey from an over-the-road truck driver to one of Neosho's fastest growing companies. Kelly is the first consultant that we've interviewed and he shares a wealth of information that can help those looking to begin a consulting business or grow a business beyond trading time for dollars.  You'll want to have a notebook handy and jot down some suggestions Kelly shares. Don't worry about writi...

Jesup Group Startup Stories The Importance of Farmers' Markets with Scott Hall Episode 010

This month's podcast explores the importance of farmers' markets as a platform for entrepreneurs in food and artisan related products/ services.  Scott Hall, Director of the Neosho Farmers' Market, joins the May podcast to discuss the role of farmers' markets as a community development tool, how local markets help create affinity for "place," and the low-cost/ low-barriers of to validate products and services  for aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs.   Links The Brooklyn "Flea" htt...

Jesup Group Startup Stories with Traci Cliffman Episode 009

This month's podcast features Kitchen Essentials owner, Traci Cliffman. Traci shares her journey from nearly two decades in the classroom to starting her own business in downtown Nevada, Missouri. Traci shares advice and insights related to: Financial and logistical considerations for people thinking about starting a business The role small businesses can play in downtown development Resources needed to encourage more small business growth   You can find Kitchen Essentials online o...

Jesup Group Startup Stories with Rick Webb Episode 008

This month’s podcast is going to be a little different than previous months. While we haven’t quite reached one year of podcast guests, we are approaching the one year mark of beginning the Jesup Group effort at Crowder College. It’s a perfect time to reflect and share our progress to this point.  Over the past year the effort has evolved to focus on three key areas: Assisting with the development of a rural entrepreneurial culture in SW Missouri. Strategic regional and community develo...

Jesup Group Startup Stories with Tony Savage Episode 007

Tony Savage and his wife Emily are just dipping their toes into the entrepreneurial waters. Their business, The Melting Pot, is located in Noel, Missouri and will open late spring of 2021. Noel is a unique community of less than 2000 people where over 30 countries of refugees and immigrants are represented and 11 languages are spoken. Tony and Emily have goals in their entrepreneurial endeavor that are far beyond creating a profitable business. They hope their business becomes a hub for co...

Jesup Group Startup Stories with Tony Savage Episode 007

Tony Savage and his wife Emily are just dipping their toes into the entrepreneurial waters. Their business, The Melting Pot, is located in Noel, Missouri and will open late spring of 2021. Noel is a unique community of less than 2000 people where over 30 countries of refugees and immigrants are represented and 11 languages are spoken. Tony and Emily have goals in their entrepreneurial endeavor that are far beyond creating a profitable business. They hope their business becomes a hub for co...

Jesup Group Startup Stories with Andy and Dina ThomasEpisode 006

Andy Thomas, a world-class artist who was raised in Jasper County and lives in Carthage, Missouri with his wife Dina Thomas. To this point, our guests on the podcast have been people who created businesses around professional services, or commercial products for retail. We are taking a look today at the role of the arts and the numerous intersections between art, entrepreneurship, and community development.  You can find Andy's work at https://andythomas.com/

Jesup Group Startup Stories with Alyssa Vaughn and Sarah James Episode 005

November 19th is Women in Entrepreneurship Day! At the Jesup Group we want to celebrate and encourage entrepreneurial women in southwest Missouri. This month's podcast features two inspiring women who pursued their passions in the businesses they created. Alyssa Vaughn owns the Flying V Mercantile in Monett, Missouri as well as A-List Properties Premier, also in Monett. Sarah James is the co-owner of Hello Sunshine Market located in Granby, Missouri. These women share their stories of ho...

Jesup Group Startup Stories with John Hunter Episode 004

Our most recent podcast features John Hunter of Progressive Bike Ramps, American Ramp Company, Atlas Safe Rooms (and several more businesses).  John shares his insights on the future of biking and a bike culture in southwest Missouri and the type of culture needed to develop communities and entrepreneurship. As a McDonald County, Missouri native, John shares how a sense of community, determination, and willingness to learn led him to becoming one of the most prolific entrepreneurs in the a...

Jesup Group Startup Stories with Shane Smith Episode 003

Our August podcast will feature Shane Smith of Mass Depot, an e-commerce powerhouse located in Neosho, Missouri. Shane shares his journey that led him from an automotive service technician to an entrepreneur and one of the owners of a multi-million dollar e-commerce business. He also discusses why SW Missouri is the perfect location to become an entrepreneur and why e-commerce could be an economic development strategy for the region.

Jesup Group Startup Stories with Stacy Hall Episode 002

Our first Startup Stories podcast features Stacy Hall. Stacy and her husband scratched their own itch and created the potty chair they wish was available when they began potty training their own child. Listen to this episode to learn how, grit, creative thinking, and persistence led this Barry County, Missouri couple all the way to ABCs "Shark Tank."  

Jesup Group’s Introduction Episode 001

Learn about why we chose the name Jesup Group for our efforts and how Crowder College plans to use the Jesup Group to develop a robust entrepreneurial culture in southwest Missouri. 

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