At this week’s 1 Million Cups Springfield, Stephen Allen, founder of Geaux Flooring Direct, shared how his business is changing the way people buy flooring—offering high-quality products, transparent pricing, and a customer-first experience.
Stephen talked about what inspired him to launch Geaux Flooring Direct, the challenges of standing out in a competitive industry, and how he’s building a brand based on trust, efficiency, and service. After his presentation and Q&A, I caught up with him to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, lessons learned, and his vision for the future of the company.
🎧 Tune in for insights on innovation, leadership, and what it takes to build a modern, customer-driven business.
#GeauxFlooringDirect, #1MillionCups, #Entrepreneurship, #StartupLife, #SmallBusiness, #CustomerExperience, #SpringfieldMO, #RunItStudios
At this week’s 1 Million Cups - Springfield MO, Rod Smith, founder of Ozarks Life, shared his journey of building a lifestyle apparel brand that celebrates the beauty, adventure, and culture of the Ozarks.
Rod talked about what inspired him to launch Ozarks Life, how the brand connects with locals and visitors alike, and the challenges of growing a small business rooted in regional pride. After his presentation and audience Q&A, I sat down with Rod to chat about the evolution of his business and why 1MC is important for entrepreneurs.
🎧 Tune in for a conversation that blends community, creativity, and the entrepreneurial spirit of the Ozarks.
#OzarksLife, #1MillionCups, #Entrepreneurship, #ApparelBrand, #StartupLife, #SmallBusiness, #SpringfieldMO, #RunItStudios
In this captivating episode, host Trina Wilcox talks with Debra Yates, author of Woman of Many Names, a powerful novel inspired by true events. Debra shares the incredible story behind her ancestor, Nancy Ward, a revered Cherokee leader and peacemaker known for her strength, vision, and compassion.
Together, they discuss how Debra brought this historical figure’s legacy to life, blending research, heritage, and storytelling to honor the enduring spirit of a woman who shaped generations.
Tune in to hear how Woman of Many Names preserves the past while inspiring modern readers to embrace resilience, courage, and cultural understanding.
#RunRadio, #RunItStudios, #DebraYates, #WomanOfManyNames, #AuthorInterview, #CherokeeHistory, #WomenInHistory, #Storytelling, #Resilience, #HistoricalFiction
At this week’s 1 Million Cups Springfield, Ashley Brockmann presented Academic Eye, an innovative ed-tech platform that connects educators, parents, and students through real-time insights into academic and social progress.
Ashley shared how Academic Eye helps families stay informed and engaged, bridges communication gaps between schools and homes, and supports student success through transparency and collaboration. After her presentation and Q&A, I spoke with her about the platform’s development, user feedback, and her vision for the future of education technology.
🎧 Tune in to learn how one founder is using tech to make learning visible and empowering for everyone.
#AcademicEye, #1MillionCups, #EdTech, #EducationInnovation, #StudentSuccess, #Entrepreneurship, #StartupLife, #SpringfieldMO, #RunItStudios
In this inspiring episode, host Trina Wilcox speaks with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder and executive director of Globe Aware, a nonprofit organization creating sustainable volunteer travel experiences around the world. 🌍
Kimberly shares how Globe Aware empowers travelers to give back responsibly — by engaging with communities through projects that build understanding, respect, and lasting impact. From constructing eco-friendly housing to supporting local education and conservation, Globe Aware’s work transforms both the communities served and the volunteers themselves.
Hear how meaningful travel can go beyond sightseeing — fostering empathy, cultural connection, and purpose-driven adventure.
#RunRadio, #RunItStudios, #GlobeAware, #VolunteerTravel, #MeaningfulTravel, #GlobalImpact, #SustainableTourism, #CulturalConnection, #TravelForGood
At this week’s 1 Million Cups Springfield, John Rand and Jason Petefish presented The Pickle Dome, a new indoor pickleball complex coming to Springfield. Their vision is to create a space where players of all skill levels can connect, compete, and enjoy the fast-growing sport of pickleball—rain or shine.
After their presentation and audience Q&A, I spoke with John and Jason about the inspiration behind The Pickle Dome, what sets their facility apart, and how they’re combining community, recreation, and entrepreneurship to bring this exciting project to life.
🎧 Tune in for a conversation about sports, startup energy, and building something fun for the community.
#ThePickleDome, #1MillionCups, #Pickleball, #Entrepreneurship, #StartupLife, #SpringfieldMO, #RunItStudios
Whitney Mann with City Utilities talks to Trina Wilcox about the Halloween Hustle 2025 race to benefit Harmony House. Harmony House provides shelter, advocacy and education to survivors of domestic violence and located in Greene County. The event is Saturday, October 25, 2025, 09:00am at City Utilities Springfield, MO. Register now at https://actnowracing.com/events/1148/halloween-hustle?filter_reset=1
At this week’s 1 Million Cups Springfield, Ben Walsh, founder of ConGenius, shared how his software is transforming the construction industry by simplifying estimating, proposals, CRM, and digital takeoffs for contractors.
Built by builders for builders, ConGenius combines construction expertise with intuitive technology to save time, reduce errors, and bring efficiency to project planning. After his presentation and audience Q&A, I sat down with Ben to talk about how the platform is evolving, what feedback has shaped its growth, and what’s next for this innovative startup.
🎧 Tune in for insight into how tech is reshaping construction and the entrepreneurial drive behind it.
#RunItStudios, #1MillionCups, #ConGenius, #ConstructionTech, #EstimatingSoftware, #StartupLife, #Entrepreneurship, #SpringfieldMO
1 Million Cups Springfield – Featuring Wes Melton | Doling on Atlantic
At this week’s 1 Million Cups Springfield, Wes Melton introduced Doling on Atlantic, a brand-new event space in North Springfield designed to bring people together for community, celebration, and connection.
Wes shared his inspiration for transforming the property into a welcoming venue, the vision behind its design, and how Doling on Atlantic aims to serve as a hub for gatherings, performances, and special events in the area. After his presentation and Q&A, I sat down with him to talk about entrepreneurship, revitalizing local spaces, and building community through hospitality.
🎧 Tune in to learn how one local business owner is turning a North Springfield landmark into something truly special.
#DolingOnAtlantic, #1MillionCups, #EventSpace, #Entrepreneurship, #CommunityDevelopment, #SpringfieldMO, #RunItStudios
1 Million Cups Springfield – Featuring Josiah Hildebrant | Springfield Mobile Oil Change
This week at 1 Million Cups Springfield, we heard from Josiah Hildebrant, an Evangel University student and entrepreneur behind Springfield Mobile Oil Change.
Josiah shared how he’s building a convenient, on-the-go oil change service that saves customers time while providing professional, reliable vehicle maintenance. As a young entrepreneur, he also spoke about balancing business with college life, lessons learned along the way, and his vision for growing a mobile service that meets people where they are.
🎧 After his presentation and Q&A, I sat down with Josiah to dive deeper into his journey, what inspired him to launch the business, and where he hopes to take it next.
#SpringfieldMobileOilChange, #1MillionCups, #Entrepreneurship, #StudentEntrepreneur, #AutoCare, #SpringfieldMO, #RunItStudios
Dan Wells with One Sole Purpose 5K/10K talks about the race and how proceeds put shoes on Title 1 school kids every year in Springfield, MO.
In this thought-provoking episode, host Trina Wilcox sits down with David Amerland, renowned business strategist and author of Built to Last. David brings his expertise in search, social, and the psychology of decision-making to explore what truly makes organizations — and individuals — sustainable over the long run. Together, they discuss why resilience and adaptability matter more than rigid planning.David shares practical insights that can help entrepreneurs, creators, and changemakers striving to build ventures that stand the test of time. Whether you’re growing a business, strengthening a personal brand, or just seeking long-term impact on your health, this episode offers timeless strategies to help you go the distance.
Run Radio Podcast | Guest: Leslie Smith — Flow Fest SGF
Host Trina Wilcox welcomes Leslie Smith, founder of Flow Fest SGF, to talk about the city’s newest celebration of movement, music, and mindful connection. In this episode, Leslie shares the vision behind the inaugural Flow Fest SGF — an event designed to bring the community together through flow arts, yoga, live performances, and interactive experiences.
Discover what inspired the creation of Flow Fest SGF, what attendees can expect from the first event, and how it aims to highlight the power of movement as both expression and community building.
Whether you’re a yogi, a dancer, a music lover, or simply curious about trying something new, this episode invites you to experience Springfield’s fresh take on festival culture.
Run It Studios – Featuring Justyn Pippins & Joe Robles | Multicultural Business Association (MBA)
In this interview, I spoke with Justyn Pippins and Joe Robles of the Multicultural Business Association (MBA) about their mission to foster inclusivity, support entrepreneurs, and create opportunities for diverse business owners in Springfield and beyond.
They shared the vision behind MBA, how the organization is building bridges within the community, and the importance of representation and collaboration in today’s business landscape.
🎧 Tune in for a powerful conversation on entrepreneurship, culture, and community impact.
#MulticulturalBusinessAssociation, #MBA, #Entrepreneurship, #CommunityImpact, #BusinessDiversity, #SpringfieldMO, #RunItStudios, #1MillionCups
After his presentation at 1 Million Cups Springfield, I sat down with Luke Phelps, founder of Vroom Solar, to learn more about how his company is making solar power more accessible, flexible, and efficient.
Luke shared the inspiration behind Vroom Solar, the innovations they’re bringing to the clean energy space, and how solar technology is helping communities and businesses reduce costs while embracing sustainability. We also discussed the entrepreneurial journey of growing a solar startup in today’s competitive energy market.
🎧 Tune in for a conversation on innovation, clean energy, and what’s next for Vroom Solar.
#VroomSolar, #1MillionCups, #CleanEnergy, #SolarInnovation, #Entrepreneurship, #Sustainability, #SpringfieldMO, #RunItStudios
In this conversation, I sat down with Anjanette LaBellarte from the Hospice Foundation of the Ozarks to talk about their mission, the vital role hospice plays in our community, and how the foundation supports families during some of life’s most difficult times.
Anjanette shared insights on the impact of hospice care, how the foundation extends resources beyond medical needs, and ways the community can get involved to support their work.
🎧 Tune in for an inspiring discussion on compassion, service, and the power of community care.
Join Trina Wilcox for an immersive conversation with Brian Brady, former police officer turned acclaimed crime novelist. Born and raised in San Francisco, Brian draws deeply from the city’s architecture, traditions, and gritty underbelly to tell gripping stories of crime, resilience, and moral complexity.In this episode, Brian discusses how his three-decade career in law enforcement and corporate security shaped his storytelling, giving readers an insider’s view into investigations and human motivations. Tune in to hear how Brian channels real-life investigative experiences into pulse-pounding fiction. Don't miss this chance to go behind the scenes with a storyteller who knows crime from the ground up and brings it vividly to your bookshelf.
1 Million Cups Springfield – Featuring Michael Scharpf | In Moving Memory
After his presentation at 1 Million Cups Springfield, I sat down with Michael Scharpf, founder of In Moving Memory, to learn more about how his work blends creativity, memory, and movement into a unique offering.
Michael shared the inspiration behind In Moving Memory, how storytelling and performance can preserve personal and collective histories, and the impact his work is having in the community. We also talked about the entrepreneurial journey of turning an artistic vision into a sustainable business.
🎧 Tune in for a powerful conversation at the intersection of art, memory, and innovation.
#1MillionCups, #InMovingMemory, #Entrepreneurship, #ArtsAndInnovation, #SpringfieldMO, #RunItStudios
This week at 1 Million Cups Springfield, we welcomed back Collin Funkhouser, founder of Funky Bunch Pet Care, for a refill presentation—sharing updates since his last time on stage.
Collin talked about growing his pet care business, the lessons learned in scaling a service-based company, and the new opportunities that have emerged as Funky Bunch continues to serve pet owners with reliable, loving care. After his update and Q&A, I caught up with him to chat about what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and where he’s headed next.
🎧 Tune in for an inside look at entrepreneurship, community, and building a business that people (and pets!) can count on.
#1MillionCups, #FunkyBunchPetCare, #StartupUpdate, #EntrepreneurJourney, #PetCareBusiness, #SpringfieldMO, #RunItStudios
After her presentation at 1 Million Cups Springfield, I sat down with Heather Noggle, former 1MC organizer and representative of the Midwest Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (MCCOE).
Heather shared insights into the MCCOE’s mission of strengthening cybersecurity readiness for businesses, the challenges organizations face in protecting data, and the resources available to help entrepreneurs safeguard their operations. We also touched on her journey from organizing 1MC to championing cybersecurity education and advocacy across the region.
🎧 Tune in for practical takeaways on building resilience, staying secure, and leading with innovation in today’s digital landscape.
#1MillionCups, #MCCOE, #Cybersecurity, #Entrepreneurship, #SpringfieldMO, #RunItStudios, #BusinessResilience