Richard Proffer: Lessons on starting a business

Monday, June 1, 2009

Small businesses are, in a sense, the heartbeat of Southeast Missouri. Southeast Missouri Business Today reporter Robyn Gautschy recently visited with Richard Proffer, business development specialist with the University of Missouri Extension and Small Business Development Center in Jackson. Proffer graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a bachelor's degree in advertising, public relations and speech communication and a minor in marketing. He also has a master's degree in business administration with a focus on marketing from Davenport University. Proffer worked in marketing and advertising until joining the extension office in 2006. When he's not in the office, Proffer enjoys reading, spending time with family, growing plants, getting involved with civic organizations and cooking, especially on the grill. The following interview originally appeared in the June 2009 edition of Business Today.

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