Business Notebook: Richard Proffer works to help owners grow their businesses and communities thrive

Editor's note: The item regarding Rep. Jason Smith's event on Monday, April 30, has been updated.

At his desk in the Cape Girardeau County University of Missouri Extension Office, Richard Proffer leans back in his chair and gestures to rows and stacks of books on business theory, management techniques and everything in between, but he's quick to point out he isn't a "theory guy."

"I know about all of that," he said, "but what I've found works best for my clients is practical application."

Proffer is the business development specialist for the Small Business and Technology Development Center at the extension office, 684 Jackson Trail in Jackson. He works with businesses and individuals in 18 counties -- from Perry to Iron counties, then south to the Arkansas border, he said.

The program he works for is the same program as the SBTDC at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Proffer said, but they are separate entities, each with its own focus.

"While their work is important and they do a great job, what I do has a slightly different focus," he said.

Both entities work to help entrepreneurs build businesses, Proffer said, and his job also includes securing funding to help stimulate economies with fewer resources.

With 18 counties, he stays busy, Proffer said.

He helps people who want to start a business develop their own plan, and he also helps established businesses fill in the blanks so they can grow.

"Not everyone who comes to me with a business idea knows how to sell," Proffer said. "I teach them."

He has an extensive background to draw on. His 12 years with the extension office, helping clients directly, is only the latest venture: Proffer has owned businesses, worked in advertising, and earned degrees in marketing, he said.

It's hard to pigeonhole the types of businesses he works with.

"I work with everyone from a moonshine producer -- which is legal in Missouri now -- to restaurants to hobby farms to entertainment venues to retail businesses," he said. "Runs the gamut."

Proffer also helps secure federal funding for special projects called SET, or Strengthening Economies Together, he said.

The purpose behind those projects was to get people to think beyond their own impression of the place they live, he said.

Those projects are geared toward areas with certain poverty levels, and Cape Girardeau County doesn't fit the criteria, he said, but the work he does locally has a big impact.

Proffer also offers classes covering subjects including accounting, business management, budgeting, marketing and government contracting, among others.

In 2017, because of his work, in Cape Girardeau County, 129 jobs were created and 102 were retained, with sales increases of nearly $1.2 million, Proffer said.

His more than 200 projects going right now with clients are on his spreadsheet, Proffer said. The project method is how he stays organized, he added.

That's important, because he said he never knows how the conversation will go once his phone rings.

"I never have the same day twice," Proffer said.

Rep. Smith honored

Wm. Nobbe & Co. in Scott City and the Equipment Dealers Association (EDA) will partner to host a meet and greet with U.S. Rep. Jason Smith from 4 to 5 p.m. today at 1400 E. Outer Road North in Scott City. Tom Nobbe, owner, will present Smith with EDA's 2018 Legislative Leadership Award.

Note: This event has been postponed. A new date will be announced at a later time.

Movie series announced

Marcus Wehrenberg Theatres soon will begin a new Family Classics Retro Series, according to a news release. Beginning on Sunday, films including "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," "The Sound of Music" and "The Wizard of Oz" will return to the big screen. Marcus Theatres also will show another family favorite, "The Princess Bride," at the conclusion to its '80s Showcase Retro Series.

All Retro Series films will be shown at noon Sundays and at 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Admission will be $5 per person.

Ribbon cuttings

Southeast Missouri Realtors will hold a ribbon cutting in honor of its 65th anniversary and grand-opening celebration, beginning at 2 p.m. Friday at 78 S. Plaza Way in Town Plaza in Cape Girardeau.

Guardian Angels In Home Services will hold a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Tuesday at 1221 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau.

People on the Move

The Missouri Veterans Home is Cape Girardeau welcomes Kristen Pind as the new supervisor of volunteer services. Kristen will be responsible for planning events and fundraisers, volunteer recruitment and public relations, according to a recent news release.

She joins the Missouri Veterans Home team from the Southeast Missourian newspaper, where she was an advertising sales representative and columnist for seven years. She has a bachelor's degree in mass communication with an emphasis in journalism from Southeast Missouri State University.

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630