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Articles by Devin Larson
October SBJ 2026
Quality of life is part of good care For more than 20 years, I’ve brought music and movement into senior-living communities, serving people of all ages and abilities. This has taught me that almost everyone can participate. We simply have to give people the opportunity to do it in their own way. I have watched people dance from their chairs when standing was…
15 under Fifteen 2026
This is the 24th year that Springfield Business Journal has partnered with United Community Bank to recognize 15 outstanding small businesses in the local area. To qualify, a business must be located in Sangamon or Morgan county, have been open for at least two years and have 15 or fewer full-time employees. The recipients represent […]
September SBJ 2026
Spring 2026Vol. 2026 / No. 30
August SBJ 2026 - Springfield Business Journal
While in high school, Mark Watson started working at CDS Office Technologies, the office equipment, printing and copying business founded by his father, Jay Watson, in 1971. Mark came back to the family business after graduating from University of Illinois in 1987 and has been there ever since. Mark saw CDS diversify in the 1990s…
Women of Influence 2026
Women of Influence 2026 For 23 years, Springfield Business Journal has partnered with Security Bank for the annual Women of Influence program, which honors local women for their contributions to the Springfield area community. Selected by their peers through submitted nominations, all have made important contributions to the community at large. We hope you enjoy reading the profiles of […]
Vondra Social House
Vondra Social House, just south of Lincoln Home Historic Site on Edwards Street, inhabits a quaint and historic two-story brick structure. The building was brought back from the brink of ruin in 2007 and operated as a restaurant under various owners until closing at the end of 2024. With a front porch that spans the whole front of the building, Vondra is an appealing sight to hungry visitors. Everything is freshly painted and clean.
From planning to implementation
Imagine a vibrant town center that serves as a hub of cultural and social activity. There’s a beautiful, tree-lined roundabout and plaza in the middle of it all, with a water feature that serves as a splash pad for children on a summer day, and a nice spot to read a book or to catch up with friends. All the while, it dutifully purifies the town’s stormwater. A multimodal transportation hub makes getting to the heart of downtown convenient and safe.
Credit card ‘swipe fee’ ban awaits judge’s ruling
A law that would make Illinois the first jurisdiction in the world to ban financial institutions from charging “interchange fees” on the tax and tip portions of debit and credit card transactions finally got its day in court Oct. 22, nearly 18 months after its passage.
Positive banking trends on both sides of the balance sheet
In the fourth quarter of 2025, local bankers report that in this stable economy, savings and consumer lending are both showing strong growth, home equity loan activity has ticked up and technology is on the rise, as is fraud prevention, detection and education. Wyatt Wolven, chief financial officer with CEFCU, said, “Since I’m an accountant, I’ll start with the balance sheet.
Phoenix Collision
Siblings Matthew Milkint and Tressa Hartman began Phoenix Collision in 2006 following the tornadoes that hit Springfield. “Matthew was working for Bill Mathew Auto Body when the tornado came through Springfield,” Hartman said. “Upon learning they would take a year or more to rebuild, he decided to start a shop of his own and asked me to partner with him.” By the fall of 2006, the company was up and running. Location and word of mouth helped the business grow over the next several years.
Up and Running Services
Established: 2016 Owners: Chris and Allie Roberts Employees: 4 Services: small engine repair Chris and Allie Roberts opened Up and Running Services in 2016. Growing up, Chris always enjoyed working on small equipment, and he eventually decided to make a living out of it. Up and Running Services repairs and services lawn equipment and small engines. They are also Stihl and Toro dealers.
Storyteller Studios
Established: 2013 Owners: Josh and Andrea Hester Employees:7 Services: video production Josh and Andrea Hester, owners of Storyteller Studios, opened the business in 2013 with a simple goal of creating videos that tell real stories and make a difference. “After years of working in documentary film and corporate marketing, I saw the power of authentic storytelling and wanted to use that to help businesses and nonprofits connect with their audiences in meaningful ways,” Josh said.
Rose Aesthetics & Wellness Clinic
Cori Jahns opened Rose Aesthetics & Wellness Clinic in September 2021. The idea was born from a vision to provide personalized care in a more intimate setting. “After years in conventional medicine, I realized that the fast-paced environment often prioritized efficiency over meaningful patient relationships,” Jahns said.
Pilates Studio of Springfield
Established: 2006 Owners:Kirsten Wright and Tara McAnarney Employees:11 Services: fitness center Pilates Studio of Springfield is a full-service Pilates studio offering individual and group instruction. Co-owners Kirsten Wright and Tara McAnarney have been running the studio for more than 18 years. They currently employ 11 instructors, eight of whom are full-time. “We have 14 reformers and multiple other apparatuses for our clients to train on,” McAnarney said.
Compass for Kids
Established: 2011 Director: Molly Berendt Employees: 14 Services: nonprofit Founder and CEO Molly Berendt began Compass for Kids in 2011. Compass for Kids is a nonprofit created to provide support to youth who were not being served by existing programs and services in the Springfield area. “The mission of Compass for Kids is to provide academic and social-emotional support to empower children and families underserved by our community,” Berendt said.
Ben Ladage Auctions
Ben and Kim Ladage started Ben Ladage Auctions in 2010 after Ben attended the Missouri Auction School. “Over the next few years, I conducted a handful of live auctions while working for other local auctioneers,” he said. Ladage became a full-time auctioneer in 2016 after purchasing a building in Auburn.
Chatham Seamless Gutters
Craig Davis and his wife, Jessica, began Chatham Seamless Gutters in 2007. Craig learned the business from a high school friend, and years later, the two went to work for another business. “That company shut down its gutter division, so I decided to buy my own equipment and work with contractors I had known previously,” said Craig.
Bramley Funeral Home
Established: 1924 Owners: Tim Bramley, Sarah Bramley Jones, Tyler Bramley Employees: 3 Services: funeral home Chester and Pearl Bramley opened the doors of Bramley Funeral Home in Divernon in June of 1924. Eventually their son, Charles, joined the family business and worked beside his father as they served the growing needs of their community. In 1991, Charles’ son, Tim, became part of the family business, which allowed them the opportunity to expand and add a second location in Auburn.
Springfield Art Association
Established: 1910 Director: Betsy Dollar Employees: 11 Services: nonprofit The Springfield Art Association was created in 1910 as The Springfield Amateur Art Study Club. The club drew more than 100 members rather quickly. “There was a great deal of interest in the arts and the power of the arts to improve society overall,” said Betsy Dollar, executive director.
Café Moxo
Mark and Shawna Forinash opened Café Moxo in early 2007, a quick-service restaurant with owners passionate about food, service, employees and the community. “In theory, Café Moxo started when I was a young boy standing beside my mom in the kitchen on countless occasions,” Mark said.
RE/MAX Professionals
“RE/MAX Professionals has been serving Springfield and the surrounding counties since 1986 and has been a consistent recipient of various prestigious production awards for decades,” said Jim Fulgenzi, who joined the company as an agent in 1995 and became the owner-broker in 2021.
Three Twigs & Co.
Established: 2015 Owners: Tim and Emily Lewis Employees: 8 Services: bakery and restaurant Three Twigs & Co began selling homemade baked goods in May 2015 at the Old Capitol Farmers Market. In January 2019, the business opened its first storefront. Owners Timothy and Emily Lewis have a love for food, hospitality and connecting with the community. “This was a great way to get to do the things we love every day,” Emily said. Three Twigs is a completely scratch-made bakery and brunch restaurant.
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