Springfield Business Journal_2019-07-29

24 · SBJ.NET JULY 29-AUG. 4, 2019 2019 ECONOMIC IMPACT AWARDS by Brent Wilson · Contributing Writer Little Sunshine’s Enterprises Inc. is a business for people – little people. The company works in child care and early childhood education. Officials boast the use of creative nurturing and up-to- date research that helps to form a success- ful learning environment. President Brett Roubal says the com- pany, which does business as Little Sun- shine Playhouse and Preschool, opened a new school in O’Fallon in April and plans to open two more later in the year. One school is slated for Broomfield, Colorado, and the other in Gilbert, Arizona. “The fun part of our rapid growth is that we get the opportunity to provide our fan- tastic team, curriculum and teaching phi- losophy to about 150 additional families at each new school. We also get to hire about 30 new employ- ees for each location, adding to the (nearly 700) [nation- al] team members,” Roubal says, noting seven additional schools across the country are under various stages of development on track to open in 2020. Roubal was previously Little Sunshine’s outside attorney before becoming the pres- ident in July. Little Sunshine currently operates in nine states. The expansion means addi- tional hiring. “In 2019, we’ve hired about 60 new employees for our two new schools,” Roubal says. Outside of the day-to-day operations of child care, Little Sunshine’s is involved in community activi- ties and philanthropic work. Roubal says giving back is a curriculum theme in the schools every November, and that Little Sunshine’s strives for individual commu- nity involvement as well as national-level community partnerships. Rochette Dahler, the founder and CEO of Little Sunshine, is also the chairman of the board of The Pedi- atric Brain Foundation, a nonprofit found- ed by Little Sunshine’s. The mission of the foundation is to provide financial support to families of children impacted by neuro- logical disorders, brain cancer and traumat- ic brain injuries. The company also takes part in local pro- grams like Habitat for Humanity and the Victory Mission and also holds a yearly wa- ter drive for Africare. “The nature of our business ensures that we have something new and evolving every single day. Issues and opportunities are constants that keep our days busy and dynamic. On the other hand, our leader- ship and culture are steady and consistent,” Roubal says. “Our company culture of family and col- laboration brings everything together. Our corporate team’s primary purpose is to sup- port the leadership, staff and families at our schools across the country.” Nurturing the Next Generation Little Sunshine’s Enterprises Inc. Founded: 2002 Address: 2144 E. Republic Road, Ste. B201 Web: LittleSunshine.com Products/services: Early childhood education Employees: 116 local; 692 companywide 2018 Revenue: $5.4 million local; $36.1 million companywide JESSICA ROSA Abby Davis, from left, Amber Riddle and Brett Roubal Comprise a portion of the leadership at Little Sunshine’s Enterproses Inc. 16-29 YEARS IN BUSINESS TOP HONORS by Geoff Pickle · gpickle@sbj.net Oasis Hotel & Convention Center Gen- eral Manager Missy Handyside credits the facility’s success to an active, local owner and the freedom to be unique. Last year, the Oasis produced its highest annual revenue to date, at $8.1 million. Purchased by Prime Inc. owner Rob- ert Low in 1999, the Oasis in 2017 became a member of the Ascend Hotel Collection through Choice Hotels, which Handyside says has boosted room rates by 10%. Including a $5.6 million construction and remodeling project in the early 2010s that attached the hotel and convention center, investments are paying off for Low and the Oasis staff. Last year, the hotel’s outdoor pool area was renovated, and this year, guest room bathroom updates are next. “Robert Low continually invests in the property,” Handyside says. “We are constantly making changes and improving the hotel and conven- tion center.” Low expects a healthy return on his in- vestments, says Handyside, which is where the hotel and convention center’s 140 em- ployees come into play. “He holds us to a certain level,” she says. “He’s got expectations and we are thrilled that he does. Although he is a great motivator and definitely invests in the prop- erty, we also have seen an influx of business.” Handyside expects a mid-70% occupan- cy rate in 2019, up from 72% in 2018 and 61% in 2017. As a member of the Ascend Hotel Collection, Oasis is encouraged to be original. No two properties in the up- scale boutique col- lection are the same, Handyside says. “That has allowed us to embrace our uniqueness and lets us be a little more cre- ative as far as the appearance of the hotel, the in-room amenities, just everything,” she says, noting the property has doubled down on its tropical theme, including the 2018 addition of live palm trees to the pool area. “We think we bring a little resort at- mosphere to Springfield, Missouri.” Handyside says the Oasis staff members feel the draw to help out the community at large in economic development. The team in 2014 created an outreach task force called the Oasis Give Squad, through which employees give time and re- sources to help nonprofits, such as Ozarks Food Harvest and The Kitchen Inc. Ad- ditionally, the hotel donates coins tossed into fountains on its properties to local children’s charities. Low contributes a matching donation, as well. Through its website, Oasis customers can purchase tickets to the area’s attrac- tions all in one place, without upcharges. She points to Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium as an example of an attraction that’s drawing in millions of visi- tors – and those people need somewhere to lodge while in town. “Springfield is known for giving great hospitality,” Handyside says. “We’ve got a reputation of being a very friendly commu- nity and inviting to guests.” Investing in Hospitality Oasis Hotel & Convention Center Founded: 1999 Address: 2546 N. Glenstone Ave. Web: SpringfieldOasis.com Products/services: Hotel and convention center, restaurant and bar, and pizzeria Employees: 140 2018 Revenue: $8.1 million Sarah DeGuire, from left, John Blansit and Missy Handyside lead the way at Oasis Hotel & Convention Center. We think we bring a little resort atmosphere to Springfield, Missouri.” —Missy Handyside Oasis Hotel & Convention Center