Springfield Business Journal_2020-06-15

SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 17 JUNE 15-21, 2020 C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S • Joel Thomas • for being honored in the 2020 Class of 40 Under 40! We’re happy you chose to BE A BUFFALO! #staypumped STRATEGIC PARTNERS DESIGNING IMPACT SHAPING LEGACIES WWW.BUFSTUDIO.CO A s co-founder of outdoor tour guide company 37 North Expedi- tions LLC, Danny Collins wants to make nature more accessible for everyone.  Launching the company with his wife, Cristina Bustamante, in 2018, Collins be- lieves 37 North Expeditions is putting the Ozarks on the map as a place to travel for outdoor adventures. The couple started the business as the lone employees but have since added around 10 tour guides to help lead trips. The adventures include hikes, floats or horseback rides, followed by visits to wineries, microbreweries and other destinations.   When not exploring the outdoors, Col- lins works full-time as a developer for The Vecino Group LLC. He also is a member of The Network, the Spring- field Area Chamber of Commerce organization for young professionals.  What are you doing to make the Ozarks better? 37 North Expeditions is aimed at making the Ozarks a better place to live by providing opportunities for more of us to get outside and focus on healthy mind, body and spirit. The Vecino Group is also working to make Springfield a better place with projects like IDEA Commons that is going to truly revitalize our urban downtown.  What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Adversity is a sign that you are on to something. The potential magic is just on the other side of it. —Mike Cullinan, Reporter C ole Currier realized the value of real estate early in his career, eventu- ally leading to opening up his firm, Foggy River Realty in 2012. He knew it would be an uphill battle to grow his own firm, after starting as a Realtor in 2009 during the Great Reces- sion. By using precision marketing and meeting his clients’ goals, his business continued to grow. Over the last four years, Currier was ranked No.1 of over 400 agents in the Branson Tri-Lakes market for total sales volume. Currier has participated in many volun- teer positions in the community – such as vice chair of Branson’s Historic Down- town Community Improvement District and a member of the Branson Public Schools Board of Education. What was your first job? Singing at the Ga- zebo Stage at Silver Dollar City. My fam- ily drove me back and forth from Enid, Oklahoma, to Branson every weekend the summer of ‘97 to chase the dream. What did you learn the hard way? When you are willing to tell the hard truth, you build trust and your client relationship is strengthened over the long term. What’s your most treasured possession? Our boat. Our favorite dates as a couple and best times together as a family usu- ally involve time out on the water. Have you ever met a celebrity? Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster) was a judge of a singing competition I was in when I was 12. She told me I was cute. —Karen Bliss, Contributing Writer COLE CURRIER, 36 Broker/Owner, Foggy River Realty DANNY COLLINS, 31 Founder, 37 North Expeditions LLC, and Developer, The Vecino Group LLC JESSICA ROSA