JUNE 24-30, 2024 40 · SBJ.NET NEWS Big enough to support you. Small enough to really care. Onboarding | HR Software | Payroll | Labor Management (417) 890-6404 Mobile nail tech to open brick-and-mortar nail salon in McLoud Plaza by Cayli Yanagida · Editorial Intern A local mobile nail technician is scheduled to open a brick-and-mortar nail salon in McLoud Plaza on July 2. Liora Simonian, a nail tech from Buffalo, New York, said Liora’s Original Creations Nail Salon, located at 3322 S. Campbell Ave., Ste. CC4, will be her first business venture as a nail technician. Before moving to Springfield, she’d never been to Missouri before, but said she was inspired to go to school for nail art around six months after the move. “I’ve always been very artistic,” Simonian said. “One day, it just hit me that I should go to school for nail art.” After attending the Academy of Hair Design in Springfield, she traveled to homes as a mobile nail technician, a service she hopes to continue offering despite having her own salon. This is important to her, as she said she wants to be available for those unable to leave their homes. “I don’t think nail care is a luxury,” she said. “It is a need, and everyone should be able to afford it.” Startup costs for Liora’s Original Creations Nail Salon were between $3,000 to $5,000, she said, noting a nutritionist was in the McLoud Plaza space before her business. Her prices range from $15 for a manicure for older adult customers or those with disabilities, to $70 for a full French tip set. She also does specific pricing for original nail art. For now, Simonian plans to be the shop’s sole employee. She said she also hopes to receive an advanced nail tech certification so she can provide customers in need with medical pedicures. • by Karen Craigo · kcraigo@sbj.net Work is continuing to establish a board of directors for a new nonprofit dedicated to regional branding, workforce development and quality of life. Hatch Foundation Executive Director Erin Danastasio called LORE – Leaders for Ozarks Region Evolvement – “a definite thing.” The LORE name was announced in April after the Hatch Foundation and Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc. in January recommended the creation of a new nonprofit. “It is happening,” Danastasio said. “We have a fund that’s been created, and it’s being housed out of the Community Foundation for the Ozarks currently.” In an April 3 Springfield Business Journal story, Danastasio said the goal was to be able to announce the board of directors in May or June. That board is to be made up of CEOs and owners of key regional businesses, each bringing an investment of $25,000 in the project with the purpose of working to catalyze transformation over the next 20 years. “The reality is that we’re still meeting with individuals that represent businesses,” she said. Danastasio is working to build the board alongside Dean Thompson, executive director of regionalism and economic development for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and vice president and chief economic development officer for City Utilities of Springfield. The organization will apply for 501(c)3 status, but to do so, it needs a board of directors and bylaws. Once these are in place, the process can take a year for approval, she said. Until then, funds are being managed by CFO. Danastasio verified that two board members have signed on and paid into the fund, and other board members committed at a June 19 meeting. Things are happening quickly, she said. “That was the first opportunity we had to get everyone in the room and update them on progress that has been made,” she said, declining to the board members who have signed. Danastasio said she and Thompson believe they can wrap up conversations in the next 30-60 days. “At that time, we really hope to be able to announce investors and organizational goals as well,” she said. Danastasio said the two have been encouraged by the input they have received, including data from a survey anyone can take at the LORE website, OzarksLORE.org. The survey asks about the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats faced by the region, and it also asks respondents to list three big ideas that could evolve the area. She said some regional strengths identified include natural resources, accessible roadways and rail, education and workforce training, and what she called “genuine Ozark hospitality.” Areas of concern include lack of workforce housing, talent attraction and retention, identity and child care accessibility. LORE will serve a 10 counties: Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney and Webster. “We want to make sure we’re getting proper representation from throughout the region,” Danastasio said. “It’s not just Springfield, and we want to make sure that is something that’s front of mind.” She said 50 years ago, Springfield was viewed as a supportive force in the region, but more recently, that vision of the city has changed somewhat. “I don’t know what has changed or why it has changed or why we are not all supporting each other, and I don’t know that it’s just Springfield,” she said. “What I do know is that there’s a picture being painted, and I don’t like it.” At the most recent meeting of organizers, Danastasio said she saw a lot of synergy. “It was great having a lot of heads nodding,” she said. “This is going to make a big impact on the region as a whole.” • Work continues to build new CEO-led nonprofit
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