Local entrepreneurs will manage their own stores after completing a program through Missouri Western State University’s Craig School of Business.

Pam Klaus is the Director of Franchise Programs at the Craig School of Business. She said students complete a semester long class where they prepare a business plan on a “study store.” They present the business plan to a panel of judges for the opportunity to be awarded a store. 

“This semester this particular class compiles everything they’ve learned throughout their college career and it pulls it all together into this business plan,” Klaus said. “So they’re using marketing, management, their financials, accounting – all those classes they’re pulling together to use in their business plan. From that point it becomes no longer a classroom project. Once they compete and are awarded a store, they will relocate and operate franchises and they own and operate them so it’s very much real world at that point.” 

The most recent competition was held on May 13th and Katie Parra and Stephanie Tripp were awarded stores through the program. Parra, a recent graduate, will relocate to Wheaton, Illinois, and purchase a yogurt store. Tripp, a 2012 graduate of Missouri Western, will own an Auntie Anne’s franchise in the East Hills Shopping Center with construction and opening dates to be determined. According to Klaus, the program is open to current and past students. 

When graduates begin their small business venture through the program, initial capital is provided for the store, which the graduate pays back over time. 

The program was founded by Steve Craig, benefactor of the Craig School of Business, by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and by Missouri Western. According to Klaus, through the program, the first store was awarded in 2009 and currently there are 23 stores in 11 states. 

Klaus said the goal of the program is to give students their first opportunity in business and to have them grow and progress. 

“I love working with the students, I love the opportunity that this affords our graduates,” Klaus said. “Right here in St. Joe we have this incredible opportunity that’s unique from any other part of the country.” 

For more information on the Craig School of Business, go to the Missouri Western State University website.