Once again this year, Business Power Network members David Martin (Murney Associates, Realtors), Brian Wilmsmeyer (Elite Promotions), and Sharyn Dawson (Print Project Management) were heavily involved with the American Cancer Society Cattle Barons’ Ball, which was held at Missouri State University’s William H. Darr Agricultural Center on August 20th. Several other chapter members were among the roughly 300 volunteers that worked the event, or attended along with the more than 1,000 guests. This year’s Ball raised a net $715,000 through ticket sales, corporate contributions, and silent and live auctions of livestock and other items, topping the $670,000 raised last year, and the $500,000 raised in the Ball’s inaugural year of 2009. For more about the ACS Cattle Barons’ Ball, follow them on Facebook, or visit David Martin’s new website for a slideshow.

Chapter member Chris Maples of Maples Properties was featured in a special “Franchise How-To” section of the Springfield Business Journal, as was former member Rod Triplett of Murphy Business & Financial Consultants. Both Chris and Rod gave advice in the guide to potential franchise owners from their complementary perspectives, drawing upon many years of experience in their particular fields. As Chris’ article says, “When it comes to owning and operating a successful franchise it’s all about location, location, location. That’s why when you are preparing to open your own franchise business, the most important team you can work with outside of you franchisor is that of a commercial real estate broker.” And, from Rod’s, “It’s important… to not go searching for a franchise alone.” To read the full text of both articles, click here for Chris, and here for Rod.

BTW, while the “donate” part of the headline is fairly obvious, the “donut” part might be less so — popular franchise Dunkin Donuts has been pushing very strongly of late for a franchise or two in the Springfield metro area. So please, please, someone go see Chris and/or Rod, buy a DD franchise, and place it in the southwest corner of town!