St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, local entrepreneurs officially open the Launch Pad

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A new hub for innovators, entrepreneurs, remote professionals and business owners in Northwest Missouri is officially up and running in Downtown St. Joseph.

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce along with local entrepreneur founders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house to christen the new public work space. The new space offers technological resources, mentorship and collaborative opportunities with other businesses.

"This is something we've (St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, local entrepreneur founders) been working on for over a year. To see it all come together and what the intent of the space is a full-circle moment," St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Natalie Hawn said. "We soft-launched on Dec. 1 and hard-launched in January, were already almost at capacity with our office space."

The Launch Pad is the result of key collaborative efforts between the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, Mosaic Life Care and groups like the Show-Me Network and Missouri Technology Corporation, which has provided a three-year grant to develop and manage the space.

Part of the idea to create the Launch Pad is further building on St. Josephs history of entrepreneurship.

"We (St. Joseph) were literally founded by entrepreneurs. Historically, we have so many businesses grow into multi-billion dollar companies from innovative ideas like the saltine cracker or a serum," Hawn said. "We believe success always breeds success. This is something we want people to tell others about, have testimonials to welcome all with open arms and provide resources."

The early launch has already benefitted businesses, including one tech startup that's added three employees since being able to secure a space at the Launch Pad, a big jump from it's early days working out of local coffee shops.

One of the entrepreneurs involved with the Launch Pad's opening is Jamie Donaldson, who's already seen businesses find their footing thanks to access to the space. As the co-founder of Juniper Lane and a personal development company, Donaldson knows firsthand the challenges associated with getting a business or personal venture off the ground.

"As an entrepreneur, one of the hardest things is taking that first step, that big leap," Donaldson said. "Figuring out all of the unknowns like paperwork and requirements. This is a great place to get all those answers and have other people who are in the same boat. It's that group mentality, the motivation that really builds each other up to be around like minded people who have a similar kind of mindset."

The Launch Pad is located on 113 N 9th St. For information and questions about reserving a space visit stjlaunchpad.com.