Jayme grew up in a family-owned, small business where her love for providing a warm and welcoming customer experience developed. Shortly after graduation, Jayme joined a non-profit in Cape Girardeau with a small team who helped her develop skills in marketing, sales, and relationship management. After 13 years in non-profit and moving to Central Missouri, Jayme reinvented herself with a major
career change transitioning to for-profit, by joining a local car dealership as a Customer Experience Manager. During this time she was taken back to her roots and was given the opportunity to participate in a life-changing training through the Disney Institute in Orlando, Florida. As a lifelong learner, Jayme was eager to implement the customer experience training she received and continues to share this
knowledge in each of her new roles. Jayme was a leader in healthcare sales and then, and then most recently, emerged as a natural leader within her business banking team quickly grasping services and solving customers needs. Though her roles have changed over the past 20+ years, her love for her family and community has not. She still enjoys sharing her time and talents with organizations that are
near and dear to her heart and loves to meet new people, and listen to them share their life story. Jayme’s passion for connecting people and resources, along with her problem solving skills, will make her a great addition to the Missouri Women’s Business Center team.
Jennifer is in charge of community connections, training, and coaching in our Cooper, Howard, and Moniteau county areas.
Jennifer grew up in the Dallas, Texas area, and attended college at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, earning a BA in international business and Spanish. She started her career at IBM Dallas in Global Marketing, and quickly realized she is an entrepreneur at heart, starting her first business at age 23. A serial entrepreneur, Jennifer has started several businesses from the ground up including a children’s bedding and accessories boutique that transitioned into a line of wholesale baby furniture and bedding. She and her husband also owned and operated an ice cream franchise in the Dallas area before moving to Mid-Missouri in 2010. She also has years of corporate experience in operations and marketing along the way.
Currently, Jennifer is the chief connector of The Connection Exchange, a welcome service that connects new businesses and new residents with the resources, products, and services they need in Mid-Missouri and beyond and provides software to other welcome services nationwide.
Shaunda Hamilton is the owner of Heart and Home Professional Services LLC, a State Certified Minority and Women Business-Owned Enterprise, where she has contracts with federal and state agencies for different project-based needs, transportation and courier services, and provides others subcontracting opportunities.
Shaunda is also the co-founder and executive director of Boone County Community Against Violence (BCCAV), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. BCCAV is committed to providing advocacy in and throughout the community to those who have been affected directly or indirectly by violence, grief, loss, and traumas. This is done by providing support aimed at empowering others through quality training, unification projects, and valuable supports to inspire a strengthened community.
Shaunda has over 20 years of quality management and process improvement experience, a degree in health information management, and she’s a Certified Victims Advocate and a Certified Non-Profit Executive.
In her spare time, Shaunda enjoys spending time with family, especially her three grandsons.
Star Simmons is the owner of Star's Brides, the first black- women owned bridal shop in Columbia Missouri! Her shop in the Columbia Mall features dresses for all brides at all budgets. She is passionate about helping women feel beautiful on their wedding day and she prides herself on creating and delivering a custom experience for every bride.
Star grew up in St. Louis Missouri and attended college at Lindenwood University where she earned her BA in Business Administration. Prior to running her business she has 20 years of amazing customer service and sales experience. She is a business coach for the Mo WBC, and specializes in welcoming new clients while educating them with all the diverse resources that are available.
In her spare time, Star is with her family, attending church events and relaxing.
Born and raised in Jefferson City, Krysten has always felt passionate about being an integral part of the community. After graduating from William Woods University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science Paralegal Studies degree, she found it hard to utilize that degree. Shortly after being in a secretarial position at a local doctor's office, she was approached to find a future in the insurance industry. Krysten spent nine years in the insurance industry, and with each new adventure, she stayed close to her passion for being a part of the community. Krysten has been a Jefferson City Chamber member since 2015, as well as a young professional member. With her membership in these organizations, she has been involved with several events including the Barbeque and Golf Tournament Committees. In 2021, Krysten received an award for her outstanding service and dedication to the Young Professional Organization and was recently elected to a treasurer position for the Young Professionals' board. Krysten loves to give her time to other organizations and is very heavily involved with the United Way of Central Missouri, as a Women United member and Committee member. Krysten's passion is to create lifelong friendships with local community members.
Syreta is the Administrative Coordinator for the Missouri Women's Business Center. She was raised in Kansas City, by a wonderful family of learners who always encouraged her to shine her light wherever she went. As the face of REDI and the MoWBC she has just that opportunity. Syreta is not only a welcoming, friendly person but utilizes her position to encourage and uplift clients and staff members every chance she gets!
