06/23/2026
Business Blitz Days are one of our favorite ways to connect with the entrepreneurs we serve across Missouri 🌍. We love traveling to communities throughout our region to visit women-owned businesses, learn about their journeys, celebrate their successes, and hear about the impact they are making locally 💼💪. Today, we had the opportunity to spend time in Boone County, where we met inspiring women business owners who are helping shape a vibrant and thriving community 💛.
Our first stop of the day was at Better Together Mental Health🧠💚. We visited with Beth Orns, owner and licensed therapist. Before launching her private practice in 2019, Beth spent more than 20 years building experience and expertise in the mental health field.
From the moment you walk through the door, her office feels like a cozy haven filled with unique touches that leave you asking, “Where did you get that?” ✨🏡✨ Every detail has been thoughtfully curated to create a welcoming and comfortable environment.
Rather than assigning each team member a dedicated office, Better Together Mental Health utilizes a variety of spaces designed to best support the specific type of counseling or work being conducted. This flexible approach helps create an environment that meets the unique needs of both clients and providers.
Beth’s attention to detail extends even to the smallest touches. From stocking the restrooms with thoughtful essentials such as baby wipes, mints, deodorant, and other comfort items 🧴✨ to creating a welcoming and supportive environment, every aspect of the client experience is intentionally designed with care. This commitment to excellence and customer service helped earn her recognition as a finalist for the 2026 Columbia Chamber Small Business of the Year Award 🏆 and continues to set her practice apart.
It’s clear that Beth has created more than just a counseling office—she has built a space where people can feel safe, supported, and comfortable focusing on the conversations that matter most 💬🤍.
For lunch, we headed to Pasta La Fata 🍝, where we enjoyed entirely too much delicious food and had the opportunity to visit with owner Michelle La Fata.
Cooking has always been a natural passion for Michelle, and she believes it’s important for the next generation to discover and pursue their own passions as well 👩🍳✨. She recognized that sometimes all it takes is someone to inspire, motivate, and encourage others to get excited about what they do. That philosophy is reflected in the way she leads her team of more than 20 employees, fostering a culture built on enthusiasm, positivity, and a genuine love for their work 💛.
We left feeling inspired by Michelle’s 🎉 energy, dedication, and commitment to helping others succeed 🚀. And one final recommendation: don’t leave without trying the sparkling peach lemonade—it’s absolutely delicious! 🍑🥤✨
Our final stop of the day was Dave Griggs' Flooring America 🏠, where we had the opportunity to visit with owner Michelle Batye and her team member, Mary. Michelle's journey with the company is a testament to dedication and perseverance. After working alongside Dave Griggs for 25 years, she took the exciting step of purchasing the business herself.
As the flooring industry continues to evolve, Michele and her team have adapted their showroom experience to better serve customers. By carefully curating their selection and showcasing the best products available, they help simplify the decision-making process and prevent customers from feeling overwhelmed by endless options.
Dave Griggs Flooring America has found success by focusing on what makes their business unique in the marketplace: personalized service, expert guidance, competitive pricing, and the convenience of a true one-stop-shop experience 🛍️. As part of a national buying cooperative, they are able to offer pricing that rivals larger retailers while delivering the individualized attention and local expertise customers value. Their commitment to customer satisfaction and local service continues to be a key factor in building strong customer relationships and driving growth 📈.
This year also marks a major milestone as they celebrate 50 years of serving the Columbia community 🎉 a legacy built on trust, quality, and decades of dedication to helping customers create beautiful, lasting spaces.
Thank you to Beth, Michelle, Michele, and their teams for welcoming us into your businesses and sharing your stories 🙌. Days like today remind us why we are so passionate about supporting women entrepreneurs. Your innovation, resilience, and dedication are helping strengthen Boone County and communities across Missouri, and we are honored to be part of your journey 💫.
