EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. — The Excelsior Springs Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a new Lunch & Learn series aimed at giving local business leaders practical tools to tackle day-to-day challenges and support long-term growth.
“We’re excited to launch a new professional development opportunity for Chamber members, the Lunch & Learn Series!” said Brian Rice, the chamber’s president. “These sessions bring members together over lunch for engaging, practical workshops focused on real-world business challenges and growth.”
The chamber is hosting the series in partnership with the CO-OP of Excelsior Springs, a recently opened co-working co-op designed to give business leaders a shared space to work and access professional resources, Rice said.
The first Lunch & Learn session featured Shauna Huntington, a business strategist and entrepreneur, who presented “Progress Over Productivity.” Huntington shared a framework intended to help professionals move beyond “endless to-do lists” and focus on steps that lead to results. Attendees discussed goal-setting strategies, building an “ideal week,” and ways to create momentum through intentional planning.
Heather Heckroot, director of the CO-OP of Excelsior Springs, welcomed attendees to the co-op, which is located inside First United Methodist Church. Heckroot introduced Huntington and invited participants to lunch catered by Three Olives Italian Restaurant, a restaurant that recently opened in Excelsior Springs.
Huntington told attendees her business background began with bookkeeping and accounting for small businesses, later expanding into business coaching and consulting. She also shared lessons from launching a co-working space in Spring Hill, Kansas, describing how co-working environments can support community and collaboration in small towns.
During the workshop, Huntington emphasized the value of focus and planning, encouraging participants to identify a limited set of key goals and build monthly and weekly steps toward them. She also discussed batching work to improve efficiency, planning the week in one sitting, and aligning schedules with the times of day when participants work best.
“Whether you’re a business owner, leader, or professional looking to sharpen your focus and work more intentionally, Lunch & Learns are designed to leave you inspired and equipped with tools you can use immediately,” Rice said.
The chamber said the Lunch & Learn series is open to chamber members and will cover professional topics intended to strengthen local business development. Those interested in participating in a future session or touring the CO-OP can contact Heckroot at 816-209-8861.
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