“John Munie and Aaron Lorenz recently met with Stoney Hayes, BGCOzarks’ CEO, to talk about the importance of serving others. John is Founder and President of Focal Pointe, one of BGCOzark’s Sustainability Partners. Aaron is Focal Pointe of the Ozarks, Account Manager and Partnership Executive.
When I started Focal Pointe in 1998, I worked out of a one car garage with a gravel floor, on the farm I grew up on in Southern Illinois. Over the years, we did good work, kept our word, and built a business on authentic, humble service to others. We also had people give us a chance before I felt we fully deserved it. They saw something that wasn’t readily visible to me and emotionally invested in our success. I know firsthand what an impact that investment can have.
Growing up, our vacations were to Branson. My parents loved everything about the area – the faith and warmth of the people, patriotism, good humor, storytelling, the shows, and the natural beauty. As a kid, my focus was more on the waterslides, go carts, and roller coasters, but as I grew up, I came to appreciate the same things my parents saw.
In 2018, I was presented with an opportunity to expand Focal Pointe into Springfield and I jumped at it. Southwest Missouri has always felt like home to me, I love the people, and knew the alignment of values would make it an easy community for us to serve.
Over the last six years, we have grown throughout the area, now caring for many of the most recognizable properties in SWMO. Just like the people who gave us a chance in the early years, this community has given us a chance, making it a joy for us to invest in and grow into the fabric. Whether it’s hanging Christmas lights for families in need, supporting families of pediatric cancer, or investing in the mission of the Boys and Girls Club; it’s a joy for us to be part of the spirit of generosity that is the Ozarks.
Specific to the Boys and Girls Club, your approach to service strikes a cord with me. When you give someone the gift of believing in them, and painting a picture of what success, purpose, and meaning can look like in their life; you give a gift that is impossible to repay. Creating that belief in someone has the potential, and high likelihood, of changing the outcome of a person’s life immeasurably for the better. I’ve experienced that over the years, and now I’m living my dream of leading a Top 100 landscaping company in the country. There’s no greater gift you can give someone.
Thank you Stoney, BGCOzarks Staff, and Directors for all you do. My success story has the same fingerprints on it that the Boys and Girls Club places on the children you serve. To be able to support a mission like that, in a community I love, is probably more impactful for me than it is for you.
Sincerely,
John Munie”
To learn how you can support the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks, visit their website.