Counseling center wins Small Business Plan contest

Dr. Richard Lillard, a licensed clinical psychologist, opened Lifesong, a counseling and psychological evaluation center, in January.
Dr. Richard Lillard, a licensed clinical psychologist, opened Lifesong, a counseling and psychological evaluation center, in January.

As self-professed "non-business people," the providers at Lifesong for Growth and Wellness, 3405 W. Truman Blvd. Suite 101, were excited to hear they won the Small Business Plan Competition organized by the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Announced Thursday at the Chamber's Small Business and Entrepreneur Forum, the award provided prize money as well as essential office supplies, marketing and business planning to the winner.

Lifesong, a counseling and psychological evaluation center, opened its doors in January.

"We'd been dreaming of this business for 10 years. We had a plan in place and were moving forward," said Dr. Richard Lillard, licensed clinical psychologist.

"It was really good for us to go through the process. We're often so into people and not into numbers and nuts and bolts, but this was timeline-driven and gave us access to so many resources," Richard said.