Chamber of Commerce Names Business Person of the Year

After working for other people for years, Steve Boggeman opened his own business, , in June 2006. Located in Crestwood’s Watson Industrial Park, the firm provides design, layout and illustration services to small businesses. Boggeman also has provided countless free design hours to numerous products since joining the Chamber in May 2007.

“I worked for a small printing company out of college and then another 500 person company and they were bought by a larger company. I saw an opportunity to use all of my past experiences to start my own business,” Boggeman said.

He said that the No. 1 benefit to owning his own business is flexibility.

“I very much enjoy it. Honestly, there are a lot of headaches, but I like the variety, the flexibility and graphic design in general,” he said. “I enjoy coming into work and coming up with something new every day.” 

Another benefit according to Boggeman is to be able to join organizations like the Chamber and to meet other business owners; whereas when he was working with someone else he didn’t have the opportunity to meet as many other people. 

Never being a person who gives only halfway, Boggeman jumped being an active Chamber member with both feet. He served on the golf committee, chairing it one year; he has served on the Chamber’s Gala Auction committee since its inception five years ago and the Route 66 Classic Car Cruise for three years, chairing it this year. In addition, Boggeman has chaired the Bowling Night and helped on many other event subcommittees.  

“I guess my personality is when I do something I’m all in it. It certainly is true with the Chamber—you have to be active to reap the benefits,” he said. “Forty percent of my business comes from Chamber contacts.”  

This is not the first time the Chamber has awarded Boggeman. He received the New Member of the Year award in 2008. 

The Chamber said in a statement that Boggeman’s creative talents are evident throughout the Chamber—designing countless event logos, flyers, signage, and more. He created and maintains the Chamber’s website and continues to make design changes keeping the website top-notch. 

In January 2010, the members of the Chamber elected Boggeman to the Board of Directors. He also is a member of the neighboring Webster Groves/Shrewsbury/Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce, where he was just elected to serve on their Board. 

In addition, Boggeman serves on the North & South Technical High School Program Advisory Committee—Graphic Design/Graphic Production. He is president-elect of the newly formed charitable entity for the Route 66 Classic Car Cruise called Crestwood-Sunset Hills Events, LLC. 

Boggeman grew up in the Crestwood-Sunset Hills area; he even worked at the old Crestwood Mall to help pay his way through college. He and his wife, Angie, have been married 22 years, live in Oakland and have two children—Danielle and Mitch.    

And if he could pick one accomplishment out of everything that means the most, Boggeman didn’t hesitate in saying his children. 

“They are pretty neat people,” he said.