YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY

Springfield, MO

Log in Subscribe

2018 Most Influential Women: Jessica Harmison-Olson

Club Management Services LLC

Posted online

Ask Jessica Harmison-Olson what she does and how she spends her time, and it might take a few minutes. She’s busy.

The Springfield native co-owns two companies, works for another and volunteers for half a dozen organizations.

Float Trip Pickles is perhaps nearest and dearest to Harmison-Olson. The sweet-and-spicy pickles owe their existence to yearly float trips her father and grandfather took when they would bring along one-time batches of the tasty treat. The pickles’ popularity led Harmison-Olson and her partners — father Jerry and his law partner, Greg Pearman — to bring their gherkins to the 2011 Rock’n Ribs BBQ Festival.

People couldn’t get enough, and Float Trip Pickles was born. They’re available online and in about 100 Midwest stores, Harmison-Olson says. Being the only female co-owner of the company is a highlight for her.

“Owning a small business comes with challenges, but it’s wonderful to watch your business grow year after year through such hard work,” she says. “It makes me proud to honor my late grandfather through hard work and the dedication of our company history on each jar label.”

Club Management Services LLC, for which Harmison-Olson is vice president, helps organizations with things like recordkeeping, financials and conferences. HOA Management Solutions, which she co-owns, was founded with the same model geared toward homeowners’ associations.

When she’s not working for three companies, Harmison-Olson is active in the community. She is the immediate past president of Rotaract Club of Springfield, where she helped increase membership 10 percent. The group donated more than 400 hours with 17 local groups in 2017-18.

“Our Rotaract Double Dare fundraiser broke our prior record … which contributed to the $16,000 check I presented to Great Circle on behalf of Rotaract,” Harmison-Olson says. “It was one of my proudest accomplishments.”

Two years ago, she became a big sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks, where she shares her interest in health, fitness and volunteerism with her little sister.

“The feeling you get when you can see that you’re making an impact on a person’s life is unmatched,” Harmison-Olson says. “Mentoring children is one of the greatest ways to influence the success of individuals who will better our community in the future.”

At alma mater Missouri State University, Harmison-Olson hosted one of the first Dinner with Eight Bears in the spring, where she spoke with students about career opportunities.

“It makes me proud to influence graduates, learn about their successes and advocate for talent retention in Springfield,” she says.

Harmison-Olson also is serving a three-year term for The Network Leadership Council at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

“I recognize the value in building and serving our community to continue to make it a wonderful place to live and conduct business,” she says.

Comments

No comments on this story |
Please log in to add your comment
Editors' Pick
From the Ground Up: Republic Intermediate School

The Republic School District is on track to open its Intermediate School for fifth- and sixth-grade students for the 2025-26 academic year.

Most Read
Update cookies preferences