How Staxx Went from College Dream to Springfield Staple

While sitting in class at the University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business 20 years ago—without realizing it—Meghan Chambers was formulating a plan to someday open her own business. She began assembling the pieces of what she thought was a pipe dream, until it was all coming together in front of her. Now, on any given day, you can find Chambers zipping around Staxx, taking her kids to practice or sifting through inventory. She is a mom first, but second, she is the owner of two connected stores in the Brentwood Shopping Center: Staxx, a local boutique, and Jellybeans, a children’s clothing store. Staxx has become a bit of an institution, and they are celebrating 20 years in business this year. It is the destination for the people of Springfield, Missouri hunting for the perfect outfit for any event—whether it’s a birthday celebration, a debut at a major networking event, a day on the lake or vacation prep. They carry popular brands like For Love & Lemons, Free People, Good American, Baggu and more.

Chambers graduated college in 2003, secured the LLC for Staxx later that year and eagerly dove head-first into the business world. Meeting with attorneys, city leaders, business leaders and the chamber of commerce—all while working other jobs—Chambers was researching, meticulously formulating a plan and executing it. Staxx then opened in March 2004—less than a year after her college graduation. Chambers scouted Springfield’s growing areas to find the perfect spot for Staxx. She chose a location at the corner of Walnut and South downtown, aiming to bring something new to the area.

Staxx has called various locations home, including downtown, Republic Road, Farmer’s Park, and since 2019, the Brentwood Shopping Center, where it remains. “It has been a roller coaster of emotions over the years,” says Tara Hamilton Miller, store manager, creative director and head buyer at Staxx. “We’ve been through a recession, COVID, three store moves and many more life events that have made us grow beyond what we ever imagined.”

Over time, Chambers refined her business practices for the best and most sustainable outcome. “Meghan leads with love,” Hamilton Miller says. “She is never afraid to hand over the reins, once she believes you are ready. She values her team and their input so much. She has allowed us to take the lead with Staxx, wanting it to be our home as much as it is hers.” This rings true with Chambers’ decision for her businesses to play the Great Game of Business—an open-book management system created by her dad, Jack Stack. For companies that play the Great Game, every employee is involved in the goal-setting process. The plan to play the Great Game came a few years after Staxx opened. Chambers was working long nights trying to figure out how to balance cash flow and inventory all on her own. At that time, her dad reminded her how important it is to let her employees in on the company’s aspirations. “I remember going to my dad and he said, ‘You have to share them with those within your organization, and I promise you, your clouds will part, and the sun will shine,’” Chambers says. It was then that she decided to sit down with her employees and truly let them in. They formatted goals they could meet by working together. “It was really fun that we were all invested, and it has helped tremendously,” Chambers says. “It changed my business.”

New Addition: Jellybeans

When the call came asking Chambers if she’d like to acquire Jellybeans, a children’s store that had been in Springfield under a different owner for 15 years, it was 2010 and she had just had her first child. “I remember when I hung up the phone, I looked back at my very newborn baby with her car seat facing so I saw her face in the mirror, and I just said, ‘Oh girl, buckle up, because we’re going for a ride,’” Chambers says. They made the transition later that year.  Chambers actually worked at Jellybeans while in high school, which she says may have sparked a desire to own a business from a young age. Jellybeans has served the Springfield community for 30 years, and Chambers has been the owner for 15 of those years. Its long-time presence in Springfield has allowed Chambers to witness a full circle—young Jellybeans customers are returning, this time as parents shopping for their own children. “It has been really fulfilling to watch,” she says. “It’s just awesome to be part of customers and families like that.”

Passion for Fashion

When the world is asleep, Chambers comes alive. After her four children—ages 14, 12, 8 and 7—go to bed, she gets busy buying inventory and analyzing rising trends. She and her team always have an eye on social media and influencers—what they’re wearing and how they’re breaking new ground in styling. They go down rabbit holes researching the lines they carry and what’s trending.

Besides staying on top of emerging trends, remaining motivated is crucial after two decades in the business. “It’s been an incredible ride, and I owe it mostly to the family of employees we have for both businesses,” Chambers says. “I love what I do, and I adore who I work with, and they mean so much to me. We are all really close.” Chambers draws inspiration from her father, admiring his ability to juggle five children, a thriving business and a flourishing family life. “He was able to balance his family and work,” she says. “If it was a painting, he’d have a masterpiece.” When it comes to her personal style, Chambers is a risk-taker. Though, she recognizes how she’s had to adapt her fashion choices as a mom. “What I’m doing after my work doesn’t always lend to a short dress and chunky boots,” Chambers says. “I’ve had to change my style more for my lifestyle at work and not at work.”

The Next 20 Years

In the early years of growing Staxx, Chambers was focused on what her sales goals would be and how much progress she could achieve. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, she has been focusing on making her business consistently healthy to navigate any challenge. “During that time, when we couldn’t do anything, how were we reaching out?” Chamber says. “How do we exist when the lights in the store aren’t on?” The team changed their entire point of sales system to coincide with their 24/7 store that is open online. Now, they are fine-tuning it. “There are so many things with the social media world that change every single day, and so it’s consistently being creative and keeping up with that and being innovative,” Chambers says.

Looking ahead to the next 20 years, Chambers has a new vision. The way the team at Staxx puts themselves and the business out there is ever-changing. “Knowing what I know from the past 20 years,” Chambers says, “slow, steady growth is what I want for the business so we can keep up and grow at the pace to achieve what we want to.”

Shop online at Staxx and Jellybeans.