Tess Pennanen with National Home Products

With a background in education, Tess Pennanen never imagined she’d be a business owner, but that changed in October 2024 when she and her husband acquired National Home Products—a store in the Brentwood Center (2726 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, MO, 417-731-3220) best known for interior home finishings. The business has been around since 1978, and the Pennanens plan to expand and broaden the store’s product offerings in the near future.

As Pennanen develops her leadership style, she aims to lead with kindness and appreciation for all her employees. “We love owning a business in Springfield because of the kind, friendly and collaborative people, from our builders to our residential customers,” she says. “This community is especially meaningful to me, as I grew up in southwest Missouri.”