Who We Are

In 2007, we realized that the local business market needed a resource that could provide them with both strategy and implementation guidance.  In larger firms, these resources are typically hired as employees or can be found among the members of the board of directors.  Small and mid-sized businesses don’t often have an employee pool or a board of directors on whom they can rely to help the company grow and become more profitable.

We founded Hendrickson Business Advisors in order to provide those vital marketing and management consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses in Southeast Missouri.

The response was overwhelming.

We quickly evolved and expanded our services to businesses throughout Missouri and several neighboring states.  Today, Hendrickson Business Advisors is actively engaged in a variety of industries building value for our clients every day.
Our firm has become the region’s most trusted source for management and marketing consulting services.  While we continue to grow to meet the needs of an ever-expanding service area, we remain committed to helping small- and mid-sized businesses thrive.

Our satisfaction and success is derived solely from yours.  Please let us know what we can do to help you and your business succeed.

Best regards,

Jennifer and Rhett Hendrickson

Key Players

Jennifer S. Hendrickson, President

Raised in Springfield, Missouri, Jennifer holds a bachelor's degree in Finance from Missouri State University. She also holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Southeast Missouri State University and two graduate degrees in banking through Vanderbilt and Louisiana State.

Jennifer began her work in banking during her first year of college.  She spent fifteen continuous years in the financial services industry, half of them on the corporate side of the business.  In 2003, Jennifer relocated from St. Louis to her husband's hometown of Cape Girardeau. Four years later, she left her banking career as Chief Financial Officer and Marketing Director for a locally owned bank to start the consulting firm.

Jennifer and her husband, Rhett, started Hendrickson Business Advisors, LLC in 2007, fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning their own business. The firm provides management and marketing consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses across all industries.

Giving back to the community has always been a priority for Jennifer.  She is the president for the Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau Area, former chair of Chamber Young Professionals, advisory board member for the St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, volunteer and consultant for the Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross, member of the Tri-State Marketing and Advertising Professionals and an active member in several other service groups.  She has been awarded with Business Today's 40 Under 40 and the Support Services Award from the Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross.  She was also a nominee for Zonta's Women of Achievement Award in 2009. 

Together, Rhett and Jennifer have one daughter and reside in Cape Girardeau. In their spare time, they enjoy traveling, SCUBA diving, reading, and community service. 

Click here to email Jennifer.

Rhett Hendrickson, Vice President

Rhett was born and raised in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. After completing his Bachelors degree from Southeast Missouri State University, he took a position with the Greater St. Louis Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America where he recruited and trained volunteers who helped coordinate adaptive recreation activities for high school students with special needs. He returned to Cape Girardeau to take a position as the business community liaison for a regional healthcare system.

He left healthcare in 2009 to work full-time with Hendrickson Business Advisors as the firm was experiencing rapid growth. Rhett is a certified trainer for Dale Carnegie and Associates and has partnered Hendrickson Business Advisors with Dale Carnegie Training - St. Louis to provide their full complement of more than 300 courses and seminars to businesses, organizations, and individuals in Southeast Missouri.

Among Rhett's awards and distinctions are the Young Alumni Merit Award (2009) from Southeast Missouri State University; 40 Under 40 (2008) from Cape Girardeau's Business Today; and 30 Under 30 (2001) from Fast Forward Magazine in St. Louis.  He is a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow and assistant Scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 2, chartered to Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. He is a board member and volunteer for the United Way of Southeast Missouri, and plays viola with the Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra for which he also serves as a board member. He is a member of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, the Jackson, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce and has served as an instructor for the Boy Scouts of America's National Camping School.

In his spare time, Rhett enjoys SCUBA diving, Scouting, landscaping, genealogy, camping, canoeing, music, and reading.

Click here to email Rhett.

Melanie Smollen, Project Manager

Melanie Smollen is a native of Traverse City, Michigan.  She married Paul Smollen, technical director at a local church, and relocated to Cape Girardeau with her family in 2007.  (SHE says she moved to Cape because the barbecue is awesome.)

As Hendrickson Business Advisors grew in its first year, Melanie was brought on board in order to provide much-needed support with both the office operations and client relations.  Realizing that the process by which the firm provided mystery shopping services to its clients could be adapted for churches, Melanie proposed and developed Faith Perceptions – a growing division of Hendrickson Business Advisors that she now manages.

Melanie volunteers her time with the Healthy Church Initiative, Prodigy Leadership Academy, and Room for One More.  When she isn’t working or volunteering, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and cooking big meals for friends and family.  Melanie, Paul, and their four children are active members of their church.

Click here to email Melanie.

Craig Bohnsack, Consultant and Business Broker

Craig has been a community banker since 1999 and was most recently a commercial lender for a regional financial institution.  Throughout his career he has used his bachelor’s degree in economics and his master's degree in business administration to analyze and better prepare his clients at all stages of the business cycle.  Craig brings not only strong financial abilities but also an experienced and client-centered attitude that business owners find reassuring. He uses his background as a consultant for Hendrickson Business Advisors and as a Business Broker for Murphy Business of Cape Girardeau.

Craig is active in a number of organizations: He is chairman of the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport Advisory board and is involved with Relay For Life, Knights of Columbus, Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Association, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, and Lions Club International. Craig and his wife, Beth, reside in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  He is very involved in volunteer work and donates his time, talent and treasure to strengthen many not-for-profit organizations.  Craig’s hobbies include camping, hiking, and playing golf.

Click here to email Craig.

Tony Smee, Consultant and Business Broker

Tony has been a business professional since 1992 and a business owner since 1996.  He has extensive experience with marketing, sales and operations across industry and truly understands the ups and downs shared by most businesses.  Tony continues to operate an AmeriSpec franchise (home inspections) and feels this helps him identify with his clients. He consults with business owners through Hendrickson Business Advisors and helps value and sell businesses through Murphy Business of Cape Girardeau.

Tony graduated from Southeast Missouri State University and holds many other professional certifications, awards and distinctions. He is affiliated with AmeriSpec Home Inspection Service, Cape Girardeau County Board of Realtors, Board of Education – Cape Girardeau Public School District, Missouri School Boards Association – Region 13 Leadership Committee, Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Association, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America and ASHI. He and his wife, Tamara, reside in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and have two children.  Tony’s hobbies include graphic design, music, Scouting, and outdoor activities.

Click here to email Tony.

Kelly Morton, Project Specialist

Born in Arizona and raised in California, Kelly is no stranger to hard work. She tried her hand in a myriad of industries while helping her husband, Dr. Eric Morton, attend medical school throughout the 1990s. They relocated to Cape Girardeau in 2000 where she spent time designing and building their personal residence as well as assisting with the interior design of Women First.

Kelly currently works with Hendrickson Business Advisors as a Project Specialist. In this role she uses her intimate knowledge of the medical community to help physician practices become more educated on issues related to business and marketing. She also works directly with small and mid-sized business owners to improve their customers' experience.

Kelly is actively involved with Nell Holcomb PTO, Missouri State Medical Association Alliance, Southeast Missouri Hospital, Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau Area and Cape Girardeau County Area Medical Society Alliance where she is past president and Meals on Wheels coordinator. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, outdoor activities, reading, and community service. Kelly and Eric have two children, Alex and Katherine.

Click here to email Kelly.