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 is 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 and, upon receiving his bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 1997, was hired by the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America to work with their coeducational young-adult divisions. During his six years with the Scouts, Rhett learned the art coaching teambuilding and group dynamics workshops. Several clients that he worked with in St. Louis still ask him to return each year and provide these workshops for their organizations. From 2003 to 2009, Rhett worked at Southeast Missouri Hospital as the liaison between the hospital and the business community, bringing the hospital’s services to local employers.  He is now the Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator for The Lutheran Home and Saxony Village.

Rhett has earned many awards and distinctions including 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 serves on several boards and committees, as well and is extremely active in the community.  He is a board member and community player with the Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Click here to email Rhett.

Melanie Smollen, Project Specialist
Born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan, Melanie attended Northwestern Michigan College where she pursued a degree in Computer Information Systems.  Realizing her gift for working with people and a sharp ability to solve problems within organizations, Melanie began her work in 1999 with a State and Federal program specializing in women's rehabilitative services.  During her eight year career, Melanie worked closely with clients and the judicial system to improve program standards, reduce recidivism rates and develop new programs to meet the changing needs of the system. 

In July of 2007 Melanie relocated to Cape Girardeau and joined Hendrickson Business Advisors as a Project Specialist where she works with clients to increase their top line revenue and gain efficiencies to enhance their bottom line profit.   Melanie also founded and leads a program offered by Hendrickson Business Advisors called Faith Perceptions.  This program provides feedback to church leaders on how their worship services are experienced by visitors. 

Professionally, she is active in the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, the Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau Area and the Tri-State Advertising and Marketing Professionals.   Personally, Melanie volunteers time with several community outreach programs.  Melanie, her husband Paul and their three daughters attend LaCroix United Methodist Church where Paul is on staff as the Technical Director.

Click here to email Melanie.

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.

Katie Grapperhaus, Graphic Designer

Katie is originally from Breese, Illinois.  She studied art at Southeast Missouri State University where she learned how to use her artistic abilities in the business world.  Katie worked with a prominent photographer right out of college and joined Hendrickson Business Advisors in 2010 as the firm's first graphic designer. 

Katie is responsible for using graphic design and illustration to enchance the strategic marketing messages developed by the firm.  She is particularly good at developing logos and adapting that look and feel to various types of marketing materials and advertising pieces. In addition to her Mac (which is never far away), she uses pen-and-ink, acrylic, watercolor and other tools to covey a message.  As an artist, she can draw her thoughts and then scan them into the computer for further enhancement.  She can even create a mural with a logo, wording or a picture. 

Click here to email Katie.

We invite you to click on the question links below to learn more about Hendrickson Business Advisors:

		WHO are we and who do we serve?
		WHAT management and marketing services do we provide?
		WHEN is it appropriate to engage a management or marketing consultant?
		WHERE do we do business?
		WHY is engaging a consultant more advantageous than hiring another employee?
		HOW do we communicate, bill and work with clients to maximize their return on investment?