About Us
TheOzarks.com — Live it. Own it.
TheOzarks.com is a regional tourism hub and travel directory for the entire Ozark Mountain region — created to serve, celebrate, and connect every corner of this extraordinary landscape.
Through Ozark Publications, we craft and share the Ozarks’ story, promoting its communities, elevating its businesses, and preserving its heritage for generations ahead.
We provide a clean, organized platform for exploring the Ozarks — from local businesses and events to real estate opportunities, travel planning, and community storytelling.
We believe in a simple truth: to know the Ozarks is to live it — and to live it is to own it.
“There’s a rhythm in these hills,” she says. “A blend of wild beauty, hometown pride, and that unmistakable Ozarks spirit. From sunrise on the lake to quiet evenings on the porch, every moment here tells a story. These aren’t just places we pass through — they’re pieces of who we are.”
If you feel it too, then you already know:
The Ozarks isn’t just a destination. It’s a lifestyle.
Live it. Own it.
Founded by Lawanna Stuck and Becky Mathis
TheOzarks.com was founded by two lifelong friends with shared roots in the Ozark Mountain region and a deep commitment to the communities that shape it.
Together, they bring complementary strengths in editorial leadership, operations, visual storytelling, and community partnership — creating a trusted platform dedicated to celebrating, supporting, and connecting the Ozarks with honesty and care.
An Editorial Letter from Lawanna Stuck
Founder, TheOzarks.com
Publisher & Editorial Director
To Our Ozarks Community,
The Ozarks is more than a region — it is a story written in its hills and rivers, shaped by generations of resilient people. I’m Lawanna Stuck, and I’m honored to welcome you to TheOzarks.com, a platform founded to celebrate the places, people, and businesses that make this region truly one of a kind.
My roots here run deep.
On my mother’s side, my Cherokee ancestors lived in Missouri long before state lines were drawn. My great-grandmother was a young child when she endured the Trail of Tears, surviving one of the most painful chapters in American history. Her strength — and the resilience of those who came before her — continues to shape how I view this land and its people.
On my father’s side, the Coker family was among the first to settle in northwest Arkansas. My direct ancestor, Buck Coker, put down roots along the White River, carving out a life in the hills and valleys that would carry our family through generations of Ozarks history.
This region isn’t just where my family lived — it’s where our story was written.
Over the years, I’ve built a career in marketing and sales, helping businesses grow through clear communication and practical strategy. I’ve also been a hands-on entrepreneur — owning a kayak shop, managing vacation rentals, and working in real estate to help people find a place to call home.
These experiences reinforced something I’ve always known:
The Ozarks isn’t just a destination. It’s a community worth investing in.
That belief is at the heart of TheOzarks.com.
Our goal is to support local businesses, strengthen regional visibility, and celebrate the Ozarks with honesty and clarity. This platform serves as a trusted gateway to the region — a place to discover businesses, plan meaningful trips, explore real estate, find events, and connect with the stories that define our communities.
As TheOzarks.com grows, so will opportunities for collaboration, storytelling, and connection across the entire Ozark Mountain region.
I invite you to explore the site, share your story, and help us celebrate the Ozarks — together.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Warm regards,
Lawanna Stuck
Publisher & Editorial Director
An Editorial Letter from Becky Mathis
Founder, TheOzarks.com
Operations & Community Partnerships
To the Ozarks community,
My name is Becky Mathis, and I’m honored to welcome you to TheOzarks.com — a platform built to reflect the heart, beauty, and integrity of the region we call home.
My connection to the Ozarks began when my family moved to Lead Hill, Arkansas during my tenth-grade year. That’s where I met Lawanna Stuck — and we became instant friends. Our friendship was built on creativity, shared values, and a deep love for this region that has shaped both of our lives.
That bond has carried us through decades of life and work, and now into this shared role as founders of TheOzarks.com.
As a literacy and art educator and professional photographer, my life’s work has centered on helping people truly see — noticing details, stories, and beauty that might otherwise be overlooked. The Ozarks is a region deserving of that kind of attention. Its landscapes, light, textures, and communities carry a quiet depth and authenticity that deserves thoughtful representation.
When Lawanna shared her vision for TheOzarks.com, I immediately recognized its importance. This platform reflects the values I care most about — community, creativity, and responsible storytelling. It celebrates the Ozarks not just as a destination, but as a living, working region shaped by the people who call it home.
My role focuses on visual storytelling and creative direction, ensuring every image, design, and layout reflects the natural character and authenticity of the Ozarks. Whether highlighting a local business, documenting a community event, or showcasing a small town, our goal remains the same — to represent this region with respect, clarity, and artistry.
TheOzarks.com is more than a website. It is a resource, a gathering place, and a bridge connecting locals, visitors, and businesses in ways that strengthen the region as a whole.
I am grateful to be part of this work and proud to build it alongside someone who has shared this journey with me since our youth.
Warmly,
Becky Mathis
Operations & Community Partnerships
Art & Literacy Educator & Professional Photographer
Why We Built TheOzarks.com
For years, information about the Ozarks has been scattered across social media pages, individual websites, outdated calendars, and tourism resources limited to specific towns or state boundaries.
The Ozarks deserved something broader — a unified, reliable, modern platform built for locals, visitors, businesses, and communities across the entire region.
We built TheOzarks.com to:
• Support local businesses and creators who need greater visibility
• Make the region easier to explore through one organized platform
• Strengthen community connections through storytelling and local craftsmanship
• Modernize the Ozarks’ digital presence
• Create long-term value for residents, travelers, and future generations
• Fill a regional gap that truly needed to exist
Our Mission
To inspire, promote, and grow the Ozarks by supporting its communities, strengthening its economy, and honoring the spirit of the region
Our Vision
To help establish the Ozarks as one of America’s most welcoming and sought-after travel destinations, celebrated for its character, community, and natural beauty.
Who We Are
Founded in 2025, Ozark Publications is an independent company committed to advancing both convention and leisure travel throughout the Ozark Mountain region.
As we grow, we actively collaborate with local businesses, community leaders, tourism organizations, and government partners to strengthen regional visibility while honoring the unique identity of each community.
TheOzarks.com is built by locals who live the stories we tell. From Arkansas and Missouri’s hills to Oklahoma’s plains, we celebrate the Ozarks through travel guides, community partnerships, and practical advertising solutions.
Contact Us
Ozark Publications LLC
Hollister, Missouri
417‑412‑1202
info@theOzarks.com
Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM (Central)