By Bailey Coyle, FOX23.com News Staff
WAGONER, Okla. — A new business center in downtown Wagoner is bringing fresh momentum to a community that has not seen new commercial construction in more than two decades.
The Tower Business Center, founded by local entrepreneur Rebecca Olson, is designed to give small businesses the tools, space, and mentorship needed to grow, just as she once needed when starting her own business as a single mother.
Olson said her journey into business began with very little.
“I started my own business as a single mom with $550,” Olson said. “Living in an apartment, trying to raise two boys on my own, it was a tremendous leap of faith.”
She built her accounting business from her kitchen table before eventually outgrowing the space. At the time, affordable office space was difficult to find, but one opportunity changed everything.
“A lady gave me a chance,” Olson said. “She had furnished offices, utilities paid, Wi-Fi—everything I needed. I had a desk, a chair, and an address that wasn’t my home.”
Now, 14 years later, Olson said she wanted to create the same opportunity for others.
“So that’s what this entire development is,” Olson said. “I’ve created the same opportunity for other people in the middle of a town that hasn’t seen new construction in over 24 years.”
Olson said the idea for the Tower Business Center had been in her heart for years, inspired by the growth she witnessed in the downtown Broken Arrow Rose District.
After moving to Wagoner nearly a decade ago, she said she noticed the lack of development in the downtown area and saw potential where others saw empty space.
“For four years, I drove by this lot day and night and just saw the building,” Olson said. “I can’t put it into any other perspective other than I had a vision.”
Construction began in May 2024 after she secured the property.
Today, Olson said seeing the finished building has been emotional.
“My heart is overwhelmed,” she said. “I’ve come here late at night and just stood and cried. What excites me the most is not just that it’s a beautiful building, it’s the businesses moving in.”
Several businesses have already committed to operating inside the new facility, including IT services, financial consulting, insurance, mortgage services, and title services.
Among them is Optimized Strategic Advisors, founded by Jonathan LeBoub, who said the space offers something previously unavailable in the area.
“Historically, to do a coworking space like this, I’ve had to drive to Tulsa,” LeBoub said. “Now it’s three minutes down the road, where I can work with other entrepreneurs and still be close to home.”
LeBoub said developments like this help create pride and momentum within a community.
“When you see investment like this, it lets people know there’s capital flowing into the area,” he said. “It brings a sense of pride and community.”
Local leaders say the Tower Business Center could play a major role in Wagoner’s future growth.
Wagoner County Assessor Sandy Hodges said the county has seen steady development in nearby cities, but Wagoner itself has waited years for a project like this.
“We have not seen anyone individually invest in the community like this in more than 24 years,” Hodges said. “A $980,000 investment is a huge commitment and shows confidence in Wagoner’s future.”
Hodges said new businesses bring more than jobs; they bring energy, customers, and long-term benefits to the entire community.
“They bring tax dollars, excitement, and families,” Hodges said. “It just builds upon itself.”
Community members say the building also improves the look and feel of downtown Wagoner.
Bruce VonWald, pastor at the Wagoner Church of God located next door, said the new structure adds beauty and signals progress.
“This is a lovely structure, really, really nice,” VonWald said. “People will take notice of it. It shows the region that our city is growing and developing.”
Olson said the Tower Business Center is not just about providing office space; it’s about building relationships and supporting entrepreneurs at every stage.
She plans to mentor new business owners and help them navigate financial planning, bookkeeping, and taxes.
“We’re going to take new businesses through mentorship programs,” Olson said. “We’ll sit down one-on-one, go through business plans, and even help with their first-year tax preparation.”
She said the goal is to create an environment where business owners support one another.
“There is power when people come together for a purpose,” Olson said. “You’re not the only one wanting to succeed; you want them to succeed too.”
Olson said her ultimate goal is to spark revitalization across downtown Wagoner.
“The goal is to create a spark that ignites the entire downtown revitalization,” she said.
She said early signs of growth are already visible, with nearby businesses reporting increased customer traffic.
“Putting Wagoner on the map brings prosperity to everybody,” Olson said. “When you bring industry and jobs into a community, you change lives.”
For Olson, the project represents more than business; it represents giving back.
“The meaning of life is to find your gift,” she said. “The purpose is to give it away.”
