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Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource
  • Signs recognize local business donors at the county fair. Photo by Becky McCray.
    community | entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | Small Biz 100

    Focus Your Community Support Efforts

    ByGlenn Muske October 17, 2013August 27, 2014

    The fact that small businesses are at the core of our economic system probably does not come as a surprise. Estimates on the number of small businesses suggest that they make up 90 percent or more of the total number of businesses in the U.S. In small communities, the number and importance of small businesses…

    Read More Focus Your Community Support EffortsContinue

  • 7 Most Common Weaknesses of Local Shops, and what we're all going to do about them.
    Best of | entrepreneurship | mistakes | rural

    Weakness 1. Limited Business Hours

    ByBecky McCray October 14, 2013November 4, 2016

    The 7 Most Common Weaknesses of Local Shops And what we’re all going to do about them. As we head into the busy holiday shopping season, we’ll see lots of Shop Local messages working to get customers to think about shifting their shopping more to local stores. I want to add another layer, and get…

    Read More Weakness 1. Limited Business HoursContinue

  • Small Town banks know lots that big banks don’t
    SmallTownRules

    Small Town banks know lots that big banks don’t

    BySmall Town Rules October 11, 2013August 11, 2022

    The Small Town Rules secret is out: small town banks know a lot of things big banks don’t. Bloomberg Businessweek author Brendan Greely picked up on it in a story, “Rural banks know something big banks don’t.” “It turns out small, rural banks make smarter loans,” Greely said. It’s the soft knowledge, the un-quantifiable personal…

    Read More Small Town banks know lots that big banks don’tContinue

  • Consumers prefer small businesses for real human reasons
    SmallTownRules

    Consumers prefer small businesses for real human reasons

    BySmall Town Rules October 11, 2013August 11, 2022

    Click for the complete infographic Why do consumers choose small businesses today? It’s personal. A web.com sponsored survey found 85% of consumers said they chose small businesses because they are: personal, intimate, human, face-to-face easy to to business with customer focused There’s never been a better time to be Small in business (Rule 6). Consumers…

    Read More Consumers prefer small businesses for real human reasonsContinue

  • SmallTownRules

    AlwaysOn Ranks Becky McCray As A 2013 Power Player In Technology Business Media

    BySmall Town Rules October 11, 2013August 11, 2022

    AlwaysOn announced their Power Players in Technology Business Media list, honoring the the editors, writers, and bloggers in the technology world who are keeping the Global Silicon Valley connected and informed. Becky McCray was included for her work at her award-winning blog Small Biz Survival. “This year’s Power Players in Technology Business Media list spans a wide…

    Read More AlwaysOn Ranks Becky McCray As A 2013 Power Player In Technology Business MediaContinue

  • Congratulate someone in the Brag Basket
    brag basket

    Congratulate someone in the Brag Basket

    BySmall Biz Survival October 11, 2013December 15, 2014

    Welcome to the Brag Basket, our tradition of sharing. The basket is always free and open all weekend, this one October 11-13, 2013. What good news will you add to the brag basket? Don’t hold back because of that word, “brag.” When you hold back, you hide your good news and accomplishments that might inspire others….

    Read More Congratulate someone in the Brag BasketContinue

  • entrepreneurship | ideas | planning | rural | Small Biz 100 | success

    Think Customer Needs When Finding Business Idea

    ByGlenn Muske October 10, 2013August 27, 2014

    You want to start a business but you just can’t find that one great idea. This dilemma is often a major stumbling block for many aspiring small-business owners. They just keep waiting for that one big idea that will guarantee a successful business. The reality is that more often, a good idea, rather than a…

    Read More Think Customer Needs When Finding Business IdeaContinue

  • Let customers smell more, and you’ll sell more
    entrepreneurship | marketing

    Let customers smell more, and you’ll sell more

    ByBecky McCray October 7, 2013August 27, 2014

    When was the last time you had barbecue? Can you remember the smoky smell of roasting meat wafting out of the smoker? It’s delightful, let me tell you. Which is why it’s so smart of Shady Oak Barbecue and Grill in Fort Worth, Texas, to channel all the customers so they have to walk right…

    Read More Let customers smell more, and you’ll sell moreContinue

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