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Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource
  • Logo with "Shop Indie Local"
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | shop local

    Shop Indie Local adds a new twist to tired Buy Local campaigns

    November 11, 2019

      Shop Indie Local summary: Shop Indie Local campaign website This campaign’s advantage:  Usable year round, adaptable to local events and needs, not just a single day “Indie” message is resonating well right now, better than plain “local” campaigns Share the right message: People already think they want to shop local, just need a timely…

    Read More Shop Indie Local adds a new twist to tired Buy Local campaignsContinue

  • Better entrepreneur training for small towns
    economic development | entrepreneurship | rural

    Better entrepreneur training for small towns

    November 4, 2019November 1, 2019

      Because I’ve been an entrepreneur since junior high school, I’ve been asked to help with all kinds of entrepreneur support over the decades. I’ve taught entrepreneur classes, I’ve been part of day-long entrepreneur events, I’ve taught workshops and I’ve been a mentor in formal and informal ways. And I’ve been thinking lately about what…

    Read More Better entrepreneur training for small townsContinue

  • A diverse group receiving awards from a city council
    community | rural

    Why does nothing ever get done in this town!

    October 12, 2019October 7, 2019

      By Paula Jensen Having a passion for rural community development and leadership is what drives my personal and professional life. My personal vision statement reads, “I will be a clear voice for rural people and places by mobilizing and empowering rural changemakers to build vibrant communities.” It has taken me a number of years, a…

    Read More Why does nothing ever get done in this town!Continue

  • Using events to promote service and industry businesses
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural

    Using events to promote service and industry businesses

    September 11, 2019September 9, 2019

    Events that showcase your non-retail small business  You want people to learn about your business. Events sometimes help with that. You’re just not sure how to create an event for non-retail businesses that people will come to. Who goes to the insurance agency if they don’t need insurance? Who goes to the packing plant unless…

    Read More Using events to promote service and industry businessesContinue

  • A downtown sidewalk with people shopping at a table full of baked goods
    community | rural

    Culture is the intersection of people and place

    August 19, 2019May 15, 2024

      Lots of small towns have a good handle on the importance of the arts. Some have arts councils and arts festivals, and most are starting to better value rural artists. What about the larger concept of culture? Culture is usually only mentioned around urban areas. Rural is almost thought of as the opposite of…

    Read More Culture is the intersection of people and placeContinue

  • For easier social media marketing, fill in the blank
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | social media | tourism

    For easier social media marketing, fill in the blank

    August 5, 2019August 4, 2019

    Sheila Scarborough and Leslie McLellan of Tourism Currents laid out a simple starting point for all your social media efforts. Good news: it’s as easy as filling in the blank. Fill in the Blank (Our company) is where (our customers) find (the thing we offer) with (this benefit) So all you have to do is…

    Read More For easier social media marketing, fill in the blankContinue

  • Paula Jensen
    community | rural

    Wishing vs. Hoping your town will improve

    July 27, 2019July 21, 2019

    Is there a distinction between wishing and hoping? Wishing is feeling or expressing a strong desire for something that is not easily attainable. It’s like wishing to win the lottery but you don’t buy a ticket. Hoping is to look forward with desire and reasonable confidence that something can happen. You can hope that you win the…

    Read More Wishing vs. Hoping your town will improveContinue

  • "Brag Basket - add your good news" over a photo of a basket in a field of flowers
    brag basket

    You deserve to brag about it

    July 26, 2019June 22, 2019

    The Brag Basket is open! This one is for July 26-28, 2019. Bring your good news, big or small, to share with everyone. What can you share in the Brag Basket? introduce yourself share some great news from this week celebrate progress, even baby steps congratulate a friend applaud for each other confess your undying…

    Read More You deserve to brag about itContinue

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