Here’s an entrepreneurial idea for any small town. Build “a community of small businesses” like 1440 Main Street in Ferdinand, Indiana.
via @ahoffman50 on Twitter.
Each business can support the others in promotions, in sharing customers, in splitting expenses. Each entrepreneur can benefit from brainstorming and networking with the others. Everyone can learn something from each other. Of course it won’t work perfectly; nothing does. But I see lots of potential here.
How can you build on this idea?
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Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.
I saw a group of women on the news after Katrina that did something like this in New Orleans. A great idea, but no egos allowed.
No egos allowed. Perfect.
Hello Becky. I am on the ballot to join the board of directors of the Groton Business Association in Groton, New York. We almost disolved, because our business community is slowly going downhill, due to the slow economy. We have empty Main St. properties and I am looking at your site for ideas to present for a real positive turnaround in our village. I know of a few entrepreneurs trying to get a foothold of marketability in our area and love the idea to rent a Main St. property and create a space for multiple entrepreneurs to have a visible presence. I’ve only just logged on your site and will continue to check out all of what you have to offer. Thanks so much! – Dolores Hemming
Dolores, thank you so much for sharing a bit about Groton. I hope you’ll continue to share your journey with us!
There has been a very successful business “co-op” of sorts in Grinnell, IA. Marketplace on Main opened a year ago and now houses 21 start-up businesses and a few who could no longer afford their own storefront. It has been very successful and one of the businesses just announced they will be moving into their own storefront soon! It’s been a great incubator for entrepreneurs! http://www.facebook.com/MarketplaceOnMain.Grinnell
Emily, that is a terrific example! I hope more small towns will try the idea.