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AUDIO: Joel Bennett brings co-working to his rural town

By Becky McCray

Joel Bennett

Joel Bennett

https://smallbizsurvival.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Joel-Bennett-Interview.mp3
Joel Bennett Interview

Joel Bennett of Pella, Iowa, helped pioneer a co-working space in his town, called Veel Hoeden (“Many Hats”). It has grown from just 4 offices to 9 offices plus space for more people who just drop in with a laptop. It has supported existing entrepreneurs, and it’s helped create new entrepreneurial ventures. The connections formed in co-working have helped fulfill the promise of broadband: you can build a business from anywhere with a laptop. Joel also shares what made him move back to Pella and how important it is to welcome new residents.

Learn more about co-working.

Follow Joel Bennett on Twitter.

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If you’re “just a business owner” or “just” someone in a small town, you often feel like you’re the only one. Either the only one with a positive outlook or the only one who is trying to create change. The whole point of this podcast is to bring all of us together. You are not alone.

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Becky McCray

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.

www.beckymccray.com
  • Should I ask competitors before I start a business in a small town?
  • Will trendy axe throwing and escape room businesses last? More experience-based retail: the Hat Bar
  • Create customer experiences online like Open the Shop With Me videos, and in person, like Silent Book Club

December 18, 2013 Filed Under: economic development, entrepreneurship, podcast, rural Tagged With: remote work, rural sourcing, service businesses, zoom towns

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