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Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource
  • Social distancing sign for shoppers in a store
    economic development | entrepreneurship | rural | survivors

    The best things you can do for local businesses in light of coronavirus

    ByBecky McCray March 27, 2020March 27, 2020

      Monica Bailey of Rock Port, Missouri, sent in this question that I think you can relate to: Thank you ladies, as always, for supporting small towns! My question is super generic but it is giving me sleepless nights. I am our counties economic/community development director and I’ve been scrambling to support our small businesses…

    Read More The best things you can do for local businesses in light of coronavirusContinue

  • How to get more parking downtown without adding any spaces
    Best of | customer service | economic development | entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | shop local

    How to get more parking downtown without adding any spaces

    ByBecky McCray March 7, 2020March 25, 2023

    There’s not enough parking downtown! Doesn’t every city have that problem? You’re about to learn a new way to get more parking for your Main Street without having to pave, stripe or get a permit. It doesn’t work in every town, but it very well might work in yours. Finding hidden parking There is only…

    Read More How to get more parking downtown without adding any spacesContinue

  • Blue Yeti Microphone
    mistakes | tech | tools

    Exact Yeti Blue mic volume and Windows settings to reduce background noise

    ByBecky McCray February 17, 2020March 6, 2023

    The drawback to Yeti Blue USB Microphones for podcasting Yeti Blue microphones are widely popular for podcasting and home sound recording. They do have a big drawback of being overly sensitive. They pick up too much background noise even when the gain is turned way down. I know because I bought one for my own…

    Read More Exact Yeti Blue mic volume and Windows settings to reduce background noiseContinue

  • Getting local businesses to cooperate with you: Shop Hopping Around Brownsville
    Best of | economic development | entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | shop local | trends

    Getting local businesses to cooperate with you: Shop Hopping Around Brownsville

    ByBecky McCray December 16, 2019March 25, 2023

      Getting local businesses to cooperate can be a challenge in any small town. Everyone is busy in their own business, and few have time to dedicate to working with other businesses. Whether it’s a formal project put on by a group like the Chamber of Commerce or an informal get-together, there are big benefits…

    Read More Getting local businesses to cooperate with you: Shop Hopping Around BrownsvilleContinue

  • Survey of Rural Challenges 2019 results
    announcement | community | economic development | rural | trends

    Survey of Rural Challenges 2019 results

    ByBecky McCray December 5, 2019November 8, 2022

    What small town people see as their biggest challenges And what topics rural people most want help with Wouldn’t it be great if the people who say they want to help rural people would actually listen to rural people’s own challenges?! That’s why we created this survey! We use the results to create practical steps…

    Read More Survey of Rural Challenges 2019 resultsContinue

  • Logo with "Shop Indie Local"
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | shop local

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

    ByBecky McCray 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

    ByBecky McCray 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 downtown sidewalk with people shopping at a table full of baked goods
    community | rural

    Culture is the intersection of people and place

    ByBecky McCray 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

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