Cooperatives are familiar to many small town people from the farmer’s co-ops and the rural utility cooperatives. Really, any kind of business can be a cooperative. At the BALLE conference, we heard about worker-owned cooperatives and how they can help develop an area economically. This can work in small towns as well as big cities….
We don’t often do giveaways here at Small Biz Survival. We give away tons of good info every day, but we don’t often giveaway products. When I make an exception, it’s one worth noting. This is one of those exceptions. UltraBooks like the HP Folio 13 fit with the trend ofrural entrepreneurs working from non-traditional…
On Wednesday, May 30, 2012, Barry Moltz and I will be celebrating the strong launch of our new book Small Town Rules, with an online party, and you’re invited. From 2pm to 4pm Central time, we’ll be on BlogTalk Radio. You can listen in, or call in, or just join the chat. Drop by the…
Another report from the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies Conference, about the holidays “shop local” campaign that any business can participate in, called Shift Your Shopping. The facilitators were Laury Hammel, Sustainable Business Network Boston, and Joe Grafton, Somerville Local First. The goal is to get people to understand that shifting their shopping matters….
My mission for Small Biz Survival is to help rural entrepreneurs prosper, so they can help their communities prosper. The best solutions come from within, so if I can help entrepreneurs prosper, they are in the best position to know and address the problems in their communities. That’s why I attended the Business Alliance for…
A local credit union partnered with community organizations to facilitate loans for small businesses with needs not met through traditional lending. Leslie Ackerman of Alternatives Federal Credit Union is using this model and presented on it at the BALLE Business Conference. The community organization brings the mission and raises the money.The local investors and community…
BALLE is the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies. It’s all about local businesses working together to make their local economy prosper, with a focus on locally-owned businesses, sustainability, green jobs, and thinking local first. There is a national organization, and local networks have formed in many cities, towns and regions. I’m reporting today from…
Have you ever varnished something, the old-fashioned way, with a brush? Did you try hurrying the job by slathering on a thick coat? It makes a sticky mess, and doesn’t make for a good finish. Instead, the pros do lots of thin layers, maybe dozens. And the results are much better, shiny and smooth. First…
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