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Small Biz Survival

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Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource
  • A group of skiers in colorful outfits on snowy slopes. Banners in Japanese script are in the foreground.
    entrepreneurship | global | management | POV | rural | tourism | workforce

    Surviving the Peaks and Valleys of Seasonal Small Business in a Rural Ski Town

    BySmall Biz Survival November 17, 2023November 19, 2023

    Part of our Global Entrepreneurship Week celebration Nov 13-19, 2023. Guest post by Mike Humphrey, Japan Skiing has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I don’t know why my parents decided skiing would be our family sport. They were not avid skiers, and we didn’t live in a ski…

    Read More Surviving the Peaks and Valleys of Seasonal Small Business in a Rural Ski TownContinue

  • Becky McCray and Deb Brown featured on the Virtual Speaker Series
    economic development | entrepreneurship | global | rural

    Innovative Rural Business Models: video

    ByBecky McCray November 16, 2023November 9, 2023

    Part of our Global Entrepreneurship Week celebration Nov 13-19, 2023. Rural business people are trying a variety of different business models today, including pop-ups, shared buildings, businesses inside of other businesses and more. Entrepreneurs are using these smaller-scale experiments and tests to learn what works before making a huge investments. Learn how these Innovative Rural…

    Read More Innovative Rural Business Models: videoContinue

  • empty lot pop up
    economic development | entrepreneurship | rural | success

    Pop Up in An Empty Lot

    ByDeb Brown November 15, 2023November 9, 2023

    Part of our Global Entrepreneurship Week celebration Nov 13-19, 2023. Starting a business the old way is hard On an Idea Friendly visit to Jackson County, Kentucky, I visited with a group of artists/entrepreneurs. This group had created a loose organization called the Jackson County KY Creative Community. They wanted to start businesses, but were…

    Read More Pop Up in An Empty LotContinue

  • Multicolor logo with text that says "Global Entrepreneurship Week"
    economic development | entrepreneurship | global | rural

    Entrepreneur week advice for small towns: 3 practical steps for economic developers and chambers of commerce

    ByBecky McCray November 14, 2023November 9, 2023

    Part of our Global Entrepreneurship Week celebration Nov 13-19, 2023. Last year during entrepreneurship week, I saw lots of articles about what big cities can do to support entrepreneurship. Advice for small towns got left out. Again. So I wrote this entrepreneur week advice for small town economic developers and chambers of commerce, whether you…

    Read More Entrepreneur week advice for small towns: 3 practical steps for economic developers and chambers of commerceContinue

  • A tiny travel trailer being used as a mobile retail store, two customers are smiling just outside with their purchase.
    entrepreneurship | rural | Small Biz 100

    Rural entrepreneurs start small to succeed: Global Entrepreneurship Week

    ByBecky McCray November 13, 2023November 9, 2023

    Part of our Global Entrepreneurship Week celebration Nov 13-19, 2023. Find this and other Global Entrepreneurship Week events listed on the official calendar at GenGlobal. The old way to go into business Imagine all the work that goes into starting a new business. You need to be a good business manager, a marketing guru, and a…

    Read More Rural entrepreneurs start small to succeed: Global Entrepreneurship WeekContinue

  • October is the new December: Shop early, shop indie local
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | shop local

    October is the new December: Shop early, shop indie local

    BySmall Biz Survival October 5, 2023

    Heads up, rural retailers: holiday shopping has already started! Guest post by Jen Risley, AMIBA Why promote Shop Indie Local early this holiday season? Because more of us are shopping early for holiday gifts. From National Retail Federation: Over the last decade, consumers have been kicking off their holiday shopping early in order to spread…

    Read More October is the new December: Shop early, shop indie localContinue

  • Becky McCray is talking with a woman with dark skin and hair who cradles her head on one hand while thinking.
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural

    Turn free advice requests into paying clients

    ByBecky McCray October 3, 2023October 5, 2023

    Years ago, Thursday Bram asked me some questions about how freelancers and other consulting and professional folks can avoid giving away too much of their knowledge for free. Her article at Freelance Switch is no longer online, so I thought it was time to share it here, as well. Here’s some of my best advice…

    Read More Turn free advice requests into paying clientsContinue

  • An open retail space with colorful and appealing displays of handcrafted goods
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | social media

    The Allure of Authenticity: Rural stories can give your product a leg up

    BySmall Biz Survival September 13, 2023September 13, 2023

    Why Rural Craftsmanship Resonates in Online Sales Guest post by Tance Hughes In today’s digital age, the online marketplace is bustling with options at every click. Amidst the buzz of big brands and flashy advertisements, there lies an understated yet profound power: the allure of authenticity. For rural entrepreneurs, this authenticity is rooted in their craft,…

    Read More The Allure of Authenticity: Rural stories can give your product a leg upContinue

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