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Small Biz Survival

Practical ideas for small town business and community builders

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Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource
  • rural | Small Biz 100 | success

    Finding a Business Idea

    ByGlenn Muske November 14, 2018January 6, 2019

    For many prospective business owners, finding the business idea is the most difficult task. Theses individuals may have the desire to “be their own boss” but do not know what business will be successful. Some individual have an area of interest but cannot see how it can be turned into a business. For example, an interest…

    Read More Finding a Business IdeaContinue

  • What business does every small town need? A store full of tiny retail spaces
    economic development | entrepreneurship | ideas | rural

    What business does every small town need? A store full of tiny retail spaces

    ByBecky McCray November 5, 2018October 17, 2022

      Small towns are so different, there is no one business will work in every small town. But there’s one business idea that almost every single small town I’ve visited needs: small spaces. Every rural town could use smaller spaces for locals to start tiny retail businesses. Not everyone can afford to rent an entire…

    Read More What business does every small town need? A store full of tiny retail spacesContinue

  • How any business can be part of downtown events by going mobile
    Best of | community | entrepreneurship | marketing | rural

    How any business can be part of downtown events by going mobile

    ByBecky McCray October 29, 2018March 12, 2025

      When you hold events downtown, the businesses that aren’t located downtown sometimes feel left out. There’s one bank not in downtown, that figured out a great way to participate in the First Thursday fun in downtown Colfax, Washington. They could have done what other groups are doing and set up a booth on the…

    Read More How any business can be part of downtown events by going mobileContinue

  • It’s time we begin to think for ourselves
    community | rural

    It’s time we begin to think for ourselves

    ByPaula Jensen October 27, 2018January 6, 2019

    Editor’s Note: Welcome our newest contributor, Paula Jensen of Dakota Resources. She works directly with small towns and rural communities as a community coach. I love her positive approach to rural places. I look forward to sharing her thoughts with you regularly! –Becky  By Paula Jensen I stood with a blue marker in my hand…

    Read More It’s time we begin to think for ourselvesContinue

  • Future business owner
    economic development | entrepreneurship | rural | youth

    Build Tomorrow’s Community Business Sector

    ByGlenn Muske October 24, 2018January 6, 2019

    Want a strong local economy? Then it should come as no surprise that you need a continuous flow of new businesses. That message is one that we hear often and loudly in both rural and urban areas. New businesses help grow the economy. They also employee workers, spend money, borrow money, and are often active…

    Read More Build Tomorrow’s Community Business SectorContinue

  • Jordan Stewart receives the Young Entrepreneur Award from Dennis Travale, Mayor of Norfolk County, Ontario.
    economic development | rural

    Support local entrepreneurship by giving Rising Stars business awards

    ByBecky McCray October 22, 2018January 6, 2019

      Awards are a great way to recognize your small businesses in small towns. Unfortunately, most business awards encourage the people who need the least encouragement: those who are long-term successes. Sure your long-time businesses deserve some recognition. It also helps inspire others to see the successes. Keep doing that. Just don’t let that be…

    Read More Support local entrepreneurship by giving Rising Stars business awardsContinue

  • rural

    Are You Changing?

    ByGlenn Muske October 17, 2018October 16, 2018

    My mother has recently moved to an assisted living center. For me, this has meant some changes in my help. For one thing, I am more active in getting her medicines. Recently I commented that I suspect her pharmacy will not be in business in the near future. She asked why I say that since…

    Read More Are You Changing?Continue

  • Concert-goers talking and enjoying the evening in downtown Webster City, Iowa.
    Best of | community | entrepreneurship | marketing | mistakes | rural

    Why do people say there’s nothing to do here then not come to our concerts?

    ByBecky McCray October 15, 2018September 5, 2019

      Let’s look at the tale of two small town concerts. Concert 1: We’ve done all the work, you just need to show up! One happened at an agritourism business. They brought in a couple of professional musicians for performances out at the farm. The musicians were reasonably well known, with some previous exposure on…

    Read More Why do people say there’s nothing to do here then not come to our concerts?Continue

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Since 2006, this site has been helping people like you in small towns move forward without waiting on outside experts, big budgets, or perfect plans. You don’t need any of that to get started.

If you care about your business, your downtown, or your community, you’ll find ideas here you can actually use. Take one. Try it out. Let me know how it goes for you.

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