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Small Biz Survival

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

    Get Ready to Shop Small

    ByGlenn Muske November 23, 2016November 18, 2016

    What event will we celebrate on Nov. 26? Pat yourself on the back if you said “Small Business Saturday.” No, there isn’t any cake (well, there could be) and no one is getting any presents (at least not on that day, although we hope lots of them are purchased from your local businesses that day)….

    Read More Get Ready to Shop SmallContinue

  • What restaurant franchises and chains work in small towns?
    economic development | entrepreneurship | rural | shop local

    What restaurant franchises and chains work in small towns?

    ByBecky McCray October 17, 2016October 9, 2016

      One of your fellow readers wrote in to ask what franchises and chain restaurants know how to survive in small towns. His town with a population under 2,000 had a franchise pizza restaurant. The franchisee lived not only out of town, but actually out of state, really making ties to the community thin. Blaming the poor economy,…

    Read More What restaurant franchises and chains work in small towns?Continue

  • Christmas starts early. Get ready now.
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | shop local

    Christmas starts early. Get ready now.

    ByDeb Brown October 4, 2016January 2, 2018

    Guest post by Deb Brown, Building Possibility You might be thinking “It’s too early to think about Christmas!” You’d be wrong. This is the perfect time to be thinking about Christmas. Let’s apply the Idea Friendly template over the holiday season. Remember the three tenets: Gather Your Crowd Build Connections Take Small Steps Now is…

    Read More Christmas starts early. Get ready now.Continue

  • rural | shop local | Small Biz 100

    Small Businesses Carry Big Role in Communities

    ByGlenn Muske June 29, 2016June 24, 2016

    Small businesses are the cornerstone of most local economies. This statement is often said and it is worth remembering. Small, locally-owned businesses put about 68 cents of every dollar spent right back into the local system. On average, a chain store keeps about 43 cents in the local economy. And of course money spent outside…

    Read More Small Businesses Carry Big Role in CommunitiesContinue

  • Rural retail trend 2016: diversification
    entrepreneurship | rural | shop local | trends

    Rural retail trend 2016: diversification

    ByBecky McCray March 7, 2016April 14, 2016

      I went around to local businesses while organizing for Small Business Saturday. In every store, I found something I didn’t realize that they carried. Every single store. I’m not making that up! I knew my favorite women’s shop had kid’s clothes, too, but I didn’t know about the new line of watches or the…

    Read More Rural retail trend 2016: diversificationContinue

  • Shopping bag labeled "Shift your shopping"
    entrepreneurship | marketing | ShiftYourShopping emails | shop local

    Holiday marketing 12: Thank your customers

    ByBecky McCray December 28, 2015December 27, 2015

    We’re all using the same marketing theme this year: Shift Your Shopping. When we work together to spread the word, we’ll multiply how many customers we reach. I know that Christmas is officially over, but you know some families are still celebrating because they couldn’t get together on the big holiday. And New Year’s Eve…

    Read More Holiday marketing 12: Thank your customersContinue

  • Shopping bag labeled "Shift your shopping"
    entrepreneurship | marketing | ShiftYourShopping emails | shop local

    Holiday marketing 11: Share your family traditions

    ByBecky McCray December 21, 2015December 27, 2015

    We’re all using the same marketing theme this year: Shift Your Shopping. When we work together to spread the word, we’ll multiply how many customers we reach. Christmas is this week. Customers are busy beyond belief. Rather than talk about your business, put the focus on you as a person. Tell about one of your…

    Read More Holiday marketing 11: Share your family traditionsContinue

  • Shopping bag labeled "Shift your shopping"
    entrepreneurship | marketing | ShiftYourShopping emails | shop local

    Holiday Marketing 10: Introduce your people

    ByBecky McCray December 14, 2015December 13, 2015

    We’re all using the same marketing theme this year: Shift Your Shopping. When we work together to spread the word, we’ll multiply how many customers we reach. This week, introduce one of your people, the people who work for you or work with your customers. If you’re the only one in your business, introduce yourself!…

    Read More Holiday Marketing 10: Introduce your peopleContinue

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