There are several common thoughts on the key elements to a successful business. Two of those most often mentioned are to build the business around a need or to build your business around your passion. While there are examples of both elements working, realistically, a combination of the two provide the strongest launching pad. Passion…
If this happened to you as a customer, how would you feel? Our washer has a problem. Service person came out and ordered a part for it. Part should be here in two weeks and made the next appointment. The day before the appointment, I get an automated call. If my issue was a service…
Retaining your existing customer base is one key to the long term growth and success of your business. Customer retention begins your thought process of having a business not only today but tomorrow, next month, next year, and even 10 years from now. It takes you from being upset at the customer who leaves with…
Business owners often take customer loyalty for granted. Yet, in this competitive market, nothing could be further from the truth. The returning customer often is key to the bottom line of just about any business. So often you only see them spending $10 in your store and never making any big purchases. But if they…
You have hear the phrase, “Give the customer what he or she needs or wants.” As a business owner, you know that is true and so you focus on providing goods and services that meet those needs. You focus on specific solutions, quality, and timely delivery. You work hard to ensure that the product works…
I have taken the plunge and have gotten into social media. Now what? Is this what you are thinking? Does the “Field of Dreams” syndrome, build it and they will come, drive your effort? If only it were that easy. Part of getting followers to your online efforts requires you to be regular in posting….
It’s a growing trend. Online stores selling to your consumers. And the trend is growing. Currently books, electronics, clothing, etc. are the more popular items being sold. But the available categories are expanding rapidly. One of the growing categories is online grocery sales. This took the front page when Amazon purchased Whole Foods. But the…
Of all the reasons why small-business owners start businesses, two are noted most often. They are a desire to be in control and having more time for family. Yet once in business, many owners indicate that neither goal has been achieved. By its nature, control should allow for deciding how much you want to work….
Glad you dropped in to the rural and small town business blog, established in 2006.
We want you to feel at home, so please take our guided tour.
Meet our authors on the About page.
Have something to say? You can give us a holler on the contact form.
Want to search our past articles? Catch up with the latest stories? Browse through the categories? All the good stuff is on the Front Page.
We partner with campaigns and organizations that we think best benefit rural small businesses.
Copyright © 2006–2026 Becky McCray • Site by Webdancers