Does your networking add power to your small business? Does it help set you apart from your competitors? Does it increase your visibility? Does it add to your bottom line? If you answered yes to each question, congratulations. If not, could it? Effective networking can: let people know you are in business keep customers aware…
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…
The Brag Basket is open! This one is for November 2-4, 2018. Bring your good news, big or small, to share with everyone. What can you share in the Brag Basket? introduce yourself share some great news from this week celebrate progress, even baby steps congratulate a friend applaud for each other confess your…
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…
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…
The Brag Basket is open! This one is for October 26-28, 2018. Bring your good news, big or small, to share with everyone. What can you share in the Brag Basket? introduce yourself share some great news from this week celebrate progress, even baby steps congratulate a friend applaud for each other confess your…
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…
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…
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