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Practical ideas for small town business and community builders

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Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource
  • In a colorful room, a woman is offering instructions to two men seated at a craft table, preparing to pour their own candles.
    economic development | entrepreneurship | ideas | rural | trends

    Hands-on and experience-based businesses boost local economies

    BySmall Biz Survival March 17, 2025April 4, 2026

    Guest post by Jason Duff, founder of Small Nation Ever wanted to pour your own candle? Now you can right here in Downtown Bellefontaine! Triple Moon Designs in Bellefontaine, Ohio, recently added a new and exciting candle bar, offering a unique experience not typically seen in small towns. My team has had the chance to try it out…

    Read More Hands-on and experience-based businesses boost local economiesContinue

  • A very busy, full planner with many notes, highlights and scribbles.
    entrepreneurship | management | planning | rural | Small Biz 100

    You don’t have 52 weeks this year

    ByRob Hatch December 9, 2024December 9, 2024

    By Rob Hatch Thirty-six weeks. Part of my process for planning my business for the New Year is to do a little reality check on exactly how much time I have to work with. What are you talking about, Rob? You have a year. Technically, that’s true. However, on closer inspection, I only have 36…

    Read More You don’t have 52 weeks this yearContinue

  • A group of diverse young people in a casual bar setting. One is holding a mic and speaking as others listen.
    community | rural | trends | youth

    Young Americans Returning to Rural for More than Just Holiday Dinners

    BySmall Biz Survival August 7, 2024

    by Caroline Tremblay, The Daily Yonder August 5, 2024 Kansas: Elevate the work of younger people In rural Kansas, if you’re between the ages of 21 and 39ish, you might be considered a PowerUp —  but not just because of your age or location. A PowerUp is someone who is rural by choice. “The name…

    Read More Young Americans Returning to Rural for More than Just Holiday DinnersContinue

  • A group seated around a table in a meeting room
    community | rural

    Unlocking Community Potential: The Catalyst Approach for Change

    ByPaula Jensen June 5, 2024

    Who do we envision ourselves becoming? The big framing question, “Who do we envision ourselves becoming?” was written in wide black marker on a large flip chart and placed at the front of the room for easy viewing. I introduced the question and gave some context. The ten local leaders stared blankly at it. The…

    Read More Unlocking Community Potential: The Catalyst Approach for ChangeContinue

  • Survey of Rural Challenges logotype
    announcement | rural | Survey of Rural Challenges

    2024 Survey of Rural Challenges Is Open!

    ByDeb Brown March 14, 2024

    These 10 questions will provide information to many organizations and people on what is challenging for rural communities. Are you rural? This survey is for you. SmallBizSurvival.com and SaveYour.Town are conducting the 10th-anniversary edition of the Survey of Rural Challenges! Take the Survey of Rural Challenges. Spread the word Could you help us spread the word on…

    Read More 2024 Survey of Rural Challenges Is Open!Continue

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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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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.

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