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Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource
  • Three kids in a canoe
    Best of | economic development | entrepreneurship | ideas | rural | Survey of Rural Challenges | tourism

    Get started as an outdoor outfitter without breaking the bank

    ByBecky McCray August 28, 2023June 27, 2024

    Our latest Survey of Rural Challenges said natural resources are rural communities’ best rural assets, but most places don’t have enough outfitters to take advantage of them as tourism development. Here’s how rural people like you can take small steps to grow into outdoor outfitters.  Gather Your Crowd to attract groups and organizations that want to help…

    Read More Get started as an outdoor outfitter without breaking the bankContinue

  • A faded sign says, "Wash-o-mat coin-op laundry". Painted figures of a family are carrying their basket, soap and bleach and are followed by a frisky dog.
    economic development | entrepreneurship | rural

    How to start a laundromat in a small town on a budget

    ByBecky McCray June 23, 2023June 22, 2023

    Starting a laundromat involves a lot of up front expenses, unless you do it the Idea Friendly Way   Lots of small towns have no self-service laundry facilities, so it’s a smart business to start. It also adds a valuable service and amenity to build your community. Laundromats are notoriously expensive to get started, and…

    Read More How to start a laundromat in a small town on a budgetContinue

  • A shopkeeper and a customer share a laugh in a small store packed full of interesting home wares.
    Best of | marketing | rural | shop local

    How to get customers in the door of small town and rural retail stores

    ByBecky McCray February 19, 2023March 12, 2025

      If you have a retail store in a small town, you know how difficult it can be to attract customers in the door. With so much online competition and limited resources, it is hard to get people in the store and buying your products. In this article, we’ll share some of our best ways…

    Read More How to get customers in the door of small town and rural retail storesContinue

  • Screenshot of Google's Marketing Kit for local businesses. Text says, "Free stickers, posters, social posts, and more from your Business Profile on Google". Graphic shows a sticker that says, "review us on Google"
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | tourism

    Local reviews on Google Maps drive enduring value

    ByBecky McCray December 17, 2022December 26, 2022

    While they were pointing out HipCamp to us, our friends at Marketing Delmarva also brought up the enduring power of Google Local reviews and photos. (I added the bold for emphasis.) If you love a local place, put it on Google. Following our first pick-your-own experience at said blueberry world, while sitting in the car in…

    Read More Local reviews on Google Maps drive enduring valueContinue

  • Signboard on a sidewalk says, "Oneota Co-op, a community owned grocery featuring local, whole and organic foods
    community | economic development | entrepreneurship | rural

    How cooperatives improve small town economies

    ByBecky McCray May 8, 2022May 23, 2022

    Cooperatives can play a big role in small towns, providing products and services to fill gaps as well as giving local people a share of ownership. Rural cooperatives go way back Rural areas have a long history with cooperatives through cooperative telephone service, electricity, and agriculture. My husband is a member of the Alva Farmers…

    Read More How cooperatives improve small town economiesContinue

  • A grocery store building entrance with a sign that says "Alva's Market"
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | trends

    New business sign design? Don’t use cursive script

    ByBecky McCray February 14, 2022February 14, 2022

    Fewer and fewer kids learn to read and write in cursive, so it’s time to stop ordering business signs with cursive or script lettering. You might have seen the memes and jokes. Someday all us old people will use cursive as secret code. But you might not have thought about how this applies to your…

    Read More New business sign design? Don’t use cursive scriptContinue

  • Small Steps with kettle corn
    entrepreneurship | planning | rural | youth

    How to start a real small small business

    ByBecky McCray December 17, 2021

      Your fellow reader Ava asked a great question: If I am already working, in school, and wanting to start up just a real small small business, then how would that work differently from someone who is coming from a completely different stand point, like not working or in school and is just generally starting…

    Read More How to start a real small small businessContinue

  • Tip for better pop-ups and shed businesses
    economic development | mistakes | rural

    Tip for better pop-ups and shed businesses

    ByBecky McCray December 5, 2021September 6, 2024

    Basics What is a pop-up? I explain more here. Tip #1: Group your pop-ups When you’re planning to add pop-up businesses or shed businesses to your small or rural community, concentrate them in one area. Better to have four sheds or pop up businesses together on a single lot, than fourteen vendors spread out all…

    Read More Tip for better pop-ups and shed businessesContinue

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The Best of Small Biz Survival

TREND 2025: Retail’s Big Split: what small town retailers can do now

99% of the best things you can do for your town don’t require anyone’s permission

Get started as an outdoor outfitter without breaking the bank

How to get customers in the door of small town and rural retail stores

Read more of the Best of Small Biz Survival

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