Rural Revival

Today on the podcast we're with Taylor Borkowski of The Cottage in Denison, Iowa (pop. 8,172). Taylor and her mom bought out an existing business in January 2020, only to shut down six days after their open house celebration due to covid.It's been a wild ride, and Taylor's sharing how they overcame the covid challenges, brought a massive change to their product line, filled a gap in the community, and recently moved locations.She also talks about her involvement with the community, which includes hosting community events that incorporate a diverse population, and you'll see why she was voted Volunteer of the Year!If you live near western Iowa, you’ll want to put these upcoming events on your calendar:Fall Frenzy — October 9, 4-8 pmChristmas at The Cottage — October 28 (private ticketed event)Holiday Open House — November 14-17Recipe Walk — November 17, 1-4 pmTaylor also used our Farm Dinner Event Kit for their recent farm to table celebration. If you're thinking about bringing a farm to table dinner to your community, this is a great resource for you!Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTESDenison, IowaHot Summer NightsWomen in Business Impact OrganizationFarm-to-Table Event KitVan Houten AcresChamber & Development Council of Crawford CountyFOLLOW THE COTTAGEFACEBOOKINSTAGRAMWEBSITEBRANDED BY RURAL REVIVALDid you start out the year with big brand goals but still haven't found the time to work on those? If that's you, we've still got over three months left in the year and we can help make this happen for you through Branded by Rural Revival — our rural design studio that specifically focuses on helping small businesses and small towns. From websites to logos, marketing assets, course building, and podcast setup, we are ready to help you build a brand you love. Find out more and check out our latest work at brandedbyruralrevival.co.MORE FROM RURAL REVIVALWEBSITEINSTAGRAMFACEBOOK

On today’s episode of the podcast we're with Jessi Mason of The Market & Mill in Anselmo, Nebraska (pop. 109). Jessi's sharing how she went from being a social worker with no business background to a grocery store owner, and her journey in learning new things like ordering groceries, profit margins, diversifying, and even how her social work background still plays a role. Plus, Jessi is getting creative and innovative to keep things as fresh and local as possible in the store, including turning part of the space into a coffee shop and community kitchen.You’ll love how Jessi has jumped into this adventure of being a grocery store owner, and how this business has become such a hub for the community. While we were doing this interview, the place was buzzing the entire time with a steady stream of customers. Which, when you think about it, is truly incredible for a town of this size!Check out more on the blog and see the transformation Jessi and Andrew have brought to this space!SHOW NOTESAnselmo, NebraskaBroken Bow, NebraskaCallaway, NebraskaNebraska Arts CouncilSandhills National Scenic BywayFOLLOW THE MARKET & MILLFACEBOOKINSTAGRAMWEBSITEBRANDED BY RURAL REVIVALWe’ve now expanded our design services at Branded by Rural Revival to offer logos, branding, and marketing assets! So, if you need a logo or brand refresh, or a new website, we’d love to help you build a brand you love. Find out more and check out our latest work at brandedbyruralrevival.co.MORE FROM RURAL REVIVALWEBSITEINSTAGRAMFACEBOOK

On today’s podcast episode we’re with Luke and Jennifer Mahin of Irrigation Ales in Courtland, Kansas (pop. 294). They’re sharing how they have built this business over time, starting with the Courtland Fermentation Club and the process of learning how to brew good, quality beer, as well as the cool story behind their branding. They also talk about the incredible entrepreneurial culture of Courtland, plus what it was like for Luke growing up in a very small town and for Jennifer moving to a very small town.You are going to love SO MUCH about this interview and there’s so much we can learn from Luke and Jennifer’s story. Whether it’s building your business one step at a time or creating that entrepreneurial culture in your town or the economic development tips — we know you are walking away from this interview inspired!Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Courtland, KansasRepublic County Economic DevelopmentCourtland Fermentation ClubCourtland Fun DaySoul SistersCourtland Town FeatureFOLLOW IRRIGATION ALES:WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOKBRANDED BY RURAL REVIVALI have a fun announcement - we’ve now expanded our design services at Branded by Rural Revival to offer logos, branding, and marketing assets! So, if you need a logo or brand refresh, or a new website, we’d love to help you build a brand you love. You can find out more at brandedbyruralrevival.co.MORE FROM RURAL REVIVALWEBSITEINSTAGRAMFACEBOOK

This week we have a very special episode of the podcast featuring the OABCIG Middle School TAG students from right here in my hometown! I had the honor of getting to speak to them last week about my career path, and then we turned the conversation to them and talked about THEIR dreams for our small towns. We decided it would be fun to record this and share it with you here on the podcast!I loved this discussion so much and that so many of them have dreams for their future that involve staying right here! And that means we, as the generation going before them, have the responsibility to do our part to make it possible for them to live out their dreams here. I also want to direct you to an essay written by their teacher, Mrs. Masters, called What Rural Gets Right — expanding on the idea that RURAL schools aren’t completely disadvantaged, as some may think they are, and if we can look at the ways rural schools are positioned to meet individual student’s interests and learning needs, we can change that narrative. We’ve linked to that in the show notes and I would encourage you to check that out. Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:OABCIG Community School DistrictEssay: What Rural Gets RightRAISED TO STAY:We’re challenging small towns to create opportunities and shift the mindset of our kids so they choose to stay in our rural communities instead of leave. We’re surveying high school juniors and seniors across the country to gather important data. This data will give us the information we need to:Make our communities a place where young professionals can be successfulOffer amenities important to this demographic (coffee shop, brewery, gym, housing, etc.)Better understand the needs and wants of the next generationSign up to be included in our free survey. We’re also offering a limited number of in-person workshop opportunities. Get more info here.BE A PART OF OUR BOOK!Yes that’s right, we’re launching a book! And we want YOU to be a part of it! Imagine all the Rural Revival stories you love, now all together in the form of a beautiful coffee table book! Over the years we’ve collected so many great stories and we know there are so many more out there, so we’re asking you to submit YOUR Rural Revival story to be included in this new book. We want this to be a source of inspiration that you can keep going back to, or that you can give to help inspire someone else’s story! We are accepting submissions through May 31, 2024. Submit your rural revival story here!MORE FROM RURAL REVIVALWEBSITEINSTAGRAMFACEBOOK

On today’s episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Dakota Dawn Johnson, host of the Cowgirl Confessions podcast, in Mound City, Kansas (pop. 647). Dakota is a ranch wife, podcast host, and successful saleswoman and is sharing with us about her wonderfully wild and western life, as she likes to call it. We’re talking about sales and sponsorships and why that doesn’t have to be as hard as you think, and Dakota’s giving us some great keys to making ourselves better in these areas by making sales skills life skills. She’s also talking about the cowgirl state of mind and inviting other people into this lifestyle, and what it looks like to find your calling and live that out.Dakota truly is one of the most encouraging people I know and I love the way she champions women and shares their stories to inspire us. She talks about being a light, but we are so thankful for her bright light and positive outlook on our rural way of life!And be sure to check out her podcast because if you love this podcast, I have a feeling you’re gonna love her podcast, too!Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Mound City, KansasAriat InternationalThe Kickstart Guide to SponsorshipsOf the WestCowgirl Confessions PodcastFOLLOW DAKOTA:WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOKBRANDED BY RURAL REVIVALI have a fun announcement - we’ve now expanded our design services at Branded by Rural Revival to offer logos, branding, and marketing assets! So, if you need a logo or brand refresh, we’d love to help you build a brand you love. You can find out more at brandedbyruralrevival.co/design.MORE FROM RURAL REVIVALWEBSITEINSTAGRAMFACEBOOK

Today we are bringing you a very special episode of the Rural Revival podcast! This just so happens to be our 150th episode, and I felt like that was worth celebrating, so I asked my dear friend and Rural Revival travel buddy Joni Nash if she would interview me and talk about what all has transpired since this first started.It was so much fun to relive all of that and I think it’s always good to go back and remind yourself of where you came from, so thanks for allowing me that opportunity today. Whether you’re a new listener or one who has been with me from the very beginning, I just want to thank you for being part of this community. It is you all who inspire me every day, so keep doing what you’re doing, living out your dreams. And remember, what’s the best that could happen?Grab a cup of coffee and sit down and enjoy this special 150th episode with Joni and me.BRANDED BY RURAL REVIVALSince the beginning of Rural Revival I’ve worked hard to find ways to tap into my experience in marketing and communication, apply that to strategies that work for small towns and small businesses, and empower you to take that information and run with it. Honestly, it’s always been a dream of mine to have a rural-based design agency that employs people who also live in and love small towns. I now have the right team in place, and we have officially launched Branded by Rural Revival - a rural design studio for small businesses and small towns!Right now we’re primarily focused on websites and social media. Our premium website templates and packages are designed to help you quickly build and launch your website so you can start attracting your dream clients, reaching people in and beyond your small town, and doing what you were made to do. And our social media course will teach you to leverage engagement so you can authentically reach your audience. Find out more at brandedbyruralrevival.co. We can’t wait to help you grow your business online!MORE FROM RURAL REVIVALWEBSITEINSTAGRAMFACEBOOK

On today’s episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Libby Timmerman of Heart and Sole Dance and Performing Arts Studio in Cherokee, Iowa (pop. 5,099). Libby’s sharing how she unexpectedly became a dance studio owner at the age of 14, and how she’s grown from teaching 25 students in her first year to now having a multifaceted performing arts studio with 145 students and a staff of 10 that offers tap, jazz, ballet, musical theater, hip hop, tumbling, acrobatics, and more. WOW! She’s also expanded from one studio to three and restored two historic buildings in the process. Libby is all about creating opportunities for others to be part of the studio and stay in their hometown — just like she did. You’ll love her heart to impact future generations through dance and provide artistic opportunities for all ages in her community!Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Cherokee, IowaFOLLOW HEART AND SOLE DANCE AND PERFORMING ARTS STUDIO:WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | LIBBY FACEBOOKBRANDED BY RURAL REVIVALSince the beginning of Rural Revival I’ve worked hard to find ways to tap into my experience in marketing and communication, apply that to strategies that work for small towns and small businesses, and empower you to take that information and run with it. Honestly, it’s always been a dream of mine to have a rural-based design agency that employs people who also live in and love small towns. I now have the right team in place, and we have officially launched Branded by Rural Revival - a rural design studio for small businesses and small towns!Right now we’re primarily focused on websites and social media. Our premium website templates and packages are designed to help you quickly build and launch your website so you can start attracting your dream clients, reaching people in and beyond your small town, and doing what you were made to do. And our social media course will teach you to leverage engagement so you can authentically reach your audience. Find out more at brandedbyruralrevival.co. We can’t wait to help you grow your business online!MORE FROM RURAL REVIVALWEBSITEINSTAGRAMFACEBOOK

On this episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Steffany Bettin of The Blue Jay Boutique in Danbury, Iowa (pop. 320).Steffany’s sharing how she turned an old barbershop in her hometown into a boutique to offer what she calls ‘girl next door’ clothes. She talks about learning her customer base and what they want, expanding her space, launching an app, attracting customers beyond her small town, and more.She also talks about what it means to bring this business to her hometown, and I’ll warn you, you might want to get your tissues ready for this one. It’s been really cool to watch Steffany really grow a big local following and bringing all these people to HER small town.You’re going to love her story!Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTESSiouxland’s Best Boutique online votingRural Route RambleKatie & Co.FOLLOW THE BLUE JAY BOUTIQUEFACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE | APPHOLIDAY MASTERCLASS SESSIONI wanted to tell you our Holiday Masterclass Session that we just hosted, where we talked about Five Ways to Win in Retail this Holiday Season WITHOUT Offering Discounts — and we got on a roll so it was actually more like 8-10 ways. We know this is such an important time of year for your business, so we brought some ideas to the table that you maybe haven’t thought of that can be a big WIN for your business this season. We’ve made the replay available for a short time, and you can find it here. And in case you’re listening to this after the fact, we’ll be doing more of these next year so go get signed up for our email list to know when we’re making those available.MORE FROM RURAL REVIVALWEBSITEINSTAGRAMFACEBOOK