Rural Unrecognized

Send us Fan Mail How does a blacksmith in the middle of nowhere build a global business? The forge is the craft, but the phone is the storefront. Jessica sits down with Ethan Harty, a first-generation blacksmith who started at 11, dropped out of high school at 16, and now ships work around the world from rural Alberta. He breaks down Damascus steel, the 800-pound jobs and the steam locomotive he’s restoring on camera, and the one idea behind it all: social media is his “accessible storefront,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural Unrecognized, we sit down with Darek Graff, managing partner of Killam Home Hardware, to talk about small-town business, community values, and playing the long game in entrepreneurship. Darek shares how Home Hardware’s cooperative model allows his local store to maintain its independence while benefiting from the buying power of a larger organization. This flexibility enables Killam Home Hardware to tailor its inventory and services to the needs of th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural Unrecognized, we chat with Kristin Kueber, a rural Alberta artist who has turned her love of painting into a growing business. Kristin shares how her small-town upbringing and connection to rural life have shaped her art, which captures the beauty of western and agricultural lifestyles. Her work speaks to the nostalgia and charm of country living, drawing inspiration from the world around her. Kristin talks about how much support she’s received from h...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural Unrecognized, we chat with James Boettcher, the CEO and "Custodian of Culture" at Righteous Gelato, a company that’s far more than just a gelato shop. James shares his unique entrepreneurial journey, from his early days of freelance graphic design to discovering his passion for gelato and community building. He discusses the values that guide his business, such as transparency, trust, and quality, along with his commitment to inclusivity and employee ...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Amanda sits down with Jessica Hersey, the exceptional accountant behind Altitude Accounting. Jessica shares her inspiring journey from growing up in an entrepreneurial family to becoming a profit strategist and owner of her own accounting business. They delve into the intricacies of small business finance, especially in rural areas, and how Jessica's unique approach to accounting aims to demystify finances for business owners. Drawing from her experiences, Je...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural Unrecognized, we sit down with Candace Patton, the founder of Sweet Three Designs, to discuss her entrepreneurial journey and the challenge of overcoming burnout. Candace shares how her business started as a creative project with her daughters, making painted wooden earrings, and gradually grew to have products in around 40 stores across Canada. She discusses the milestone of opening her own branded retail space, and the evolution of her team as the ...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we invite you to join us in a captivating conversation with Nikki Wiart, the owner of Lady’s Hat Farm. Nikki shares her inspiring story of transitioning from a journalist to a farmer florist, while also shedding light on the world of ethical flower farming. As a journalist, Nikki noticed something intriguing – young individuals with no farming background were making the bold decision to move to rural areas and start their own farms. This sparked her curi...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for an extraordinary journey as you listen to this exclusive interview recording from the 2022 Flagstaff Celebrates Success Gala. Join host Amanda Wagner as she sits down with Graham Sherman, the mastermind behind Tool Shed Brewing Company. In this interview, Graham shares his inspiring journey and sheds light on the power of authenticity and storytelling in business. From his childhood experiences with his mother, to his relentless pursuit of making a difference, G...