Natchez, MS sharing ideas for empty lots
Why Me?
I work with rural people who are ready to move beyond complaining and start doing.
Speaking is one of the ways I help small towns see what’s possible and take the next small steps with the resources they already have.
When you hire me, you’re not just paying for an hour on stage. You’re drawing on years of real work with small towns—onsite visits, Empty Buildings Tours, community cohorts, and projects in places that look a lot like yours.
Rural Audiences
Over the years, I’ve worked with:
-
State and regional groups like IEDC’s Rural Conference, NADO, West Virginia Brownfields & Main Street, and Main Street NOW.
-
Chambers, tourism and development groups in places such as Shawnee, OK; San Juan County, UT; Dayton, NV; Johnson County, IA; Swift County, MN; and Murray County, GA.
-
Universities and extension programs at Montana State University, Kansas State, Iowa State, and others.
-
Foundations and nonprofits such as Dakota Resources, Community Economic Partners, and rural RC&D organizations.
These aren’t abstract audiences. They’re rural leaders, volunteers, business owners, and everyday residents figuring out how to save their small town and still like each other at the end.
What I’m Most Often Asked to Talk About
Looking at my recent schedule and the invitations that keep coming in, certain themes show up again and again.
Here are some of the topics hosts ask for most:
-
Filling Empty Buildings and Lots
Real-world examples showing how to turn vacant spaces into assets in communities of all sizes. -
Innovative Rural Business Models & Self-Sustaining Entrepreneurship
How to grow your own entrepreneurs instead of chasing the big employer that never comes. -
Collaboration and Using the Idea Friendly Method
Shifting from “who’s in charge?” to “what can we try next together?” so more people feel welcome to participate. -
Ten Years of What Rural People Say They Need and What To Do
What rural folks consistently tell us and, more importantly, what to do about it. -
Small-Town Revitalization, Downtown on $100 or Less, and The Future of Rural
Practical sessions focused on everyday tools, tiny budgets, and realistic next steps.
All of these are grounded in places I’ve actually walked, people I’ve actually met, and projects that are already underway.
If you’re not sure which topic fits, we can shape something around your town’s real questions.
What Clients Say
Instead of me telling you how I work, here are a few things others have already said:
-
“Bringing Deb Brown to San Juan County was one of the best decisions we made for the future of our Chamber of Commerce… She doesn’t just advise—she listens, teaches, and empowers.”
-
“We will be ringing in the new year in a renovated, previously-vacant building because of the inspiration your newsletter validated… Thank you for helping us to save our town from post-covid slumps and giving it a revitalization that we needed!”
-
“WOW – your presentation was first-class and highly engaging… Thank you for your time and dedication to this endeavor.”
-
“Recently, the city of Columbiana was lucky enough to host Deb Brown for an Embedded Community Experience… Her visit was definitely a highlight of my 21 years working in small government.”
-
“If you are thinking about inviting Deb to your community, don’t give it another thought. It is worth every penny!”
These folks didn’t bring me in to “have a speaker.” They brought me in because they wanted movement: a chamber started, an empty building reused, a cohort launched, or a stuck conversation finally going somewhere.
What You Can Expect When You Work With Me
Hosts who’ve worked with me in communities across the country consistently mention a few things:
-
I listen first. I walk your town, talk to your people, and ask what they want—not what I think they should want.
-
I bring examples from towns that feel familiar, not from big cities with big budgets.
-
I leave you with small, doable actions you can start right away, not a thick plan that sits on a shelf.
That’s what your investment supports: thoughtful preparation, customized content, and a focus on leaving something behind that your people can actually use.
How to Start the Conversation
I keep this simple.
-
You send me a short note about your event, or community, or your idea. deb@saveyour.town is my email
-
We schedule a 20-minute discovery call (no charge, no obligation).
-
Together we decide if it’s a fit and what format—keynote, workshop, webinar, onsite visit, or something else—will serve your people best.