Small Business
Start your own beautification project
I’ll be traveling to a small county in Nevada to help with a beautification project. So will Becky later on – it’s an Intensive, Idea Friendly Package. Back in my chamber days, this kind of thing would scare the bejesus out of me. It would involve endless meetings with boring, important-feeling people. No talking to the…
Read MoreTurn your crafters into entrepreneurs and a new choice for shopping during the holidays
I’m writing a workbook. About ways to save your small town. Here’s one chapter from the book. Crafters can be your new entrepreneurs You can boost creativity while building community with co-crafting events such as “crafternoons,” hacker or maker days. These are events where crafters/makers/or hackers gather together and do their thing. Sometimes they are…
Read MoreGreat use of an empty building
Kathy Bohn-Bagley of Bohn’s Bones Arts, LLC and Art Spot located at 46 S 1st St E, Malta, MT 59538 shared a story with me about an empty building. I thought you’d like to hear it too! Milk River Contractors, Inc., headed by Mark Ereaux, conceived of taking an empty building in Downtown Malta, Phillips County,…
Read MoreBackcountry Winery
Preston and Amber Gable decided one day they wanted to make wine. They bought an acreage with an old barn, fixed it up, planted some vines and now they have this winery that has a grand opening next weekend. Of course, that’s the short story – and it sounds pretty, lovely and simple doesn’t it?…
Read MoreStart Ups
Maybe We Could Do That In A Small Town Tuesday six of us traveled to Kansas City and met with several businesses and leaders to see what their start up community was doing. The picture below is John Hawkins-mayor, me, Nate Olson, Zach Chizek-attorney, Brian Miller-city council, Maureen Seamonds-artist, Logan Welch-city council and Adam Arredondo. Nate…
Read MoreBlab 5 Stories – Session 5
Blab Session 5 of SaveYour.Town of our Weekly 5 Stories happened tonight – we snuck it in early this week! Next week might be early too – so keep your eyes posted on our Facebook page, we will announce it there. I’m traveling next weekend and it looks like we will be blabbing on Saturday.…
Read MoreWeed Whackers and Windex
Ninjas Needed I visited Roscommon County, Michigan and toured a few empty buildings. On one corner, a major intersection into town, there was an empty building on each corner. We talked about building possibility, working with the county and the town and hosting a tour. Next to one of the buildings that needed to be…
Read MoreChristmas is the PERFECT Time to Shop Where You Live
If you’re a small business, you’re neck deep in Christmas. It’s only 23 days until Christmas. We all know how fast time goes, and even faster as you get older. Do you buy gifts for your employees? Many do. Many give out cash. Why not purchase Chamber bucks instead of giving out cash? Ours can…
Read MoreEight Thinks to Do on Small Business Saturday
Buy new furniture. Locally. Go visit your local furniture store and be surprised. The value, the customer service and the attention to detail will simply blow you away. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what is now available in the better lines of furniture and how affordable the pieces are. Don’t big box it…
Read MoreBeaujolais Nouveau with Friends
Christine, Cruzanne, Lynn and I used to celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day on the third Thursday in November with the new wine from the Beaujolais region from France, crepes and a long and happy meal together. I think it’s where I started to think that everyone’s birthday was in November. It was such a fun evening…
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