Big Ideas for Small Towns in San Juan County

Deb at the podium speaking

On December 5, 2024, over 120 people gathered in San Juan County, Utah, for the third annual Business Basecamp Conference & Expo — dedicated to energizing rural economic development through practical tools, bold ideas, and meaningful connection. Thanks to a grant from Economic Development Corporation of Utah, the San Juan County Economic Development folks had…

Read More

I tried a few new things (for me) in Washington

Picture of ideas for malden

I had the honor of presenting all day in Malden, Washington to the area community leaders, providers, and visitors. I was brought to town by Paul Kimmel from Avista and the Inland Northwest Partners. We talked about the results of the Survey of Rural Challenges to kick off the day. Lots of people nodded their…

Read More

Beer, coffee, cheese and a place to sit

The group at Annie's Tap House

At the Rural Retreat in Great Falls, Montana, our Idea Friendly 23-minute movie was shown to a group of people at a local spot, the Commons on Central – just like we do at a watch party! The Commons on Central is a Shared Space There are four businesses at the Commons on Central: a…

Read More

We gave up planning the old way for a Brendan Hoffman exhibit and visit

Lutzk photo by Brendan Hoffman of people sleeping on the floor

Webster City, Iowa hosted an international photojournalist, Brendan Hoffman, in residency at the Daily Freeman Journal, the local paper. A town of 8,000 people managed to take a 6 week free class on Using Photography to Tell Your Stories, view an exhibition of War In Ukraine, and personally visit with the photojournalist Brendan Hoffman and…

Read More

Lessons from an Idea Friendly Gift Shop in a Small Town

One of the chapters in my upcoming workbook  is about using crafters as your next set of entrepreneurs. Stephanie from Canada shared her crafter entrepreneurial story with us!  You don’t have to go it alone.  Fourteen years ago Stephanie and her sister moved to a small town that had lots of summer tourists but no…

Read More

Want a coffee shop? Start small

Brandon and Alicia had this idea that the old bank building they own just might a good coffee shop with WiFi. They looked at prices for all the equipment, got ideas for other vendors to go into the location, and started planning big. But how do they know it will even work as a coffee shop?…

Read More

Your Gift from Becky and Me

We know that the Idea Friendly method works in small towns just like yours. You can learn all about it by watching this video. You’ve got through December 31 to watch it. Invite others to join you! Happy Holidays!

Read More