Rural Revival

Today on the podcast we're with Josh and Sara Holmquist of Normal Roasting Company in Burwell, Nebraska (pop. 1,079). In this episode you'll find out how Josh and Sarah bought a coffee company on a whim and grew it from a hobby to what is now multiple businesses. They talk about how they dealt with overwhelming growth, building an iconic brand, scaling your business in the early years, plus the wholesale side of their business and the amazing community they have built there. These two are such a fun couple and they truly have built an incredible brand!Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTESBurwell, NebraskaArcadia, NebraskaTheory Coffee TechNormal Wholesale CollectiveFOLLOW NORMAL ROASTING COMPANYFACEBOOKINSTAGRAMWEBSITEBRANDED 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 four 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 episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Deb McGinn, Ginny Showman, Jacque Andrew, Sara Ostrander, and Peg Raney of Why Not Us — a group of 72 women who pooled their resources to save a historic downtown building called The Centennial on their town square in Jefferson, Iowa (pop. 4,182).After the building was flooded with several thousands of gallons of water and it destroyed the community’s popular tea room, they wanted somebody to bring it back, and finally decided, why not us? They’re sharing how they pooled their resources, set parameters for the group, found somebody to run the restaurant, and the incredible impact this has had on their community.You’ll love the model that these ladies have established in working together to bring back this historic building and important business to the community of Jefferson. There is no doubt this is going to spark some ideas for you in how you can pool your resources to do something similar in your community! We’re excited to watch this project continue and to see that second story get finished out.Thank you to all the ladies for being on the podcast, and to all 72 ladies who make up Why Not Us, thank you for your investment into your community and for inspiring us to do something similar in our small towns. Because hey, why not us?Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Jefferson, IowaPete Franks - Franks Design GroupKevin Conway - Westbrook ConstructionChirpJefferson MattersFOLLOW WHY NOT US:FACEBOOKFOLLOW THE CENTENNIAL: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

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

On today’s episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Brett Hubka with A Mural Movement of Clay Center, Kansas (pop. 4,123).Brett's sharing how a simple service project around one mural turned into a movement that has now brought 33 murals to their town. When this all started, the community had no public art. Now they're drawing in artists from around the nation and expanding their efforts beyond Clay Center to the entire county, and Brett's here to tell you all about it.This is such a fun project and it’s great to see how the community has rallied around this. I'm excited to share that the new grain bin mural that Brett mentioned is now finished and it is incredible!I also want to give a shout out to Brett and the Rotary for their leadership of this project. 33 murals in four years is A LOT and they've put a lot of time and effort into this, and it's really great to see all their hard work paying off.Check out the podcast and make Clay Center a part of your travel plans this summer! This is something really fun to experience and you will not be disappointed!Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Clay Center, KansasMedicine Lodge, KansasOberlin, KansasGN BankClay Center Rotary ClubClay Center Community Improvement FoundationClay Center ZooClay County, KansasKansas Creative Arts and Industries CommissionLive Rural SurveyGrow Clay CountyHiawatha, KansasHolton, KansasHarper, KansasFOLLOW A MURAL MOVEMENT OF CLAY CENTER:WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBEBRANDED 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

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 Eddie and Julie Flores of Nursing Back to Life, which follows their restoration of an old house in Lincoln, Kansas (pop. 1,171) that is now their home. It all started when a free house in Julie’s hometown went viral and they decided they just might be the ones that wanted to save it! Eddie and Julie are sharing how they got the house and moved it to its new location and are taking us through the restoration process. You’ll learn how they repurposed different elements of the house, why this was important for their community, and how this project has given them a fresh perspective on small towns and inspired them to get involved in the community.This is such a fun project and fun conversation! We share a similar part of our story where covid was the catalyst to getting us back to our hometowns, and I know we’re not alone in that, so it’s nice to see some good things come out of that season. Be sure to go check out Eddie and Julie’s episode on In With the Old and follow along with them on social media. I’m excited to see what happens next for them!Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Lincoln, KansasCheap Old HousesFor the Love of Old HousesIn With The Old - HBO Max and Discovery+FOLLOW NURSING BACK TO LIFE:WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOKBE 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

On today’s episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Laura Capp of Postscript, a stationery shop in Ashland, Nebraska (pop. 3,191). Laura’s sharing how the journey of becoming an English professor turned into an entrepreneurial journey that brought her back to her hometown. We talk about why she chose a small town over the nearby city, learning how to market a new business in a small town, the importance of an email list and good photography, and more!You’ll love what Laura has created with her shop and how she’s shown us a niche store like this really can work in a small town! While I was in Ashland I discovered some really fun shops there, so I put together a Small Town Shopping Guide for Ashland on the blog. This is a really fun destination for a small town shopping day! You’ll find that in the show notes, as well as links where you can follow Postscript.Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Ashland, NebraskaCenter for the Book - University of IowaHome Ec WorkshopRSVPGlacial TillThe Gift NicheWillow Point GallerySalt Creek MercantileFariner BakeryHeather Hall PhotographyPoetry by PostTo the Lighthouse by Virginia WoolfTask Pad by Shorthand PressFOLLOW POSTSCRIPT:WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | 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

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 this episode we’re with Beth Simonson of Highmore, South Dakota (pop. 682), where she and her husband John are owners of a historic home now known as Hydeout Bed & Breakfast.Beth is sharing about the importance of getting involved in the community, and how she as an introvert decided to step out and do just that. Through that she’s seen a lot of her own personal and business dreams come true, as well as some of the town of Highmore’s.She’s now helping position Highmore as a sunflower field tourist attraction through things like a photography workshop, Sunflower Festival, and more. We also talk about creating an arts council to bring in front porch music concerts and art shows, plus what they’re doing to encourage graduates to come back to Highmore.You’ll love Beth’s story and learning how brave she was to start getting involved in the community, and then seeing how rewarding that has been for her!Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Highmore, South DakotaMarketing Hometown AmericaPioneer Woman Magazine - 25 Best Sunflower Fields Across the U.S.Dignity SculptureFaulkton Grain Elevator MuralDakota PlayersHyde County Parks and RecreationFOLLOW HYDEOUT BED & BREAKFAST:FACEBOOK | WEBSITEBRANDED 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 today’s episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Stanton Community Development Director Jenna Ramsey, and FMTC General Manager and CEO Kevin Cabbage, both from Stanton, Iowa (pop. 678). Kevin and Jenna are sharing how Kevin’s company created a role for a community development director, a role that Jenna now fills, in partnership with their city. This partnership, along with Jenna’s hard work and the help of many others, has allowed them to receive over $5 million in grants in five years — and their Main Street is thriving. The theme that resonates throughout this interview is people and partners. If you want strategies for getting your community to work together on a greater vision and get projects completed, you are going to love this interview! We are excited to be featuring success stories from Stanton all week long, so be sure to check out our socials and website each day for new inspiration! Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTESFMTCSwedish Heritage & Cultural CenterOld Lumberyard Event CenterCDBG Downtown Facade GrantSWIPCOCommunity Catalyst GrantGibbs ChophouseStanton Child Resource CenterGovernor’s Empower Rural Iowa Task ForceIowa Rural Development CouncilRural Ideas NetworkViking Lake State ParkIowa Thriving Community DesignationFika Coffee + Bake ShoppeStanton FriendsFOLLOW STANTONWEBSITE | FACEBOOKNOW BOOKING FOR 2024!It’s hard to believe that we are nearing the end of the year for 2023! I’ve had the BEST time traveling around to so many of your towns this year and getting to meet so many of you! Whether it’s speaking at your conferences or annual member celebrations, bringing a workshop to your group, or coming to do podcast interviews or town features — it’s truly an honor to get to come encourage and inspire your communities and spark some ideas. We are now booking dates for 2024, so if you’d like to bring Rural Revival to your town next year, visit our website or send us a message, and let’s talk more about making that happen!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

On today’s episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Melissa Lyons of Melissa Lyons Art in Beaufort, South Carolina (pop. 12,960). Melissa was a military wife trying to make more money for her family when she started painting, and now 11 years later her art has landed her in places like Hobby Lobby and Target, and she’s hosting creative weekends to help teach others everything she knows. She shares her powerful story and what she has walked through to get to where she is today, and how those dreams and desires that are in all of us for a reason. You’ll love to see how all of this has unfolded in Melissa’s life to get where she is today, and her creative weekends look amazing! They are selling out quickly, so if you want in, don’t wait on it.Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Beaufort, South CarolinaFOLLOW MELISSA LYONS ART:FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITEBRANDED 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