This week we’re with David Hernandez and Tereasa Surratt of Camp Wandawega in Elkhorn, Wisconsin (pop. 10,084) — a camp with a very storied past that includes the mob, a madam, and the Vatican. David and Tereasa have transformed the camp from a dilapidated property into what has now been listed as one of the top 100 hotels in the world. Throughout this adventure they have found themselves right ahead of the latest trends - or maybe even setting them — making the camp a creative playground and landing them in the center of some epic brand collaborations and product lines.You’ll love how David and Tereasa followed their passion and while they didn’t even have plans of operating it as a business, their passion was contagious and it overflowed into all of these amazing opportunities. Their creativity just keeps fueling more creativity - from the camp itself to their books and their brand collaborations, it’s pretty amazing to watch. So if you’re in need of a little creative inspiration, go check out their Instagram and find links to everything we talk about in the show notes.Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:
Beardstown, Illinois
Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Camp Wandawega history
Gant
Land of Nod
Ural Motorcycle
A Very Modest Cottage
Found, Free, and Flea
Ogilvy
The Forever Tree
Frank Lloyd Wright Trust
Instagram: @campwandawega
Website: www.wandawega.com

76 | David Hernandez and Tereasa Surratt of Camp Wandawega

From farming and agriculture to amazing restaurants, vintage markets, and even tech start-ups, people are thinking outside the box, taking risks, and bringing life back to the hometowns and small communities we love. Our hope is this will be a place where you can be inspired to do the same. So jump in, hear the stories of people who are doing life in rural America and loving it, and start dreaming. And then let us know what you're up to so we can share your story, too!

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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 District
Essay: 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 REVIVAL
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154 | OABCIG Middle School TAG Students

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, Kansas
Cheap Old Houses
For the Love of Old Houses
In 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 REVIVAL
WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK

153 | Eddie and Julie Flores of Nursing Back to Life

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, Kansas
Ariat International
The Kickstart Guide to Sponsorships
Of the West
Cowgirl Confessions PodcastFOLLOW DAKOTA:
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOKBRANDED BY RURAL REVIVAL
I 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 REVIVAL
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152 | Dakota Dawn Johnson of the Cowgirl Confessions Podcast

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, Nebraska
Center for the Book - University of Iowa
Home Ec Workshop
RSVP
Glacial Till
The Gift Niche
Willow Point Gallery
Salt Creek Mercantile
Fariner Bakery
Heather Hall Photography
Poetry by Post
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Task Pad by Shorthand PressFOLLOW POSTSCRIPT:
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOKBRANDED BY RURAL REVIVAL
Since 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 REVIVAL
WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK

151 | Laura Capp of Postscript

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 REVIVALWEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK

76 | David Hernandez and Tereasa Surratt of Camp Wandawega

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