In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with husband-and-wife duo, Phoebe and Jonathan Carpenter Eells, co-owners of elSage Designs in Mount Vernon, Washington. Phoebe and Jonathan share their journey from teachers and parents to working artists then thriving business owners. 

Key Takeaways: 

Connect: 

Episode Links: 

- Listen on Apple Podcasts 

- Listen on Spotify 

- Subscribe for updates 

Join us next week for more insights into the evolving landscape of Main Street business. 

In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Dale Sexton, owner of the legendary Dan Bailey's Outdoor Co. in Livingston, Montana. Dale shares his journey of taking over the iconic outdoor retail business and navigating the evolving outdoor industry and customer landscape. 

Key Takeaways: 

Connect: 

Episode Links: 

- Watch video interview 

- Listen on Apple Podcasts 

- Listen on Spotify 

- Subscribe for updates 

Join us next week for more insights into the evolving landscape of Main Street business. 

Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Mallory Dabney, owner of Heyday, a home goods store in Bozeman, Montana. In this episode, Mallory shares her journey from moving to Bozeman from California, learning how to work in retail, and eventually becoming the owner of one of her favorite downtown shops.  

In this episode, we dive deep into: 

- Journey to Ownership: Mallory describes the process of acquiring the business through an SBA loan, working closely with the previous owner, and navigating the financial and work-life balance considerations as a new business owner and young mother. 

- Brand Identity & Marketing: Mallory discusses the importance of brand identity and how she thinks of Heyday as a person with a specific personality and voice. This guides their product curation, marketing, and overall customer experience. 

- Balancing In-Store & E-Commerce: They discuss Heyday's successful e-commerce channel, which has seen significant growth, and how Mallory's team manages the inventory, marketing, and sales between the online and in-store channels. 

- Focus on Community: Mallory emphasizes the critical role community plays for Heyday, from hosting local events to partnering with the downtown business association. She sees Heyday as an anchor for the community. 

- Advice for Other Small Business Owners: Mallory provides advice for other small business owners, focusing on cultivating a strong, empowered team, maintaining a positive mindset through challenges, and extending grace to themselves as entrepreneurs. 

Connect: 

• Check out Heyday’s website 

• Follow Heyday on Facebook 

• Follow Heyday on Instagram 

• Follow Heyday on Pinterest 

Episode Links: 

- Watch video interview 

- Listen on Apple Podcasts 

- Listen on Spotify 

- Subscribe for updates 

Join us next week for more insights into the evolving landscape of Main Street business. 

Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Patrick Jackowski and Matt Horne, the duo behind Firehouse Coffee 1881, a thriving coffee shop housed in a firehouse in historic Fort Monroe, a decommissioned military compound located in Hampton, Virginia. Fresh from their appearance as featured panelists at the Virginia Retail Alliance's Retail Matters Summit, these young entrepreneurs are redefining what it means to be business owners in today's rapidly evolving retail landscape. 

In this episode, we dive deep into: 

- Introduction to Patrick and Matt: Discover how two lifelong best friends transformed their childhood bond into a powerful business partnership. Patrick and Matt share candid insights about how their complementary strengths and lifelong friendship created the perfect foundation for their entrepreneurial venture. 

- Gen Z Entrepreneurs: Step into the world of Gen Z entrepreneurship, making up only 8 percent of all business owners – but not for long. Learn why this generation is uniquely positioned to disrupt traditional business models and how their digital-native perspective is reshaping customer experiences. Patrick and Matt offer a fascinating glimpse into how their generation's values and vision are influencing their business decisions. 

- Journey to Ownership: Follow the remarkable story of how these young entrepreneurs' longtime dream of business ownership collided with an unexpected opportunity. Hear about how a historic firehouse-turned-coffee shop caught their attention and how they knew instantly it was their chance to create something special. They share the serendipitous way they decided take the leap and the gut instincts that told them this was their path. 

- Success Stories and Challenges: From forming their business plan to overcoming funding challenges, Patrick and Matt share their innovative solutions to funding obstacles, their strategies for winning over their community, and the valuable lessons they learned about perseverance in the face of doubt. 

Connect: 

• Check out Firehouse Coffee 1881’s website 

• Follow Firehouse Coffee on Facebook 

• Follow Firehouse Coffee on Instagram 

• Subscribe to Firehouse Coffee’s YouTube channel 

• Follow Firehouse Coffee on LinkedIn 

Episode Links: 

- Watch video interview 

- Listen on Apple Podcasts 

- Listen on Spotify 

- Subscribe for updates 

Join us next week for more insights into the evolving landscape of Main Street business. 

In this episode, Matt reveals the data-driven trends that will define the 2024 holiday shopping season—and shows you exactly how to leverage them for your small business. 

You'll discover: 

Fresh Retail Data: Current consumer insights and market analysis to inform your holiday strategy 

5 Game-Changing Shifts: Evidence-based predictions for holiday shopping behavior—and how to adapt your business 

Marketing Playbook: Proven tactics to capture customer attention when it matters most 

Whether you're a seasoned retailer or preparing for your first holiday season, this episode delivers actionable strategies to help your business thrive during retail's most critical period. 

Episode Links: 

- Watch episode video 

- Listen on Apple Podcasts 

- Listen on Spotify 

- Subscribe for updates 

Join us next week for more insights into the evolving landscape of Main Street business. 

Join host Matt Wagner as he welcomes Kaycee McCoy, co-owner and creative lead at Pawsnickety Pets in Norfolk, Virginia. Kaycee and her best friend, Shizuka Benton, launched the all-natural and organic pet supply business in Norfolk at the start of the pandemic, but have used their combined talents – Kaycee's passion for all-things marketing and Shizuka’s penchant for operations and management – to keep the business growing and thriving over the last four years. 

Here’s what we'll cover: 

- Introduction to Kaycee McCoy: Learn about Kaycee’s journey to entrepreneurship and what brought her to owning her own pet supply business – without any experience in the pet industry or retail! 

- Success Stories and Challenges: Hear about obstacles Kaycee and her team have overcome over the years, as well as the wins they’ve had along the way. 

- Marketing & Using New Tools: Kaycee is a whiz at all-things marketing – and a self-proclaimed “marketing alchemist”! Learn about the tools, resources, and strategies she implements with her team to keep their business growing year over year. 

- Owning a Business with a Friend: Kaycee and Shuzuka have been friends over 12 years – and they’re often asked how they can stay friends while also managing a business together. Learn about the ways the friends cultivate a thriving business while keeping their BFF-hood strong. 

- Advice for Other Entrepreneurs: Kaycee shares her advice and insights for other entrepreneurs that own Main Street businesses. Tune in to hear her wisdom! 

Further Reading:  

• Take a look at the Pawsnickety Pets website (designed by Kaycee!) 

• Explore the Downtown Norfolk site 

• Learn about the Virginia Main Street program 

Connect: 

• Follow Pawsnickety Pets on Facebook 

• Tune into Pawsnickety’s YouTube channel 

• Follow Pawsnickety Pets on TikTok 

Episode Links: 

- Watch video interview 

- Listen on Apple Podcasts 

- Listen on Spotify 

- Subscribe for updates 

Join us next week for more insights into the evolving landscape of Main Street business. 

Join host Matt Wagner as he welcomes David West, director of Premier Retail Marketing and based in Adelaide, South Australia. David is a leading expert in commercial district management and a key figure behind Australia’s Main Street movement, as chair of Main Street South Australia. In this inaugural international episode, Matt and David explore the nuances of Main Street revitalization, comparing approaches and challenges faced by small businesses in the U.S. and Australia. 

Here’s what we'll cover: 

- Introduction to David West: Discover David's journey from managing shopping centers to becoming a pivotal player in the Main Street movement in Australia. 

- Main Street Movement in Australia: Learn about the evolution of the Main Street movement, including the pivotal role of Victoria and the establishment of Main Street Australia. 

- Success Stories and Challenges: Hear about the various models of Main Street organizations in South Australia, including their partnerships with local councils and business associations. 

- Marketing and Economic Development: Understand how Main Streets in Australia compete with shopping centers and the importance of effective marketing strategies. 

Further Reading:  

- David West’s Book: Main Street Management: Successful Retail Strategies 

-  Main Street South Australia: Learn more about the initiatives and programs being developed to support Main Streets across Australia. 

Connect: 

- Follow David West on LinkedIn for insights and updates on the Main Street movement in Australia. 

- Stay tuned for more episodes exploring innovative strategies for small business success on Main Street. 

Episode Links: 

- Watch video interview 

- Listen on Apple Podcasts 

- Listen on Spotify 

- Subscribe for updates 

Conclusion: 

This episode is a rich conversation about the interconnectedness of communities, businesses, and local initiatives. Tune in to explore how lessons from South Australia can inform the future of Main Streets everywhere. 

Join us next week for more insights into the evolving landscape of Main Street business. 

In this episode, Matt chats with Tee Rowe, the President and CEO of America’s Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC). The centers offer training, advice, and resources to help small business owners thrive in their communities. 

Tee has dedicated over 30 years to supporting small businesses. He started his journey working with the Committee on Small Business in the House of Representatives and later joined the Small Business Administration (SBA) during the Bush Administration. Now at ASBDC, Tee continues to advocate for small business owners across the country. 

During their conversation, Matt and Tee explore how the changing economy affects small businesses, the importance of understanding new technologies like AI, how national laws impact business owners, and best ways to connect with local SBDCs. 

Further Reading: America’s SBDC | Find Your SBDC | U.S. Small Business Administration | Red Helicopter by James Rhee

In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt interviews Patrice Hull, the owner of Stuff We Wanna Say Custom T-Shirts and Apparel and c2bn / Created to be Noticed, based in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Patrice began her career in corporate health insurance, but after being laid off just before Christmas, she decided to pursue her passion. She bought a heat press and printer, started designing and printing her own t-shirts, and launched her brand, Stuff We Wanna Say. She started small, producing t-shirts at a local co-op, and gradually expanded her offerings to include sunglasses, pants, and more. 

Later, Patrice introduced her second brand, c2bn (Created to be Noticed), focusing on high-quality, multi-functional canvas bags. Her first major client was a shoe store in the Little Five Points neighborhood, and soon she was filling wholesale orders for other local retailers. Her work eventually caught the eye of celebrities like Catherine Zeta-Jones. 

Tune in to hear Patrice share how she built her brands, adapted to grow her business, and the importance of pursuing what you love. 

In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sat down with Mindy Bergstrom, owner of Cooks Emporium, Nook & Nest, Z.W. Mercantile, and The Recipe, all located in downtown Ames, Iowa. 

Mindy’s passion for entrepreneurship at an early age watching her parents run their own business. She started her first business while in college, designing websites for other small business owners. After graduating from college, she landed a project management job at a marketing firm. During this time, she continued to dream and plan to open her own business one day.  

Her opportunity came when she visited her husband Patrick’s hometown and fell in love with The Cooks Emporium, a local kitchen and home goods store. What started as a dream turned into reality in 2018 when Mindy and Patrick took over the store. Since then, they've expanded with three more ventures: Nook & Nest (a home decor shop), Z.W. Mercantile (a zero-waste store), and The Recipe (an event space with cooking classes). 

Tune in to hear Mindy’s insights on entrepreneurship, community engagement, the art of pivoting, and her unique approach to redefining failure.