Rural Revival

On today's episode we're with Jordan Classen of Classen Land & Cattle and Classen Mercantile out of Albion, Nebraska (pop. 1,703), and we're talking all about what it takes to start and grow a beef business from the ground up.

Jordan and her husband Travis are building their dream together and bringing their vision for their farm and business to life — which started with three head of cattle — and now has their beef finding its way to tables around the country and in their local schools. Jordan has worked hard to incorporate an entirely local beef program in those schools! She also talks about how she's betting on herself, the importance of farmers’ markets and why we need to support them, and how she's using this business to impact consumers. 

And here's something fun, we actually got to help build the Classen Mercantile website when Jordan attended one of our Brand Camp events a few years back. If you're in need of a website or other branding, we want to help. Branded by Rural Revival is our rural design studio where we are helping small business owners and small towns with websites, design, marketing assets, brand kits, and more. Our #1 goal is to help provide the tools you need to succeed as a small business owner or small town — and help you build a brand that you love. If you want to learn more or check out some of our latest work, go to brandedbyruralrevival.co.

You’ll love Jordan's heart for agriculture and all the amazing things she’s doing with this business! And as we start to think about the Christmas season, which will be here before we know it, Classen Mercantile is now taking prime rib orders and will be shipping as soon as they get their restock in around November 15! They will also be offering jerky and beef sticks this Christmas. If you're local to Albion area, you can stop by their beef store on the first Saturday of the month from 10-2 or also by appointment.

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES
Albion, Nebraska
Humphrey, Nebraska
Bellevue Farmers’ Market
Sunday Farmers’ Market
Local Foods for Local Schools

FOLLOW CLASSEN MERCANTILE:
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
WEBSITE

BRANDED BY RURAL REVIVAL
Here's something fun - we actually got to help build the Classen Mercantile website when Jordan attended one of our Brand Camp events a few years back. If you're in need of a website or other branding, we want to help. Branded by Rural Revival is our rural design studio where we are helping small business owners and small towns with websites, design, marketing assets, brand kits, and more. Our #1 goal is to help provide the tools you need to succeed as a small business owner or small town — and help you build a brand that you love. If you want to learn more or check out some of our latest work, go to brandedbyruralrevival.co.

MORE FROM RURAL REVIVAL
WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK

On today's episode, photographer Stacy Preston is showing us how a creative business IS possible in a small town.

Based out of Lynchburg, Tennessee (pop. 6,742), Stacy is sharing her love for photography as a way to preserve history, and how she has turned a lifelong hobby and dream into a profitable business. We're talking about how she found her style, combining creativity and business, and how her family has inspired her mission. You’ll love the heart behind Stacy's business and her take on photography!

If you're thinking about getting started as a small town photographer, there's a link to some of Stacy's favorite gear in our show notes, so be sure to go check that out and give her a follow!

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES
Lynchburg, Tennessee

FOLLOW STACY PRESTON PHOTOGRAPHY
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
WEBSITE

BRANDED BY RURAL REVIVAL
Do you love your branding? Like really love it? If you love your business, but are not in love with your branding, we want to help change that for you. Branded by Rural Revival is our rural design studio where we are helping small business owners and small towns with websites, design, marketing assets, brand kits, and more. Our #1 goal is to help provide the tools you need to succeed in the best way possible as a small business owner or small town — so you can finally have a brand that you love. If you want to learn more about how we can help you, or check out some of our latest work, go to brandedbyruralrevival.co.

MORE FROM RURAL REVIVAL
WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK

Today on the podcast we're with Taylor Borkowski of The Cottage in Denison, Iowa (pop. 8,172). Taylor and her mom bought out an existing business in January 2020, only to shut down six days after their open house celebration due to covid.

It's been a wild ride, and Taylor's sharing how they overcame the covid challenges, brought a massive change to their product line, filled a gap in the community, and recently moved locations.

She also talks about her involvement with the community, which includes hosting community events that incorporate a diverse population, and you'll see why she was voted Volunteer of the Year!

If you live near western Iowa, you’ll want to put these upcoming events on your calendar:

Fall Frenzy — October 9, 4-8 pm

Christmas at The Cottage — October 28 (private ticketed event)

Holiday Open House — November 14-17

Recipe Walk — November 17, 1-4 pm

Taylor also used our Farm Dinner Event Kit for their recent farm to table celebration. If you're thinking about bringing a farm to table dinner to your community, this is a great resource for you!

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES
Denison, Iowa
Hot Summer Nights
Women in Business Impact Organization
Farm-to-Table Event Kit
Van Houten Acres
Chamber & Development Council of Crawford County

FOLLOW THE COTTAGE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
WEBSITE

BRANDED BY RURAL REVIVAL
Did 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 over three 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 REVIVAL
WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK

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 NOTES
Burwell, Nebraska
Arcadia, Nebraska
Theory Coffee Tech
Normal Wholesale Collective

FOLLOW NORMAL ROASTING COMPANY
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
WEBSITE

BRANDED BY RURAL REVIVAL
Did 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 REVIVAL
WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK

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 NOTES
Anselmo, Nebraska
Broken Bow, Nebraska
Callaway, Nebraska
Nebraska Arts Council
Sandhills National Scenic Byway

FOLLOW THE MARKET & MILL
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
WEBSITE

BRANDED BY RURAL REVIVAL
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. Find out more and check out our latest work at brandedbyruralrevival.co.

MORE FROM RURAL REVIVAL
WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK

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, Iowa
Pete Franks - Franks Design Group
Kevin Conway - Westbrook Construction
Chirp
Jefferson Matters

FOLLOW WHY NOT US:
FACEBOOK

FOLLOW THE CENTENNIAL:
FACEBOOK

BRANDED 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, 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 REVIVAL
WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK

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, Kansas
Republic County Economic Development
Courtland Fermentation Club
Courtland Fun Day
Soul Sisters
Courtland Town Feature

FOLLOW IRRIGATION ALES:
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

BRANDED 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, 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 REVIVAL
WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK

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, Kansas
Medicine Lodge, Kansas
Oberlin, Kansas
GN Bank
Clay Center Rotary Club
Clay Center Community Improvement Foundation
Clay Center Zoo
Clay County, Kansas
Kansas Creative Arts and Industries Commission
Live Rural Survey
Grow Clay County
Hiawatha, Kansas
Holton, Kansas
Harper, Kansas

FOLLOW A MURAL MOVEMENT OF CLAY CENTER:
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE

BRANDED 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
WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK

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 Right

RAISED 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 successful

Offer amenities important to this demographic (coffee shop, brewery, gym, housing, etc.)

Better understand the needs and wants of the next generation

Sign 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
WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK

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 | FACEBOOK

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
WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK