Rural Revival

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 Podcast

FOLLOW DAKOTA:
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, we’d love to help you build a brand you love. You can find out more at brandedbyruralrevival.co/design.

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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 Press

FOLLOW POSTSCRIPT:
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

BRANDED 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!

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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 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!

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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 Dakota
Marketing Hometown America
Pioneer Woman Magazine - 25 Best Sunflower Fields Across the U.S.
Dignity Sculpture
Faulkton Grain Elevator Mural
Dakota Players
Hyde County Parks and Recreation

FOLLOW HYDEOUT BED & BREAKFAST:
FACEBOOK | WEBSITE

BRANDED 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!

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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, Iowa

FOLLOW HEART AND SOLE DANCE AND PERFORMING ARTS STUDIO:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | LIBBY FACEBOOK

BRANDED 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!

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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 NOTES
FMTC
Swedish Heritage & Cultural Center
Old Lumberyard Event Center
CDBG Downtown Facade Grant
SWIPCO
Community Catalyst Grant
Gibbs Chophouse
Stanton Child Resource Center
Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Task Force
Iowa Rural Development Council
Rural Ideas Network
Viking Lake State Park
Iowa Thriving Community Designation
Fika Coffee + Bake Shoppe
Stanton Friends

FOLLOW STANTON
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK

NOW 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!

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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 NOTES
Siouxland’s Best Boutique online voting
Rural Route Ramble
Katie & Co.

FOLLOW THE BLUE JAY BOUTIQUE
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE | APP

HOLIDAY MASTERCLASS SESSION
I 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.

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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 Carolina

FOLLOW MELISSA LYONS ART:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

BRANDED 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!

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On today’s episode we’re with Grant and Jane Golliher of Diamond Cross Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming (pop. 10,849). Grant and Jane are sharing how they’re continuing on the legacy of one of the last remaining historic ranches in Teton County through what they call ‘creative agriculture.’ By taking risks and following dreams, they’ve brought corporate events, weddings, photo shoots, merch, and more to the ranch, bringing guests an unforgettable experience AND breathtaking views of the Grand Tetons. 

You’ll love hearing from this incredible couple and incredible family, and to see how they are using creative agriculture here at the ranch is amazing. And if you can find a way to come experience Diamond Cross Ranch, do it! You will not be disappointed!

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Moran, Wyoming
Dubios, Wyoming
Think Like a Horse
Teton Cabins

FOLLOW DIAMOND CROSS RANCH:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

BRANDED 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!

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Today we’re with Katie Adams of Stuart Flowers & Gifts in Stuart, Iowa (pop. 1,782). Katie’s floral experience comes from an ag class in high school, but her journey took her from being a teacher to 4-H to corporate America before it came full circle as a full time career. Katie’s sharing about what it looks like to transition a long-time business to a new owner, how she’s bringing out her creative side, what success looks like to her, and what we can all do to help out local brick and mortar flower shops. So here we go with Katie Adams.

You’ll love how all the dots connected to get Katie to where she is today. And it leaves me with question for you, and it’s the same one Katie asked herself in this interview: what would you do if you could not fail? And I really encourage you to think about that and actually write down your answer somewhere. And if you need someone to share that with, you can always write it down in a DM me. I love hearing your dreams and cheering you on as you go after them. 

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES
Stuart, Iowa
Doe A Deer
Maven Blush Boutique
The Stuart Scoop
Bonnie & Clyde Bank
Ruthie’s Parlor
Ruby’s Pub & Grill
Johnny’s Tap
Stuart Iowa Home Town
Ken Coleman podcast - 
Good Egg Days

FOLLOW STUART FLOWERS & GIFTS:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

SMALL TOWN DREAMER CHALLENGE

For those of you listening to Katie’s story and that stirred something inside of you, that thing you would do if you could not fail, I believe those dreams are in our heart for a reason. I’ve created the Small Town Dreamer Discovery Course to help you explore those dreams a little more and see if they can actually become a reality for you! Go to ruralrevival.co/dreamercourse for more info. A year (or even a month) from now, you’ll be so glad you did!

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