Rural Revival

Today on the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Julia Blaine of Strong Arm Baking in Oxford, North Carolina. This is our first interview in North Carolina and it did not disappoint! Julia is sharing how it all started with a wood oven and a side hustle at the farmer’s market and a bread share program, and has since turned into a booming brick and mortar with over 68 employees! We also discuss the power of an email list, a recognizable brand, and creating great small town experiences.

Julia and her husband Thomas are proof that you really don’t have to have it all figured out, you just have to start and take it one step at a time. You’ll love hearing how this business has grown through all the stages and just how innovative and adaptive Julia and Thomas have been as they have sought to best serve their community throughout this growth.

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES

Oxford, North Carolina
strongarmbaking.com

FOLLOW STRONG ARM BAKING:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

SMALL TOWN DREAMER CHALLENGE

For those of you listening who have a dream burning inside of you to start a side hustle or a brick and mortar business like Julia has done, and just listening to this stirs something in your soul, 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!

MORE FROM RURAL REVIVAL

WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK

Today we’re with Kayla White of Promise Manor in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Promise Manor is an historic wedding and event venue that centers around a 160-year-old Southern farmhouse and rich ties to Lynchburg history. As you will learn in today’s interview, entrepreneurship is in Kayla’s blood, and she’s just getting started with everything she is going to bring to Promise Manor. She’s sharing about the heartwarming story behind the name, her connection to the land and saving our family farms for future generations, and the importance of vision. 

You’ll love the story of how all of this has come together with Promise Manor, and if you are looking for a great destination, put this one on the list because this place is absolutely stunning!

Check out more on the blog.

Show notes:
Lynchburg, Tennessee
Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House
Soul Series
Rooted Collection
Allen Farm Adventures Children’s Book
promisemanor.com

FOLLOW PROMISE MANOR:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

FOLLOW SILOS AT PROMISE MANOR:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

Check out the blog for this episode here!

Small Town Success Masterclass Series

On this episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Jaye Wells of True Ranch Collection based out of Tuscon, Arizona. Jaye and his crew are doing some incredible work with historic ranch properties in the west and have most recently created a concept called a pop-up dude ranch. It all started last summer at the historic OTO Ranch in Montana, just north of Yellowstone, and it’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen.

Jaye has also had a career as a preservation architect and his perspective is one you will all appreciate. Now he’s combining his background in preservation architecture and hospitality with ranching, and today he’s sharing why it’s so important to save these places and preserve this authentic lifestyle of dude ranching, all while providing an unforgettable experience in the west.

You’ll be inspired by Jaye’s efforts to save and steward these important pieces of western history and the lifestyle that surrounds them, and you’ll appreciate the perspective he shared on historic preservation. Check out the blog and show notes to see some incredible pictures of the OTO and the Pop Up Ranch experience, go give them a follow, and be sure to book your stay soon if you want to experience this for yourself!

Check out more on the blog.

Show notes:
True Ranch Collection
OTO Ranch
National Forest Service - Montana
Gardiner Community Fund
Circle Bar Guest Ranch
Charles Marion Russell
Tombstone Monument Ranch
Rancho de la Osa
Kay El Bar Guest Ranch
Rillito Park Racetrack
Ranch Preservation Foundation
Presumido Pass

FOLLOW TRUE RANCH COLLECTION:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK

SOCIAL FOR SMALL TOWNS COURSE

Today we’re with Marcy Bergman of Fueled by Faith Coffee and Marcy Bergman Photography in Sumner, Iowa (pop. 2,021). Marcy is sharing about her coffee shop and photography business, which are both side hustles for her, plus her role in helping revive Sumner along with two of her incredible friends, and how their small wins started building a lot of momentum for revival in the community.

You will love everything Marcy is involved with and all of the great things going on in Sumner. And don’t you think we all need a library meeting group of friends in our towns, wouldn’t you agree? Each of these ladies is amazing in their own right and together they are a power team!

All week long we will be featuring businesses in Sumner on our blog, so be sure to check out our socials and website each day for new inspiration (links are below).

As we mentioned in the interview, the Farm Dinner and What Could Be Tour have been big wins for the group in Sumner in gaining momentum for their town. Rural Revival offers kits for both of these events to help you with every part of your planning including guides, templates, and tips to set you up for success and get a big win in your community.

Check out more on the blog.

Show notes:
Sumner, Iowa
Fredericksburg, Iowa
Northeast Security Bank
Camp Climb
Coffee School of Texas
What Could Be Tour
Farm Dinner Event Kit
Barnstorm Coffee, Episode 79
Small Town Dreamer Challenge
Iowa Economic Development Authority
Makers Market
Grain & Thread
Twisted Sisters
Wood & Rust
Instagram: @fueledbyfaithcoffee
Facebook: /fueledbyfaithcoffee
marcybergmanphotography.com
Instagram: @mbergman25
Facebook: /marcybergmanphotography
Facebook: /excelaratingsumner

Today we’re with Shanda Mattix of Barnwood & Bling and M Arrow Ranch in Colby, Kansas. Shanda and her husband Caleb are building - and living in - a legacy of agriculture. From her role as the Equine Program Director and Equestrian Team Head Coach at Colby Community College, to turning a creative outlet into a western home decor and fashion business, to selling their meat locally, we are covering it all. And you will find a common theme throughout this conversation: the heart behind everything Shanda and Caleb are involved in is to intentionally serve a need in their community, and that’s pretty special.

Shanda is one of the most involved people I know and I love how she and her family are immersed in ag and are maximizing their opportunities on their land. I got to witness this firsthand in the few days I had the opportunity to spend in Colby. Colby has a lot to offer, and if you’re looking for a fun girls shopping trip down a historic small town Main Street, or are looking for a great place to stop when you’re headed west to the mountains, you’ll want to make Colby part of your plans.

Check out more on the blog.

Show notes:
KState
Sigma Alpha
AGR / Alpha Gamma Rho
Cheyenne County, Kansas
Sheridan County, Kansas
Colby Community College
Draper Family Commercial Cattle
M Arrow Ranch
Kansas Farm Bureau - Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee
Farm Bureau Family of the Year
Prairie Barn Market
Colby Museum and Historical Society
Foster Farms
Colby, Kansas
Instagram: @barnwoodandbling
Facebook: /barnwoodandbling
Instagram: @cmportablewelding

We are back for season five of the podcast and we have an incredible interview to kick off the year with Josh Smith of Montana Knife Company and Josh Smith Knives in Frenchtown, Montana (pop. 1,741). Josh started making knives at age 11 and went on to become the youngest Journeyman Smith and youngest Master Smith. Fast forward to two years ago and a meeting with country artist Thomas Rhett where he got the push he needed to quit his job and go all in with this business, and from there it exploded practically overnight. He’s sharing how he organically grew the company, why American made matters, what sets MKC apart as a knife company, and so much more.

Everything Josh does is done with excellence and his company and everything it stands for is so impressive. This was a business 20+ years in the making, and Josh persevered and kept going and kept building this until the timing was right to go all in. And then, when he did, everything fell into place.

Be sure to check out the show notes and follow Josh and Montana Knife Company on socials so you can keep up with the latest blade drops and other info!

Check out more on the blog.

Show notes:
Frenchtown, Montana
Lincoln, Montana
Winterstrong
Thomas Rhett
Big Sky
Total Archery Challenge
Black Rifle Coffee
Instagram: @montanaknifecompany
Facebook: /MontanaKnifeCo
montanaknifecompany.com
Instagram: @joshsmithknives
joshsmithknives.com
Podcast - The Josh Smith Show

On today’s episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Dallas Rosenow of Underestimated Fitness in Cherokee, Oklahoma (pop. 1,630). Dallas is a personal trainer and certified NASM/CPT life coach. While her business is based out of rural Oklahoma, she serves clients all over the country and helps them create not only a healthy body, but a healthy lifestyle.

Dallas is sharing about her own personal health and fitness journey and how that passion turned into a business. She’s also sharing some great fitness and diet tips to help you start out the new year right.

You’ll love the story behind Dallas’s business and her heart to serve her clients. Scroll down for some great before and after pictures of her clients, and be sure to check the show notes for ways to contact Dallas if you’re interested in working with her. It’s a great way to start the new year with some accountability in your fitness and health!

Check out more on the blog.

Show notes:
Dallas on Facebook
Underestimated Fitness Amazon Shop

On today’s episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Marissa Molland of Hardly General and Melissa Nelson of Hungry Canyon to talk about the Rural Route Ramble they put on in Moville, Iowa (pop. 1,687) and the surrounding area every December. The Rural Route Ramble is a curated, self guided shop hop through some of Northwest Iowa’s rural communities.

They’re talking about how they provide a well-rounded shopping experience with food, shopping, coffee, and a little bit of something for everybody. They’re also taking us through their application process and how you can come be a part, too.

You’ll love these ladies and all of their creative ideas to draw people to our small town main streets and businesses, and it’s so great to see how this is taking off for them. This year is going to be a fun event! If you’re anywhere in the area the first week of December, we hope you can make plans to come be a part!

Check out more on the blog.

Show notes:
Moville, Iowa
Hardly General
Hungry Canyon
Redneck Limo
Instagram: @ruralrouteramble
Facebook: /ruralrouteramble
Meet Me on Main Street

Today we’re with Mike McCartney, director of the Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce for a second time. We’re talking about all things economic development, starting with the revitalization efforts that helped pave the way for the Pioneer Woman Mercantile and the tourism rush that followed, plus business incubators, people moving in from out of state, finding workers and housing to accommodate growth, and what happens when everybody says ‘somebody should do that’… and how that somebody is you.

You will learn so much from this conversation, and you’ll love that Mike is living his dream, as well as his passion to continue to push the vision forward in Pawhuska. If you find yourself in Pawhuska, stop by the Chamber and say hi to Mike and Reba! They’ll be glad to welcome you to town!

If this conversation gets you excited, you should seriously consider joining our Cultivate community. Inside the group we have conversations a lot like this one! Cultivate provides the community, tools, resources, action steps, and network you need to take your revitalization efforts to the next level and keep gaining momentum.

There are lots of perks for joining this group, and I’ll just let you know, this is where I share my best ideas! For the month of September you can come join our Cultivate community for FREE to see what it’s all about. Find all the details at ruralrevival.co/cultivate, and use code CULTIVATEFREE (all one word) for your free access. I hope to see you in the group!

Check out more on the blog.

Show notes:
Pawhuska, Oklahoma
The Pioneer Woman
Wynona, Oklahoma
Osage Outfitters
Killers of the Flower Moon
Kendrick McCartney Johnson Funeral Home
Pawhuska movie facade makeover

On this episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Kara Hammes of Brown County Barn Burner in Nashville, Indiana (pop. 1,521). Kara is sharing about opening an Airbnb in a tourist destination and strategically building a space that serves both the tourist and the local community. She and her husband are doing a great job of blending the two and finding something that serves both. Kara also talks about some of the collaborations she’s done with local businesses, as well as leading the local farmer’s market.

And speaking of that, Kara gave a phenomenal presentation to our Cultivate group about how to put on a farmer’s market, and for the month of September you can come join our Cultivate community for FREE to see what it’s all about.

If you’re ready to take your revitalization efforts to the next level, this is exactly why we created our Cultivate coaching group — to empower you with the community, tools, resources, action steps, and network you need to put revival into action and keep gaining momentum!

Find all the details at ruralrevival.co/cultivate, and use code CULTIVATEFREE (all one word) for your free access. We hope to see you in the group! And while you’re there, be sure to find Kara’s presentation. Kara has been a Cultivate member from the beginning and we’re excited for you to hear her story.

You’ll love Kara’s strategic approach to the Airbnb with the event space and store fronts and commercial kitchen, and how they found a way to work within their town ordinances to make this happen. It’s a very innovative approach and a great example for us to learn from.

Check out more on the blog.

Show notes:
Brown County, Indiana
Nashville, Indiana
Brown County Bikes
Trail & Vine
Nashville, Indiana Farmers Market
Brown County Barn Burner
Instagram: @bcbarnburner
Facebook: /bcbarnburner