The Small Nation Podcast

In Episode 111 of The Small Nation Podcast, Jason Duff welcomes back Karen Kerrigan, President and CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, for another conversation about the opportunities and challenges facing America's small business owners.

Drawing on the Council's latest small business research and her years of advocating for entrepreneurs in Washington, Karen shares an encouraging picture of small business resilience while addressing the issues that continue to challenge business owners: rising costs, access to capital, healthcare, workforce shortages, tariffs, and regulatory uncertainty.

The conversation also explores how recent tax policy changes could help businesses reinvest and grow, why AI may be one of the greatest equalizers for small businesses, and why entrepreneurs need a seat at the table when lawmakers make decisions that affect Main Street.

Links from the Episode:

The Small Nation Podcast Episode 108 Featuring Brad Zaun

The Small Nation Podcast Episode 45 Featuring Karen Kerrigan

Guest Links:

SBE Council WebsiteKaren Kerrigan LinkedIn

Small Nation:

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#SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessPolicy #ArtificialIntelligence #SmallNationPodcast

In Episode 110 of The Small Nation Podcast, Jason Duff sits down with Nathan and Erika Davis, founders of Nate’s Nectar, an Ohio-grown honey business that started with just four beehives and grew into a distinctive product brand with retail distribution and appearances on QVC.

Nathan and Erika share how a passion for beekeeping evolved into a family business—and the lessons they learned along the way about product development, branding, entrepreneurship, and growing strategically.

From experimenting with new honey products to making the leap from farmers markets into grocery stores, their story offers practical advice for small business owners who want to stand out, find customers, and grow sustainably.

Nate’s Nectar’s journey is a reminder that growing a successful business takes more than a great product.

It takes listening to customers, being willing to put yourself out there, and finding the right opportunities to share your story.

Whether you’re launching a product, growing a family business, or working to strengthen your local economy, this conversation offers insights you can put to work.

Guest Links:

Nate's Nectar

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#SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #OhioMade #SmallNationPodcast #FamilyBusiness

In this episode of The Small Nation Podcast, Jason Duff sits down with entrepreneur, content creator, and marketer Ethan Dewhurst to unpack the power of storytelling, social media, and content creation for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Ethan's entrepreneurial journey has taken him from helping Springfield, Ohio tell its story through Champion City Media to building businesses like Vohnt, creating the rapidly growing DewBricks LEGO channel, launching Dewz Crew, and helping businesses and communities use content to reach new audiences.

Throughout the conversation, Ethan shares practical lessons on how entrepreneurs can use content to build awareness, create social proof, reach customers, and ultimately generate revenue.

Guest Links:

Champion City Media

VohntDew Bricks

Dewz Crew⁠

Ethan Dewhurst

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Small Nation:

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#SmallNationPodcast #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #ContentCreation #SocialMediaMarketing #Ohio #BellefontaineOhio #RuralAmerica #BusinessDevelopment #EntrepreneurialCommunities #CommunityRevitalization #SmallBusinessDevelopment

Jason Duff is joined by Terry Bolden, Andrew Coffield, and Brad Zaun for a conversation about entrepreneurship, small-business resources, community revitalization, disaster recovery, and what it takes to build entrepreneurial communities.

Recorded during a visit to Bellefontaine, Ohio, the conversation explores what the guests saw firsthand in a community where entrepreneurs, local leaders, property owners, and organizations have worked together to create momentum.

The discussion also provides practical insight into the resources available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), including where entrepreneurs can go for help, how SBA resources can support businesses during times of disaster, and why simply knowing who to call can make a major difference.

The guests also discuss leadership, the realities of running a small business, government contracting, books for entrepreneurs, and the importance of building relationships and asking for help.

Strong businesses help create strong communities, and strong communities create environments where entrepreneurs can succeed.

Subscribe to The Small Nation Podcast for more conversations about entrepreneurship, economic development, downtown revitalization, community leadership, and the people creating thriving small towns across America.

Disclaimer: Any reference obtained from this podcast to a specific product, process, or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by SBA or the United States Government of the product, process, service, or its producer or provider. The views and opinions expressed by those other than United States Government personnel do not necessarily state or reflect those of SBA or the United States Government.

Guest Links:⁠

Small Business Administration

SBA Office of Advocacy

Terry Bolden

LinkedIn

Andrew Coffield

LinkedIn

Brad Zaun

LinkedIn

Small Nation:

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What separates a property owner from a neighborhood developer?In Episode 107 of The Small Nation Podcast, Jason Duff sits down with Andy Warnock, Founder and CEO of Westwood Collective, to explore what it really takes to transform historic downtowns into thriving destinations.Drawing from more than 20 years in commercial real estate and community development, Andy shares the lessons he's learned revitalizing downtowns in Hilliard, Plain City, London, and Delaware, Ohio. From finding the right tenant mix and supporting local entrepreneurs to creating walkable destinations and embracing public-private partnerships, this conversation is packed with practical advice for anyone passionate about building stronger communities.Whether you're a real estate developer, entrepreneur, mayor, chamber leader, business owner, or simply someone who cares about your hometown, you'll find actionable ideas you can apply in your own community.Andy also shares stories from two decades in commercial real estate—including the mistakes, setbacks, and victories that shaped his approach to development—and explains why the best projects aren't always the most profitable.If you're interested in downtown revitalization, Main Street development, entrepreneurship, placemaking, commercial real estate, or rural economic development, this episode is full of practical insights from someone helping shape communities across Ohio.Subscribe to The Small Nation Podcast for more conversations with entrepreneurs, developers, business leaders, and community builders creating thriving small towns across America.

Guest Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Westwood Collective

Andy Warnock:

LinkedIn

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#SmallNationPodcast #Honda #Ohio #EconomicDevelopment #Manufacturing #CommunityDevelopment #SmallTowns #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #WorkforceDevelopment #RuralAmerica #Innovation #DowntownRevitalization #MadeInAmerica #Placemaking

Why did Honda choose rural Ohio over every other location in North America—and why has it continued investing here for more than 40 years?

In this episode of The Small Nation Podcast, Jason Duff sits down with Jeff Reed, Community & Government Relations Director at Honda, to explore one of the most influential economic development stories in Ohio's history.

What began with a motorcycle plant in Marysville grew into an innovation ecosystem that now supports more than 15,000 Honda associates in Ohio and contributes to over 100,000 jobs throughout the state. Jeff shares the remarkable story of Honda's first investment, why people—not incentives—were the deciding factor, and how partnerships between business, education, and local communities continue to drive growth today.

Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, mayor, chamber leader, economic developer, student, or simply passionate about the future of rural America, this conversation offers valuable leadership lessons on building strong communities and attracting long-term investment.

This episode is about much more than automobiles. It's about people, partnerships, entrepreneurship, and how visionary leadership can transform an entire region for generations.

If you care about economic development, downtown revitalization, manufacturing, workforce development, entrepreneurship, community leadership, or the future of small-town America, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Subscribe to The Small Nation Podcast for conversations with entrepreneurs, community builders, business leaders, and innovators who are creating thriving places across America.

Guest Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Top 10 of Cars.com 2026 American-Made Index

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What separates thriving small towns from communities that struggle to move forward?In this episode of The Small Nation Podcast, Jason Duff sits down with Sarah Stephens Krupp and Renee Smith, co-founders of Thrive Community Partners, to uncover the strategies that help rural communities secure grant funding, revitalize downtowns, support entrepreneurs, and build long-term economic momentum.Drawing from their success transforming Fostoria, Ohio—and now helping communities across the Midwest—they share practical lessons on community leadership, public-private partnerships, entrepreneurship, grant writing, capacity building, and sustainable economic development.Whether you're a mayor, chamber director, nonprofit leader, economic developer, elected official, or simply passionate about your hometown, this conversation is packed with actionable insights you can apply in your own community.If you're looking for practical ideas to strengthen your community, attract investment, support local businesses, and create lasting economic impact, this episode is a must-listen.Guest Links:⁠⁠⁠

⁠Thrive Community Partners

Sarah Stephens Krupp: ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

LinkedIn

Renee Smith:Facebook⁠⁠

LinkedIn

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This is episode 104 of The Small Nation Podcast! This podcast is created for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, economic development, and small-town success. In this episode, Mayor Christina Muryn unpacks what makes Findlay, Ohio, special and how Findlay is impacting other communities internationally. She shares insights on collaboration, combating negativity, future development, and more.

Guest Links:⁠

Findlay, OH Website

Findlay, OH Facebook

Findlay, OH Instagram

Mayor Christina Muryn: ⁠⁠

Facebook⁠⁠

LinkedIn

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This is episode 103 of The Small Nation Podcast! This podcast is created for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, economic development, and small-town success. Luciano Gomes is the owner of Legado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in downtown Bellefontaine, Ohio. Listen as Lu shares why a healthy community is so important and how he uses his business to make a difference in the lives of his students.

Guest Links:

Legado Brazilian Jiu-JitsuLegado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu FacebookLegado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instagram

Luciano Gomes:⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

Small Nation:

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This is episode 102 of The Small Nation Podcast! This podcast is created for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, economic development, and small town success. Katie Neason is a rockstar, small town developer from Bryan, Texas. She came to visit Small Nation in Bellefontaine, Ohio to discuss the power of redevelopment in small markets.

Guest Links:

Katie Neason Website

Katie Neason

⁠Facebook⁠

Instagram

LinkedIn

Small Nation:

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