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A community of small businesses in one shared building

By Becky McCray

Here’s an entrepreneurial idea for any small town. Build “a community of small businesses” like 1440 Main Street in Ferdinand, Indiana. 
via @ahoffman50 on Twitter.

Each business can support the others in promotions, in sharing customers, in splitting expenses. Each entrepreneur can benefit from brainstorming and networking with the others. Everyone can learn something from each other. Of course it won’t work perfectly; nothing does. But I see lots of potential here.

How can you build on this idea?

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About Becky McCray

Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.
  • Zoom Towns: attracting and supporting remote workers in rural small towns - December 10, 2020
  • In an economic crisis, spend your brainpower before your dollars - November 25, 2020
  • Video: How to fill empty car dealership buildings for the holidays - November 6, 2020
  • How has 2020 changed the challenges rural small towns face? Tell us here - October 20, 2020
  • The Idea Friendly Method to surviving a business crisis - October 6, 2020
  • Join me for the Rural Renewal Symposium online Oct 13 - September 26, 2020
  • Cheap placemaking idea: instant murals - September 11, 2020
  • Refilling the rural business pipeline - July 7, 2020
  • Huge vacant buildings: grants to renovate? - June 9, 2020
  • Economic self defense for small towns  - June 7, 2020

April 8, 2010 Filed Under: economic development, entrepreneurship, rural

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Comments

  1. Territory Mom says

    April 8, 2010 at 1:26 pm

    I saw a group of women on the news after Katrina that did something like this in New Orleans. A great idea, but no egos allowed.

  2. Becky McCray says

    April 10, 2010 at 10:27 pm

    No egos allowed. Perfect.

  3. Dolores Hemming says

    January 9, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    Hello Becky. I am on the ballot to join the board of directors of the Groton Business Association in Groton, New York. We almost disolved, because our business community is slowly going downhill, due to the slow economy. We have empty Main St. properties and I am looking at your site for ideas to present for a real positive turnaround in our village. I know of a few entrepreneurs trying to get a foothold of marketability in our area and love the idea to rent a Main St. property and create a space for multiple entrepreneurs to have a visible presence. I’ve only just logged on your site and will continue to check out all of what you have to offer. Thanks so much! – Dolores Hemming

  4. Becky McCray says

    January 9, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    Dolores, thank you so much for sharing a bit about Groton. I hope you’ll continue to share your journey with us!

  5. Emily Schmitt says

    March 30, 2011 at 9:58 pm

    There has been a very successful business “co-op” of sorts in Grinnell, IA. Marketplace on Main opened a year ago and now houses 21 start-up businesses and a few who could no longer afford their own storefront. It has been very successful and one of the businesses just announced they will be moving into their own storefront soon! It’s been a great incubator for entrepreneurs! http://www.facebook.com/MarketplaceOnMain.Grinnell

  6. Becky McCray says

    March 30, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    Emily, that is a terrific example! I hope more small towns will try the idea.

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