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The best things you can do for local businesses in light of coronavirus

By Becky McCray

Social distancing sign for shoppers in a store

  Monica Bailey of Rock Port, Missouri, sent in this question that I think you can relate to: Thank you ladies, as always, for supporting small towns! My question is super generic but it is giving me sleepless nights. I am our counties economic/community development director and I’ve been scrambling to support our small businesses […]

March 27, 2020 Filed Under: economic development, entrepreneurship, rural, survivors Tagged With: change, community development, coronavirus, COVID19, crisis, economic development, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, isolation, recession, rural, service businesses, shelter in place, small business, stay home, Support

Better entrepreneur training for small towns

By Becky McCray

  Because I’ve been an entrepreneur since junior high school, I’ve been asked to help with all kinds of entrepreneur support over the decades. I’ve taught entrepreneur classes, I’ve been part of day-long entrepreneur events, I’ve taught workshops and I’ve been a mentor in formal and informal ways. And I’ve been thinking lately about what […]

November 4, 2019 Filed Under: economic development, entrepreneurship, rural Tagged With: classes, courses, economic development, entrepreneur, entrepreneur training, entrepreneurship, idea friendly, rural, starting, startup, Support, training

Are small towns destined to die?

By Becky McCray

At a recent event, a fellow small-town resident asked me, “Isn’t small towns dying just part of a natural progression?” I said no. Here’s why. We’ll always need small towns. Small towns combine natural resourcesand supporting businesses. 1. Our security depends on small towns. Our nation needs a secure food supply, reliable production of natural […]

August 13, 2012 Filed Under: Best of, economic development, entrepreneurship, rural Tagged With: Support

How I manage email and stay at inbox zero

By Becky McCray

  Gmail users, head to this article: Using Gmail’s Tabbed Inbox wisely.  Outlook users and others, read on… I manage email a bit differently than many people. I keep my inbox clear, and most of my email automatically sorts itself into easy-to-process groups. That means I spend less time on email every single day. How filters […]

August 8, 2012 Filed Under: Best of, entrepreneurship, organization Tagged With: Support

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Concert-goers talking and enjoying the evening in downtown Webster City, Iowa.

Why do people say there’s nothing to do here then not come to our concerts?

Retailers: Fill all empty space, floor to ceiling

More of the best of Small Biz Survival

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