Do you think your town is too small to support your business? Think again.
It may be you just lack the vision and the necessary information. Check out this article from the Sirolli Institute: Rural counties persevere despite low population
Lack of a soda machine helped inspire Regina Calderwood to open new businesses for her neighbors in rural AndrewCounty.
Ms. Calderwood owns and operates Gina’s Cafe and Catering and Best Seat In The House, a chair-covering business, under one roof in Cosby, Mo. The Main Street cafe’s first day in business was May 30, with its full menu offered to customers starting June 1. The Best Seat operation has been in business for eight years, and opened in its new location recently.
“I noticed there wasn’t anything here anymore,” she said. “The town didn’t even have a soda machine, which was installed in front of the building right before the restaurant opened.”
The initiative in a town of just 144 residents illustrates how some Northwest Missourians aren’t allowing population declines and a poor economy thwart their ambitions.
Northwest MissouriEnterprise Facilitation helped link her with other small-town restaurant owners, who offered their advice. The nonprofit organization offers free and confidential business coaching in six counties. “Why re-invent the wheel?” Ms. Calderwood asked, referring to the program’s resources.
Facilitator Annette Weeks said the organization’s clients aren’t dismayed by their rural location and economic conditions.
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