On today’s episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Dakota Dawn Johnson, host of the Cowgirl Confessions podcast, in Mound City, Kansas (pop. 647). Dakota is a ranch wife, podcast host, and successful saleswoman and is sharing with us about her wonderfully wild and western life, as she likes to call it.

We’ve got a fun new shopping destination for you! Ashland, Nebraksa is conveniently positioned between Omaha and Lincoln, right off of Interstate 80 — and also happens to be halfway between Denver, Colorado and Chicago, Illinois. This small town is brimming with amazing shops, restaurants, and more!

Meet Laura Capp of Postscript, a stationery shop in Ashland, Nebraska (pop. 3,191). Laura’s sharing how the journey of becoming an English professor turned into an entrepreneurial journey that brought her back to her hometown. We talk about why she chose a small town over the nearby city, learning how to market a new business in a small town, the importance of an email list and good photography, and more!

Today we’re bringing you a very special episode of the Rural Revival podcast. This just so happens to be our 150th episode, and I felt like that was worth celebrating, so I asked my dear friend and Rural Revival travel buddy Joni Nash if she would interview me and talk about what all has transpired since this first started. So grab a cup of coffee and sit down and enjoy this special 150th episode with Joni and me.

I’m glad I’m able to provide the jobs I do and I’m very thankful for my loyal employees that are key to running this business. In a time where it’s harder to have a grocery store in a small town, I have so many loyal customers both in Highmore and the surrounding towns that have helped us through the tougher times. It’s an honor to serve this community!

With the convenience of reliable internet at our customers fingertips, we are witnessing a transformative shift in the way people can work and connect with the world. Thanks to this technological advancement, many of our customers residing in rural communities have been able to effortlessly work from the comfort of their own homes, accessing job opportunities that were once only available in larger cities.

I would like to welcome you to Highmore, South Dakota — my hometown, population 682, but with a county wide population of 1,262. With over 70 businesses, Highmore has a lot to offer. We are a small town and county but do big things!

On this episode we’re with Beth Simonson of Highmore, South Dakota (pop. 682), where she and her husband John are owners of a historic home now known as Hydeout Bed & Breakfast. Beth is sharing about the importance of getting involved in the community and how she, as an introvert, decided to step out and do just that!

On today’s episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Libby Timmerman of Heart and Sole Dance and Performing Arts Studio in Cherokee, Iowa (pop. 5,099). Libby’s sharing how she unexpectedly became a dance studio owner at the age of 14, and how she’s now creating opportunities for others to be part of the studio and stay in their hometown — just like she did!

The Swedish Heritage & Cultural Center celebrates Stanton’s rich Swedish heritage both past and present. Come explore all this museum has to offer!

FMTC is working to bring economic opportunities to these four counties and our regional community in southwest Iowa with access to a world class ultra-fast, reliable broadband fiber optic network. We are a community partner for all the towns and residents in our service areas because we live and work in the area...just like the customers we serve. When you can work from anywhere because your Internet is the best in the world you can choose to have the way of life that you want to have.

While at the bank, I noticed a need for Ag Appraisers in the area. I eventually made the scary decision to quit my banking career to pursue a more independent and growing career in Ag Real Estate selling/appraising/managing. My wife, Susan, and I decided to purchase an office space in Stanton to have a "home base" for me to work from. We chose Stanton because it was where our kids went to daycare/school and it is a very progressive and supportive community.

When we walked into that run down building that day I had joked about cleaning up the building and making it a space for a studio. Boy, did that joke grow into ideas! I sat down and started hand drawing some sketches of how I would want my dream studio to look. Slowly over the next three years we worked on demoing the stuff from the old meat locker in our free time.

We started our business in rural Wyoming and sold firearms and ammo part time up until we moved to Iowa in the spring of 2023. We moved here to be close to friends and be part of a small community. We purchased a building in April and began remodeling and were able to open our doors at the beginning of June.

Stanton, Iowa may be small (population less than 700), but it is rich in history, family values, and adventure — and loves celebrating its Swedish heritage! Read more as we kick off our week-long feature of the success stories happening in Stanton.

On today’s episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Stanton Community Development Director Jenna Ramsey, and FMTC General Manager and CEO Kevin Cabbage, both from Stanton, Iowa (pop. 678). This partnership has allowed them to receive over $5 million in grants in five years — and their Main Street is thriving.

On this episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Steffany Bettin of The Blue Jay Boutique in Danbury, Iowa (pop. 320). Steffany’s sharing how she turned an old barbershop in her hometown into a boutique to offer what she calls ‘girl next door’ clothes. You’re going to love her story!

On today’s episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Melissa Lyons of Melissa Lyons Art in Beaufort, South Carolina (pop. 12,960). Melissa was a military wife trying to make more money for her family when she started painting, and now 11 years later her art has landed her in places like Hobby Lobby and Target, and she’s hosting creative weekends to help teach others everything she knows.

On today’s episode we’re with Grant and Jane Golliher of Diamond Cross Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Grant and Jane are sharing how they’re continuing on the legacy of one of the last remaining historic ranches in Teton County through what they call ‘creative agriculture.’

This summer I was able to take a trip out west, this time to experience the Pop Up Ranch at the O.T.O. — Montana’s first dude ranch. I was so inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of the O.T.O. and how it’s being brought back, after many years of being dormant.