This week on the podcast we’re talking with Lindsy Trotter of Chilled in Center Point, Iowa (pop. 2,421). Chilled provides freezer meals and menu planning with options for paleo, keto, whole 30, gluten free, vegetarian, and more.

I graduated college with my first studio waiting on Main Street for me at home. I moved through a few Main Street buildings and lofts before settling into what I believe will be Capture’s forever home — my biggest dream of my career.

In 2008, I knew immediately when we moved back to my husband’s hometown community that I wanted to be a part of the Main Street community spirit. I wasn’t sure how or what it would one day look like, but I could no longer ignore it.

In May 2017, I went from a stay-at-home mom of three to a self-taught bakery owner. That is when my husband and I purchased The Miller’s Daughters Bakery, which had been closed for a year. We opened in June 2017 as Sweet Pea’s Bakery!

This week we’re in Seneca, Kansas (pop. 1,991) with Liz Feldkamp of Liz’s Bridal. Liz’s business all started with her buying a building in downtown Seneca, and how it unexpectedly led to her finding her passion.

This week on the podcast we’re in Wakefield, Nebraska (pop. 1,451) with Hannah Borg, a sixth generation farmer who decided to come home to the family farm after college to make her own path — raising poultry.

This week on the podcast we’re in Choctaw, Oklahoma (pop. 11,146) with Matt Floyd of Matt’s Bat, where he makes handcrafted custom wood bats. They even have a ball diamond in the back yard!

Our current situation has reminded us all just how vital our local businesses are to our communities. These are the businesses who have done countless great things for all of us over the years, and now more than ever it’s time to return the favor and show our support.

Looking for a good read to get you through the #coronapocalypse? I’m always up for a good story of adventure and grit. Here are a few of my favorites (and I will continue to add more). Enjoy!

This week on the podcast we’re in Ainsworth, Nebraska with Haley Miles of Sandhills Blue. Haley is a small town love wedding photographer serving rural and ranch couples, with a heart for entrepreneurship and a passion for creating opportunity in small towns.

This week on the podcast we’re with Keith and Sandi Mitcham of Mitcham Livestock. Keith and Sandi decided to move across the country with a few cattle and their life savings to go all in on reviving this feedlot that had a great past but needed a little love.

I get asked all the time, what does it take to start reviving a small town? I can honestly say there are two key ingredients I see over and over in rural communities that are thriving: vision and momentum. So, what are some ways to create momentum?

For this week’s podcast episode we met up with Tess Maune in Pawhuska. Tess is an avid hunter, noodler, and outdoorswoman, as well as an award winning journalist and founding board director for the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation.

This week on the podcast we’re in Brookville, Kansas (pop. 262) with Ryley Wimer of Savannah Sevens, an online western boutique that mixes mainstream fashion with rodeo and western style. Ryley’s sharing about her journey from a degree in construction management to creating an online boutique.

This week we’re in Enid, Oklahoma with Kent and Becky Evatt of Red Bird Farm, a working Christmas tree and blackberry farm that also hosts seasonal events and workshops, a petting zoo, and offers fresh produce and apparel.

This week on the podcast we’re in Virden, Illinois (pop. 3,354) with Katie Dowson of Seed Life, a lifestyle brand and one stop shop for all things seed. Katie’s sharing all about how she’s built this business and carved her own unique spot in the ag world.

In our fast-paced world, there’s something special about slowing down and recording your travels in a journal. Plus, time can become distorted when on the road, and writing and documenting can help link your experiences to exact dates and people and places.

This week on the podcast we’re in Riverside, Iowa (pop. 993) with Lynne Thomas of Barnstorm Coffee. Lynne is a self-taught barista with a mobile coffee shop, where she does pop ups and events all over the midwest.

I will be honest that I would not have had the courage to say we are road trip worthy. But our incredible customers and visitors are the ones who began commenting: “Worth the drive!”, “Plan a road trip here” and “We will be back!”

This week on the podcast we’re talking with Hannah Esch of Oak Barn Beef in Unadilla, Nebraska (pop. 311). Hannah started Oak Barn Beef to sell her family’s beef direct to consumer, all while being a full-time student.