June 2024
In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Kristi Smith with the University of Wisconsin’s YourEconomy. In this podcast we explore Kristi’s interesting entrepreneurial journey, and now her remarkable work with the YourEconomy data resource. At e2 we have employed YourEconomy data impactfully with communities throughout the United States helping them discover their unique entrepreneurial opportunities. YourEconomy has two new Dashboards that will be overviewed in our conversation with Kristi. Learn more.
In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Shawn Kaskie with Rural Prosperity Nebraska. Shawn is the leader of an impressive entrepreneurship initiative employing entrepreneur coaches in rural Nebraska communities. Impacts from this demonstration project are remarkable. Shawn will be sharing his story, providing some overview of Rural Prosperity Nebraska and we will take a deeper dive into this U.S. Economic Development Administration supported eCoaching initiative. Learn more.
May 2024
Please enjoy the continued episode of Espresso with Entrepreneurs featuring Laura Martin, of Sew Loved Quilt Shop. Welcome to Part 2. Link.
In this episode of Espresso with Entrepreneurs, Lea Ann sits down with Laura Martin, the founder and owner of Sew Loved Quilt Shop in Elkhart, Kansas. Laura shares her journey of turning her passion for sewing into a successful business, and the challenges and triumphs she has faced along the way.
During the interview, listeners will learn:
Laura's inspiration for starting Sew Loved Quilt Shop
The process of turning a passion into a profitable business
The importance of community
Tips for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own creative business
Whether you are an avid quilter, a budding entrepreneur, or simply looking for some inspiration, this episode is sure to resonate with you. So grab a cup of your favorite coffee and tune in to learn from Laura's journey of stitching together success in the quilting world.
Please enjoy Part 1. Learn more.
April 2024
In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Matt Dunne, the founder and Executive Director of the Center on Rural Innovation. Matt is a leading rural development thought leader, innovator and practitioner working across the United States. This podcast edition focuses on Matt’s personal journey into this work, and an exploration of the Center’s work and resources. The Center’s mission is our best promo for this podcast… “Advancing economic prosperity in rural America through the creation of inclusive tech economy ecosystems that support scalable entrepreneurship and tech job creation.” Learn more.
March 2024
Welcome to another inspiring episode of Espresso with Entrepreneurs! Today we get a glimpse into the life of Entrepreneur and avid Outdoorsman Matt Moreau of Clever Rabbit Throwing Club and Clever Rabbit Forge. Matt ceremoniously burned his day-job certification on FaceBook as he took the leap into Entrepreneurship full time…and has continued to grow his business while doing what he loves. A native Kansan, Matt artfully combines his love of the outdoors with timeless craftsmanship, education and tourism in his North Carolina home.
We hope you enjoy the episode and, as always, stay inspired and keep brewing success!
In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Julianna Dodson with both the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship and lead with Radically Rural. Don and Julianna have a conversation about the importance of the Hannah Grimes Center and take a deeper dive into the Radically Rural initiative. The Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship is a model initiative. Radically Rural is a rising rural entrepreneurship movement. Julianna is a leader in the field of community-center rural entrepreneurship. She is based out of rural Keene, New Hampshire.
Julianna Dodson Bio
Julianna Dodson is originally from South Carolina and moved to New Hampshire in 2017. She resides in the small New Hampshire town of Westmoreland, population 1,696. The beginning of her career was spent teaching English overseas, after which she worked in finance and conducted her small business on the side for 10 years. Julianna joined the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship in Keene, NH in 2021 as the director of their national programming, called Radically Rural. She is now also the Deputy Executive Director for the center, where she oversees human resources, finance, operations, and programming. Outside of work, she is the chair of an economic development committee for a Brownfields remediation project, and volunteers with organizations such as Project Home and Out in the Open. For fun she enjoys dancing, reading to her kids, thrifting, surfing, and nerding out on all things humanities.
February 2024
Welcome to another inspiring episode of Espresso with Entrepreneurs! How often do we get to talk about show cattle taking over a downtown business district? Today, we have the pleasure of hosting Christian Calliham, a distinguished figure from the world of agriculture and entrepreneurship. Christian, known for his founding role in the Aggieville Showdown (and a former YEC participant), joins us to share his journey, insights, and fervor for the intersections of agriculture, Aggieville, and entrepreneurship. We hope you enjoy the episode and, as always, stay inspired and keep brewing success!
In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Ron Zeigler, President and CEO of Community Economic Development Associates or CEDA for short. Don and Ron’s conversation focuses on CEDA’s current and emerging work with smaller rural communities in the upper Midwest. CEDA has an innovative service model worthy of consideration and replication in other parts of rural America. Ron is a leader in the field of community economic development and this podcast will explore his journey as well. Learn More.
January 2024
Espresso with Entrepreneurs: Steve Radley and Erik Pedersen
In this episode of "Espresso with Entrepreneurs," Steve Radley and Erik Pedersen. Join us as they take us on a captivating journey through their early years in entrepreneurship, sharing valuable lessons learned along the way…and how those lessons have served them well in the growth and evolution of NetWork Kansas.
These two do a great job of summarizing the essential lessons learned throughout their journey, and both add some actionable life-tips from Steve’s Dad, their Mentor and business partner! As always, whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your own journey, their stories and lessons are sure to inspire and guide you on your own entrepreneurial path. Learn more.
In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Tom Field with the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program. Tom and the Engler Program are hosted by the University of Nebraska’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources based in Lincoln, Nebraska. The tag line on the front page of the Program’s website is Engler – A New Type of Entrepreneurship. Tom is a remarkable visionary and is foundational in the inspiring success of the Engler Program, which is growing a new generation of agri-entrepreneurs. The Program is supported by and named after Paul Engler, a remarkable agri-entrepreneur in his own right. Learn more.
December 2023
This episode of Pathways to Rural Prosperity features Patti Norris, who is the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Builder supporting all of the GRO communities. After many years working with innovative Silicon Valley ventures, for the past 10 years, Patti has been training and advising hundreds of Oregon businesses as a Business Advisor for the Small Business Development Center and inspiring the next generation of business leaders as a faculty member in the Business and Computer Science departments at Central Oregon Community College. In addition, Patti is an entrepreneur in her own right, having founded and run two businesses and two nonprofit organizations. Learn more.
November 2023
In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Luke Mahin from Courtland, Kansas population 290. In this episode we cover a lot ground given Luke’s work a rural economic developer, entrepreneur with a relatively new brew pub and his role a community coach with E3 Energizing Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Nebraska. This conversation shares insights from a remarkable journey relevant to a large swath of our audience.
October 2023
This episode of Espresso with Entrepreneurs features Mr. Clifton Taulbert, noted Entrepreneur, Author and Businessman. Clifton is the man who introduced Stairmaster to the world, and is known as “One of America’s Most Outstanding Black Entrepreneurs” – Time Magazine. He is also the speaker of choice for Harvard University, US Federal Reserve, Bank of America and US Pentagon. On top of all that….he is the President and CEO of both Freemount Corporation, and Roots Java. Grab your cup and settle back for some incredible insight on Entrepreneurship and success from Clifton Taulbert! Learn more.
In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Jackson Swearer, the Entrepreneur Navigator and Director with STARTUP Hutch serving Hutchinson and Reno County, Kansas. This community in South Central Kansas is both urban and rural with a rich history of entrepreneur-focused community economic development. In this episode Don and Jackson reflect on this entrepreneurial ecosystem story with lots of lessons for other communities seeking to make entrepreneurship the foundation for all development. Learn more.
September 2023
In this edition of Espresso with Entrepreneurs, Lea Ann Seiler of NetWork Kansas is joined by Dave Hill from Mid-America Bank. Get ready for a deep dive into Dave’s extensive banking experience and his remarkable entrepreneurial journey. Dave is not only a banker, he’s a community-driven visionary who has transformed Baldwin City and Douglas County, Kansas, through his commitment to entrepreneurship and redevelopment. He discusses how important mentorship and a commitment to personal finance is to entrepreneurs. Grab your favorite coffee, settle in, and explore how Dave’s passion is fueling the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Northeast Kansas!
In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Sarah Sinnett from and Pam Abbott from Nebraska focusing on entrepreneurial community initiatives in their communities. Sarah and Pam have become leaders in ecosystem building initiatives in their respective western Nebraska communities. Their experiences provide insight into the challenges and opportunities of pivoting communities toward community-centered entrepreneurial ecosystem building and operation. Both are community leaders and ecosystem champions.
About Sarah: Sarah Sinnett was born and raised in Sidney, Nebraska and received her master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Sarah has a diverse business background in data analytics, human resources, strategy, project management, merchandising, e-commerce, marketing, sales, and insurance.
In 2014, Sarah and her husband Alex moved from Omaha back to Sidney to raise their family. Sarah is an active advocate for Sidney and rural prosperity. She is most proud of her work with the Sidney Park Project and Sidney’s chapter of the business development group, “Energizing Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (E3)” which, combined, have fundraised over $1 million dollars in private funding back to Sidney’s local community.
About Pam: Pam Abbott is a Nebraskan, born and raised. She is a rancher/farm wife, mother, retired teacher, and community development advocate. She has served as a trustee for Mid Plains Community College, is current past chair of the Keith County Foundation Fund, and current chair of the board for the Nebraska Community Foundation.
Espresso and Entrepreneurs
In this edition of the Espresso and Entrepreneurs Podcast, Lea Ann pulls up a chair and enjoys a cup of coffee with Ellie Bowman of Prickly Pear Farm and Home in Kinsley, KS. As the average age of small business owners in our rural communities keeps bumping upward, Ellie is bucking that trend. Arguably one of the youngest lumberyard owners in America, Ellie purchased her lumberyard last year, at age 21, and has been working hard all year to make improvements and expand its offerings – all while being mindful to give back, and mentor other young entrepreneurs along the way.
Join us, as we meet Ellie and find motivation and valuable insights from her journey.
August 2023
In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Rachael Barry from St. Helens, Oregon and Alisha Juelfs from Sidney, Nebraska focusing on Entrepreneur Navigators. Both Rachael and Alisha were part of e2’s Spring 2023 Entrepreneur Navigators Professional Training. Rachael is a community leader working with an eNavigator in this part of Oregon and Alisha is the eNavigator for Sidney and Cheyenne County, Nebraska. We will talk about the professional training and their perspective of eNavigation within their emerging community-centered entrepreneurial ecosystems. Learn More.
July 2023
In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Caleb Pollard of Ord, Nebraska. Caleb has been an economic developer, is an entrepreneur and is also a business coach. Caleb and his wife and partners created Scratchtown Brewing in Ord, Nebraska. Previously, he held a number of state and local economic developer jobs. In his spare time Caleb is also a first in class business coach. Learn more about not only Caleb, but discover the power of entrepreneur navigation. Learn more.
June 2023
In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Amara Kniep, Director of the E-Community Partnership with NetWork Kansas about the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge and the VentureDash resource. Energizing young people on entrepreneurship is a game changer for both personal life careers and cultural change in communities. This episode explores the Kansas youth entrepreneur statewide competition and the associated VentureDash business plan completion resource. Learn more.
May 2023
In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts John Monson with Compeer Financial and Pam Bishop with the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) focusing on the exciting partnership between Compeer Financial and the SMIF to expand REV (Rural Entrepreneurial Venture) in its home of Minnesota and into Wisconsin and Illinois. Our conversation will explore the vision behind this collaboration and its potential to expand Entrepreneurial Communities initiatives in the upper Midwest. Learn More.
Spring 2023
Nathan Ohle is the President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council or IEDC for short. IEDC is the world’s largest economic development professional organization. IEDC is now offering a wider range of resources, including professional training and certification focusing on entrepreneur-led economic development. This month, Nathan is Don’s guest on Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast (https://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/podcast/iedc-and-entrepreneurial-development.html). This podcast explores Nathan’s development journey, IEDC’s mission and resources and its growing commitment to all communities, including rural communities, and entrepreneurship. Learn more.
February 2023
Strategies for Rural Prosperity captures over a decade of e2 field experience detailing in practical and useful ways 11 universal rural entrepreneurial development strategies including…Spending Capture, Retiring Boomers, Natural Resource Industries, Commuters, Transportation Corridors, Tourism, Hub Cities, New Resident Attraction, Large Employer Retention and Expansion, Growth-Oriented Entrepreneurs and Regional Development. Learn More.
January 2023
When American ecosystem builders gather, we often talk about the entrepreneurial programs we offer to support entrepreneurs and their development. Programs and resources are essential for high-performing ecosystems. However, e2’s field experience is clear – do not begin with programs and resources! Begin working with area entrepreneurs, build relationships, learn about their needs and wants, and then network them to available relevant resources. Learn more.
December 2022
Introducing Tara Risewick. Tara began working with e2 and NetWork Kansas earlier in 2022. She is the new Director of e2. Tara has rich rural community economic development experience and is a great talent addition to e2. Tara is engaged in entrepreneurial ecosystem-building work in Kansas, Nebraska with E3 (Energizing Entrepreneurial Ecosystems) and Oregon with GRO (Growing Rural Oregon) initiatives. Our December Pathways to Rural Prosperity podcast features a conversation with Tara. In 2023 we will be profiling the rest of our new and growing e2 team. Learn more.
November 2022
NetWork Kansas (created in 2004) is most likely North America’s most robust, longest running and highest impact statewide community-centered entrepreneurial ecosystem-building initiative. Central to NetWork Kansas’ remarkable sustained level of entrepreneurial deal flow is its Entrepreneurship (E-) Community Partnership, launched in 2007. Erik Pedersen, President and COO, leads NetWork Kansas’ E-Community Program that now saturates many of both Kansas’ rural and, increasingly, distressed urban communities. NetWork Kansas’ Entrepreneurship Community Partnership is best in class and offers inspiration and learning opportunities for both rural and urban communities. Learn more.
October 2022
Over the decades we have learned at e2 that community building is foundational to growing high-performing entrepreneurial ecosystems. Entrepreneurs, their families and their employees and their families want to live, work and play in great communities. Housing, childcare, parks, schools, health care and broadband are just some of the community amenities essential for livable communities. Our podcast and paper focus on practical ways a community, by energizing its entrepreneurial talent in government, the private sector and nonprofits can support both essential and desirable community building.
In our newest paper – Entrepreneurs as Community Solutions – we explore the causes and potential solutions associated with this deepening crisis. Learn more.
October 2022
Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Anne Kubisch, President of The Ford Family Foundation and Kathleen Flanagan with The Ford Family Foundation and GRO or Growing Rural Oregon. Anne leads The Ford Family Foundation, a critical important rural community development partner in Oregon and Northern California. GRO is an exciting new entrepreneurial communities’ initiative rooted in rural Oregon. Kathleen is the driving force behind GRO and The Ford Family Foundation’s commitment to rural communities through entrepreneur-led development. GRO is on a short list at e2 of promising new E-Innovations. Read more.
September 2022
Since the earliest humans, our evolution transformed us from hunter and gathering societies organized around clan groups, to the rise of agriculture associated with the first settled communities, to the emergence of global trade and the rise of nation states, then the First Industrial Revolution, and the Second Industrial Revolution, and now our knowledge-based economies and societies rooted in information and biotechnologies.
Human talent and its drive to create is ever present in this development journey over the centuries. Today, the United States, including most of rural America, is facing an escalating human talent or workforce challenge that —in some locations and industries— is now in crisis.
Let's explore the causes and potential solutions associated with this deepening crisis. Learn more!
August 2022
E3 in Nebraska: Energizing Entrepreneurs
Every state and community has entrepreneurial talent and resources that can help this talent thrive. Most states and communities lack robust and comprehensive entrepreneurial ecosystem strategies employing proven “top down” and “bottom up” development game plans. Nebraska is now committed to a cutting edge and innovative entrepreneurial communities’ initiative called E3 or Energizing Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. Learn more!
July 2022
Mentors and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building
Whether a brand new start-up or an existing business seeking to grow, mentoring can be a powerful tool within any community’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We suggest that creating a mentoring program with cost-sharing support is foundational to a vibrant and impactful area entrepreneurial ecosystem. Learn more!
June 2022
Entrepreneurial Communities and Business Services
Connecting entrepreneurs to relevant resources is critical in building a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem and creating positive economic impacts. What kinds of resources are most useful to entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial ecosystem builders? What actions can rural communities take to connect their entrepreneurs with relevant services? Download our newest paper and listen to the podcast episode to learn more!
May 2022
New Course Series: Insights from Ord, Nebraska
We are excited to announce that our rural community prosperity development e-Learning Courses are now available online. This free professional development resource is a guided case study on the community of Ord, Nebraska – a small Great Plains community demonstrating that entrepreneur-led development can empower a thriving, diverse, and resilient economy. Courses couple stories and insights from Ord residents with actionable guides that help learners apply lessons and advance strategies rooted in their community’s own unique assets and challenges. We also have a new podcast episode exploring this web-based resource. You will hear ideas on how your community can use these courses to grow a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Explore the courses now!
April 2022
Over the past months we've talked about our likely entrepreneurial development opportunities for rural communities. Now we shed light on why rural communities should focus development efforts on increasing area spending capture in our new thought paper, Rural Retailing. We also share stories about communities using innovative rural retail models to grow their economies in our accompanying podcast episode, Rural Retailing and Area Spending Capture.
March 2022
Regional Development and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building
This month, we share a new podcast episode, Regional Development and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building. We also share our companion strategy guide, Regional Development, A Likely Entrepreneurial Development Opportunity. The episode and paper detail how regional development organizations are fostering community ecosystem building and operation. In both we showcase our best-in-class examples of what we call our "top-down" and "bottom-up" entrepreneurial ecosystem building strategy. Find out where these regions are located!
February 2022
In the 1980s Ord Nebraska and its region was in peril due to the U.S. Agricultural Crisis. Farms and ranches were failing. Local businesses were closing. Residents were losing hope and like so many rural communities, Ord was headed for chronic and severe decline.
Curated by journalist Matthew Hansen, The Long Drive Home: How Bob Stowell and Allies Made Ord’s Future Better Than Its Past, captures long-time community leader Robert Stowell and the community’s journey to hope and success. This powerful story is part of the larger Ord Story Capture Collection that e2 will be featuring throughout 2022, starting with this new podcast episode with Bob talking about this journey and the lessons it holds for other rural communities seeking prosperity.
January 2022
e2 kicks off a new year with a look at three themes we'll focus on throughout the year to help rural communities build more prosperous economies. MORE INFO.
