Main Street Business Insights

Dec 11 2024 43 ep. 37 mins 7
Main Street Business Insights Podcast artwork

Join host Dr. Matt Wagner, Chief Program Officer at Main Street America, as he travels the country, taking a deep dive into the personal journeys of downtown and neighborhood entrepreneurs. Each week we showcase a small business owner, who will share the story of starting, maintaining, and evolving their business. These are stories that frequently go unheard and unnoticed but offer us valuable lessons as to how Main Street businesses have overcome adversity, and successfully made business model shifts in ever-changing economic environments.

  Business  Society & Culture
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Finding Passion & Following Intuition with James Langteaux, Trû North Café

Dec 11 2024 40 mins  
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with James Langteaux , owner of Trû North Café in Livingston, Montana. In this episode, Matt and James explore the unique journey of starting a business during the pandemic, the challenges of running a small-town cafe, and the importance of community connection. In this episode, we dive deep into: - Journey to Ownership: James unexpect

Crafting a Creative Business Journey with Phoebe and Jonathan Carpenter Eells, elSage Designs

Dec 04 2024 39 mins  
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with husband-and-wife duo, Phoebe and Jonathan Carpenter Eells, co-owners of elSage Designs in Mount Vernon, Washington. Phoebe and Jonathan share their journey from teachers and parents to working artists then thriving business owners. Key Takeaways: Journey to Business Ownership: Started with block printing as a creative side project

Revitalizing a Legacy Business with Dale Sexton, Dan Bailey’s Outdoor Co.

Nov 20 2024 37 mins  
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Dale Sexton, owner of the legendary Dan Bailey's Outdoor Co. in Livingston, Montana. Dale shares his journey of taking over the iconic outdoor retail business and navigating the evolving outdoor industry and customer landscape. Key Takeaways: Journey to Business Ownership: Dale discusses his process of transitioning ownership of D

Building Brand and Community with Mallory Dabney, Heyday

Nov 13 2024 44 mins  
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Mallory Dabney, owner of Heyday, a home goods store in Bozeman, Montana. In this episode, Mallory shares her journey from moving to Bozeman from California, learning how to work in retail, and eventually becoming the owner of one of her favorite downtown shops. In this episode, we dive deep into: - Journey to Ownership: Mallory desc

Gen Z Entrepreneurship with Patrick Jackowski and Matt Horne, Firehouse Coffee 1881

Oct 30 2024 35 mins  
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Patrick Jackowski and Matt Horne, the duo behind Firehouse Coffee 1881, a thriving coffee shop housed in a firehouse in historic Fort Monroe, a decommissioned military compound located in Hampton, Virginia. Fresh from their appearance as featured panelists at the Virginia Retail Alliance's Retail Matters Summit, these young entreprene

2024 Trend Forecast: Get Your Business Holiday-Ready

Oct 23 2024 33 mins  
In this episode, Matt reveals the data-driven trends that will define the 2024 holiday shopping season—and shows you exactly how to leverage them for your small business. You'll discover: Fresh Retail Data: Current consumer insights and market analysis to inform your holiday strategy 5 Game-Changing Shifts: Evidence-based predictions for holiday shopping behavior—and how to

BFFs to Business Partners with Kaycee McCoy, Pawsnickety Pets

Oct 16 2024 36 mins  
Join host Matt Wagner as he welcomes Kaycee McCoy, co-owner and creative lead at Pawsnickety Pets in Norfolk, Virginia. Kaycee and her best friend, Shizuka Benton, launched the all-natural and organic pet supply business in Norfolk at the start of the pandemic, but have used their combined talents – Kaycee's passion for all-things marketing and Shizuka’s penchant for operations

Retail Marketing Strategies from Main Street South Australia’s David West

Oct 02 2024 41 mins  
Join host Matt Wagner as he welcomes David West, director of Premier Retail Marketing and based in Adelaide, South Australia. David is a leading expert in commercial district management and a key figure behind Australia’s Main Street movement, as chair of Main Street South Australia. In this inaugural international episode, Matt and David explore the nuances of Main Street revita

Small Business Advocacy Insights with Tee Rowe of America’s SBDC

Sep 25 2024 43 mins  
In this episode, Matt chats with Tee Rowe, the President and CEO of America’s Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC). The centers offer training, advice, and resources to help small business owners thrive in their communities. Tee has dedicated over 30 years to supporting small businesses. He started his journey working with the Committee on Small Business in the House of Re

Turning Passion into Profit: Patrice Hull’s Journey from Corporate Layoff to Thriving T-Shirt and Bag Entrepreneur

Sep 18 2024 46 mins  
"In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt interviews Patrice Hull, the owner of Stuff We Wanna Say Custom T-Shirts and Apparel and c2bn / Created to be Noticed, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Patrice began her career in corporate health insurance, but after being laid off just before Christmas, she decided to pursue her passion. She bought a heat press and printer, start