When we shared our Innovative Rural Business Models at the Radically Rural Roundtable, the audience had plenty of ideas, questions, and stories of their own.
Some of the questions and comments were so good, we want to share them with you.
“I love the idea of the sheds—how could we do something like that?”
One participant was inspired by the idea of using small sheds to create a pop-up holiday market or Santa’s Village alongside an existing event. We shared the example of Timberville, Virginia, where they set up a single shed, decorated it with lights, and used it as a demonstration which grew into a full market.
The takeaway:
You don’t need a whole row of sheds to start. Just one shed can allow others to envision the possibilities. And it doesn’t need to be something completely new.
In Alva, Oklahoma, a pop-up market grew from a coffee trailer, a permanent feature of the lot, which created many opportunities for local retailers to experiment with their businesses and grow. It doesn’t have to be perfect, or cute, at first. The initial stage can be messy as you discover what works for your community
“We’re thinking about a Home-Based Business Fair—how would that work?”
Another person, new to their role in the local Chamber of Commerce, shared their excitement about hosting a fair for home-based businesses. We encouraged the idea and suggested that featuring these businesses at an existing community event or creating a simple showcase could help them reach new customers and create new businesses.
The takeaway:
Home-based businesses are everywhere, and giving them a platform doesn’t have to be complicated.
“Can we mix in workshops or activities?”
Some attendees shared how their towns have had success blending retail with activities, like hosting workshops inside shops or holding pop-up events in underused spaces. We love these mash-ups because they bring new people through the door and help build relationships that go beyond one-time transactions.
The takeaway:
Small towns thrive when businesses double as community spaces. It’s a way to create both economic and social value.
Idea Friendly in Action
- Most ideas started small, with just one or two people giving something new a try.
- Successful experiments often built on what the town was already doing—adding a simple new twist instead of reinventing everything.
- The energy in the room showed that rural people are ready to take action when they see a doable first step.
This Q&A reminded us that rural innovation doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes all it takes is one shed, one event, or one conversation to spark something bigger.
If you want to catch the full Innovative Rural Business Models including lots of real world examples, here’s the replay video:
