Comments on: Can you make it big from a small town?

By: Steve Collier

Steve Collier — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:08:43 +0000

My wife and I run a small business in a historic tourist town. We live in the same building we have our shop in. We’ve been doing this for six years, so maybe that qualifies us as a success to some since many small businesses don’t survive that long. In fairness though, my military retirement pay allows us to continue, not the amount of tourist traffic.

However, we disliked our past lives as professionals (Environmental engineer and scientist) with the big bucks but the government/ large corporate environment. Our quality of life is so much better now that we are doing what we love.

Make it “big” in a small town? We are making it, and that is quite satisfactory. Things get busy here in the second half of the year, then die in January- and we get to take a break then. Its a wonderful chance to enjoy the beauty of our village without having to put up with pressure of store hours and customers. Helps us regroup and freshen up for the upcoming year, when we get to enjoy the tourists and selling our products.

That’s “making it big” for us.

p.s. You can check out the town at http://www.MetamoraIndiana.com – 60 miles east of Indianapolis.

By: Chris S. Cornell

Chris S. Cornell — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:16:33 +0000

Yes, you can make it big in a small town. Sure, there are more opportunities in more densely populated areas — but there’s also more competition. The key is finding what you are passionate about, and pursuing that passion. Do it well and people will notice.

By: @deepdishcreates

@deepdishcreates — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:41:50 +0000

Like Judy, social media has broadened my own horizons vastly. Having moved from a big west coast city to a smallish one in New England, I’ve been able to maintain my west coast accounts (and collect new clients there as well) from way over here, all thanks to Social Media, Skype, wifi, and smart phones. I am proof positive my work (web and graphic design) can be done anywhere. Where there’s a will…

By: John H. Howe

John H. Howe — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:09:35 +0000

It entirely depends on your definition of success. There are many small entrepreneurs I have run across who I would consider a success because they blend lifestlye with business sense to make a living, and enjoy living too. A good example is Becky who designs and creates custom handbags while enjoying her familyh, too.
http://www.beckyoh.com/

By: Judy Dunn

Judy Dunn — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:48:01 +0000

Becky,

Aren't you proof enough? :-)

Seriously, I think that the Internet and social media have leveled the playing field. I came from a small logging town in southwest Washington state, moved to a big city (L.A.) and am back about as rural as you can get, on an island in Puget Sound, with 975 residents in winter, 3,000 in summer.

I think we have great opportunities these days to live, work and play where we want to. There has never been a better time for talented, committed people, almost regardless of industry, to make their voices heard. I don't pay attention much to where people live anymore.

Curious to hear what others think about this issue.