I live in a town of ~8,000 people and there's not much money flowing here.
As I've been working on building my dog-training side hustle that I'm aiming to grow into something bigger, I've felt hindered by where I live at times.
But here are some things that I've come to realize and appreciate. Maybe it will help you too.
Small things get noticed more. Just because I made a website and posted about it in a community Facebook group, a journalist from the local newspaper reached out and did an article on me and my business. This led to a new customer who is so excited for me that they want to help me scale up.
Entities of authority are more accessible. Again, because I made a few Facebook posts, the local university reached out and asked me to give a seminar on what I'm doing in my business. This talk was recorded and now I have something that holds a lot of weight to the general public - I have proof that I'm "good enough" to be invited to speak at a university. I'm also scheduled to give a seminar to the general public and the city council has agreed to let me use the convention center for free - again, I'm being supported by an entity that holds a lot of weight.
People know people. Word of mouth happens faster and even just being recognized on the street is way more likely in a small town. Also, have you heard of the 6 degrees of separation? It's the idea that all people are separated by only six or less social connections. Because I am making connections in this small town, I'm increasing my chances that I'm decreasing my distance from more influential people, more people who want what I have to offer, more people who would be able and willing to pay more, etc. You could be in a small town and be three, two, one connection away from [your favorite millionaire, billionaire].
The Internet - use it. So so many things that used to be done exclusively in person are now possible to do from online. I knew I could make social media content, create online courses, sell products, etc. but there were some things I didn't think were possible to do from online. But I was wrong! My main mentor lives on a different continent. My website support friend lives on yet another continent. I helped one of my early clients virtually from 2,000 miles away.
Less distraction, more nature. There's almost nothing to do here. There's a single screen movie theater and a couple of breweries - that's literally about it. We have two grocery stores and one of them is Walmart. No temptation to go out every weekend, and no need to drive to various stores to get what I need (or don't need). Nature is so accessible. It's easy to get out for a trail run or hike or bike ride or go rock climbing. Getting into nature is so relaxing and invigorating and inspiring and it's just so good for you.
For now I'm in this tiny town, but maybe one day I'll move somewhere I like better and I'll have this tiny town to thank for helping me get there.
Anyway, hope this helps other small town dwellers not feel so stuck and isolated.
As I've been working on building my dog-training side hustle that I'm aiming to grow into something bigger, I've felt hindered by where I live at times.
But here are some things that I've come to realize and appreciate. Maybe it will help you too.
Small things get noticed more. Just because I made a website and posted about it in a community Facebook group, a journalist from the local newspaper reached out and did an article on me and my business. This led to a new customer who is so excited for me that they want to help me scale up.
Entities of authority are more accessible. Again, because I made a few Facebook posts, the local university reached out and asked me to give a seminar on what I'm doing in my business. This talk was recorded and now I have something that holds a lot of weight to the general public - I have proof that I'm "good enough" to be invited to speak at a university. I'm also scheduled to give a seminar to the general public and the city council has agreed to let me use the convention center for free - again, I'm being supported by an entity that holds a lot of weight.
People know people. Word of mouth happens faster and even just being recognized on the street is way more likely in a small town. Also, have you heard of the 6 degrees of separation? It's the idea that all people are separated by only six or less social connections. Because I am making connections in this small town, I'm increasing my chances that I'm decreasing my distance from more influential people, more people who want what I have to offer, more people who would be able and willing to pay more, etc. You could be in a small town and be three, two, one connection away from [your favorite millionaire, billionaire].
The Internet - use it. So so many things that used to be done exclusively in person are now possible to do from online. I knew I could make social media content, create online courses, sell products, etc. but there were some things I didn't think were possible to do from online. But I was wrong! My main mentor lives on a different continent. My website support friend lives on yet another continent. I helped one of my early clients virtually from 2,000 miles away.
Less distraction, more nature. There's almost nothing to do here. There's a single screen movie theater and a couple of breweries - that's literally about it. We have two grocery stores and one of them is Walmart. No temptation to go out every weekend, and no need to drive to various stores to get what I need (or don't need). Nature is so accessible. It's easy to get out for a trail run or hike or bike ride or go rock climbing. Getting into nature is so relaxing and invigorating and inspiring and it's just so good for you.
For now I'm in this tiny town, but maybe one day I'll move somewhere I like better and I'll have this tiny town to thank for helping me get there.
Anyway, hope this helps other small town dwellers not feel so stuck and isolated.
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