Small Town Business with Erika McInerney
Want practical marketing strategies, real-world business lessons and honest conversations from people building successful businesses in small towns?
You’re in the right place.
Small Town Business shines a light on the people building big things in small places and pulls out the practical insights you can actually use in your own business.
Each week, I bring you conversations with business owners, regional leaders and everyday operators growing dream businesses surrounded by community. And sometimes, it’s just me - Erika from Mac&Ernie - sharing honest thoughts, practical strategies, what I’m seeing work right now and what's going to work into the future.
I’m a marketing specialist and customer experience strategist with 30 years working with businesses who want growth that feels sustainable, not stressful.
I'm focused on regional, suburban and small town businesses because, outside the big cities, things work differently. Relationships matter. Reputation matters. Community matters.
Small Town Business is about marketing, customer experience and driving sales in a way that feels authentic and not pushy. Strategic but not overwhelming.
If you’re building a business in a small town (or thinking about it), this is your space.
If you want help building your business, head to www.macandernie.com.au/contact and tell me what you need - I'm here to help.
Small Town Business with Erika McInerney
Dave from String & Salt/Cleaver: Community over competition
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One of my favourite sayings is ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’ and I reckon Dave, his wife Mich and their network of business owners, foodies, makers and shakers are definitely that tide.
We’re back in Warragul because I really wanted to introduce you to Dave, who would talk for days to share his knowledge on what community over competition really means. His willingness to ‘muck in’ and contribute to the overall success of the retailers in this town is admirable and smart - you’ll hear why that investment in time yields such a great return in a physical and emotional sense.
I think you’ll enjoy hearing his thoughts on how to be a leader, how to grow your business in a small town and why he supports local whenever he can.
I’m personally in awe of his confidence, his tenacity and his willingness to take risks - knowing the safety net they have built with care and authenticity will catch them.
🌱 This episode is proudly sponsored by Visit Gippsland, the land of many wonders. Plan a trip via their interactive website at www.visitgippsland.com.au, or be inspired on Instagram or Facebook.
In this episode we reference a number of businesses:
String+Salt: (Instagram | Facebook)
Cleaver Salumi Cabinets (Instagram | Facebook)
Spice Oddity (Instagram | Facebook)
Join the Small Town Business conversation on Instagram or Facebook or visit us online.
Audio production by Jet Streamer
About Small Town Business:
Small Town Business shines a light on people making big things happen in small towns, regional and rural communities.
Each episode is in two-parts. In Part one, we chat with a small-town business owner, hand picked because they have a particularly special story to tell. They generously share the ups and downs and all the in-betweens of their business, before part two where I draw out one of the key points of the discussion into a specific learning with a focus on marketing and business development.
Follow along for inspiring stories from community-driven, authentic people. Then let Erika McInerney - that’s me your host - teach you how you can take that inspiration and turn into into action for your business.
Whether you’re already living in a small town, thinking of moving, or wondering what business is like outside the city - this podcast is for you.
Make sure you follow or subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and, if you’ve just found this, make sure you start from the beginning.
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