The Entrepreneur Conference proved to be pivotal in the collaborative work I have been doing in my local area!
As much as I value information and acquiring new skill sets — there is absolutely nothing of more value than the synergy of meeting new people! Especially like-minded folks … Folks with similar visions and the experience to ignite new directives, ideas and opportunities. (I tweeted selected talking points along with Becky McCray and a few others.)
My two-fold goal in attending the conference was simple:
- Network and update my own knowledge base for developing rural business.
- Compile resource listings to foster an entrepreneurial mindset in rural areas.
The second part wasn’t accomplished until the very last session of the conference. However, it was met in a grand manner!
The task of seeing home-based, mom and pop business as economic development is not always understood or considered valid — especially by MBA’s, academia and governmental agencies.
Because, all too often, they are focused on the numbers. While overlooking the reality that rural areas have produced a high-yield harvest of entrepreneurs long before statistics became the standard measure of success. And when someone is providing services or products, collecting sales tax and paying income taxes — that is developing the economy!
And, I wonder: Have any of them even heard of FFA? Fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and rural business development is (much!) more than increasing the number of small businesses. And while small businesses (services or product providing employment for groups of people) are an important part of rural development — it is not the the most important aspect of rural development!
Rural development begins with the people who are loyal to their uncomplicated way of life. People who have a strong work ethic and foster relationships with the people in their community. People who were protecting the environment before it became a presidential campaign issue! 
I have a lot to say about this … And I am discovering that I am not alone in this.
Stay tuned!
[...] met in person at an entrepreneurial conference in February. Which fueled my commitment to facilitate networks of like-minds regarding the [...]