We are beyond excited to bring you this week's podcast interview with Katie Harvey Martinez of Harvey’s Diner in Redfield, Iowa (pop. 826). Katie's story is what first inspired us to start the Rural Revival podcast, and you will quickly understand why. From the Iowa farm to Broadway and back, Katie's life is one amazing adventure. But her most recent move back to Iowa to open Harvey’s Diner is quite possibly her most exciting adventure yet.Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Harvey’s Diner & PubRedfield, IowaR. Joe SmithJustin Ahlberg, ChefAmber (Herrera) Rowley, Head Baker in ChargeBerry Fresh FarmsSkeeter Creek FarmsSyscoHarvey’s Diner on InstagramHarvey’s Diner on Facebook

This week on the podcast we’re taking you to an exciting new destination in downtown Grinnell, Iowa (pop. 9,151) in our interview with Angela Harrington, owner of Hotel Grinnell. Here she has led the charge in converting a former school building into an incredible contemporary boutique hotel. During the interview we found out Angela also happens to have a lot of experience in small town economic development, so this episode is packed with great advice for small towns and business owners!Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Federal Historic Preservation Tax CreditBill MennerJake Christensen of Christiansen DevelopmentDes Moines East VillageParachute Home - Bedding and Bath LinensChris Conyers - The Design GroupFaulconer GalleryGrinnell CollegePrairie Canary Restaurant & BarSpaulding Lofts

This week on the podcast we’re taking you to an exciting new destination in downtown Grinnell, Iowa in our interview with Angela Harrington, owner of Hotel Grinnell. Here she has led the charge in converting a former school building into an incredible contemporary boutique hotel. During the interview we found out Angela also happens to have a lot of experience in small town economic development.Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Federal Historic Preservation Tax CreditBill MennerJake Christensen of Christiansen DevelopmentDes Moines East VillageParachute Home - Bedding and Bath LinensChris Conyers - The Design GroupFaulconer GalleryGrinnell CollegePrairie Canary Restaurant & BarSpaulding Lofts

This week on the podcast we’re taking you to Boaz, Alabama to talk with the girls of The BoxTruck Boutique. From starting with their own individual businesses of shirts, clothes, jewelry, and home goods, they eventually combined to form what is now The BoxTruck Boutique. The business has taken off and they’ve never looked back! They’re also passing on what they’ve learned to their kids, who have now started The BoxTruck Juniors. We had the best time and you'll love hearing their story!Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Boaz Harvest FestivalThe Lion’s Den restaurantThe Pawn ShopComment SoldNatural LifeThe BoxTruck JuniorsChristy Farmer, Citizen of the YearThe BoxTruck Boutique Facebook pageThe BoxTruck Boutique Facebook GroupThe BoxTruck Boutique InstagramThe BoxTruck Boutique SnapchatThe BoxTruck Boutique Website

Emma Hicks is the inspiring entrepreneur behind Iowa Gathering, Main + Second, and Camp Climb. From opening up a storefront to starting an online business to shooting a pilot for a TV show, Emma shares about what it looks like to build a life around what works for you and your family. She also speaks about having pride in your small town and the importance of a supportive community.Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Main and SecondSmall Town, Big PickJunk JubileeIowa GatheringVintage and Made FairKalona shopWest End Salvage on DIY NetworkAshton Hill FarmThe Barn at Bunker HillThe Barn at Brophy Creek FarmCamp ClimbCamp LibertyDannie FountainJenna KutcherGoal Digger PodcastLittle Lights Events

Alice Pettyjohn is the owner of an art studio and boutique called Alice Circle, which offers everything from art classes and art parties to a variety of creative gifts and clothing. Alice is all about encouraging creativity through her art studio and shop, but you’ll see why this is more than just a creative business to Alice. She shares about how her passion turned into a full time job, the importance of art in schools, and what's behind her love for maps and globes. And you'll learn how she’s fulfilling a unique role to bring art to the community of Rainsville, Alabama.Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Rainsville, AlabamaHenagar, AlabamaHandwriting classSand MountainAlice Circle websiteAlice Circle InstagramAlice Circle Facebook

Today we bring to you a fascinating conversation with Linc Kroeger of Pillar Technology and The Forge in Des Moines, Iowa to talk about bringing tech jobs to rural America, and in this case, specifically to rural Iowa. Linc and his company are pioneering a concept that is truly forging the future and changing how we approach jobs and education in rural America.Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Pillar TechnologyIndependence, IowaJefferson, IowaIowa Central Community CollegeDMACCSenator Chuck GrassleyCongressman David YoungGovernor Kim ReynoldsSTEMAppleHistoric Tax CreditsPillar Academyfuturereadyiowa.com (contact Linc here)futurereadyiowa.gov

On this week’s podcast, we have the amazing opportunity to meet Karmen Smith: entrepreneur, author, speaker, prayer warrior, farmer, wife, and super mom. She talks about life with her husband Jason and their kids, their unexpected journey as entrepreneurs, what happens when you pray big, overcoming your fears with Facebook live (anyone??), turning your farm into a business, and doing scary things.Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Fort Payne Feed & GardenFort Payne Feed & Garden FacebookFort Payne Feed & Garden InstagramWhen You Pray Big Things Happen bookKarmen Smith FacebookKarmen Smith Instagramkarmensmith.comEmily Freeman#adventuresoftuckandjakeSmith Creek FarmHeartlandSimon Sinek

It all started with an Instagram post, when Alabama cotton farmer Mark Yeager posted a video of a forklift moving a cotton bale. His sister saw the video and commented, “I’d love to have some sheets made from that good looking Alabama cotton.” And with that, the idea for Red Land Cotton was born. Mark's daughter, Anna Brakefield, is sharing the story about how she and her dad decided to take on a new adventure with the family cotton farm to bring American made linens and towels back to our homes with Red Land Cotton. Where else can you buy cotton sheets that are 100% made in America? Turns out, not really anywhere. Which is what makes Red Land Cotton so special, and it's catching the attention of people all across the country.Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Cotton Inc.Moulton, AlabamaRed Land Cotton in the PressRed Land Cotton WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTube

Entrepreneurs at heart, Kasey and Jordana Henke have tried a little bit of everything when it comes to the world of vintage and junk, not only trying but succeeding in pretty much everything they've put their hand to. Today they own and operate Rescued Junk in Earlham, Iowa. They're sharing how they've grown their business and also had to learn to scale back along the way to make room for what matters most.Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Rescued JunkFacebookInstagramMeredith CorporationDIY Magazine/Do It Yourself MagazineVintage and Made FairEarlham SchoolHometown Market (grocery store)Bricker Price Block/Project

As the go-to Realtor in central Iowa, Amy Lucht has a unique perspective on both the rural and urban markets in her area. In this conversation we talk about: - How this digital age we live in is giving people the ability to work and thrive in rural communities- What small communities are doing to attract people- How we can study what cities are doing and apply that to our small townsAnd here’s a little tip for those of you who don’t live in Iowa but want to learn from what Amy’s talking about: you might want to pull up Iowa on your Maps app so you can get a better visual. (We’re not kidding, that’s how much you can learn from this podcast.) We promise you’ll walk away with a head full of ideas and the fire in your heart to really go after your small-town dreams!Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Adel, IowaCoon Rapids, IowaIowa State UniversityMaytag CorporationIowa Association of RealtorsAdel tax abatementHotel Grinnell (former school turned into hotel)Raccoon River Bike TrailLanesboro, MNGarst CompanyModville ToursEarlham, IowaRescued [email protected]

Devon Evers of Crossgrain Woodworking shares how his business got started when a picture of a hutch he had built for himself went viral on Facebook. Becoming an almost overnight entrepreneur has come with its share of risks and challenges, and Devon tells about some of the inspiration and lessons that have been part of this journey. Be sure to check out the Crossgrain Woodworking Facebook page and the work they did for The Stables at Copper Ridge - it's a great showcase of the craftsmanship and creativity of everyone involved in this business!Crossgrain Woodworking was also honored recently as a recipient of the Iowa Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) Business of the Month award and you can read about that at the link in the show notes.Check out more on the blog.SHOW NOTES:Schleswig, IowaCrossgrain Woodworking WebsiteCrossgrain Woodworking FacebookCrossgrain Woodworking InstagramCDCStables at Copper RidgeStables at Copper Ridge StoryIowa Small Business Award