The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth

Is all growth in business good? Is increased revenue, sales, and client roster, all it's cracked up to be? Today we're talking how periods of major growth brings really great things, but they also bring up questions and challenges that will test you as the CEO. Listeners, I'm laying it all out in this week's episode. As Molly Knuth Media transitions to the "teenage years" and we test limits and forge our own path, I want to talk about the harder side of growing a business - staying true to your goals amidst opportunity and growth.

Welcome listeners to a special episode today with guest, Arica Ohloff. Arica is a strengths coach who hones in on what makes people special and brings out others' greatness. When it comes down to value, Arica truly believes every single person has potential. Get out your notebooks, pen, and get ready because this is a good one friends! Key Takeaways: Instead of making someone more well-rounded, Arica focuses on making people more star shaped. "We are raised in society to focus on what we don't do well. Let's start putting people in roles where they are dominate." "As parents when we can see what sets our kids apart from their classmates, tell them. What do your kids learn really rapidly? What do they have a natural earning towards?" Arica shares her thoughts on looking within and "being individually sharp." Leaning into a team approach versus a "I can do everything" approach allows you and your business to go further than imagined and grow exponentially. Check out "The E Myth" book, a free trial of the book is available on Blinkist. E Myth covers the three components of entrepreneurship: Technician Manager Visionary Arica's favorite quote to remind others of how we're wired so differently comes from Joseph Campbell, "Kindness is loaning someone else your strengths without reminding them of their weakness." Arica helps guide people to figure out more about themselves through a developmental tool called, Gallup's CliftonStrengths Assessment. "We are never done growing." We all have to do the hard work of understanding ourselves and those around us. "We're never going to eliminate all working frustrations." Arica talks about understanding that there is no one that thinks or behaves like you do, get rid of the "gavels" we all have different things we can bring. "When we show up authentically, we earn trust." What's your secret sauce or superpower? Get more from Arica Arica offers complimentary calls to discover if she is the right fit for you and your business. Give her a follow over on Instagram and Facebook and head to her website to get in contact!

Hey friends, I'm happy to be sitting here with you again today. Just last week you got to hear from Jade Boyd and next week I have another exciting guest interview with strength coach, Arica Ohloff. I thought this was a great time to bring up the topic of needing a coach. As a small business owner there are lot a different ways we can spend our money. Today, I want to talk about the different options available to you as a small business owner when it comes to business coaching. Key Takeaways: Check out "Episode 55: Investing in Your Business" if you're looking for an episode where I break down a little further the variety of areas you can invest in your business. Similar to a sports coach, a business coach is someone who is a leader that offers stability and helps you find direction and orient to the place you want to go. I have found that a business coach helps me get where I wants to go in my business faster, more efficiently, and in the end, help save time and money. How do you know which kind of coach to pursue? I've worked with different coaches over the years for different reasons. Try to get a birds eye view of your business. Learn where feel uncomfortable or think about something you're looking to accomplish. There are few formats when it comes to coaching, in order from the lowest to highest investment these would be a digital product, then a workshop, group coaching program, a Mastermind, an Intensive, and lastly one-on-one ongoing coaching. How do you know someone is a good coach for you? Really trust your gut, get referrals, and ask yourself, is it someone you aspire to be? Janey Stahl Commercial If you're a business owner, then right now you're probably reviewing 2021's performance as you prep and plan for 2022, am I right? For me at MKM, that looks like updating pricing, updating contracts, prepping for taxes, assessing profit/loss, etc. as I make a game plan for structure and services in 2022. But I didn't start out in my first year (or the first 4!) knowing how to do this. Do you? Do you know which areas of your business you need to focus on building next year? Do you know which steps to take to make those improvements? As you know, revenue does NOT equal profit or take home pay in your business. So how do we grow more than just the gross revenue and actually make some money in 2022? Thankfully, my friend Janey Stahl is a fractional CFO and she is an expert in just this type of thing. She helps business owners see that sustainable profitability requires high performance in all areas of their business. And with her expertise, she guides them through the process of analyzing profit, offers, services, products, and time spend so that business owners can work smarter in the exact areas that will keep their business working profitably for years to come. Right now, Janey is offering a free assessment to help you determine which area of your business could be improved in '22 and it's FREE! In this guide she walks through creating your unique business plan for next year and identify specific steps you should take to strengthen your business' foundation! Go to janeystahl.com/smallminded to download the free assessment today! That's janeystahl.com/smallminded for more clarity, less confusion, and confidence knowing you are doing the right things to grow your business in the year ahead. Psst: If you'd like to hear more from Janey, head to episode 54 of the Small-Minded Podcast for her inspiring story of entrepreneurship and financial tips for business owners of any size. MKM Content Calendar Commercial Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Listeners help me welcome Jade Boyd to the Small-Minded podcast! Jade is a brand photographer and business coach located in Iowa City, Iowa. Jade loves filling her time running her business and doing home renovation projects with her husband….ok, "love" might be a stretch on the home reno, but I know I love following along! I can attest Jade is a great brand photographer as I've been lucky enough to have her do my brand photos this past year. Jade is so talented with her photography, she can help tell a story through a photo, but she also takes it to the next leveto help her clients create content with their images and connect with their ideal customers. In 2022, Jade's business is making a small pivot as she helps clients streamline and organize their business operations to get more efficient and save time and money. Through 1:1 services, a template for her favorite organizing software, and a brand-new PODCAST launching at the end of the month, Jade Boyd Co is doing big things for business owners in the new year, and I'm so excited to dive into Jade's story and her plans with you today! Get more from Jade Boyd Co Follow along with Jade for her upcoming brand photography session offers, her new services and podcast drop, and of course, for home reno projects! Give her a follow over on Instagram and head to her website to grab her FREE How to Batch Plan a Productive Work Week Guide or The Organize your Business Template. Chilled Freezer Meals Guys…we need to talk about something personal…your dinner. My friend Lindsy at Chilled Freezer meals helps make dinner simple and convenient while using whole ingredients that you can feel good about putting on the table. Visit chilledfreezermeals.com/pages/smallminded to see what Lindsy and her team have in store for you. AND to sweeten the deal, first time customers can get 10% off their order by using promo code SMALLMINDED. Again that's chilledfreezermeals.com/pages/smallminded AND first time customers can get 10% off their order by using promo code SMALLMINDED. Psst: if you'd like to hear a little more about Lindsy's story and how she's grown her Chilled business, head to Episode 56 of the podcast! Janey Stahl Coaching If you're a business owner, then right now you're probably reviewing 2021's performance as you prep and plan for 2022, am I right? For me at MKM, that looks like updating pricing, updating contracts, prepping for taxes, assessing profit/loss, etc. as I make a game plan for structure and services in 2022. But I didn't start out in my first year (or the first 4!) knowing how to do this. Do you? Do you know which areas of your business you need to focus on building next year? Do you know which steps to take to make those improvements? As you know, revenue does NOT equal profit or take home pay in your business. So how do we grow more than just the gross revenue and actually make some money in 2022? Thankfully, my friend Janey Stahl is a fractional CFO and she is an expert in just this type of thing. She helps business owners see that sustainable profitability requires high performance in all areas of their business. And with her expertise, she guides them through the process of analyzing profit, offers, services, products, and time spend so that business owners can work smarter in the exact areas that will keep their business working profitably for years to come. Right now, Janey is offering a free assessment to help you determine which area of your business could be improved in '22 and it's FREE! In this guide she walks through creating your unique business plan for next year and identify specific steps you should take to strengthen your business' foundation! Go to janeystahl.com/smallminded to download the free assessment today! Psst: If you'd like to hear more from Janey, head to episode 54 of the Small-Minded Podcast for her inspiring story of entrepreneurship and financial tips for business owners of any size.

Can you believe it? We are in our very first episode of the New Year! How did we go through 50 episodes in the last year and how are we already in 2022? As we begin this new year, I know there are a lot of you who have set resolutions. At the beginning of every year, I set goals and this year I want to touch on things we maybe don't have goals set for. I'm talking social media and digital usage. Social media is an extension of what we do and not everything with social media is BAD. Think about it…at our finger tips we have ways to research, connect with people halfway around the world, and during a pandemic we are able to continue distance learning and growing our businesses. What I purpose we do with our time on the podcast today is not dwell on the negative of social media, instead focus on seven steps to make social media better. Some of these are just reflections and some require you to take small actions, but they are all small ways to remind ourselves social media comes back to the people it connects us to. Vision: how do you feel about social right now? Body? Mind? Why do you feel that way? Negative feelings Positive feelings - how have you made positive connections? Intentional Interactions What's a gratitude? What energy do you bring to your social spaces? Lurker? Encourager? Prayer? What are you going to do? Chilled Commercial Guys…we need to talk about something personal…your dinner. My friend Lindsy at Chilled Freezer meals helps make dinner simple and convenient while using whole ingredients that you can feel good about putting on the table. Visit chilledfreezermeals.com/pages/smallminded to see what Lindsy and her team have in store for you. AND to sweeten the deal, first time customers can get 10% off their order by using promo code SMALLMINDED. Again that's chilledfreezermeals.com/pages/smallminded AND first time customers can get 10% off their order by using promo code SMALLMINDED. Psst: if you'd like to hear a little more about Lindsy's story and how she's grown her Chilled business, head to Episode 56 of the podcast! SIS Commercial To learn more about the sisterhood and to try it absolutely free for 7 days, head to sweatinspiresisterhood.com/smallminded. That's sweatinspiresisterhood.com/smallminded for 7 days of workouts, healthy recipes, encouragement, motivation, friendship, and fitness, at absolutely no cost to you. Sweatinspiresisterhood.com/smallminded Psst: if you'd like to hear a little more about Coach Erika's story and how she's grown the Sisterhood, head to Episode 27 of the podcast! Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

"I know, let's do a 2022 planning and projecting episode, that would be unique and fun" said every business podcast host ever! Ha! Today I don't want to do what every other host is doing: sharing success, giving tips, vibing you up. I'm going to share where I sucked throughout '21. Yep, the bad, the bruised, the ugly, and the things I'm ashamed to admit. For an enneagram 3 like me, this is a bit of a struggle, but I'm going to lean in to the discomfort to show you that no Instagrammable business is perfect. Every business owner is working through some things behind the scenes. And today I'm sharing all the ways I messed up in 2021 and how I'm course-correcting for 2022. Business as a whole Head down action - not as much learning this year Communications with my team - Asana, quarterly meetings, weekly emails - 2022 incorporate trainings for specific MKM methods Waiting too long to bring on a dedicated MKM employee - know the difference between IC and W2 and you'll know when that shift needs to happen - already full again ha! Overcommitting - I still do this - changing habits Too often I said "I'm just not good with money" - avoid it - worked with Bo & Sheila Hansen - working through the discomfort of being someone who regularly checks financials Made it hard and stressful - trying a money mindset shift, following more investing/finance on IG, working with professionals, building habits Finances Not enough friend time Friendships I worked too much - let my schedule take over. I love work, so I find myself wanting to do that because it lights me up and I'm good at it Get stressed a lot at home - my attitude dictates my kids' attitude Family therapy Talking about my feelings instead of avoiding them Learning more Accountability buddies Physical fitness Personal Development

Listeners, I'm so excited to have you here. It's the week of Christmas and I know you are probably running around but I'm grateful you're listening and being a part of Small-Minded this week. Today's episode is action oriented as I give specific and clear instructions on how to boost your engagement with minimal effort and minimal time. So how do you do this? First, I would open a Google Doc, Dropbox Paper, or a notebook to jot these down as you go. Facebook Platform: Facebook creator studio or business suite Posts & Stories tab Scroll through and find your top 1-5 posts with the highest reach Option 2 for Facebook Platform: Insights tab - content Change date range to "this year" Click "ads and posts" - uncheck ads Select Facebook or Instagram Click on reach, likes & reactions, comments, shares, saves to see which posts rise to the top Instagram from your phone: Go to your account Hit the hamburger menu Select insights from the pop up menu Click "content you shared" Be sure that date range is set to "last year" Adjust for the metric you wish to measure On December 26, create and schedule a post that says how much you love to reflect at this time of year and look back on what resonated most with your followers in the past 12 months, like a VH1 annual countdown - I lived for those. From 12/27-12/31 copy and paste and schedule your most reached post. Copy and paste and schedule your most commented Most shared Most viewed Most clicked Best part: it's done AND it's already proven to be highly engaging content MKM SOCIAL SCHOOL IS OPEN COMMERCIAL Feeling happy, free, confused, and lonely all at the same time? Sometimes business ownership can be miserable and magical, yeah? Especially at this time of year! But don't worry business owner, everything will be all right if you keep me next to you! I'm Molly, and I've helped small-town small businesses strategically market their businesses on social media for over 5 years. We approach marketing in the small town way: so that it's more authentic, less sales-y, and more effective. And next year from January-March, I'm sharing my best marketing strategies with YOU! I don't know about you, but I'm feeling '22! Starting in January, we are going to dive into your 2022 business goals and outline your marketing strategy in your social media, website, and email marketing so you don't have any more blank spaces in your marketing calendar and you can grow the business of your wildest dreams. You know all too well what it feels like to try to market your products and services on the fly. With this 12-week program, you'll know when and how to talk about your 2022 offers and feel confident that your marketing efforts are working for you. ...are you ready for it? Training Topics January: Social Marketing 101 (overview of socials - pick your poison) February: Website Best Practices March: Email Marketing Best Practices Who is this for? Small town small business owners Business owners who want to know not only what to say but how to say it Business owners who want to bring all their marketing channels together so they work together to tell your story and authentically connect with your audience & community Want to network with other small business owners Work well in an online format Get all the details on signing up at mollyknuthmedia.com/shop! Janey Stahl Coaching Its year end and you're probably reviewing 2021s performance as you prep and plan for next year, right? For me at MKM, that looks like updating pricing, updating contracts, prepping for taxes, assessing profit/loss, etc. as I make a game plan for structure and services in 2022. But I didn't start out in the first year (or the first 4!) knowing how to do this. Do you? Do you know which areas of your business you need to focus on building next year? Do you know which steps to take to make those improvements? As you know, revenue does NOT equal profit or take home pay in your business. So how do we grow more than just the gross revenue and actually make some money in 2022? Thankfully, my friend Janey Stahl is a fractional CFO and she is an expert in just this type of thing. She helps business owners see that sustainable profitability requires high performance in all areas of their business. And with her expertise, she guides them through the process of analyzing profit, offers, services, products, and time spend so that business owners can work smarter in the exact areas that will keep their business working profitably for years to come. Right now, Janey is offering a free assessment to help you determine which area of your business could be improved in '22 and it's FREE! In this guide she walks through creating your unique business plan for next year and identify specific steps you should take to strengthen your business' foundation! Go to janeystahl.com/smallminded to download the free assessment today! Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

Hey listener! Thanks for tuning in. Today we're digging into Molly Knuth Media Social School. In the last year, we've added this twelve week program to help small business owners stay accountable and assist with their marketing goals. Today, students from our social school are sharing their highlights. I'm certain you'll be inspired and be able to connect as they share their experience of being a small town business owner. Take a listen as they share triumphs and downfalls of social media marketing. MKM SOCIAL SCHOOL WAITLIST COMMERCIAL What are your goals for 2022 in your business? Do they include increasing sales? Improving customer service? Starting an email list? Launching that new idea? FINALLY understanding social media algorithms??? My friends, you are NOT alone! MKM's signature marketing education program for small town small businesses is relaunching in January 2022 to help you reach your goals next year. We'll work together for 12 weeks to better understand marketing for your business, HOW to market your services and products across a variety of digital platforms, and give you the tools and resources to help make this process more efficient. If you'd like to be the first to know our Winter MKM Social School details, be sure to get on the waitlist at tinyurl.com/mkmsocialschool SIS COMMERCIAL If you want to experience the Sweat Inspire Sisterhood community this season, head to sweatinspiresisterhood.com/smallminded to get started with her 7-day free trial and get an all-access pass to her sisterhood membership for FREE! You'll also get added to her email list with exclusive freebies each week AND information about her upcoming Drop 10 program that helps you lose 10 pounds or 10 inches in just 12 weeks…trust me, it works and the next round starts January 3. That's sweatinspiresisterhood.com/smallminded for 7 days of workouts, healthy recipes, encouragement, motivation, friendship, and fitness, at absolutely no cost to you. Sweatinspiresisterhood.com/smallminded

IT'S MAILBAG TIME! Fresh this week is an episode answering all of your questions! On Instagram, followers submitted the musings on their hearts and minds, and we dive into each with short segments in Episode 66 of Small-Minded. If you'd like Molly to answer one of your burning questions about small towns or small business, send us a message on one of the social platforms linked below! We may just use it in a future mailbag episode! Hot mentions in the episode: How to grow a local following on Instagram? 1. Include your location tag in stories and include your store front address in your bio. 2. Use hashtags that involve your location. 3. Plan out stories where you can include other locations and businesses that people will recognize. Is there a way to avoid fake accounts being created on Instagram? There is no way to prevent this, but you can educate your followers on what is happening. As you educate your audience, word will spread and these hacker accounts will dwindle. What do you notice about reach and engagement dropping? Ever since the Facebook outage in October, the recording of the metrics on both Facebook and Instagram have been glitchy. There are a lot of inconsistancies, just be a critical thinker. If you're noticing dwindling in accounts, think to yourself, would you "like or share" this post if you were scrolling? Do you need a fresh perspective? Also, think if ads could benefit what you're trying to accomplish. What are your best morning and evening routines? I used to have a very strict routine, but in this season, I'm approaching things with more flexibility. Ways to get people in small towns excited for change and growth? If you want change to happen you need to get buy-in from community members. If you apply for a grant, can you keep applying? When you're looking to apply for grants I would recommend going to your city administrator and also work with organizations in the community next to you. How do I hire a VA? If you're ready to outsource a variety of tasks, it might be time to get a VA. There are VAs that specialize in different things. Bringing in a virtual assistant can help you get more done in less hours and also get a fresh perspective. MKM actually has VA offerings, reach out for more information! CHILLED COMMERCIAL Visit chilledfreezermeals.com/pages/smallminded to see what Lindsy and her team have in store for you. AND to sweeten the deal, first time customers can get 10% off their order by using promo code SMALLMINDED. Again that's chilledfreezermeals.com/pages/smallminded AND first time customers can get 10% off their order by using promo code SMALLMINDED. Psst: if you'd like to hear a little more about Lindsy's story and how she's grown her Chilled business, head to Episode 56 of the podcast! MKM SOCIAL SCHOOL WAITLIST COMMERCIAL What are your goals for 2022 in your business? Do they include increasing sales? Improving customer service? Starting an email list? Launching that new idea? FINALLY understanding social media algorithms??? My friends, you are NOT alone! MKM's signature marketing education program for small town small businesses is relaunching in January 2022 to help you reach your goals next year. We'll work together for 12 weeks to better understand marketing for your business, HOW to market your services and products across a variety of digital platforms, and give you the tools and resources to help make this process more efficient. If you'd like to be the first to know our Winter MKM Social School details, be sure to get on the waitlist at tinyurl.com/mkmsocialschool Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Today's guests are super exciting, my friends. You read that right, not just one but TWO guests are joing us on the podcast this week! You will hear and feel the energy they bring throughout this episode. This week we welcome Lindsay Leahy and Brooke Fitzgerald, two of the powerhouses behind The Restoration Project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At The Restoration Project, their team works with small business owners and corporate entities to help bring meaning back to the work they do. Lindsay, Brooke, and their team, help build dreams and energy, create calm or structure, and help businesses dig deep into what they really stand for beyond just the tasks they complete in the day-to-day. Through their coaching and leadership services, The Restoration Project's clients can get clear on their vision for the future and take specific, targeted, conscious actions to get their teams to the big goal. Trust me, you won't want to sleep on this episode. I couldn't even note all the insightful quotes they dropped, and I know you'll be lit up and inspired after hearing their perspectives on work and life. Enjoy this chat with my friends Lindsay and Brooke of The Restoration Project! Follow The Restoration Project and Their Team Learn more about the members of The Restoration Project team and their upcoming leadership and personal development opportunities get on their email list at the-restorationproject.com. Or follow them on Facebook and Instagram for all their amazing, uplifting content and meaningful lessons. Visit Our Sponsors Sweat Inspire Sisterhood As a business owner and mom, I've learned that I need time for myself each day that is set aside for me to just focus and be. No client requests or emails, no "mooooooommmm I need haaaallllpppp"s, and nothing to respond to in-the-moment. For some me time might look like a bubble bath or reading a book or chilling with your favorite series on Netflix, but for me and about 600 other women, it looks like Sweat Inspire Sisterhood, an online fitness membership and community of women that allows me to get stronger and healthier from the comfort of my own home. Every day you'll find me in my basement either before the kids wake up or after they're in bed, so I can have 30-40 minutes of dedicated time to work on myself. Sometimes that looks like strength training with my dumbbells, other times it looks like a 40-minute HIIT workout where I burn 400+ calories, or even yoga or Zumba. In addition to the daily live workouts and library of prerecorded options, Coach Erika at SIS also puts together weekly meal plans, grocery lists, and recipes, to help me keep my nutrition in line with my goals. To learn more about the sisterhood and to try it absolutely free for 7 days, head to sweatinspiresisterhood.com/smallminded. Chilled Freezer Meals My friend Lindsy at Chilled Freezer meals helps make dinner simple and convenient while using whole ingredients that you can feel good about putting on the table. Chilled offers fully frozen meals for local pick up and home delivery to communities throughout Eastern Iowa, AND she also ships meal bundles nationwide. They have convenient options for conventional meals including quick prep ideas for the crockpot or Instant Pot, as well as choices for those following a gluten friendly or keto lifestyle. With budget friendly options in sizes from single serve to portions for large families, they've got something to fit your budget and needs…even for those picky palattes like you find at my house :) We love the breakfast burritos - make mornings a dream - and her single-serve meal bundles that are perfectly portioned for those work from home lunches or days when the kids are off school. Visit chilledfreezermeals.com/pages/smallminded to see what Lindsy and her team have in store for you. AND to sweeten the deal, first time customers can get 10% off their order by using promo code SMALLMINDED.

How do you know it's time to start something new in your business? Or…how do you know when to start? Typically, for me it's when I get this feeling of discomfort. I get so uncomfortable, I can't stay in the same place. Pause and reflect. Where are you feeling discomfort right now? What are some skills unique to you that can help you address this problem and how can you take that to others to help them address this problem in their lives as well? This might me in your personal life, business, or community. Think about how you can make this better with action steps. The process of getting into the nitty gritty can take a long time, or it can be rushed through. When you are smaller and newer you can be nimble, the bigger you get the more time you need to allow to follow the steps. I would encourage you to make sure your idea is not just a good idea to yourself, a good resource for this is the book "Building a Story Brand" by Donald Miller. Reach out to others in your potential market. Don't get too caught up in the details. I prefer to launch at 70 percent. Lastly, make sure you have a distinct time period where you are talking everyday about your particular product. Sweat Inspire Sisterhood Commercial Sugar cookies, adult beverages, and potatoes…oh my! In my 20s I thought the time between Thanksgiving and New Year were for two things: indulging on the weekends and then limiting caloric intake throughout the week. Then when I flipped into the New Year, I'd plan to lose all the weight I had gained and really get my life on track. Not surprisingly…that didn't work. It was only when I learned about proper nutrition approach from my fitness coach Erika Hermsen that I was finally able to work WITH my body during the holiday season (and shocker: it doesn't involve indulging OR restriction, just balance!) Her weekly grocery lists, meal plans, and delicious healthy recipes help me balance my macros (aka: carbs, proteins, and fats) so that I can stay on track with my goals while eating foods that don't make me feel like I'm on a diet. What I love about Erika's programs is that the nutrition education and recipes also come with daily live workouts and access to her app with 1000+ prerecorded workouts. So whether you like lifting weights or running on the treadmill, 7-minute booty burners or 50-minute sweat sessions, you can find something you are interested in that fits YOUR schedule. AND you are surrounded in support by Erika, her team of coaches, and 600+ other women who are working alongside you and cheering you on to your goals. If you want to experience the Sweat Inspire Sisterhood community this season, head to sweatinspiresisterhood.com/smallminded to get started with her 7-day free trial and get an all-access pass to her sisterhood membership for FREE! You'll also get added to her email list with exclusive freebies each week AND information about her upcoming Drop 10 program that helps you lose 10 pounds or 10 inches in just 12 weeks…trust me, it works and the next round starts January 3. That's sweatinspiresisterhood.com/smallminded for 7 days of workouts, healthy recipes, encouragement, motivation, friendship, and fitness, at absolutely no cost to you. Sweatinspiresisterhood.com/smallminded Psst: if you'd like to hear a little more about Coach Erika's story and how she's grown the Sisterhood, head to Episode 27 of the podcast! Chilled Commerical I don't want a lot for Christmas…but if I could get a little help around the house or with holiday prep, that would be great! Thankfully, my friend Lindsy at Chilled Freezer Meals has my back. Not only does she make meal and snack time more convenient with her fully frozen meals for local pick up and home delivery to communities throughout Eastern Iowa. BUT she also ships meal bundles nationwide, and this holiday season she also offers gifting options for those on your holiday shopping list! Check out the new Chilled Favorites Bundle packed with five of Chilled's best-selling meals. The Favorites Bunlde includes her bbq cheddar meatloaves, mini lasagnas, breakfast burritos, tuscan chicken pasta, and parmesan meatball bake. Perfect for those who want to give the gift of time and ease this holiday season. Plus, you'll be supporting the local, small businesses and farmers that Chilled sources from in their recipes. Got a new mama on your list? Shop Chilled's New Mama Meal Bundle with single-serve meals and soups, protein cubes, lactation granola, and new mom affirmation cards to make the transition into motherhood a little easier. And for those hard-to-shop-for-folks on your list, Chilled also offers digital gift cards so they can choose their own meal delivery at a later date. Listeners of the Small-Minded Podcast can visit chilledfreezermeals.com/pages/smallminded to shop these options and more during the holiday season. AND to sweeten the deal, first time customers can get 10% off their order by using promo code SMALLMINDED. Again that's chilledfreezermeals.com/pages/s

Welcome Kari Jo Kelso of Rosebud's Tees to the podcast! Kari accidentally started her business six years ago after she graduated veterinary school. She was looking for a side hustle to help fund her air travel back home to visit family and while as she always loved drawing, she simply googled one day how to get one of her sketches on a t-shirt. After taking baby steps for the past five years, 2021 was the year Kari Jo was able to officially go part-time and now use both her creative outlet with her t-shirts as well as her degree in veterinarian medicine. Kari Jo is such an inspiration and I know you're going to love the wisdom she drops during this episode! Shop Rosebud's Tees Show your small-town, rural love with apparel and products from Rosebuds Tees! Follow Kari Jo on Instagram, Facebook, and visit her store Online!

I cannot believe we are weeks away from the holiday happenings! I'm pretty excited to chat with you today to help you plan and prep your social for those dates like Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. If you're not a business that plans to partake in these specific shopping days, no worries you can use these strategies throughout the year as well! Key Takeaways Small-town businesses can still participate in these big holiday sales offers even if you're a service based business. Think how you can offer something digitally or a bogo gift card! If you're a product based business, the sky is the limit! Bogos, gift cards, discount codes, free merchandise and so much more! Think through all of the steps to make sure your team knows how to handle the holiday offer. With it only being a few weeks away, make sure you give yourself a realistic goal. When I have an idea and begin to put some of the pieces together, I begin advertising when I'm about 70% of the way there. Start talking about it and rolling it out on social media to make people aware to follow your page for the details. Post once if not twice on the day the sale is actually happening. This gives you maximum opportunity for sales. Document your process so you can look back and see what did and do not work. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

Today, I'm SO honored to welcome Lillie Beringer to the podcast. Lillie is a third generation FarmHer from just outside of Cascade, Iowa. Being one of twenty-six grandchildren, Lillie is the only one who has taken over the family farm. At the age of twenty-five, Lillie purchased the family farm. She is primarily a beef farmer with row crops to feed her livestock. But, not only is Lillie a FarmHer, she is also a feed sales rep for her day job. I am so excited to introduce Lillie to you all and have her share her passion for agriculture and business! Key Takeaways Under a tight timeline, Lillie was told she only had sixty days to buy the family farm. After being rejected three times, Lillie was not giving up until her loan was approved. Working with cow-calf owners in her day job, Lillie had great resources to figure out her budget and make a cow-calf operation work in order to make payments on the land. The gap from farmers to consumers is growing further a part everyday, in response to this, Lillie began a social media page to share what she was doing from day to day. After taking a course and finding a locker, Lillie was able to launch her beef business selling retail cuts to the public. She offers farm pick-up and ships to all fifty states. "Small Businesses all around want to see you succeed and they want to help out," Lillie remarks on the friendship, opportunities, and connections from surrounding small businesses. "I have so much good that has come from my Facebook and Instagram." One thing has led to another through social media and given Lillie collaborations and inspiration. Connect with Lillie! Follow all that Lillie does in a day and check out her beef business by checking out Beringer Family Farms on Facebook, Instagram, and her website! Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Welcome to this Halloween Week episode of the Small-Minded Podcast! This week we're going to chat about spooky social media blunders you may have encountered or could encounter in the future while marketing your small business online. Take a listen to my spooky social stories with tips to combat the situation if it happens to you! Spooky Social Story #1 - I know it has become more commonplace that when individuals are hired, social media is brought up. I think it's valid to have a conversation with your new hires on your social media policies and what you prefer your employees do. Spooky Social Story #2 - Negative reviews hurt, but if we have a space on social at least we can see those negative things and address the situation. Spooky Social Story #3 - There are three steps I recommend to prevent your account from getting hacked. Make sure your account is connected to an email address you use regularly. Change your password quarterly. Set-up two factor authentication. Spooky Social Story #4 - Live videos can be hard. My rule of thumb is sleep on it and if you're still uncomfortable with it the next morning, take it down. Typos and dead links happen, just go in and edit! Spooky Social Story #5 - We can't control what people say but what you can control is your reaction to it and your own response. "If you wouldn't say it face to face don't say it on social media." Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

Today I'm sitting down with my friend, Melissa Nelson, creator of Hungry Canyon. Melissa manages it ALL and she does it ALL well. She manages being a mom, teacher, farm wife, business owner and so much more! Melissa grew up in a Nebraska, yes she's a Cornhusker, but don't hold that against her! Melissa wears many hats as you'll hear in today's episode, but her entrepreneurial outlet, Hungry Canyon is something you have to check out! Hungry Canyon makes agriculturally accurate greeting cards and gifts. Melissa is full of inspiration, Hungry Canyon cards are hilarious, and if you have any connection at all to agriculture, you have have to listen to this week's episode! Key Takeaways "When you grow up in ag, it's just in your blood and becomes your lifestyle." Melissa loved growing up on her family farm alongside her two sisters. It has instilled in her a work ethic passion for agriculture. Agriculture in the Classroom is a national program and looks different all across the United States. The semester before graduating college, Melissa knew she wanted to work in agriculture. After sending an email of interest, Melissa was given the position and since it has become her legacy project. "Sometimes your dream job can change." While Melissa helps her students plan their seven month externship before graduation she constantly reminds them that thoughts and feelings about your dream job can change. Hungry Canyon is the bright spot in many people's week when they receive one of Melissa's greeting cards. "My business is so niched down, but I found those people and I've been able to grow." Only 2% of the US is involved in agriculture but Melissa has found the people that connect with this and her creative outlet. Shop Hungry Canyon Follow Hungry Canyon on Instagram and Facebook. Shop on the Website. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Welcome friends to another episode of Small-Minded! It's no secret, I love small towns, small businesses, and small-town people. I'm excited to be here for another week to discuss TWO things, Facebook and small-town homecoming traditions. Last Monday was a busy day and in the middle of a mastermind having wonderful conversation, some ladies started to notice Facebook was down. After going to downdector.com I quickly realized there was a massive global Facebook outage. As a business owner, remember social media is just a part of your marketing. There are going to be days with glitches. We can not make physical or technical changes to the software, we are using what others have built for free. Remember, we cannot control that, we are borrowing the space. I challenge you to think bigger. Where else can you market your business other than Facebook that also involves a physical component? Now lets talk fun stuff, like small-town homecoming. The painted windows, Friday pep rally, band blaring music, and parades, still give me chills about small-town homecoming celebrations. Take a listen to Episode 59 of the Small-Minded Podcast for all my reminiscing of what makes small towns SO special. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

This is one of those episodes, friends. An episode where not only do you want to listen once for understanding, but one that you might want to take a re-listen to and have a pen and paper handy for notes. This week we're digging into branding for your business. I know, I know. There are a million other experts who can speak to this topic in more informed ways than I can, but I think it's important to know that even if you operate a small business in a small town, you have a brand. And your brand isn't just encapsulated in a .jpg file that is your logo. A brand is what you stand for. A brand is the code of morals and ethics that you believe in through your products, purchases, decisions, and donations. A brand is all the colors you use and how they make your followers feel. A brand is a personality that potential customers and clients pick up on through your social media posts, print marketing, the way you write, and the photos you take. It tells them who YOU are, and who they can BECOME if they work with you. So how do you go from branding with a simple logo to having a whole brand strategy? Take a listen to Episode 58 of the Small-Minded Podcast for all my best tips that you can implement today! Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

Hey listener! We're taking it back today to a shorter episode, which I actually had not planned but decided it would be great content after I had a listener email me a few questions. There are a whole bunch of quote on quote social media rules, but the best way to get going with social media marketing for your business is to get started. It doesn't have to be professional photos, produced videos, or the perfect caption, it just has to be you showing up. Key Takeaways There are many platforms to manage. At Molly Knuth Media we mostly manage Facebook and Instagram platforms for our clients. I choose Facebook because it's a great local marketing tool. I choose Instagram because it allows you to reach a bigger audience through the use of hashtags. I started in social media marketing by accident. As an English and Language Arts Teacher, I took to Facebook to get more books for my classroom. I then began sharing the responses from students with Facebook and I ended up with more than 500 books for my classroom. After deciding to become a stay at home mom, I helped our community work towards getting a new daycare through posting video and pictures on Facebook. We were strategic with videos to tell a story and share with the community the need and wants for the new daycare. After word of mouth on the services I was able to provide through Facebook and how it could be used for a business, the rest is history! Everyone has their own belief, likes and dislikes when it comes to what makes a good post. I operate by the "E's." I want to either educate, evoke an emotion, or e-commerce. In addition, I want each post to have an attention grabbing graphic, a caption to compliment the graphic, and a call to action. When looking at a time of the day to post, it's important to think of your audience and when they are most likely to have down time. Your caption matters! It communicates the big takeaway you want people to have. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

Welcome listeners, today is a fun one and I cannot wait for you to listen! Lindsy Trotter, owner of Chilled Freezer Meals joins Small-Minded to share her business story, strategies, and all the yumminess she has created! Owning a business wasn't something Lindsy always thought she would do, she had a safe 9-5 job as an educator but after deciding to stay at home with her kids, she started to make freezer meals to fulfill time and the rest is history! Today we go all in with Lindsy, you'll get a listen into Lindsy's driven personality and I know her story and perspective on business are going to leave you with a lot of great takeaways in life and business! Key Takeaways As an enneagram 3, Lindsy always wanted to check the next box. She got her Bachelor's Degree, Masters' Degree, and was going after the next step when she realized it was something she was doing because it was the next step not because she wanted to. "You start small and very slowly it grows." Chilled typically preps meals in 30-40 batches. It started with batches of 10 and once they got good at that it grew to 20 and once they got good at 20 it grew even more. "Turn around and look at the little steps along the way that you've accomplished, don't downplay where you're at." A lot of times we start following people on social media and we see where their business is at now. We don't see where they were at in the beginning. "Social Media is such a great place to show your customers who you are and what your mission is." Taking social media trainings is one of the first things Lindsy invested in and was essential in her growth. Lindsy reached out to her county Iowa State Extension and the Small Business Association when developing plans and layout for her kitchen. There are so many intelligent people in our area just waiting to be utilized with their services. Chilled freezer meals gives back in so many ways between donating meals to using locally sourced beef in her meals. Shop with Chilled! Want to try Chilled for yourself? Follow Chilled and shop through their website, Instagram, and Facebook! Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

Investing in Your Business Straight up: I feel super uncomfortable and highly unqualified to be speaking on today's topic, but I thought "If I have questions about when and how to invest in my business, I bet my followers do too." So here we are. With all the promises of making money by taking a workshop with that business coach, or growing by adding on another team member, or simply purchasing a new piece of equipment, it can be hard to know which is right for you and how much is too much to invest. So in what is likely my most unqualified solocast thus far here on Small-Minded, here are ways I've invested in my business so far (both the good and the bad!) and what I've learned along the way. Key Takeaways Investing in your business isn't always about the up-front cost. Think about the return you will get on that investment of your resources. Ask yourself: How long will it take me to make this money back? Invest in Education: When I felt unsure, stagnant, or lost professionally in the past, I knew I worked through it best when I focused on growing my knowledge base. So that's something I've come back to time and again as I grew Molly Knuth Media: if I feel adrift or uncomfortable, that's probably a sign that I have learning to do on that topic. Ask yourself: How will I be able to make money based upon what I learn in this workshop/course/mastermind? Do I vibe with the instructor? Is this presented in a way that fits my learning style? Invest in Tools/Equipment: Sometimes upgrading the tools or equipment you work with can reduce the time and frustration you have to exert. Over the years I've brought in softwares that will help my team communicate and track projects better, updated my computer, and purchased entirely new products that I can turn around and monetize via a new offer at MKM. When deciding which tools and equipment to invest in, I ask myself the same questions: How will I pay for this? How long will it take me to get a return on my investment? Will it allow me to better serve my clients? Invest in People: To grow your business, at some point you will likely need to lean on others. Whether it's bringing in a person on your payroll as a W-2 employee or a skilled independent contractor on a project-by-project or monthly basis or bringing in a Virtual Assistant to complete specific tasks you have lots of options to invest in people. Trust your gut. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

Listeners, welcome today my friend, Janey Stahl! I'm so excited to have Janey here on the podcast to share her journey as a successful entrepreneur. As a Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Janey helps businesses achieve all of their entrepreneurial goals around finances. While wearing many hats and taking a lot of big risks to make her business successful, Janey uses her strategic strength to provide a comprehensive approach to businesses. You'll get a listen into Janey's driven personality in today's episode, and I know her story and perspectives on small business finances are going to leave you with desire to organize your business decisions ! Key Takeaways Starting a business takes many risks and everyone's journey is going to look different. "You have to start somewhere." Janey shares that she was in desperation for business and tried many strategies to meet people to become clients. "You never know that person you randomly meet, how they're going to serve you later on in life." Someone might not take you up on your offer right away, but they could be a customer later on. The best investment you're going to make is within your business. Connect with Janey! Ready to connect with Janey and organize your business financial goals? Check out her website and Facebook! Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

Wow, one whole year of Small Minded Podcast! 50 episodes of advice, tips, and milestones of small town business folks. With pride I put out this episode to talk about what I've learned in one year of podcasting. First and foremost if you have an idea, just start. Believe in yourself, flex that muscle of confidence, and lean into your intuition. Listen to others' strategies and find new ways of doing things. "In the past year, the thing that keeps me going is sharing stories and sharing expertise of cool people in small towns. That's what the driver is." Make it fun. It takes work. It takes time. It takes research. But if you have a purpose it will keep you motivated to keep you going. Thank you, thank you, for being here and supporting us throughout the past year! Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

Today I welcome my goddaughter and MKM employee, Nora Noonan! Nora is here today to talk about her public education beginning in Bernard, Iowa. While being the only girl in her class until second grade and having two graduations by sixth grade, Nora reflects on class sizes, activities and trying new things! Nora has been able to experience many things throughout her high school years and is about to start her college academics at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Nora has taken it upon herself to go after every opportunity that has come her way, getting marketing and hands-on experience at Two Ginger's Tavern, KDST Radio Station, and MKM. While also getting a taste of the labor intensive side by working for her family's business, Noonan Fencing. Key Takeaways "Public speaking class helped me in life just knowing how to market myself." Nora talks about The college credit process at the high school was a great opportunity for high school students like Nora to get a taste of the college course load and jump starting them into what college academics would be like. "It's about the people you meet and the connections you establish." Nora reflects on all of the opportunities she has been given and not being afraid to try out different avenues. "I'm super grateful I took a chance." "Try your own thing." It's easy to be associated with what other family has done in a small town. Doing your own thing is Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

Mom of 4. Farmer. Life Coach. Podcaster. Friends, Addie Yoder comes to the podcast today with so many real tidbits on life. After being up to her elbows in farm life and babies, Addie began to lose touch of who she wanted to be. With the help of a life coach, she was able to make simple steps and move forward to live a life of freedom, purpose, and confidence. Now, certified herself through John Maxwell, Addie teaches others to do the same! While emphasizing personal growth, Addie guides her clients to find their purpose and make their dream-life a reality! Aside from life coaching, Addie loves to talk about corn and books. With a passion for corn knowledge, she shares with others facts about how rural agriculture is related to you. I'm telling you, this is a must listen! Key Takeaways "It's so important to have someone in your corner. Having someone to cheer you on, helps so much" After working with her life coach for three months, her life coach recommended she become a life coach herself. She never viewed herself in that lens, but her husband and friends did. "You have do what works for you." We have so much at our disposal with books, TED talks, podcasts, etc., but we have to do what works for ourselves. "If I don't pick up a book and learn for myself, I'm only going to get one tiny piece of the world and I'm never going to get those experiences to keep me well rounded." When Addie goes to the capital to talk agriculture she realizes the importance of connecting with people of all perspectives and realizing the big picture. Connect with Addie Yoder! Want more of Addie? Her words of wisdom and life coach tips can be found through her weekly emails, Grace & Growth Podcast, and Instagram. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

You guys. Today's episode is a good one. Marissa Hoffmann co-owner and co-founder of The Midwest Girl joins me today to share the story of the family brand her sister and her started six years ago. The passion in Marissa's voice is enough to know she loves what she does and it's something magical. It hasn't always been easy and the vulnerability Marissa shares throughout today's episode is so honest and authentic. The Midwest Girl has so much to offer and I love that she is here today to share her story! Key Takeaways "You might look back at what you did starting out and cringe a little bit, but it was a start and it's brought us our success today." "Good things don't happen overnight." It took about four years for Midwest Girl to really take off and Marissa shares the struggles and determination it took to keep going. "It's not about reinventing the wheel every time." You listen to your customers and look at your numbers. A lot of times simple is what people want. A lot of times business growth starts with an idea that might not come from your own head. Marissa shares how wholesale merchandise has been a great additional income stream for their business. "You just start and figure it out." Coming from a town of 1200 people and continuing to remember her roots, Marissa shares how the brand is built on community and being proud of where she comes from. Check Out The Midwest Girl! Want to shop The Midwest Girl or follow their story? Check them out here: Shop Website, Facebook and Instagram! Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

There are so many reasons to love rural agriculture, and my husband, Ryan Knuth, is one of those reasons…well for me at least! With three decades of farming as a 34 year old, Ryan shares his memories of growing up on their family farm, how their business has evolved, and his love for small-town life. Even with change, Knuth Farms LLC continues to practice diversified agriculture with being involved in the production of swine, cattle, and row crops. They are a three-generation farm with now having Ryan, his brother Eric, and sister Amanda involved in the day-to-day of the operation. A few of my takeaways, as I continue to learn about agriculture and modern technology: There are many seasons to farming, in late July, Knuth's will do their second cutting of hay and maintenance on the combine, trucks, and chopper to make sure all their equipment is ready for fall. After harvest, they will haul manure, clean/fix equipment, and begin getting ready for the next year. "Fall is one of my favorite seasons because I like to see how the decisions were made and how they all came together." Ryan remarks on how it's exciting to measure and see the progress of the corn from year to year and field to field. When one initially thinks of the benefits of farming you think food. This is an important aspect, but Ryan also acknowledges how in rural areas, businesses survive off each other. When they need a project done or the gas tank filled, they support local. "Anything we send to the food line is antibiotic free at that time." This is one of the biggest misunderstandings when it comes to food labeling and those shopping at the grocery store. "It's a good way to grow up, you learn work ethic, the responsibility to keep things alive. It's just a good way to grow up." Ryan appreciates the way he has grown up and it is part of the reason we have chosen to raise our kids the same way. "People in small-towns help each other out. They don't even bat an eye; they just show up." Ryan recognizes the local businesses and people who continue to always be there for eachother. Connect with Ryan on TikTok and Instagram @easterniowafarmer Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Today's episode is full of super awesome advice for Instagram and best practices with the new updates made in 2021. Instagram is full of trendy features to market your business, but with so many options between IGTV, reels, stories, hashtags and photos, it can be hard to know what's best for your audience. I'm here to share with you practical and SIMPLE social media marketing advice you can apply to your business Instagram today! Instagram Advice: Hashtags. The goal of hashtags is for people to find what you have to offer and for you to find and interact with other people in your industry and get ideas. In addition, they can give you extra reach and coverage. 5 minutes liking and interacting intentionally with other accounts. 5 minutes looking up your location and seeing if there are any new businesses in the area you can associate and/or work with. 5 minutes to engage bomb another account. Spend 15 minutes a few times a week engaging with other accounts. When you're going to post, share something that is valuable. Second, think of what way you're going to deliver this content. If you have limited time, I would recommend a story. If you're going to make a post, put time into your caption. If you're wanting more reach, I would recommend a video as Instagram is now favoring and rewarding videos by giving you more reach. Keep it simple. Think of what you needed when you started out your business, create value for that person. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Today, I'm SO honored to welcome my mentor and role model (even if she doesn't know that yet), Ms. Kelly Jo Simon. Kelly is the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (or the CIA) for Western Dubuque County Community School District in Iowa. Being the Director of the CIA is no small task. For one, the size of the WDCCSD makes it the largest in the state of Iowa in terms of square miles (555 sq mi). They serve students and families from five counties for a total of over 3000 students. In addition to the logistical challenges that poses for Kelly and her colleagues, her role has her also requires her to lead educators and administrators in each of the district's eight schools in addition to the students in her charge. It is truly a feat. During her time in her role, Kelly has gone from trying to organize schools and curriculum to creating a culture of happiness, success, and opportunity. During her tenure, WDCCSD has become a sought-after district for young families, but also for people looking for a job in education. I am honored and excited to share this interview with my friend Kelly with all of you here at Small-Minded today. Key Takeaways The hardest question she's ever been asked is "what is your role?" "What are you willing to struggle for?" She believes that this is the question we should be asking young people when helping them plan for themselves and their futures. She was told in high school that she wasn't college material. She said she owned responsibility for the choices she had made to get to that conversation with her guidance counselor, but that helped her forge forward to go to college. "Be careful labelling potential in their high school years." A student/child cannot have their potential defined in their formative years. "One of the best and most humbling parts of small town living is owning up to your past mistakes…Embrace it, move forward, you don't run." Just because it was your story then, doesn't mean it is your story forever. The faster you own up to it, the faster you can move on. "Our product is people." In order to provide the best education for all students, Kelly and the district's admin team have created a culture around The Happiness Advantage. This approach helps teachers and staff find what makes them happy and choose happy, so they can take that into their classrooms and share the same concept with their students. And a TON more. Make sure to listen in to the full episode for all the gold that Kelly shares about her philosophy on education and what WDCCSD is doing right to care for all the kids in their district. Connect with Kelly! Follow all that Kelly, her colleagues, and her students are doing at www.wdbqschools.org or follow Kelly at @kellyjosimon on Twitter. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Hi, friends! Welcome back to the Small-Minded Podcast! Today I'm excited to bring to you episode 3 of my first jobs series. A few weeks ago I shared with you all of the details from one of my first job experiences at the local manufacturing plant. While working at the local manufacturing plant taught me many skills and helped with my high school spending, my university years were upon me and I needed to decide what I'd like to do with the rest of my life. Having no clue what I really wanted to do, I went to the University of Northern Iowa with an open-mind and after a year of completing my general education credits and still having no clue, I took a personality assessment. My personality assessment told me I'd align well with being a teacher, so low and behold I decided to become a middle school and high school language arts teacher! What I learned in my Teaching Career: I began my teaching career filling long-term substitute positions and then accepted a job at our local private school teaching reading, math, social studies, and religion. After a position opened up at our public school, I was hired and I taught reading/language arts for two years before I became pregnant with our third child in four years and decided to become a stay at home mom. A few things I learned and loved about teaching: I lived for the lightbulb moment. I loved making the content relatable and modern for the students. I wanted the kids to understand learning doesn't just happen in a classroom, we are at our best when we are lifelong learners. When you show up to the job, you might not have all the answers. The energy and confidence I brought into the room set the tone for the kids. The importance of organization and scheduling. Listen to the podcast to see how I've adjusted my strategy and became better at pivoting quickly. Most importantly, it's okay to step away from things you love. Truly, each part of work history comes together to shape who we are as a person, employee, or boss. It is up to us as small business owners to remember those early jobs we held and the people who showed us how to be a leader, both good and bad, as we build missions and teams of our own. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

What's your favorite coffee? If you answered anything other than a Bob & Lou's salted caramel cold foam cold brew then you're wrong and we can't be friends. Just kidding! But seriously, today's guest doesn't just make my favorite cup of coffee, but she has an inspiring story about starting her dream business in a vintage coffee camper. So many times along her journey it seemed like she was faced with a roadblock, like when she was denied a loan from the first bank she approached or when COVID-19 hit and the world shut down. But just as it seemed her luck would run out, the starts aligned and something big would happen for Sarah. I love that she is only 25 years old and celebrating her first anniversary in business, but that she carries herself and her brand with a maturity that is wise beyond her years. From her advice about researching your product to serving your ideal market, today's interview with Sarah Knabel of Bob & Lou's coffee is one you will NOT want to miss! Key Takeaways Learning about yourself, your strengths, your setbacks, and what suits and excites YOU is key in finding your business niche. Sometimes serendipity happens. The stars align and luck is on your side as you're getting the pieces of your business together. Run with it when opportunities present themselves! "Don't take 'no' as an answer." Silver linings: COVID-19 presented a lot of hardships and struggles in Eastern Iowa, but for Sarah it gave her the gift of time. She was able to step away from her bartending job, get clear on her vision, research and write a business plan, and get her coffee camper started. Family is a cornerstone of her brand and business. Being excited to come to work and sharing that excitement with customers is a tenant of the Bob & Lou's business. "There are so many amazing women entrepreneurs out there." Sarah recommends networking to help you grow your brand awareness because these women are willing to share and help you out as you get your start. And tons more stories and insights. Listen to the full episode for all that Sarah has to share! Brew up some love for Bob & Lou's! Want more of Sarah and my favorite coffee place in the world? You can find her @bobandlous on Facebook and Instagram, or visit www.bobandlous.com to browse the menu, check the camper calendar, or order some of her adorable merch! Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

In different seasons of life, summer has meant many things, but it always brings me back to simplicity, enjoying the outdoors, and long sunny days. In this holiday season of 2021, I'm taking it back and sharing all of the small-town traditions from my childhood. Canoe trips, old navy flip flops, and babysitting jobs. Summer brings back so many memories and now as an adult, it's amazing to see some of those same memories hold true with my kids. Many of these traditions happen because of the way our small town continues to come together to celebrate. Because of small business support, we're able to celebrate Independence Day with inflatables, sugary lemonade, fireworks, games, and more! I hope you take time this summer and holiday season to enjoy the moments and memories to appreciate the smaller things. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Today, I introduce to you the newest member of the MKM team, Megan Knapp. Megan grew up in the city, moved to a small town, and now serves small town businesses as a virtual assistant! Covid-19 hit, schools shut down, and Megan began questioning whether teaching was the right career for her as she balanced being a mother and wife. After reaching out to Molly and seeing if there were any work from home opportunities, Megan jumped on as a virtual assistant for the MKM Team. In today's episode you'll get to listen to Megan's virtual assistant roles and how her services can better help your business! Key Takeaways What is it a virtual assistant does? A virtual assistant can be many things, but the biggest thing is they are remote and can help with a variety of tasks from e-mail marketing, organization needs, social media and more. There are a variety of packages Megan offers. If you only need help with e-mail marketing she can help with that on an hourly basis, or if you need help with a lot of aspects of your business she can create a custom package fit to you. A discovery call is one way Megan connects with businesses to get to know their needs and how she can support them. Megan takes a lot of pride in the small town community and atmosphere. The support, connections, and trust is something she forever wants to be part of. A few important skills Megan has transferred from teaching to her virtual assistant position are: organization, time management, online work, and interpersonal relationships. "Anything you find yourself doing for your business that doesn't light you up, a VA can definitely come in and support." Connect with Megan! Want Megan part of your business? E-mail [email protected] to connect and see where she can help your business expand! Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Hey business owner! Do you use Facebook for your business? Have you seen the big changes made in 2021 for your business page? Today, at Small-Minded, I'm walking you through the changes, struggles, and positives of the new Facebook layout for your small-town business! Facebook Changes and Features: New layout. You now have to transition from your personal account to your business page. This is a major advantage because you no longer have the confusion of which account is being used for likes, comments, etc. Also, it will only show information from brands and businesses you want to connect with on behalf of your business. Glitches. I'm an avid user of Creator Studio for planning out posts. However, I have been running into some problems when posting. Keep in mind anytime there is a new rollout there are going to be things that don't work, often times I wait a day and the problem is fixed. You can always submit a claim to Facebook for constructive points. Lower reach. I'm not sure if it's algorithm, content, or the season but what I'm doing is taking new risks. Now is a time to stretch and try new things. Facebook groups. I have joined groups that are specific to my client's industry. These groups allow you to ask questions, gives you a little extra attention, and drives extra traffic to the Facebook page. Ads. I have set-up ad campaigns to help increase engagement. Take pictures of your town and share them out. Share stories. Talk about who you help. Show up and share your face! If you want to to return to your roots and grow organic traffic: Step by Step Video from Molly! New Facebook Page Layout Walkthrough - Watch Video Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Hi friends, I believe so much of who we are as adults is molded by our experiences in our youth, particularly today's topic of first jobs. I'm excited to bring to you episode 2 of my first jobs series. A couple of months ago I shared with you all the details from my very first job experience, waitressing. While waitressing taught me many applicable skills needed for the industry like customer service, punctuality, and time management, I was needing a little extra spending cash now that I had a car and I was hanging out with my friends more. I took a second job at one of our manufacturing facilities doing office work. I took away so much from working at this facility like being relatable, keeping my workspace clean, and all the soft skills. Job at the Local Manufacturing Facility Working for the local manufacturing plant brought many new realizations. I could set my own hours and I was now making minimum wage! What I thought was only going to be a job for the school year, turned into summers, holidays, and different positions around the business. A few things I learned from working for the manufacturing company: People make the place that you work. If you have people who care about the people they work alongside it makes a huge difference. Own your mistakes. Take initiative and be creative and innovative no matter what industry you're in. Take the job and do your best. HOW DO I USE THESE SKILLS TODAY While I couldn't know at the time how these jobs as a youth would manifest in an entrepreneurial endeavor, so much of what I do today was learned by doing a job I didn't love but was vital to get to where I wanted to go. Truly, each part of work history comes together to shape who we are as a teammate, employee, or boss today. And it is up to us as small business owners to remember those early jobs we held and the people who showed us how to be a leader, both good and bad, as we build missions and teams of our own. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

IT'S MAILBAG TIME! Fresh this week is an episode answering all of your questions! On Instagram, followers submitted the musings on their hearts and minds, and we dive into each with short segments in Episode 40 of Small-Minded. Today's episode is all your small-business questions about donations, Mastermind groups, ambitions and engagement! If you'd like Molly to answer one of your burning questions about small towns or small business, send us a message on one of the social platforms linked below! We may just use it in a future mailbag episode! Hot links mentioned in the episode: How to handle small town business donations Get clear with yourself on what you're willing to do. Ask yourself, is it an event/organization I value and love? Don't be afraid to kindly and clearly tell other sponsorship request it doesn't fit in your business right now Rural Women Owned Facebook Groups and Masterminds I recommend joining a group where you have to put a little skin in the game When I pay for a Mastermind, I know I'm going to value my belonging and make time for that partnership Start by looking at some rural groups you can belong to. A few groups I suggest: Rural Revival Co Rural Ideas Network 5 MARYS Empower Her Co How to stay focused on your own goals without being tempted by other ambitions Outline your goals on paper so you can see how far you've come You need to have times where you center yourself, get clear on if it is serving you, and then write down your goals Tips for growing business Instagram engagement Check-in on stories with behind the scenes of your day to day Spend time in your DMs Use Instagram Reels MKM Reels Training Group Be engaging yourself Instagram Episodes of the podcast: https://mollyknuthmedia.com/2021/03/23/15-minutes-to-better-social-media/ https://mollyknuthmedia.com/2021/02/23/reels-stories-igtv-oh-my/ https://mollyknuthmedia.com/2020/11/10/3-ways-to-improve-your-social-media-marketing-today/ How to price your services To begin I started creating packages with the base of $15 an hour After the first year, reevaluate the prices Let the businesses know you value them and appreciate their business Look at what other businesses in the area are charging Take a deep look on if your prices are serving you and your needs Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Today I welcome Eric Schmechel from Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District where he serves as the Director of the Watershed Program. Throughout this interview with Eric, I not only got all the "dirt" on runoff, soil health, and Catfish Creek, but we dig deeper into together, how we can coordinate and collaborate as our rural communities continue to develop. Eric's mission is to continue to bring diverse groups of urban and rural community members together. He does this by building relationships and focusing on profitability and return on investment within soil health, conservation, carbon, climate change, and so much more! One of Eric's most publicized projects has been the reconstruction of Catfish Creek. Catfish Creek is a naturally producing stream which has been surrounded by urban development. Eric brought citizens together and held many public forums to develop a watershed management plan for the Creek. Today, the plan is being put into action, with soil quality restoration, streambank restoration, and other conservation practices. Friends, get ready to learn, think GREEN, and expand your knowledge! Key Takeaways The most important aspect when bringing people together is forming and building relationships. For Eric, this is with farmers, producers, growers, elected officials, and community members. A balancing act has to take place when forming these relationships, but ultimately for the betterment of the program, it has to be done. We need to get away from the isolation silos and collectively work together to try and solve some of our challenges as it relates to habitat, ecosystem improvement, etc. "Roots in the Ground Year Around." Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation will be focusing on this slogan throughout the summer to focus on the importance of planting cover crops Farmers are willing to share their experience and have field days, the best way is to get together and chat about what's working and what's not. Follow along with Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation! If you want to connect with Eric and the Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District, visit: www.facebook.com/CatfishCreekWMA Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

I've been a mom for 10 years now and let me tell you a little secret…I still don't have it all figured out! But I know that sharing our stories is one of the most important things we can do in this day-and-age on social media. It helps others see themselves in our anecdotes, and it gives them permission and power to find answers for their challenges. So in today's episode, I'm answering the following questions: 1. How do you do it all? I am a wife to a farmer, mom to four kids under the age of ten, a community volunteer, and a small business owner working out of my home office. It's exhausting. Between the piles of laundry, shoe prints on my hardwood floors, and client task reminders popping up each day, there is no way I can manage it all on my own. So I give you some insight into where and how I outsource some of my responsibilities. 2. How do you handle the mom guilt? Motherhood is seasonal. When I was a stay-at-home mom in 2015, I had so. much. guilt. about not contributing to our family's income. But I was able to spend every day with my kids. Fast forward to 2021, and I feel like I've done a 180. I'm now contributing financially, but I find myself working well after I've picked the kids up from school. In my mind, I'm always going to have mom guilt but I know how to lessen the pressure it can put on my shoulders which leads me into number 3. 3. What do you do to make the days more efficient? On a perfect day, I would start with making some time for myself. I know that I'm at my best when I have a little quiet time before the kids get up. I read (I love a good fiction page-turner), move my body, and just soak in the silence. I also know that I feel my best when I'm eating high-carb, low-fat diet, which isn't how it works for everybody. But by paying attention to how I feel physically and mentally at different seasons in my life, I've learned a lot about myself. And I know that when I care for myself best, I show up most creative and clear for work and most loving for my family. 4. This wasn't a question but I'm sharing it anyway What is one piece of advice you'd give every mom? To see a mental health counselor or therapist at some point. After a major health issue with one of our children in 2018, I thought I was recovering from the trauma pretty well. But a few months in, I realized I was hiding a lot of my feelings and I was a wound-up ball of emotion just ready to burst. It was upon talking to a trusted friend about her mental health counselor that I took the change and made an appointment with a therapist. It felt so good to speak about my feelings without fear of judgment. I could open up and get objective opinions from a professional, and talking through my thoughts just felt so much lighter. If you aren't feeling yourself, know that it's ok to seek out professional help. No judgement, no shame. I really went all over the place in today's episode in no particular order. I'm not perfect. I'm no parenting expert. I'm not a seasoned business owner. But this is my real-life take at where I'm at in life as of May 2021. I hope it was helpful and you could find a few pointers inside. Podcast Summary: Read the full show notes here: http://www.mollyknuthmedia.com/podcast Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook

This week at Small-Minded, a listener request: "How do you balance caring for kids and running a business from home? "To be honest, I'm not sure I have all the answers... or any, for that matter. But I have learned a thing or two in my almost-decade of parenthood. So in today's episode, we'll tackle some of my best tips for handling all the things...as best as possible anyway. 1. Get real with yourself. What are all the things you're trying to manage? Most people I know in small towns are balancing work, family, hobbies, volunteer commitments, and trying to find a way to keep all these balls in the air. Is doing all these things even possible? Where can you let things slip a little, and where do you need to be fully present?Allot your time where it needs to be.There will be good days and bad. There will be busy seasons and slow season, and neither will last forever. Last tip: use a planner book to keep it all straight. 2. Set expectations. Share your responsibilities with your coworkers, clients, spouse/partner, kids, and yourself. I try to be as transparent as possible about being a mom AND a business owner, with everyone and be open about what's happening so I and my dependents can plan as-needed. I am my own worst enemy in this area, often putting too many expectations on myself, and it's something I'm constantly working through. 3. Embrace help.Whether you need help via daycare, a housekeeper, a lawn mower, or an independent contractor/part-time employee, get help if you need it. If help doesn't fit into your budget right now, see how you can partner up with other parents and switch off childcare or bring in low-cost interns in your business to give you the support you need. 4. Embrace distraction.Don't feel bad if you need to distract the kids to give yourself some time to work or take time to yourself. At our house, we are cool with screen time (within reason) and we use a locked closet to rotate toys in and out, so the kids can be busy in those times when I have to work while they are home. I still don't get uninterrupted work time, and you'll frequently see my kids busting in on my virtual trainings, but I do my best. 5. Don't compartmentalize your life. Be gentle with yourself and realize that you are multi-faceted. You are trying to do so much, especially in 2020, and it's hard to find balance in all those responsibilities. Let your responsibilities overlap where they must, and it's ok if you need to let some things go. As I said at the outset, we really went all over the place in today's episode in no particular order. I'm not perfect. I'm no parenting expert. I'm not a seasoned business owner. But this is my real-life take at working from home with children present. I hope it was helpful and you could find a few pointers inside

That's it. I've done it. I'm throwing in the towel. How can I outdo this episode, you guys? In today's episode, I'm chatting with our first international guest, Magdalena Schurmann, from a small town in western Germany! She was so gracious and knowledgeable and sweet in our interview, and I'm still pinching myself that we had the opportunity to chat. Plus, I know you will all have at least one good takeaway. In her business ArbeitsLeben (translated to work/life), Lena helps bring happiness into the work lives of business owners and entrepreneurs. With her tactical tips, she works one on one with her clients to improve their communication skills, clarify their goals, reduce stress, and enjoy what they do every day. Throughout the episode, Lena shares some of her best tips with us for managing work and life in 2021. She goes into managing expectations and the pressures we put on ourselves, the importance of setting boundaries, and how to be true to what you need. But we don't just talk business shop, listener! Because I couldn't help myself, we talk about the pressures of being a woman managing the workplace and household, her upbringing and time spent in Minnesota, and her small town in Germany. Their claim to fame is a 1500-year-old oak tree (I could not believe this) and a distillery. Listen to the full episode for all of Lena's insights!

You guys. There are multiple reasons I love today's episode. One: because Nicole brings such a light and energy to the interview. Two: because I could listen to her Carolinian accent all day long. Three: because today we go deep, my friend. In today's episode, you'll get to listen in to my friend Nicole Saunders. I know her story and perspectives on life are going to leave you with lots of great takeaways! Grow with Nicole! Want more of Nicole? Her words of wisdom and business growth tips can be found on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Clubhouse @nicolesaunders. She would LOVE to get a DM on Instagram with your episode takeaways. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

Wow. Today's interview with my friend Megan Ruffles is FIRE, my friends. When we were prepping for our podcast interview, I originally wanted to speak with Megan about three things: what does it mean to be "chic-ish"? her experience with influencer marketing and connecting her skills of home decorating and cooking with big brands her ability to connect people around important ideas and causes in the community But then I discovered that during the pandemic she created a TikTok account that now has over 54,000 followers! With some simple strategies and a "grow as you go" mindset, Megan has created TikToks and Reels with over 1 million views. So, of course, we're going to chat about how she did that and the joy that TikTok has brought to her life in the pandemic. Our conversation stays lighthearted because Megan is an absolute JOY and so funny, but we turn serious near the end of the interview as we discuss the August 2020 Derecho that impacted her small town of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This inland hurricane brought 100 mph+ sustained winds to the state of Iowa creating mass destruction that still lingers in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding area today. In the immediate aftermath, there was very little coverage about this natural disaster beyond local news stations, so Megan took it upon herself to use her platform to educate followers and spread word about needs in the community. Megan reached out to online friends who could help, and together they started a grassroots effort to positively impact her friends and neighbors as they recovered from the storm. I had so much fun chatting with Megan today, and I hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it! Key Takeaways Her last name is Ruffles - pronounced like the chips or dress design "chic-ish" is a lifestyle that take Midwest values and practicality and combining it with chic living. It always boils down to confidence. "When you're in an outfit you love, when your home is stylish and comfortable, when you can make a delicious meal or host a party, it makes you feel good." Pay attention to your audience, and make sure what you share is in line with their values and needs. The pandemic disrupted a lot of lives, but in the case of Megan and her husband, it gave them an opportunity to try a hand at new, creative outlets including "Chic-ish Charcuterie," her book and mini cheese board line. "TikTok is the essence of chic-ish." You can see someone put together the most beautiful, artistic cake, and the next video is someone chugging a Busch Light. Keep education at the forefront and give followers a takeaway from every video. But the fun, silly videos are important every so often too! Don't assume that people know things. Break down your day or your business into very small parts and turn each into a TikTok video Megan recommends: starting where you are at. Start simple and basic with your videos and then grow into more advanced skills as you get better at navigating the app. "There's only one way to learn, and that's just trying it." The August 2020 Derecho was devastating for her community. But Megan felt a responsibility by having social platforms with large outreach, and she leverage her following to spread the word of the needs in her town. And more! Listen to the whole episode for even more takeaways from Megan! Join the "chic-ish" trend! If you want to learn all things chic-ish from Megan, visit her chic-ish site or her chic-ish market. Find all the fun things she's doing on social by visiting her on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook

I know I'm usually here to offer up some hot takes or quick tips to master social media for your small business, but today is a little different. Recently I received a DM on Instagram from a podcast listener: "Would you ever do an episode on taking time away from social media? How to take time for yourself and tips and tricks when you are feeling the time sucks of social media?" While I'm not quite prepared to tackle that yet (hello, boundary problems, my name is Molly), I do think it's important to clarify that your business doesn't begin and end on social. Yes, social media can help you: get more visibility sell online connect with a wider audience reach people outside your immediate location creatively spread your message But social media cannot: replace you replace your family replace your reputation make you into something you are not (especially in a small town where everybody knows you) Social media isn't a magic wand. It's a magnifying glass. So magnify what you're doing well and how you are making a difference in real life. Growing your Business Goes Beyond the Internet Here are a few ways I've grown Molly Knuth Media, a social media marketing agency, with traditional marketing methods: Saying yes to speaking events. I have spoken at our local high school on career day, as an opening speaker at social media summits, a breakout session leader at women's empowerment conferences, networked at small business social gatherings, and lead workshops for other organizations. Some of these were paid gigs, but most were not. I did them because I wanted to spread my message to as many people as possible. And I knew that the people in these rooms needed what I had to share. Look for events in your area or industry where you have the opportunity to teach what you do. Be sure to give your audience action steps so they can see your expertise firsthand, and give them your contact info to follow up for more. Buying high-end business cards. When I started MKM, I knew I needed business cards. That was the staple of saying "I am open for business." And I am not exaggerating when I say that I get complimented every time I hand out my business cards today. I sprung for a square shape and a smooth finish on a high-end paper. It cost a little more, but the impression they leave is priceless. Donating to local events and causes. I want to give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family, and I do that with my time and/or my money. I continue to volunteer in community groups that align with my goals and beliefs, and I often use my social media knowledge to aide their efforts. Similarly, I try to donate to school functions and youth groups that are sustained by the generosity of our citizens. The first time I saw my logo on a sponsorship banner, I nearly cried. It was an "I made it" moment because I finally had enough cash flow to donate it to causes bigger than myself. And people take notice of that. Apparel. I mean, do you live in a small town if you don't have a tee shirt, sweatshirt, or hat, with a local business emblazoned on it? Or these days, and insulated tumbler? About two years into MKM, I had established enough of a fanbase to place an order for tees and hats, and I handed them out for free to loyal customers, family, and friends. This was great for generating conversation and getting my logo out and more visible in the community. Just being nice. I feel like I've learned more about being a kind person since being an entrepreneur. I don't mean this in the way that "the customer is always right" or in a kiss-ass way. I just mean that I've learned to be more empathetic, more clear with my communications, more resolved in what's right and what's wrong, less gossipy, less quick to judge, and less apt to wear my emotions on my sleeve. I've learned how to strike up conversations with others I don't know. I've learned how to be more inclusive. I've learned more about my own personality quirks, habits, and shortcomings, while paying more attention to the unique qualities in others and how that makes our world more whole. In all, I've just become more human by following this simple ideal from Dale Carnegie, "You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you." As much of an advocate as I am for technology and the blessings it affords us in 2021, tech and social media aren't the end-all, be-all for our lives and our businesses. Businesses don't only grow online. A well-rounded business and marketing plan doubles-down on real-life strategies and relationships. When you're building a business, it has to begin and end with the people you help. The end. Whether you have a brick-and-mortar warehouse or a Shopify storefront, you have got to emphasize how you help people make their lives better. You can share this message on Instagram Stories or on the street corner. You can find your next client in the grocery

Our incredible line-up of guest interviews continues today with my friend Amy O'Connell of Sprinkled Confections and O'Connell Organic Acres in rural Eastern Iowa. I'm not lying when I say that Amy is one of the most talented people I know. Whether making rice krispie treats look gorgeous or making a five-tier wedding cake that looks too good to eat, Amy brings her artistry into your home to celebrate your life's biggest milestones. When I think of the purpose of this podcast and highlighting small town people who are doing big things in multiple areas of life, Amy is it. She's grown Sprinkled out of her home's kitchen over the past 8 years, grown an organic meat business with her husband and his family, hosted workshops to teach others the art of cake decorating, and raised three boys to boot. In today's interview we have a candid discussion about postpartum depression and finding purpose as a stay-at-home mom and then get into discussing all things cakes. From wedding cake trends to how COVID brought challenges and opportunities for her businesses, Amy and I cover it all in today's episode. Grab a notebook, and enjoy this one, my friends! Key Takeaways Pay attention to your personal needs. If you feel like you need to make a change or seek help, it's ok and necessary. We all have different needs in seasons of our life, Save the good things: voicemails, thank you cards, positive reviews, and refer to them on the hard days to orient yourself in the good you've done. Amy is a superwoman. She puts her wedding cakes together the day-of to ensure highest-quality products for you and your guests. She wasn't a professionally-trained baker, but she has taken artistry classes and leaned into continued education in a variety of mediums to help her hone her craft. She also trusts her own creativity to take risks and try new things for things like styled photography shoots She was inspired to begin hosting workshops by a friend writing a thesis on bringing small towns together. From that first experience, Amy has brought in her experience as a horse-riding instructor and teacher training to show people how to up-level their baking designs. Cakes are part of family traditions, and so much of our small-town connections are made around the table. Amy says seeing people celebrating these milestones gives her purposes and inspires her to bring new offers. Listen to your clientele. When the pandemic hit, and her organic farm could no longer connect with customers at market, Amy and her family started door-to-door deliveries. When they started, they only offered organic beef, but as clients asked for pork and chicken, the O'Connells found ways to bring those options to the table (literally). And more! Listen to the whole episode for even more conversational gems! Sprinkle a little joy in your own life! If you want to get on Amy's schedule or see all that she offers, visit her website or follow her on Instagram. Or head over to her family's farm accounts on Instagram and Facebook, or visit their website. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Ready to get a little punchy? My friend and guest this week keeps it punchy a fun on all her socials and in life. Meet my guest Sophia Sulzner, aka: The Western Shop Specialist. In the past year, she pivoted her small-town social media marketing/website design business, and rather than sharing her services oriented for everyone, she niched down. Now, she and her team specialize in increasing brand recognition & revenue for western boutiques and creative businesses. They offer social media strategy trainings, Shopify web sales services, and coaching for small businesses in this arena. By niching down, Sophia was able to find her people. She could speak with these women at their level, using their slang, talking about their interests, and connecting them with one another. As a result, she's been able to grow her Facebook Group The Punchy Posse to over 1400 members since December 2020 and help women from all over the globe connect and collaborate around their love for western and rural businesses. As the group grew, Sophia grew her offerings and adjusted for the needs of her followers. Her story is a great example in the pivoting that is required of entrepreneurs and business owners. In addition to her professional life, Sophia is a young mom of three whose husband is currently deployed with the National Guard. We thank her husband and her family for their service and protecting the freedoms that we enjoy here in the U.S. In their free time, they enjoy rodeoing and living the small-town life in rural Iowa. This episode is full of little nuggets of wisdom that I know you'll find helpful, and I was scribbling notes during the whole interview. Enjoy this candid convo with my friend Sophia! Key Takeaways "If I'm enjoying it, it always turns out 110% better." Don't forget to find the joy in what you do! Lean into things you love about yourself and your upbringing. As a young girl, Sophia always felt like she was a little too country for her town friends, and a little to city for her rodeo crew. But she kept finding herself called back to that lifestyle and brought together a community for herself and people like her. Facebook Groups can grow quickly, and the way to keep the vibe aligned the way you want as the admin/visionary, you need to set and keep clear boundaries. It's tough, but it is important in growing community. Facebook groups can grow quickly, as I said in the prior point, and though this can seem like what you've always dreamed of, it also brings a new set of challenges and people management strategies for a business owner. Facebook groups can grow quickly (is there an echo in here?) but that doesn't always equate to more dollars for your business. Growing a business may require you to work for free or minimal dollars that don't provide immediate ROI. It's ok to grow and pivot as you go. Try things, ask for feedback from your audience, and adjust as-needed. Investing in coaches and working with professionals can help you grow and scale your business. Feelin' Punchy? If you want to learn a little more about Sophia's Punchy Posse business community here or shop their goods here. Or if you want to see the services Sophia offers and get in touch with her, you can visit her website. And if you want to connect at the Punchy Retreat, get in touch with Sophia to reserve your spot for the 2022 gathering of Punchy Professionals! Follow for More Follow Sophia on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Today I'm here to tell you that I've only been teaching half of what you can do to make your business and brand stand out on social media. And for that, I am sorry. But we're righting the ship today on a short episode of the Small-Minded Podcast. While I feel like I've helped you learn the in-depth how-to's of creating content for social over the years, I recently realized that the steps I take behind-the-scenes is oftentimes just as important in getting desired results online. The liking, commenting, and sharing; the time spent finding out the "next cool thing"; and the messages I send daily in PMs, DMS, and emails all add up, but it's often not what you see as an online follower or podcast listener. These actions we take to interact with our audience is called engagement. This includes likes, comments, shares, messages, clicks, and more. We typically talk about engagement in analyzing what our audience is doing for us in terms of story views, shares, reach, etc. that we received on recent posts. But our engagement as the account holder needs to be proactive and consistent too. We need to be reaching out intentionally to our followers to like their posts or strategically engaging on the accounts of those we hope to cross paths with. Why? Because people are showing up on social media to connect with other people. On either side of these screens are real people looking for emotional support, entertainment, or educational tips for helping them in their lives. It can be easy to get caught up in the colors, fonts, and animations on our displays, but to use social media for it's original purpose, to see the good that these platforms can do, and to create real, authentic communities here online, we need to remember that we are here to help people. If you want to be successful on social, you can start by engaging with and listening to your followers…then incorporate some of the more flashy things later on ;) Engaging with your audience in 15 minutes per week Once per week, I want you to take 15 minutes to scroll through social with the intention not to produce content, but to show up as a real, live person to your followers. Here's the process I use: Set a timer for 15 minutes For the first 5ish minutes, scroll through your feed and take the following tactical actions: a. like any posts that make you smile or think about them b. thoughtfully comment on posts that make you belly laugh or make you say "wow! that is really helpful" c. share any posts you'd like to get more reach or that you think would benefit your own followers/friends d. tag and friends or brands in the comments of posts that are relevant e. DM/PM someone who has inspired you or continually shows up to help f. follow any new accounts that impress you g. in short, behave like a real person from your business account and be social For the second 5ish minutes, do intentional outreach to cross paths with others in your local area, industry or ideal audience. Seek out new businesses in your town and set their notifications to "see first" or head over to a mentor/influencer you'd like to catch the eye of and engagement-bomb them. An engagement bomb is going to their Page or Profile and liking and commenting on several of their posts all at the same time. So the next time they log in, all they will see is a bunch of notifications with your name on it. It will catch their attention, and it will create a lasting impression. Use this strategically and not back-to-back on the same account. Think of it like welcoming someone new to your town. You want to take repeated small steps to introduce them to you and ultimately create a friendship with them. Maybe the first day you wave from the sidewalk, the next day you leave cookies on the front porch, the next weekend you invite them for coffee, with the ultimate goal of connecting with that new person. Same goes for social. Intentional, repeated outreach and engagement will result in online friendships and relationships and help you expand your social network. For the last 5 minutes, I want you to go back to your Newsfeed and practice social listening. Social listening is a fancy word for paying attention to what's important to your audience. Is there a new meme making the rounds that you can use on your own profile? Is there new industry news that would be important to share with your followers? Is there a super creative Reel that you can save and draw inspiration from the next time you're in a creative dry spell? This time is meant for you to simply take it in and get creative ideas for content you can make to help your audience. How is this engaging? Because creating content that is relevant to your followers shows them that you care. And isn't that what all humans want most? Ok, enough of the tactics. I did say I would keep this short. So now I want you to set that timer and start your 15 minute engagement session for this week. Refer to the steps above to guide you. And if you're looking for some accountabili

If you love your small town and you know that it is poised to thrive (which I'm sure is most of you if you're here at this podcast/blog), this episode is for you. In today's episode of Small-Minded, I sit down with my friend Jason Neises. It's readily apparent that Jason LOVES what he does in helping small towns grow and capitalize on the assets in their communities. Through his work as a community development coordinator at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa, Jason "helps empower residents of rural areas in the seven-county Dubuque region to identify their towns' best, most unique attributes and use them as the basis of future decision-making" (more about his work here). He gets into communities to talk to real people, assessing their needs, sharing their stories, and helping organizations make future plans that will truly benefit citizens in these areas. He looks at the pieces of small towns that impact the quality of life and functionality for citizens to make these town function, attract, and retain the people who live there. Beyond his work at CFGD, Jason also is a coach of the Community Heart & Soul framework to help people in small towns get clear about their goals and take action on them, and he also volunteers with the Dubuque County Historic Preservation Commission to preserve historical structures in the Eastern Iowa area. On a personal level, I've been able to work with Jason side-by-side as my own hometown of Cascade went through the Community Heart & Soul process. With Jason's coaching, we were able to reach out to all the voices in our town, not just the people at the table in committees and City Council meetings, to hear what was important to them and their families. We heard common themes that we expected (we need more parking, we need more restaurants, Main Street is crumbling) but we also hear things that surprised us and forced us to question our identity (are we really as welcoming as we say we are?). And a big part that I loved about this process was that we focused on the assets in our town and celebrated what we loved about living small in order to highlight those positives and help them expand and grow. In today's episode you'll hear more about this Community Heart & Soul framework, how it benefits communities, and how you can implement some of this into your own small town. Enjoy this one, my friends! Key Takeaways "I think the best part of what I do is every day, I get to work with people who love their small towns, and want to make them even better." Small towns leave little margin for error because we're working with limited resources when compared to bigger communities: fewer dollars, fewer volunteers, fewer options for essentials. So we need to work together and communicate needs and ideas in small towns so resources aren't wasted. Doing your research and going in with eyes and ears wide open helps small town projects achieve success. Remote working could be one piece of the puzzle in achieving widespread rural revitalization. Many small towns already have quality of life perks like safety, amenities, and connection. By bringing in the high-speed internet access piece, towns can help residents connect to anywhere in the world for their work. Some communities are so small that they can't access resources like money, people, and time, to access programs and dollars that are meant to help small towns and small businesses. That's where local Community Foundations can help by connecting these people with the tools they need to improve their communities. These foundations can help residents feel empowered and take action via grants, government initiatives, and assistance in processes. Community development principles: involve everyone, work around assets already in place, and play the long game Everyone can be a community leader and take and active role in community development whether they are on City Council, a teacher at the local school, work the register at the convenience store, or work from home raising their families. Community Heart & Soul plays a huge role in developing emerging leaders in small towns. Find the Heart & Soul in your Community! If you want to learn a little more about the Community Heart & Soul process, visit their website. And if you'd like to get in touch with Jason to discuss how this could happen in your own small town, he can be reached at [email protected]. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Guys, the podcast is half of a year old. We've recorded over 25 episodes…like, how did this happen so quickly? With that in mind and a recent email I received, I thought it was a good time to revisit our purpose here at the Small-Minded Podcast and Molly Knuth Media, and what we believe about life in small towns. Our Manifesto You hear this message at the beginning of every episode: At Small-Minded, we are flipping the script on what it means to be small-minded because we believe that being small is a good thing. Small steps lead to big impact. Small towns have a big heart. And small businesses play a big role in our modern way of life. Here at small-minded, we share stories and strategies to help small towns and small businesses flourish. Here's to a life well-lived being small-minded. It's easy to say, but it's harder to live and embody. But that's why we repeat it. That's why we focus on it. That's why we have guests who can speak to this same mentality. Being small-minded (in our sense of the phrase) is a good thing, because it reminds us why we choose to do life in these small communities. For many of us it's where the farm is. Where we grew up, or where we want to raise our kids. For others it's a way to have a direct impact on the community or to have lots of volunteer and outreach opportunities. For others it's safety and a slower pace of life. While we know that (and though I don't believe media is the enemy), I do believe that small and rural are often portrayed in modern culture as "backwards" or primitive. Our towns are shown as places people land or get stuck. Full of stories of missed opportunities, rather than stories of folks who thoughtfully chose this place and this way of life. But for all these portrayals, small towns are these stereotypes. People DO thoughtfully choose these rural, less-populated areas, and the data shows that. In a recent study conducted by the moving company United Van Lines, states with the highest number of inbound residents are those that were largely rural: Idaho, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Arkansas, among others. On the contrary, states with the highest number of outbound residents include New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Connecticut, and California, signaling a movement toward a more rural, less populated way of life for thousands of Americans. So what does all this mean for you, reader, and for those of us here at the Small-Minded Podcast. We need to live in a small-minded way that puts our small towns first. Thinking big for how to improve rural areas and provide that neighborly piece of Americana we crave. We want to admit our shortcomings and find ways to be welcoming and inclusive and modern, while also honoring the reasons that people love to live small. That's what we do here. Bonus: Recent Listener Email In a recent email, a listener asked me my thoughts on starting something new in her small town. After over a decade of working in her current business, she feels called to change direction and try something different. The possibility excites her, but in a small town she also has the very real fear of people talking about her decision and questions whether she'll have support. So in today's episode of the podcast, I talk through making big choices and changes in a small town with the hope that my experiences can give you some guidance and encouragement. Takeaways In short: do the damn thing. If it's on your heart and you can't quit thinking about it, there's a reason. You can dive right in, or you can make slow, steady progress. But even slow progress IS PROGRESS, right? You've got this, and if you've got big dreams while thinking small, you will be a blessing to your community for sure. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Friend, trust me when I say you'll want a notebook as you listen to this one. Today I'm sitting down with my friend, Erika Hermsen of Sweat Inspire Sisterhood, and I know you're going to have so many takeaways from this episode. Not only has Erika changed my life (no joke) with her at-home fitness and nutrition programs that are perfect for small-town women with limited access to gyms, but she has grown a business and community like no other I've ever been part of. Erika's mission is to help women in small towns live their best life. With her programs she helps busy women sweat daily with at-home workouts and nutrition programs. No gym equipment is necessary, just dumbbells, a yoga mat, and you're in! In addition to the live workouts and library of hundreds of prerecorded trainings on the app, you get access to the Sisterhood Facebook group, a chance to win prizes from women-owned Midwest businesses, and weekly meal plans and healthy recipes delivered straight to your inbox. The fitness results are great, but the confidence and connections that result are a game changer. I love that in the years she's been in business, Erika has moved across the country from large cities to suburbs and small towns, but in those transitions, she's never lost sight of her mission to reach women where they are via their online platform. And as she's grown, she's brought other women on her team and supported women-owned small businesses by sharing them on her platform and incorporating their products into Sisterhood giveaways. Erika's is a business that leads with heart, and throughout the episode I hope you can see and hear the respect I have for her as a business owner and friend. Enjoy this one, my friends! Key Takeaways The best businesses start by listening to the needs of the people you help. S.I.S. started when Erika moved cross-country and her former fitness clients asked for a way to stay connected and receive coaching online. As her business has evolved and grown, she hasn't forgotten this core tenant, and she continually adjusts to the needs and requests of the Sisters. The best business growth happens organically. Women tell their friends who tell their sisters who tell their coworkers and can grow via word of mouth. Play the long game with your business and adopt new methods and technologies as they develop. Start that app, incorporate video trainings, etc. and use it to help enhance your visibility and customer experience. Be innovative. Just like a traditional gym, Erika has other registered coaches and instructors on her team who can lead classes in specialized areas. "The only way to truly grow is to bring in help." Business owners can't wear all the hats forever. When the time is right, find those areas that drain your energy or don't fall into your skillset and hire help to supplement those aspects of your business. When hiring, the #1 thing to look for is trust. Trust the person you are bringing on board, and they will help you reach your business goals. Community is what it's all about in social media and real life. Supporting small businesses directly impacts the lives of people in your small town and the economy. Join the Sisterhood! If you want to have the guidance of a coach, the accountability of a group of supportive women, and the convenience of doing all this from home, check out Sweat Inspire Sisterhood! At the beginning of each month the Sisterhood has a 7-day free challenge so you can have a test run or you can dive in and join the program! Visit https://www.sweatinspiresisterhood.com/ to view her offers or follow @sweatinspiresisterhood on Facebook and Instagram. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

Hey, there business owner! Do you feel overwhelmed about all the options available to you on Instagram when marketing your business? We used to have just posts, where we shared cute photos and quippy captions and called it a day. But over the years, Instagram has found ways to enhance the platform with messaging, shopping, Stories, IGTV, Reels, and Guides, and now our possibilities for marketing our business are endless….and it leaves us feeling overwhelmed sometimes with all the options. Today at Small-Minded, I'm walking you through the 3 video formats I suggest using on the 'gram, what makes them different, ways you can incorporate them into your marketing plan, and how to know which is best for you. Three Video Formats for Instagram IGTV: IGTVs are longer-format videos that can be any length from one minute up to 15. These videos lend themselves well to creating video series where you show up on consistent dates and times to share information or education that demonstrates your expertise in your business. Consider adding one IGTV each week to your content plan, and from that video you can extract a quote, create a graphic to simplify the process, or take a photo of the tools you used, to fill up the remaining days of your calendar. Instagram Stories: Stories are the behind-the-scenes sneak peek of your business that everyone loves to see. These 15-second to 1-minute videos allow you to be transparent and authentic with your audience because they're only viewable for 24 hours (think like a Snapchat) When you approach stories with this mindset, it is where you really build relationships and brand loyalty with followers. Don't be afraid to show your face or talk directly to the camera. Utilize the fun Stories' features like filters and stickers and encourage feedback and engagement from your followers by asking questions or playing "get to know me" games. Stories should be used daily from once per day up to 10 stories per day. Instagram Reels: The new kid on the block, Reels are the TikTok-y, short, entertaining video format that is highly favored right now in the algorithm. Reels can only be a maximum of 30 seconds in length, so these are well-suited for few tips, introducing concepts/topics, or just being fun! Social listening is your friend when creating Reels, so be sure to watch what others are doing to see what songs, challenges, and trends are current that you can use for your own business. Be warned: there is a learning curve to creating Reels, so if you need some pointers, be sure to join the MKM Get Reel free training group on Facebook. How to Know when to Use Each Video Purpose: Start by thinking about your purpose for creating a video. If it's to demonstrate a product or share a process, that may be better suited for an IGTV because it gives you ample time. If the purpose is just to share a funny story that happened to you today, share that in Stories because it's authentic and shows the real you. Looking for growth and enhanced visibility? REELS, baby. Lasting Time: Next, consider how long you want followers to be able to access this video. If it's just current today, it's definitely something to put on Stories. If you want this video to be a reference you can use for weeks and months to come, turn your idea into an IGTV where it will live on your grid and you can use the URL to direct followers to. Prep Time Available to You: Lastly, consider how much time YOU have to create this video. If you are pressed for time, create a story or go live with an IGTV. Reels definitely take time to film and edit, especially if it's your first few attempts at this format. So they are a contender for days when you have more time available for content creation. Takeaways Video is a must in your 2021 content plan on Instagram. But the way in which you show up on video is up to you. Take some risks, go outside your comfort zone with the above formats, and most importantly have fun with creating videos for Instagram! Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.