Main Street Business Insights
Join host Dr. Matt Wagner, Chief Innovation Officer at Main Street America, as he travels the country, taking a deep dive into the personal journeys of downtown and neighborhood entrepreneurs. Each week we showcase a small business owner, who will share the story of starting, maintaining, and evolving their business. These are stories that frequently go unheard and unnoticed but offer us valuable lessons as to how Main Street businesses have overcome adversity, and successfully made business model shifts in ever-changing economic environments.
Episodes
In this episode of the Main Street Business Insights podcast, host Matt Wagner speaks with Kirsten Gjesdal, a small business owner and community leader in Brookings, South Dakota.
Kirsten shares her journey from opening her own business, the Carrot Seed Kitchen Company, to becoming Executive Director of Downtown Brookings. She discusses the importance of community engagement, the challenges of running a small business, and her tra...
In this episode, host Matt Wagner is joined by Michael Powe, Senior Director of Research at Main Street America, to discuss the findings from Main Street America's recent Spring 2025 Small Business Profiles Survey.
Matt and Mike explore the definition of Main Street businesses, and discuss current economic concerns cited by survey respondents, including rising costs and decreasing customer spending, and the overall confidence of sm...
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation on the current economic challenges facing small businesses and the strategies and innovative pivots that can help better navigate these turbulent headwinds.
In this episode, we dive deep into:
- Navigating Economic Uncertainty: Consumer confidence is at its lowest in 12 years.
- Strategies for Customer Retention: Retaining existing customers is more cost-effective than acquiring new ones.
...In this episode, host Matt Wagner visits San Germán, Puerto Rico, for a discussion with Roberto Melendez, owner of the local restaurant Pórticos 1606. Their conversation explores natural disaster preparedness and the resiliency required to guide a business through unforeseen global events.
Discussion topics include:
- The unique challenges and opportunities that come with running a business in Puerto Rico
- Why building community...
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Dottie Lange and Dottie McQuade of The Monogram Shoppe in Woodbury, New Jersey to discuss the process and considerations that come with selling a small business.
Discussion topics include:
- The Decision to Sell: Timing and Considerations
- Navigating the Sale Process
- Finding the Right Fit: Interviewing Potential Buyers
- What is the Silver Tsuna...
In this episode, host Matt Wagner provides practical guidance for small business owners facing the challenges of new and potential international tariffs. With current 10% tariffs on Chinese products and ongoing negotiations affecting trade with Mexico, Canada, and potentially the European Union, Main Street businesses need strategies to maintain resilience and adapt their operations.
Episode Links:
In this episode, Matt Wagner breaks down seven key predictions that will impact Main Street businesses and entrepreneurs in 2025.
You'll discover:
- How retail sales are expected to slow and the challenges facing small businesses
- The potential "Ozempic Ripple Effect" and its implications for various industries
- The emerging "Phygital" world and how technology is transforming shopping experiences
In this episode, recorded in front of a live audience at the Maine Downtown Conference in November 2024 in Biddeford, Maine, host Matt Wagner explores the world of crowdfunding as a financing alternative for small businesses, featuring a crowdfunding expert and two Maine entrepreneurs who successfully used community crowdfunding. This episode’s featured guests are:
- Mary Chapman-Sissle: Owner of Sissle & Daughters, a chees...
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with James Langteaux , owner of Trû North Café in Livingston, Montana. In this episode, Matt and James explore the unique journey of starting a business during the pandemic, the challenges of running a small-town cafe, and the importance of community connection.
In this episode, we dive deep into:
- Journey to Ownership: James unexpectedly moved to Livingston, Montana during the pandemic...
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with husband-and-wife duo, Phoebe and Jonathan Carpenter Eells, co-owners of elSage Designs in Mount Vernon, Washington. Phoebe and Jonathan share their journey from teachers and parents to working artists then thriving business owners.
Key Takeaways:
- Journey to Business Ownership: Started with block printing as a creative side project, gradually scaling from home-based operations ...
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Dale Sexton, owner of the legendary Dan Bailey's Outdoor Co. in Livingston, Montana. Dale shares his journey of taking over the iconic outdoor retail business and navigating the evolving outdoor industry and customer landscape.
Key Takeaways:
- Journey to Business Ownership: Dale discusses his process of transitioning ownership of Dan Bailey's Outdoor Co. from his father, integr...
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Mallory Dabney, owner of Heyday, a home goods store in Bozeman, Montana. In this episode, Mallory shares her journey from moving to Bozeman from California, learning how to work in retail, and eventually becoming the owner of one of her favorite downtown shops.
In this episode, we dive deep into:
- Journey to Ownership: Mallory describes the process of acquiring the business throug...
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Patrick Jackowski and Matt Horne, the duo behind Firehouse Coffee 1881, a thriving coffee shop housed in a firehouse in historic Fort Monroe, a decommissioned military compound located in Hampton, Virginia. Fresh from their appearance as featured panelists at the Virginia Retail Alliance's Retail Matters Summit, these young entrepreneurs are redefining what it means to be business own...
In this episode, Matt reveals the data-driven trends that will define the 2024 holiday shopping season—and shows you exactly how to leverage them for your small business.
You'll discover:
Fresh Retail Data: Current consumer insights and market analysis to inform your holiday strategy
5 Game-Changing Shifts: Evidence-based predictions for holiday shopping behavior—and how to adapt your business
Marketing Playbook: Proven tactics...
Join host Matt Wagner as he welcomes Kaycee McCoy, co-owner and creative lead at Pawsnickety Pets in Norfolk, Virginia. Kaycee and her best friend, Shizuka Benton, launched the all-natural and organic pet supply business in Norfolk at the start of the pandemic, but have used their combined talents – Kaycee's passion for all-things marketing and Shizuka’s penchant for operations and management – to keep the business growing and thri...
Join host Matt Wagner as he welcomes David West, director of Premier Retail Marketing and based in Adelaide, South Australia. David is a leading expert in commercial district management and a key figure behind Australia’s Main Street movement, as chair of Main Street South Australia. In this inaugural international episode, Matt and David explore the nuances of Main Street revitalization, comparing approaches and challenges faced b...
In this episode, Matt chats with Tee Rowe, the President and CEO of America’s Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC). The centers offer training, advice, and resources to help small business owners thrive in their communities.
Tee has dedicated over 30 years to supporting small businesses. He started his journey working with the Committee on Small Business in the House of Representatives and later joined the Small Business Adm...
"In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt interviews Patrice Hull, the owner of Stuff We Wanna Say Custom T-Shirts and Apparel and c2bn / Created to be Noticed, based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Patrice began her career in corporate health insurance, but after being laid off just before Christmas, she decided to pursue her passion. She bought a heat press and printer, started designing and printing her own t-shirts, and lau...
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sat down with Mindy Bergstrom, owner of Cooks Emporium, Nook & Nest, Z.W. Mercantile, and The Recipe, all located in downtown Ames, Iowa.
Mindy’s passion for entrepreneurship at an early age watching her parents run their own business. She started her first business while in college, designing websites for other small business owners. After graduating from college, she lan...
In this Main Street Business Insights episode, Matt sat down with Kristin Smith, chef and proprietor of The Wrigley Appalachian Eatery in Corbin, Kentucky.
As a fourth-generation Appalachian Main Street merchant partnered with a strong passion for the local food movement, Kristin began her path to entrepreneurship by working at her family farm selling heritage pork and dry-aged beef at the local farmer's market (which she also help...
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