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
What trends will shape Main Street businesses in 2026? And how can you prepare now?
In this annual predictions episode, host Matt Wagner analyzes the intersection of society, technology, and economic trends to forecast what's ahead for small businesses and Main Streets. Drawing from consumer data, industry reports, and Main Street America's latest research, Matt identifies eight key trends that will impact everything from retail s...
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Kim Redeker, owner of The Sweet Granada Chocolate Shop in Emporia, Kansas.
Over 21 years, Kim has grown from a 500-square-foot storefront with two employees (herself and her mom) to a 3,200-square-foot production facility employing 21-28 people depending on the season, plus two retail locations. In 2025, The Sweet Granada was also voted the #2 best candy shop by USA Today Readers!
Ki...
How do you build a scalable business without losing its origins; what makes it truly special? In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Angela Mallett, founder of Honeybee Sage Wellness & Apothecary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In their conversation, Angela shares her intentional approach to growth, one that prioritizes community care and cultural healing over rapid expansion. Angela's journey began with massage therapy and ...
About the Episode
What happens after a natural disaster hits your Main Street? This episode provides insights on how Main Street leaders and business owners can learn how to be better prepared for disaster from others who have recently gone through recovery efforts.
In this special roundtable episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with community leaders from S...
About the Episode
In this data-driven conversation, host Matt Wagner sits down with Mike Powe, Senior Director of Research at Main Street America, to break down findings from their Fall 2025 Small Business Survey. The survey of 1,295 businesses reveals that small business owners are experiencing persistent revenue and profitability challenges, broad societal instability impacting operations, and the measurable advantage of Main Str...
About the Episode
How can you maximize holiday revenue when you're facing tariff uncertainty, shifting consumer confidence, and limited time to prepare for the holiday season? In a new episode of Main Street Business Insights, host Matt Wagner breaks down the 2025 holiday shopping landscape with actionable strategies drawn from our survey of 1,100 small businesses, plus the latest consumer research showing where shoppers are actu...
About the Episode
How do you successfully transition a business across five generations without creating resentment or burning out the next generation? This episode tackles the complex realities of family business succession planning through the story of Tiger's General Store in Hayesville, North Carolina — a business that has operated continuously since 1875.
In this three-generation conversation, host Matt Wagner sits down with R...
When investors and banks say "no," how do you prove your business concept can work? This episode explores a strategic approach to launching a business that up-and-coming entrepreneurs could consider: launching a beta facility to prove market viability before scaling.
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Megan Peterson, social innovator and founder of Mendo LEAP in Ukiah, California. Located in Mendocino County, Mendo L...
Show Notes:
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Rachael Kehler, owner of The Peppermint Stick Candy Store in downtown Boyertown, Pennsylvania. In this episode, Matt and Rachael discuss her journey to entrepreneurship, leveraging nostalgia as a marketing tool, small town tourism, and more.
In this episode, we dive deep into:
- Rachael’s Journey to Entrepreneurship: Rachael explains her beginnings as a business owner. ...
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Daphne Labault, owner of Plena Mercancía in Chicago, Illinois. In this episode, Daphne, a Puerto Rican entrepreneur, shares her inspiring journey opening a coffee shop that also serves as a cultural hub in Chicago. Daphne discusses the challenges she faced after Hurricane Maria, her passion for supporting Puerto Rican artisans, and the importance of community in her business model.
...
In this episode of the Main Street Business Insights podcast, host Matt Wagner speaks with Rachel Latimer, Owner and Scent Specialist of DANE Fragrance in Ukiah, California.
They discuss Rachel's professional journey and the unique challenges faced by entrepreneurs, especially those operating in the fragrance manufacturing space. Rachel shares insights on navigating the retail and wholesale dynamics of her business, the significanc...
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 tran...
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...
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