OUTdrive

By leveraging storytelling, embracing modern marketing tools, and fostering collaboration, rural businesses and organizations can thrive in a changing economic landscape. Bing Schimmelpfenning, the executive director of the Harrisonville Chamber of Commerce, emphasizes that effective marketing is all about telling your story—whether it's about a product, service, or personal journey. This approach...

From demanding time commitments to the need to think quickly on your feet, promoting sporting events can be a whirlwind. Ryan Anderson, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications at the University of Central Missouri (UCM), provides an inside look into sports marketing during our latest episode. Utilizing traditional advertising and innovative social media strategies, the UCM Athletics communi...

You probably know that the Missouri State Fair draws thousands of people from across the Midwest each year. To some, it may seem like the fair just happens, when actually, a lot goes into it. One of those people who help make it happen is Paul Beykirch, president of County Distributing. County is a regional Anheuser-Busch distributor and one of the fair's long time sponsors and supporters. Paul jo...

Tourism is a powerful driver for local economies, and Sedalia is no exception. The Sedalia Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is committed to showcasing our city's unique offerings. Joining us today are Carolyn Crooker, Kyle Herrick and Rick Yeager from the Sedalia CVB to share insights on how attracting visitors year-round can significantly boost our community. Whether it's hiking the Katy Trail,...

Kim Anderson's journey from rural America to professional athletics and coaching paints a vivid picture of the evolving landscape of college sports, the influence of marketing, and the distinct characteristics of rural communities.  Kim's roots in rural America, shaped by his father's role as a basketball coach, laid the foundation for his athletic career. From parental guidance to navigating the...

Karri Wilson's story is deeply rooted in the agricultural lifestyle of rural America. Growing up on a farm near the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia, Karri developed a love for horses and a strong work ethic that has shaped her personal and professional life. Her background in social work and her transition to the role of Executive Director of the Missouri State Fair Foundation highlight her...

Ever wondered what goes into creating an unforgettable fair experience? Kari Mergen, the Marketing Director of the Missouri State Fair, has been at the helm for a decade, carefully balancing between tradition and innovation. Her meticulous organization and flexibility ensure that every year is better than the last for fairgoers. From overseeing marketing to managing special events, Kari's strategi...

Dr. Levi Harris began his journey into medicine in southwest Missouri with an early exposure to the field while working in a local veterinary clinic. This experience planted the seeds for his future career of caring for people as a medical doctor as he witnessed firsthand the impact of health care in a community setting. Levi's formative years were shaped by the values and work ethic inherent to r...

Andrew Stallcup, a digital marketing strategist at Callis, has a unique background for his role with our marketing agency.  After serving in the military working in psychological operations (code word: marketing), Andrew further developed his skill set to evolve into a strategist focusing on the business side of digital.   Andrew offers a fascinating perspective on the importance of strategy in ou...

Tim Kondratyuk's story is a classic narrative of American determination, tracing his roots back to Ukrainian immigrant parents and a childhood on a Missouri farm. As the eldest of nine, Tim's early life was defined by hard work and resilience, qualities that have served him well in his entrepreneurial journey. Today, he is not only a dedicated family man but also a key figure behind US Quality Con...

As the creative director of Outback Team Building and Training, Mike Cavers's journey began in Ottawa, Canada, where his love for entertainment took root. His early years were marked by a natural talent for engaging audiences, which he cultivated through lead roles in high school plays and further developed while studying acting and literature at university. Mike's career flourished as he landed r...

Nicholas Harrison, a Canadian-born author, actor, and self-proclaimed Jedi, has led an extraordinary life that intertwines with the world of entertainment and creativity. With a Ph. D. in film and theater history, Nick's career spans 35 years, covering various roles from a fight director and stunt performer to a morning radio personality and corporate entertainer. His small-town, blue-collar upbri...

Ever wonder how the Missouri and Iowa State Fairs became such beloved events? According to Gary Slater, formerly the director of both fairs, "It's all about vision and teamwork." Gary's insights into the art of drawing crowds to these agricultural, entertainment and community celebrations reveal a shared belief in the importance of engaging the audiences and creating memorable experiences. This ep...

It's not every day you meet someone who has built their career from the ground up. Jason Moore's rise from a homebuilder to carpenter at the Missouri State Fairgrounds to Missouri State Fair director is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and passion. His journey began with hands-on work, which laid the foundation for his deep understanding of the fair's operations. From there, he was promot...

Growing up on a farm teaches the value of community and caring—not just for the land and animals, but for the people around us. Dr. Misty Todd grew up on a farm in northeast Missouri, where she learned the values of diligence, community service, and caring for others, which later propelled her toward a career in family medicine. Her journey led her to the Bothwell Cole Camp Clinic and the Bothwell...

In today's competitive industry, marketing strategies like trade shows and fostering long-term client relationships are crucial for sustainable business growth. Mike Hill, general manager of Big Rocks Engineering, a company making significant strides in the manufacturing and engineering sector, shares the importance of trade shows in their marketing strategy. Big Rocks Engineering skillfully utili...

Crafting the perfect trip is not just about finding a spot on the sand, it's about creating a travel experience that dives deeper into your passions. Jamie Anderson is an independent travel consultant known for her personalized travel planning and rural Missouri charm. Despite the digital age making travel planning seem easy, Jamie's services are in high demand because she offers a human touch tha...

Doug Fish, CEO of BTC Bank, is a true embodiment of rural American values and a visionary in community banking. From his humble beginnings on a small dairy farm to leading BTC Bank's expansion to 23 locations across Missouri and Iowa, his story is one of hard work and innovation. Imagine setting up mobile banks in shipping containers to reach the underserved – that's BTC Bank's level of commitment...

It's fascinating how chance encounters can lead to monumental projects and a pivotal moment that completely changes the course of your career. In this episode, Michael Eaton, the Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Manufacturers, recounts the 'God moments' that led to his incredible journey from architecture to art and then eventually marketing to manufacturing—a transition driven by...

Sometimes, the best investment is in the next generation. Seasoned entrepreneur Wayne Swisher collaborated with his wife Kelly to create Waymaker, a platform to connect retiring business owners with young, aspiring entrepreneurs. Together, they encourage every individual to stay active in business and community life, regardless of age, and help young people transition into new careers as business...

Ever wonder what it takes to bring a brand to life? It's not just about the visuals; it's the voice that often resonates with us. Today's guest, Michael Ashcraft, a professional voice and on-screen talent who you may know as the voice of the Missouri State Fair, dives into the creative process. Together, he and Cliff explore how collaboration in the studio is key to refining the delivery of advert...

Can you imagine mastering a skill set that's 852 hours in the making? That's the reality for students in the graphic design program at the Career Technology Center (CTC) at State Fair Community College, where instructor Linda Harris molds the creative minds of tomorrow. With an emphasis on industry-standard software, and the chance to earn college credits, these students are set on a path to succe...

Aaron Warbritton's journey from a small-town upbringing to a trailblazer in the hunting video industry is a tale of passion and perseverance. Raised in a close-knit farming community in Missouri, Aaron's childhood was steeped in the traditions of hunting and fishing. These early experiences fostered a profound respect for nature and a dream to one day create hunting videos. Aaron's unwavering dedi...

Did you know that local charm can be your ticket to global markets? In part two of this two-episode series, I sat down again with Paul Ruppert, an international strategy consultant, to discuss how rural American companies can craft compelling stories around their unique products. These narratives resonate not only domestically but internationally. It's fascinating how a local advantage can become...

Sometimes, you really never know what you're getting into when you jump into a business opportunity, or where it might take you. For our guest today, opportunities have taken him all over the world, and then some. Paul Ruppert is an international strategy consultant with a specialty in mobile telecommunications, working primarily with private equity firms and enterprise level organizations. With a...