Pathways to Rural Prosperity with Don Macke

In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Kristi Smith with the University of Wisconsin’s YourEconomy. In this podcast we explore Kristi’s interesting entrepreneurial journey, and now her remarkable work with the YourEconomy data resource. At e2 we have employed YourEconomy data impactfully with communities throughout the United Sta...

In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Shawn Kaskie with Rural Prosperity Nebraska. Shawn is the leader of an impressive entrepreneurship initiative employing entrepreneur coaches in rural Nebraska communities. Impacts from this demonstration project are remarkable. Shawn will be sharing his story, providing some overview of Rura...

Please enjoy Part 2 of the Espresso with Entrepreneurs feature with Laura Martin, the founder and owner of Sew Loved Quilt Shop in Elkhart, Kansas.

In this episode of Espresso with Entrepreneurs, Lea Ann sits down with Laura Martin, the founder and owner of Sew Loved Quilt Shop in Elkhart, Kansas. Laura shares her journey of turning her passion for sewing into a successful business, and the challenges and triumphs she has faced along the way.  During the interview, listeners will learn: Laura's inspiration for starting Sew Loved Quilt Sh...

In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Matt Dunne, the founder and Executive Director of the Center on Rural Innovation. Matt is a leading rural development thought leader, innovator and practitioner working across the United States. This podcast edition focuses on Matt’s personal journey into this work, and an exploration of the...

In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Julianna Dodson with both the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship and lead with Radically Rural. Don and Julianna have a conversation about the importance of the Hannah Grimes Center and take a deeper dive into the Radically Rural initiative. The Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneursh...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Espresso with Entrepreneurs! In this episode, we get a glimpse into the life of Entrepreneur and avid Outdoorsman Matt Moreau of Clever Rabbit Throwing Club and Clever Rabbit Forge. Matt ceremoniously burned his day-job certification on FaceBook as he took the leap into Entrepreneurship full time and has continued to grow his business while doing what he lov...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Espresso with Entrepreneurs! How often do we get to talk about show cattle taking over a downtown business district? Today, we have the pleasure of hosting Christian Calliham, a distinguished figure from the world of agriculture and entrepreneurship. Christian, known for his founding role in the Aggieville Showdown (and a former YEC participant), joins us to...

In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Ron Zeigler, President and CEO of Community Economic Development Associates or CEDA for short.  Don and Ron’s conversation focuses on CEDA’s current and emerging work with smaller rural communities in the upper Midwest.  CEDA has an innovative service model worthy of consideration...

Welcome to another episode of "Espresso with Entrepreneurs." In today's episode, we sit down with lifelong friends and seasoned entrepreneurs, Steve Radley and Erik Pedersen. Join us as they take us on a captivating journey through their early years in entrepreneurship, sharing valuable lessons learned along the way…and how those lessons have served them well in the growth and evolution of NetWork...

In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Tom Field with the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program .  Tom and the Engler Program are hosted by the University of Nebraska’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources based in Lincoln, Nebraska.  The tag line on the front page of the program’s website is Engler – A...

This episode of Pathways to Rural Prosperity features Patti Norris, who is the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Builder supporting all of the GRO communities. After many years working with innovative Silicon Valley ventures, for the past 10 years, Patti has been training and advising hundreds of Oregon businesses as a Business Advisor for the Small Business Development Center and inspiring the next gener...

In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Luke Mahin from Courtland, Kansas population 290.  In this episode we cover a lot ground given Luke’s work a rural economic developer, entrepreneur with a relatively new brew pub and his role a community coach with E3 Energizing Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Nebraska.  This conversa...

This episode of Espresso with Entrepreneurs features Mr. Clifton Taulbert , noted Entrepreneur, Author and Businessman. Clifton is the man who introduced Stairmaster to the world, and is known as “One of America’s Most Outstanding Black Entrepreneurs” – Time Magazine. He is also the speaker of choice for Harvard University, US Federal Reserve, Bank of America and US Pentagon.  On top of all t...

In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Jackson Swearer, the Entrepreneur Navigator and Director with START UP Hutch serving Hutchinson and Reno County, Kansas. This community in South Central Kansas is both urban and rural with a rich history of entrepreneur-focused community economic development. In this episode Don and Jackson...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Espresso with Entrepreneurs!  Today we’re joined by Dave Hill, from Mid-America Bank. Get ready for a deep dive into Dave’s extensive banking experience and his remarkable entrepreneurial journey. Dave is not only a banker, he’s a community-driven visionary who has transformed Baldwin City and Douglas County, Kansas, through his commitment to entre...

In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Sarah Sinnett from and Pam Abbott from Nebraska focusing on entrepreneurial community initiatives in their communities. Sarah and Pam have become leaders in ecosystem building initiatives in their respective western Nebraska communities. Their experiences provide insight into the challenges...

In this edition of Espresso with Entrepreneurs Podcast, Lea Ann pulls up a chair and enjoys a cup of coffee with Ellie Bowman of Prickly Pear Farm and Home in Kinsley, KS.  As the average age of small business owners in our rural communities keeps bumping upward, Ellie is bucking that trend.  Arguably one of the youngest lumberyard owners in America, Ellie purchased her lumberyard last y...

In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Rachael Barry from St. Helens, Oregon and Alisha Juelfs from Sidney, Nebraska focusing on Entrepreneur Navigators.  Both Rachael and Alisha were part of e2’s Spring 2023 Entrepreneur Navigators Professional Training.  Rachael is a community leader working with an eNavigator in this...

In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Caleb Pollard of Ord, Nebraska.  Caleb has been an economic developer, is an entrepreneur and is also a business coach.  Caleb and his wife and partners created Scratchtown Brewing in Ord, Nebraska.  Previously, he held a number of state and local economic developer jobs. ...

In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Amara Kniep, Director of the E-Community Partnership with NetWork Kansas about the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge and the VentureDash resource.  Energizing young people on entrepreneurship is a game changer for both personal life careers and cultural change in communities.  This e...

In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts John Monson with Compeer Financial and Pam Bishop with the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) focusing on the exciting partnership between Compeer Financial and the SMIF to expand REV (Rural Entrepreneurial Venture) in its home of Minnesota and into Wisconsin and Illinois. ...

Nathan Ohle is the President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council or IEDC for short. IEDC is the world’s largest economic development professional organization.  This podcast explores Nathan’s development journey, IEDC’s mission and resources and its growing commitment to all communities, including rural communities, and entrepreneurship.

In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Kate Hodel, editor of e2’s newest book, Strategies for Rural Prosperity, hosts a conversation with Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, book author. Strategies for Rural Prosperity captures over a decade of e2 field experience detailing in practical and useful ways 11 universal rural entrepreneurial development strategies including…...

When American ecosystem builders gather, we often talk about the entrepreneurial programs we offer to support entrepreneurs and their development. Programs and resources are essential for high-performing ecosystems. However, e2’s field experience is clear – do not begin with programs and resources! Begin working with area entrepreneurs, build relationships, learn about their needs and wants, and t...