This becomes a good problem to have if your business outgrows the retail space. But it's still a problem. Jessalyn and Dustin Crawford, owners of Hey Honey Boutique in Ord, Nebraska, recently overcame this challenge.
The Crawfords looked for a larger space after their previous location started to feel too small for their boutique, which sells women's clothing, jewelry and accessories. Like many rural entrepreneurs, they faced his second problem. This means that whether you build a new house or renovate it, it will cost a lot of money. They turned to Caleb Pollard, a business “eCoach” for his eCommunities program at Rural Prosperity Nebraska, and quickly set the benchmark for how collaboration between companies can benefit Nebraska communities. Did.
“We discussed a few different options,” Jessalyn said of working with Pollard. “One of the things he did was basically tear down the site and rebuild it, which honestly would have been too expensive for us. [buying this building] It was more reasonable. ” Working with Pollard on various financing options and opportunities, the Crawfords secured the financing they needed to purchase a dilapidated building in downtown Ord.
Mr. Pollard has provided guidance on city, county, and state-wide loan and grant documentation, including the preparation and revision of business proposal plans and budget proposals for applications. One of his funding routes was a rural development grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which helped improve the energy efficiency of the building itself. The other is the small business tax credit, which allows owners to qualify for up to $20,000 back on business investments if they are growing their business.
“By combining local, state and federal resources, we can really create very affordable platforms and programs to solve fundamental problems within rural Nebraska communities,” Pollard said. Told.
Counseling and workshops like this one with local eCoachs are the mainstay of the eCommunities program. In addition to helping individuals launch businesses, eCoaches works with cities across Nebraska to establish and foster vibrant entrepreneurial environments. This helps communities identify, gather, and cultivate resources that foster business development. By the end of the third quarter of 2023, the eCommunities program supported 20 communities in 12 counties, generating approximately $2.5 million in total revenue and savings.
The Crawfords saw how that one-on-one coaching helped them expand their business into a new building. Built in 1840, the building passed through several owners and sat vacant for many years when the Crawfords bought it. “It took a lot of love,” Jessalyn said.
In addition to sprucing up their elbows, the Crawfords hired local contractors to restore the building to its former glory. They tore down the drywall to reveal the original brickwork and removed the drop ceiling to expose the original tin ceiling tiles. A local glazier replaced the front and transom windows, which had been boarded up for at least 70 years. Local contractors installed new insulation and plumbing, and he also raised the sunken floor by 4.5 inches.
“It’s all local people,” Jessalyn said of the collaboration.
The boutique is now a vibrant hub in downtown Ord. The front of the building is a fully stocked boutique managed by Jessalyn, and the back has been expanded by Dustin as a gun store. The two meet at a coffee bar along the way.
“It's like a one-stop shop,” Jessalyn said. “The women who come here say, 'You can bring your husband along,' and vice versa. The men are very excited. 'My wife can shop while I shop.' You can do it.’ You can have coffee while you shop.”
The couple is still deciding what to do with the second floor. That would allow them to use the restored and functioning 1840 open-air freight elevator they decided to preserve.
“We're not just talking about one or two businesses,” Pollard said. “We're talking about the entire relationship between businesses that bring not just online traffic, but mixed foot traffic to the community. After all, economic development doesn't just mean jobs.” The key element is improving the human condition, and the best way to do that is by investing in our neighbors and community members.”
Jessalyn said: “The community is excited. The older generation is coming and what are they remembering? [the building] It looked like. I feel like I saved a small part of Ord's history. ”
Preserving that history is not just about preserving a community's past. It's also about propelling the community into the future. Pollard said the renovation project is an example of what could be a renaissance for rural Nebraska.
“I think there's something uniquely special about doing business here,” Pollard said of rural Nebraska. “There's something in the water. There's community support. And that really makes a difference. When you talk about opportunities in rural areas, one thing you won't find anywhere else here is homegrown entrepreneurs. This is the level of commitment to support this.”
Learn more about the eCommunities program.
