Rural Marketing

OUTdrive Episode 205 with Gary Slater 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…

OUTdrive Episode 204 with Jason Moore 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…

OUTdrive Episode 203 with Dr. Misty Todd 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,…

OUTdrive Episode 202 with Mike Hill 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.…

OUTdrive Episode 201 with Jamie Anderson 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…

OUTdrive Episode 200 with Doug Fish 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…

OUTdrive Episode 199 with Michael Eaton 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…

OUTdrive Episode 198 with Wayne Swisher 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…

OUTdrive Episode 197 with Michael Ashcraft 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…

OUTdrive Episode 194 with Paul Ruppert 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…

OUTdrive Episode 193 with Paul Ruppert 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…

OUTdrive Episode 192 with Gunther Hartman Effective marketing isn’t just about the message, it’s about the medium and the people, too. In this episode, Gunther Hartman, head of marketing and human resources at Zimmerman Manufacturing, gives us a peek into their high-quality content creation—from drones to testimonials. It’s about crafting stories that resonate and visuals…

OUTdrive Episode 190 with Seth Brunkhorst and Darren Grove The Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show is an annual event that brings together retailers, distributors, media, marketers, and other industry professionals to explore the latest innovations and strategies in the outdoor industry. Callis account executives Darren Grove and Seth Brunkhorst joined Cliff at this…

OUTdrive Episode 189 with Deb Brown Innovation is everywhere and in rural America, it shows up in everyday places. In small towns, from coast to coast, entrepreneurs are using new ideas, new technologies, and out of the box ingenuity to start and grow successful businesses and energize communities. Sometimes, it takes an outside perspective to…

OUTdrive Episode 188 with Darline Mabins and Duan Gavel There are endless opportunities in rural America for entrepreneurs to start and grow successful businesses. However, not everyone is going to have all the skills and experience necessary to sustain it. Most of us need support in areas where we might be weak. Many times, entrepreneurs…

OUTdrive Episode 186 with Rachelle Simon Out here in the country, people take care of each other. They know their neighbors and they value the relationships they have with them. They also know that there are challenges that people face as they steer their way through life. In our community, there are many organizations that…

OUTDRIVE EPISODE 185 | SOLOCAST Welcome to OUTdrive and welcome to 2024! We hope each of you had a safe and happy new year’s celebration, however you chose to spend it. Today, we’re taking a special drive down memory lane and revisiting some of the most impactful stories and insights we shared over the past…