The Rural Entrepreneur’s Gold Tue, 26 May 2026 23:00:14 -0400 https://www.ruralgold.com/rural-entrepreneurs-gold/ en-us © 2026 The Rural Entrepreneur’s Gold yes 54d6b99a-ddf9-525f-aa2e-039947662741 Krysti Mikkonen episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) rural, entrepreneurs, small business, start-up, small town, Krysti Mikkonen https://storage.buzzsprout.com/6xeia5xguk9a8av65oh7ro76zt54?.jpg The Rural Entrepreneur’s Gold https://www.ruralgold.com/rural-entrepreneurs-gold/ Jill Blashack Strahan - Founder of Tastefully Simple shares personal loss, great success, almost closing the doors back to success. Jill Blashack Strahan - Founder of Tastefully Simple shares personal loss, great success, almost closing the doors back to success. Jill Blashack Strahan used to put together gift baskets and sell them in her Minnesota town as an active rural entrepreneur.  She started small and it got bigger and bigger, but it wasn't working as she'd hoped and she decided to close the business.  She was asked if she would still like to host a booth at a local event selling individually some of the spices, mixes, and sauces she had put in her baskets.  The event was a roaring success.

Strahan was a busy mom who didn't love to cook and liked anything that would make it easier.  She knew of other moms just like her.  Even for moms who did love to cook, time was of the essence and you couldn't buy more time, but if you can buy products that make cooking take less time and you can still love it.   

She wasn't a fan of home party sales, but she knew she would be a fan if the party involved demonstrating and eating food and at the same time solving a problem that many moms have and she believed it would work. That to her sounded like a home party she'd love to attend. 

With $36,000 of her own money and an SBA loan, she created a home party plan business called Tastefully Simple from a shed that had no running water and no bathrooms.  She created a business plan and set out to sell a curated list of delicious easy to use mixes, sauces, spices, and an amazing easy beer bread mix.  She was absolutely right!  People loved it.  Within 6 years the company was bringing in over $113 million a year.   

She credits the devastating loss of her brother from a house fire when she was 26 for inspiring her to start this business.  Just three years into starting the business, tragedy struck again and again.  She was devastated multiple times and yet she found the strength to carry on and shine through it all.  The company kept growing and growing.

Things got rough for several years and money was pouring out the door with year after year losses.  She was told to let it go and close the doors.  She kept fighting and has brought the company back to profits again.  How she fought back the naysayers who told her to quit and was more than ready when COVID hit and her business was needed more than ever. 

I love this story and I loved getting to know Jill as a person and as an amazing rural entrepreneur.  I sincerely hope you do too.  I feel like I've gained a sister and a wonderful friend in doing this interview.  Thank you, Jill.

If you'd like more information about the delicious Tastefully Simple products or their entrepreneurial development program go to the Tastefully Simple website.   

The podcast host Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones.  She also offers coaching services to entrepreneurs and difference makers individually and in a group called The Gold Miners.

]]> Jill Blashack Strahan used to put together gift baskets and sell them in her Minnesota town as an active rural entrepreneur.  She started small and it got bigger and bigger, but it wasn't working as she'd hoped and she decided to close the business.  She was asked if she would still like to host a booth at a local event selling individually some of the spices, mixes, and sauces she had put in her baskets.  The event was a roaring success.

Strahan was a busy mom who didn't love to cook and liked anything that would make it easier.  She knew of other moms just like her.  Even for moms who did love to cook, time was of the essence and you couldn't buy more time, but if you can buy products that make cooking take less time and you can still love it.   

She wasn't a fan of home party sales, but she knew she would be a fan if the party involved demonstrating and eating food and at the same time solving a problem that many moms have and she believed it would work. That to her sounded like a home party she'd love to attend. 

With $36,000 of her own money and an SBA loan, she created a home party plan business called Tastefully Simple from a shed that had no running water and no bathrooms.  She created a business plan and set out to sell a curated list of delicious easy to use mixes, sauces, spices, and an amazing easy beer bread mix.  She was absolutely right!  People loved it.  Within 6 years the company was bringing in over $113 million a year.   

She credits the devastating loss of her brother from a house fire when she was 26 for inspiring her to start this business.  Just three years into starting the business, tragedy struck again and again.  She was devastated multiple times and yet she found the strength to carry on and shine through it all.  The company kept growing and growing.

Things got rough for several years and money was pouring out the door with year after year losses.  She was told to let it go and close the doors.  She kept fighting and has brought the company back to profits again.  How she fought back the naysayers who told her to quit and was more than ready when COVID hit and her business was needed more than ever. 

I love this story and I loved getting to know Jill as a person and as an amazing rural entrepreneur.  I sincerely hope you do too.  I feel like I've gained a sister and a wonderful friend in doing this interview.  Thank you, Jill.

If you'd like more information about the delicious Tastefully Simple products or their entrepreneurial development program go to the Tastefully Simple website.   

The podcast host Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones.  She also offers coaching services to entrepreneurs and difference makers individually and in a group called The Gold Miners.

]]> https://www.ruralgold.com/jill-strahan-she-built-a-home-party-empire-with-millions-from-a-shed-in-her-rural-minnesota-town/ Krysti Mikkonen with Jill Blashack Strahan Buzzsprout-9488169 Mon, 08 Nov 2021 16:00:00 -0600 3473 Jill Strahan, rural entrepreneur, home party plan, Minnesota entrepreneur, Tastefully Simple, author, Jill Blashack Strahan, Krysti Mikkonen, grief, million dollar entrepreneur 1 10 full false Jordan Phillips Young entrepreneur who's family cancer story inspired Cozys for a Cure & a deal with Walmart Jordan Phillips Young entrepreneur who's family cancer story inspired Cozys for a Cure & a deal with Walmart Jordan Phillips is more than a cross-country runner.  She's also more than a sister, daughter of a cancer survivor and high school senior.  And she's more than a heck of an eloquent speaker.  Jordan is an entrepreneur who at 12 years old had a product she created selling in over 2000 Walmart Stores across the country.

In today’s episode of The Rural Entrepreneur’s Gold, you’re going to meet an incredibly inspiring, impressive, and articulate young lady. Phillips shares with us the story of her journey through her mom’s cancer, how it impacted her family, and how it led her to raise over $120,000 to date that started with a sewing machine she got in kindergarten.

We hear stories of how cancer patients are doing in treatment, but sometimes we forget to ask those around them.  Jordan shares how she learned of her mom's cancer, how she coped, and what helped her and her family.  Her family didn't just make it through, they grew. They grew in their love, their communication, and their joy.  While everyone was going through a difficult time, they intentionally made joy.

From there we move to the how and why behind her decision to start making Cozys for the Cure.  It's a pretty incredible journey from making these gifts with her sewing machine to selling them in Walmart.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. 

If you're interested in buying a coffee cozy or a microwave cozy for your bowl, go to the Cozys for a Cure Website. 

The podcast host Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones.  She also offers coaching services to entrepreneurs and difference makers individually and in a group called The Gold Miners.

  

]]> Jordan Phillips is more than a cross-country runner.  She's also more than a sister, daughter of a cancer survivor and high school senior.  And she's more than a heck of an eloquent speaker.  Jordan is an entrepreneur who at 12 years old had a product she created selling in over 2000 Walmart Stores across the country.

In today’s episode of The Rural Entrepreneur’s Gold, you’re going to meet an incredibly inspiring, impressive, and articulate young lady. Phillips shares with us the story of her journey through her mom’s cancer, how it impacted her family, and how it led her to raise over $120,000 to date that started with a sewing machine she got in kindergarten.

We hear stories of how cancer patients are doing in treatment, but sometimes we forget to ask those around them.  Jordan shares how she learned of her mom's cancer, how she coped, and what helped her and her family.  Her family didn't just make it through, they grew. They grew in their love, their communication, and their joy.  While everyone was going through a difficult time, they intentionally made joy.

From there we move to the how and why behind her decision to start making Cozys for the Cure.  It's a pretty incredible journey from making these gifts with her sewing machine to selling them in Walmart.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. 

If you're interested in buying a coffee cozy or a microwave cozy for your bowl, go to the Cozys for a Cure Website. 

The podcast host Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones.  She also offers coaching services to entrepreneurs and difference makers individually and in a group called The Gold Miners.

  

]]> Krysti Mikkonen Buzzsprout-9447470 Thu, 28 Oct 2021 04:00:00 -0500 2681 1 9 full false Cheesecake Ninja - Why Greg Franklin getting fired is the best thing to happen Cheesecake Ninja - Why Greg Franklin getting fired is the best thing to happen In today's episode of the rural entrepreneurs, gold, you're going to meet Greg Franklin, also known by some as the cheesecake ninja in his rural town of Perryville, Missouri, a town of about 8500. Greg is going to share how this guy, who didn't really bake took an odd interest in cheesecake from a mere Facebook post.

After trying many different recipes, multiple online sales, and many direct sale door knocks and failing miserably multiple times, he kept at it.  He would try various recipes and techniques and persistently tried selling online and to other businesses.  Slowly but surely he was having some good success on this side gig. It was working. His hobby brought him joy and a nice added bonus income.  His "real" job gave him security with benefits, but he didn't love it.  That's ok though because he could keep that for security and his side job brought him joy and he loved that people loved what he made. 

Then one day at his real job things changed and he got fired.  Ironically, he was fired on National Cheesecake Day.   Those around him encouraged him to open a bakery.  This was his chance and they believed he could make this work. 

You'll hear how Greg turned that interest into a full-time business. The ups, downs, tips, and suggestions he has for starting a business. I love this story of perseverance patience, persistence, hard work, and humility. I hope you like it too.

If you'd like more information about the Cheesecake Ninja, you can check it out and assassinate you cravings here. Feel free visit him and be sure to tell him where you heard about his amazing cheesecakes!

The podcast host Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones.  She also offers coaching services to entrepreneurs and difference makers individually and in a group called The Gold Miners.

]]> In today's episode of the rural entrepreneurs, gold, you're going to meet Greg Franklin, also known by some as the cheesecake ninja in his rural town of Perryville, Missouri, a town of about 8500. Greg is going to share how this guy, who didn't really bake took an odd interest in cheesecake from a mere Facebook post.

After trying many different recipes, multiple online sales, and many direct sale door knocks and failing miserably multiple times, he kept at it.  He would try various recipes and techniques and persistently tried selling online and to other businesses.  Slowly but surely he was having some good success on this side gig. It was working. His hobby brought him joy and a nice added bonus income.  His "real" job gave him security with benefits, but he didn't love it.  That's ok though because he could keep that for security and his side job brought him joy and he loved that people loved what he made. 

Then one day at his real job things changed and he got fired.  Ironically, he was fired on National Cheesecake Day.   Those around him encouraged him to open a bakery.  This was his chance and they believed he could make this work. 

You'll hear how Greg turned that interest into a full-time business. The ups, downs, tips, and suggestions he has for starting a business. I love this story of perseverance patience, persistence, hard work, and humility. I hope you like it too.

If you'd like more information about the Cheesecake Ninja, you can check it out and assassinate you cravings here. Feel free visit him and be sure to tell him where you heard about his amazing cheesecakes!

The podcast host Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones.  She also offers coaching services to entrepreneurs and difference makers individually and in a group called The Gold Miners.

]]> Krysti Mikkonen Buzzsprout-9405729 Thu, 21 Oct 2021 04:00:00 -0500 2272 1 8 full false Mitch Reed - Cardboard Confessional from HS class project to book Mitch Reed - Cardboard Confessional from HS class project to book Meet Mitch Reed. He's a high school superintendent that saw a cool public project in Brookings, South Dakota. It was an interactive art display on Main Street where people walking by could read a deep thought-provoking question, "What's one thing you want to do before you die".  People were encouraged to write their answers on a big chalkboard for all the world to see.   He couldn't stop thinking about it and thought this would be a good sociology class project.  It became so much more than anyone could have imagined.  It was inspiring, thought-provoking, and life-changing.  The project, which had kids answering that first question found in Brookings,  but other great questions the class came up with.  The entire school was brought in to participate and encouraged to put their answers anonymously into a box.  The project was turned into a book called Cardboard Confessionals. 

In the book, Reed shares the seven deep questions he asked the students of his school. The first question was, What is one thing you want to do before you die. While one might expect from a bunch of kids answers like jump off a cliff, buy a sports car, or win a million dollars, the answers were impressive and changed his life forever.

Hear how this journey made Mr. Reed a better father, a better husband, a better teacher, a better leader, a better coach, and an all-around better person. You'll get a glimpse of how this project not only changed him, but he firmly believes saved lives.

If you find yourself inspired by this podcast episode, go get the book that tells more stories of the project and what inspiring answers he witnessed. If you thought our future would be bleak based on your perception of today’s young people, you’ll come away with a whole new perspective. Dare I say, you’ll be downright proud.

If you’d like more information on the book you can check out the website MitchReedSpeaks.com. If you’d like to purchase the book you can find it in several local book stores and gift shops in South Dakota or go to Amazon.

The podcast host Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones.  She also offers coaching services to entrepreneurs and difference makers individually and in a group called The Gold Miners.

]]> Meet Mitch Reed. He's a high school superintendent that saw a cool public project in Brookings, South Dakota. It was an interactive art display on Main Street where people walking by could read a deep thought-provoking question, "What's one thing you want to do before you die".  People were encouraged to write their answers on a big chalkboard for all the world to see.   He couldn't stop thinking about it and thought this would be a good sociology class project.  It became so much more than anyone could have imagined.  It was inspiring, thought-provoking, and life-changing.  The project, which had kids answering that first question found in Brookings,  but other great questions the class came up with.  The entire school was brought in to participate and encouraged to put their answers anonymously into a box.  The project was turned into a book called Cardboard Confessionals. 

In the book, Reed shares the seven deep questions he asked the students of his school. The first question was, What is one thing you want to do before you die. While one might expect from a bunch of kids answers like jump off a cliff, buy a sports car, or win a million dollars, the answers were impressive and changed his life forever.

Hear how this journey made Mr. Reed a better father, a better husband, a better teacher, a better leader, a better coach, and an all-around better person. You'll get a glimpse of how this project not only changed him, but he firmly believes saved lives.

If you find yourself inspired by this podcast episode, go get the book that tells more stories of the project and what inspiring answers he witnessed. If you thought our future would be bleak based on your perception of today’s young people, you’ll come away with a whole new perspective. Dare I say, you’ll be downright proud.

If you’d like more information on the book you can check out the website MitchReedSpeaks.com. If you’d like to purchase the book you can find it in several local book stores and gift shops in South Dakota or go to Amazon.

The podcast host Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones.  She also offers coaching services to entrepreneurs and difference makers individually and in a group called The Gold Miners.

]]> Krysti Mikkonen Buzzsprout-9369867 Fri, 15 Oct 2021 11:00:00 -0500 3145 1 7 full false Dot's Pretzels - An accidental entrepreneur with Dot & Randy Henke Dot's Pretzels - An accidental entrepreneur with Dot & Randy Henke In today's episode of the rural entrepreneurs, gold, we're going to hear a story of how some businesses aren't planned.  This is a journey of an accidental entrepreneur.  Sometimes ideas just happen when you least expect them, at any age, and at any time in your life.   Dorothy Henke shares the journey of Dot's Pretzels and its surprise arrival and the growth to success over the last 10 years.  Her husband Randy also chimed in bringing his fun side-bar comments and his perspective on this unexpected ride they've been on. 

It's a pretty impressive success story from small-town America. They share how you don't have to move to the big city to find success.  You'll hear how Dorothy went from trying to retire from her job in the insurance industry to working harder than ever on a job that just appeared because she said yes to doing a favor.

The tenacity and willingness to give their product away any chance they could was one of the best ideas to market their great pretzels.  Almost every time someone tasted the pretzels, they were wowed and looking to find out how they could get more.  It still amazes them where they are today.  You can tell they enjoy reminiscing about how they got where they are today.  It's amazing, that even though you think you don't know anything about running a bakery, marketing, sales, and more could build a business to 400 employees and 3 facilities. 

Dot's pretzels is headquartered in Velva, North Dakota,  a small town with a population of about 1400 people proving success can truly happen anywhere.  They have additional bakeries in Goodyear, Arizona, and Edgerton camp. If by the end, you didn't get enough and you want more information, you can go to the Dot's Pretzels website. Be sure to look them up and follow their amazing journey on your favorite social media channel.   And. next time you're lounging around or out and about with your bag of Dot's Pretzels, or eating a delicious Dot's candy bar, take a picture and tag Dot's on one of their social channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linked-In

The podcast host Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones.  She also offers coaching services to entrepreneurs and difference makers individually and in a group called The Gold Miners.

]]> In today's episode of the rural entrepreneurs, gold, we're going to hear a story of how some businesses aren't planned.  This is a journey of an accidental entrepreneur.  Sometimes ideas just happen when you least expect them, at any age, and at any time in your life.   Dorothy Henke shares the journey of Dot's Pretzels and its surprise arrival and the growth to success over the last 10 years.  Her husband Randy also chimed in bringing his fun side-bar comments and his perspective on this unexpected ride they've been on. 

It's a pretty impressive success story from small-town America. They share how you don't have to move to the big city to find success.  You'll hear how Dorothy went from trying to retire from her job in the insurance industry to working harder than ever on a job that just appeared because she said yes to doing a favor.

The tenacity and willingness to give their product away any chance they could was one of the best ideas to market their great pretzels.  Almost every time someone tasted the pretzels, they were wowed and looking to find out how they could get more.  It still amazes them where they are today.  You can tell they enjoy reminiscing about how they got where they are today.  It's amazing, that even though you think you don't know anything about running a bakery, marketing, sales, and more could build a business to 400 employees and 3 facilities. 

Dot's pretzels is headquartered in Velva, North Dakota,  a small town with a population of about 1400 people proving success can truly happen anywhere.  They have additional bakeries in Goodyear, Arizona, and Edgerton camp. If by the end, you didn't get enough and you want more information, you can go to the Dot's Pretzels website. Be sure to look them up and follow their amazing journey on your favorite social media channel.   And. next time you're lounging around or out and about with your bag of Dot's Pretzels, or eating a delicious Dot's candy bar, take a picture and tag Dot's on one of their social channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linked-In

The podcast host Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones.  She also offers coaching services to entrepreneurs and difference makers individually and in a group called The Gold Miners.

]]> Krysti Mikkonen Buzzsprout-9326294 Thu, 07 Oct 2021 05:00:00 -0500 3425 1 6 full false Holly Hoffman - Life After CBS Survivor Holly Hoffman - Life After CBS Survivor Holly Hoffman was a cast member on CBS Survivor 21 in Nicaragua.  She was the last one standing in her tribe and the last woman standing.  While she didn't win the million dollars, she certainly won a Million dollars worth of intangible gifts, gestures, lessons, insights, and more.  In this episode of The Rural Entrepreneur's Gold, Hoffman shares the entrepreneurial life she created in rural South Dakota as a direct springboard from her time on Survivor and how she's making a difference.

As a farm wife, swim coach, and stay-at-home mom to 3 very active and involved children, Hoffman's life revolved around everyone else and their activities.  When they started moving on she was one of over 100,000 applicants and one of 20 that was accepted to try her hand at surviving the jungles of Nicaragua.  She was mortified as she watched the season upon her return of the extremely embarrassing act she pulled only four days into her season.  S

She quickly learned that the show she thought was staged, with donuts behind the scenes, port-a-potties hidden in the trees, and better sleeping conditions beyond camera's view never existed.  The living conditions were as awful as you see on television and entirely too real.  She was ready to quit and give up when NFL coach and fellow tribe member, Jimmy Johnson talked her into staying.  It wasn't easy, but the gifts she was given in her sacrifice to stay are immeasurable.

After leaving her season and recuperating Hoffman was asked to speak at Kiwanis meeting in Aberdeen, SD about 70 miles from her farm near Eureka, SD where she lived and raised her family.   That one speech led to another, and then another until she realized, this was a business.  Hoffman is now a motivational speaker, not just in the United States, but she has traveled internationally.

She acknowledges that life is made up of various challenges.  We are oftentimes faced with situations that seem insurmountable within each of us. There's the ability to focus our thoughts and our emotions and our energy succeed in. If we just have the knowledge and the and of course the discipline as well.

 She's also an author of two books, "The Winner Within" and  "Write Yourself a Note".   She not only offers encouragement and optimism but also a roadmap for self-discovery and also of spiritual enlightenment.  She's a member of the National Speakers Association and a recipient of the Certified Professional designation.

Holly can be found on her website at www.HollyHoffman.com where you can also connect with her social media channels as well.  Her books are available on Amazon. 

Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones.  She also offers coaching services to entrepreneurs and difference makers individually and in a group called The Gold Miners.

Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved

]]> Holly Hoffman was a cast member on CBS Survivor 21 in Nicaragua.  She was the last one standing in her tribe and the last woman standing.  While she didn't win the million dollars, she certainly won a Million dollars worth of intangible gifts, gestures, lessons, insights, and more.  In this episode of The Rural Entrepreneur's Gold, Hoffman shares the entrepreneurial life she created in rural South Dakota as a direct springboard from her time on Survivor and how she's making a difference.

As a farm wife, swim coach, and stay-at-home mom to 3 very active and involved children, Hoffman's life revolved around everyone else and their activities.  When they started moving on she was one of over 100,000 applicants and one of 20 that was accepted to try her hand at surviving the jungles of Nicaragua.  She was mortified as she watched the season upon her return of the extremely embarrassing act she pulled only four days into her season.  S

She quickly learned that the show she thought was staged, with donuts behind the scenes, port-a-potties hidden in the trees, and better sleeping conditions beyond camera's view never existed.  The living conditions were as awful as you see on television and entirely too real.  She was ready to quit and give up when NFL coach and fellow tribe member, Jimmy Johnson talked her into staying.  It wasn't easy, but the gifts she was given in her sacrifice to stay are immeasurable.

After leaving her season and recuperating Hoffman was asked to speak at Kiwanis meeting in Aberdeen, SD about 70 miles from her farm near Eureka, SD where she lived and raised her family.   That one speech led to another, and then another until she realized, this was a business.  Hoffman is now a motivational speaker, not just in the United States, but she has traveled internationally.

She acknowledges that life is made up of various challenges.  We are oftentimes faced with situations that seem insurmountable within each of us. There's the ability to focus our thoughts and our emotions and our energy succeed in. If we just have the knowledge and the and of course the discipline as well.

 She's also an author of two books, "The Winner Within" and  "Write Yourself a Note".   She not only offers encouragement and optimism but also a roadmap for self-discovery and also of spiritual enlightenment.  She's a member of the National Speakers Association and a recipient of the Certified Professional designation.

Holly can be found on her website at www.HollyHoffman.com where you can also connect with her social media channels as well.  Her books are available on Amazon. 

Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones.  She also offers coaching services to entrepreneurs and difference makers individually and in a group called The Gold Miners.

Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved

]]> Krysti Mikkonen Buzzsprout-9284524 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 05:00:00 -0500 4590 1 5 full false Carly Pochop - Award winning Rural Entrepreneur & Artist helps with grief Carly Pochop - Award winning Rural Entrepreneur & Artist helps with grief In this episode of the Rural Entrepreneur's Gold, you'll hear from Carly Pochop who seems to be a serial entrepreneur who started multiple businesses over the last five years in Aberdeen, SD a town in SD that has a population a little over 28,000.   Her first business wasn't created out of a great desire to start her business, but more about getting out of the current job she had.   She'll inspire you with her tenacity and gumption.

The biggest inspiration for Carly's entrepreneurial journey was time.  She wanted to be able to control the time she was allowed to spend with family members who had been diagnosed with cancer.  Working as a teacher, she didn't have the flexibility and freedom to do that.   She took matters into her own hands and created a job that she prayed would give her the flexibility she so desperately wanted.

A few years into her journey, the loss of her dad created a depression that wouldn't let go,  She discovered one of her long-treasured art outlets, throwing clay gave a helpful lift to her depression.  A family clay project gave her an inspired audacious goal that turned into something WAY bigger than she'd ever anticipated, inspiring and healing others along the way.

Listen as Carly shares some of the ups and downs of her journey of entrepreneurship in Aberdeen, SD.

- One of her primary businesses is Colorful Creations, a paint & pottery studio 
- Her other business is The Market on the Plaza, a coffee and gift shop

Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones.  She also offers coaching services to entrepreneurs and difference makers individually and in a group called The Gold Miners.

]]> In this episode of the Rural Entrepreneur's Gold, you'll hear from Carly Pochop who seems to be a serial entrepreneur who started multiple businesses over the last five years in Aberdeen, SD a town in SD that has a population a little over 28,000.   Her first business wasn't created out of a great desire to start her business, but more about getting out of the current job she had.   She'll inspire you with her tenacity and gumption.

The biggest inspiration for Carly's entrepreneurial journey was time.  She wanted to be able to control the time she was allowed to spend with family members who had been diagnosed with cancer.  Working as a teacher, she didn't have the flexibility and freedom to do that.   She took matters into her own hands and created a job that she prayed would give her the flexibility she so desperately wanted.

A few years into her journey, the loss of her dad created a depression that wouldn't let go,  She discovered one of her long-treasured art outlets, throwing clay gave a helpful lift to her depression.  A family clay project gave her an inspired audacious goal that turned into something WAY bigger than she'd ever anticipated, inspiring and healing others along the way.

Listen as Carly shares some of the ups and downs of her journey of entrepreneurship in Aberdeen, SD.

- One of her primary businesses is Colorful Creations, a paint & pottery studio 
- Her other business is The Market on the Plaza, a coffee and gift shop

Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones.  She also offers coaching services to entrepreneurs and difference makers individually and in a group called The Gold Miners.

]]> Krysti Mikkonen Buzzsprout-9242604 Thu, 23 Sep 2021 05:00:00 -0500 2916 1 4 full false Blain Mikkonen - Architect grad, farmer, or furniture builder: Building business to success Blain Mikkonen - Architect grad, farmer, or furniture builder: Building business to success Blain Mikkonen really liked design work, but he didn't want a desk job at an architecture firm. He loved to farm at his family's organic farm in South Dakota, but allergies made it frustrating. Unsure what to do after getting his Master's Degree in Architecture this lost college graduate decided to start a business.  After he and his college roommates and fellow architecture classmates built some furniture for their apartment in college, Mikkonen decided to take a risk by staying away from getting a safe, traditional desk job, and build some furniture and see how it sells.  He was quickly joined by one of those classmates. Well, sell it did!  This is a cool story of how this creative rural entrepreneur and his business partners moved their business rural and how that move eventually inspired the creation of another successful rural business.

Blain Mikkonen is one of the founders and co-owner of a few businesses, two of which will be the primary topics of conversation in this episode of the Rural Entrepreneur's Gold.  Grain Designs builds custom office furniture and home furniture, as well as decor, fixtures, signs,  sliding barn doors, and more primarily out of reclaimed wood.  The business was founded in September 2013 and has steadily grown in production, staff, and excellence. 

The Pines Wedding and Events Venue is a 9600 square foot stunning rural barn wedding venue near Fargo, ND.  The venue shares the property with Grain Designs, who also happened to make all the beautiful tables for the venue. 

Mikkonen, who thought he would be a farmer, even though he was going to college
for Architecture at North Dakota State University, shares the story of how these two businesses came into existence.   He shares how he and his college roommates made the furniture for their college apartment and that's where the furniture building for a business idea first brewed.

The Pines Wedding & Events Venue didn't start because a bunch of guys had a love for weddings.... I'm sure that's hard to believe.  It actually started as a way to save the much-loved location of the Grain Designs headquarters in its rural picturesque location of Davenport, ND.  Hear how the business trudged through struggles, disappointments, and took risks to make big things happen.

Mikkonen lives in Horace with his wife Kelsey and their daughter Kollyns.  You can find Grain Designs & The Pines Venue

Grain Designs on Facebook
Grain Designs on Instagram
The Pines Wedding & Events Venue on Facebook
The Pines Wedding & Events Venue on Instagram

Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized rural businesses. 

]]> Blain Mikkonen really liked design work, but he didn't want a desk job at an architecture firm. He loved to farm at his family's organic farm in South Dakota, but allergies made it frustrating. Unsure what to do after getting his Master's Degree in Architecture this lost college graduate decided to start a business.  After he and his college roommates and fellow architecture classmates built some furniture for their apartment in college, Mikkonen decided to take a risk by staying away from getting a safe, traditional desk job, and build some furniture and see how it sells.  He was quickly joined by one of those classmates. Well, sell it did!  This is a cool story of how this creative rural entrepreneur and his business partners moved their business rural and how that move eventually inspired the creation of another successful rural business.

Blain Mikkonen is one of the founders and co-owner of a few businesses, two of which will be the primary topics of conversation in this episode of the Rural Entrepreneur's Gold.  Grain Designs builds custom office furniture and home furniture, as well as decor, fixtures, signs,  sliding barn doors, and more primarily out of reclaimed wood.  The business was founded in September 2013 and has steadily grown in production, staff, and excellence. 

The Pines Wedding and Events Venue is a 9600 square foot stunning rural barn wedding venue near Fargo, ND.  The venue shares the property with Grain Designs, who also happened to make all the beautiful tables for the venue. 

Mikkonen, who thought he would be a farmer, even though he was going to college
for Architecture at North Dakota State University, shares the story of how these two businesses came into existence.   He shares how he and his college roommates made the furniture for their college apartment and that's where the furniture building for a business idea first brewed.

The Pines Wedding & Events Venue didn't start because a bunch of guys had a love for weddings.... I'm sure that's hard to believe.  It actually started as a way to save the much-loved location of the Grain Designs headquarters in its rural picturesque location of Davenport, ND.  Hear how the business trudged through struggles, disappointments, and took risks to make big things happen.

Mikkonen lives in Horace with his wife Kelsey and their daughter Kollyns.  You can find Grain Designs & The Pines Venue

Grain Designs on Facebook
Grain Designs on Instagram
The Pines Wedding & Events Venue on Facebook
The Pines Wedding & Events Venue on Instagram

Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized rural businesses. 

]]> Buzzsprout-9204739 Thu, 16 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0500 3373 1 3 full false Maria Bosak - Chip & Joanna Gaines Risk Taker & a Foster Mom’s Journey Maria Bosak - Chip & Joanna Gaines Risk Taker & a Foster Mom’s Journey Both of the stories Maria Bosak shares with us here are inspiring and motivational.  She shares the great gift of being foster parents and the difficult journey that road took for them as she and her husband Tate worked through adoption.  It's sad and beautiful at the same time. 

The foster journey she and her husband Tate took is sandwiched in with her rollercoaster life as an entrepreneur running her Eco Chic store.  She's overcome near bankruptcy and went on to see amazing success with adventures and ideas that were new and innovative. Her story of tenacity and trying to make ends meet is something to hear. 

The faith that Maria has kept despite the difficulties in her journey has been impressive. That faith also has played a big role in everything she's done and continues to do.  How she listens with her faith and keeps it strong despite the struggles is such a gift and another beautiful part of her story. 

Maria grew up in rural South Dakota and lives in Rural North Dakota.  Her business, Eco Chic located in West Fargo is a boho, farmhouse, home decor, furniture, and decorating business.  It's a great place to find gifts and inspired ideas to decorate your home.   

Follow Eco Chic on Facebook
Follow Eco Chic on Instagram

Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized rural businesses. 

]]> Both of the stories Maria Bosak shares with us here are inspiring and motivational.  She shares the great gift of being foster parents and the difficult journey that road took for them as she and her husband Tate worked through adoption.  It's sad and beautiful at the same time. 

The foster journey she and her husband Tate took is sandwiched in with her rollercoaster life as an entrepreneur running her Eco Chic store.  She's overcome near bankruptcy and went on to see amazing success with adventures and ideas that were new and innovative. Her story of tenacity and trying to make ends meet is something to hear. 

The faith that Maria has kept despite the difficulties in her journey has been impressive. That faith also has played a big role in everything she's done and continues to do.  How she listens with her faith and keeps it strong despite the struggles is such a gift and another beautiful part of her story. 

Maria grew up in rural South Dakota and lives in Rural North Dakota.  Her business, Eco Chic located in West Fargo is a boho, farmhouse, home decor, furniture, and decorating business.  It's a great place to find gifts and inspired ideas to decorate your home.   

Follow Eco Chic on Facebook
Follow Eco Chic on Instagram

Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized rural businesses. 

]]> Krysti Mikkonen Buzzsprout-9164375 Thu, 09 Sep 2021 05:00:00 -0500 2483 1 2 full false Duchessa Gelato - A Young Rural Entrepreneur's Journey to Forbes 30 Under 30 Duchessa Gelato - A Young Rural Entrepreneur's Journey to Forbes 30 Under 30 In this episode, I'm really excited to introduce to you Wilhelmina van Bedaf, also known as Maartje Murphy or  Duchessa Gelato.  She started a business making gelato in 2018 using milk from her family's dairy farm in Carrington, North Dakota, a small town of just over 2100. 

Her business has done so well. And it's so impressive that in late 2020, just a little more than two years after starting her business, she was named to Forbes Magazine's 30 under 30 list. Yup. That's right. She's under 30 years old and one of 30 people to be highlighted for doing amazing things in the food and drink industry.

After going to school and working as a full-time nurse, she mentioned to her mom one day how cool it would be to make gelato from the milk on our dairy farm.  Gelato is a sweet treat similar to ice cream that is a common treat she enjoys with her grandparents when she visits her native Netherlands.  You'll learn how she made this dream come to fruition. 

Today not only does she still make gelato, but she had built a creamery and also makes gouda cheese and cheese curds all starting with milk from the family's dairy.  At Cows and Co Creamery located on their farm located down the road from her parents, she and her family have created an amazing business.  These value-added ag products, bringing more value to the ag products her family creates are a great benefit allowing them to get more money from the milk they are producing rather than just selling it wholesale. 

Follow Duchessa Gelato on Facebook
Follow Duchessa Gelato on Instagram

Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones. 
 

]]> In this episode, I'm really excited to introduce to you Wilhelmina van Bedaf, also known as Maartje Murphy or  Duchessa Gelato.  She started a business making gelato in 2018 using milk from her family's dairy farm in Carrington, North Dakota, a small town of just over 2100. 

Her business has done so well. And it's so impressive that in late 2020, just a little more than two years after starting her business, she was named to Forbes Magazine's 30 under 30 list. Yup. That's right. She's under 30 years old and one of 30 people to be highlighted for doing amazing things in the food and drink industry.

After going to school and working as a full-time nurse, she mentioned to her mom one day how cool it would be to make gelato from the milk on our dairy farm.  Gelato is a sweet treat similar to ice cream that is a common treat she enjoys with her grandparents when she visits her native Netherlands.  You'll learn how she made this dream come to fruition. 

Today not only does she still make gelato, but she had built a creamery and also makes gouda cheese and cheese curds all starting with milk from the family's dairy.  At Cows and Co Creamery located on their farm located down the road from her parents, she and her family have created an amazing business.  These value-added ag products, bringing more value to the ag products her family creates are a great benefit allowing them to get more money from the milk they are producing rather than just selling it wholesale. 

Follow Duchessa Gelato on Facebook
Follow Duchessa Gelato on Instagram

Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones. 
 

]]> Krysti Mikkonen Buzzsprout-8943750 Thu, 29 Jul 2021 14:00:00 -0500 2557 1 1 full false Trailer: What is The Rural Entrepreneur's Gold Trailer: What is The Rural Entrepreneur's Gold In this short introduction or trailer if you will, you'll learn what The Rural Entrepreneur's Gold is about, what to look for in future episodes and why you should listen.  

You'll hear that if you live in or have a love for rural or you know small town, or maybe you’re a sucker for a great entrepreneurial success story, than this podcast is something you're really going to enjoy.   

I’ve learned over the years you don’t have to move to a big city to find success. You can have that success anywhere as an entrepreneur and I’m excited to share those stories with you here in The Rural Entrepreneurs Gold. 

I'm Krysti Mikkonen and I want you to be able to hear proof of and know that even if you live in that town, you know, the small town with one stop light, the slower pace, where everyone knows everyone or you don’t live in a town at all, it’s possible to find your gold.   I want you to hear and understand that if a traffic jam where you live is when the cows are being moved along the road 10 miles to another pasture and you have a business idea, you can have success. 

You don’t have to be the smartest, the fastest, the tallest, or the rocket scientist that lives in a big city to be successful, you just have to be the one that isn’t afraid to try, no matter where you live!!! 

Come on, let’s go! If you love rural or are rural at heart, you’ll find some great stories here in each episode. If you’re someone who likes to cheer for the little guy, you’re going to love these impressive stories.   If you’re an entrepreneur that’s struggling or have the entrepreneurial bug because you’re sitting on the next million-dollar idea and you’re too scared to try, you’re going to find some motivation and inspiration that will leave you thinking, well gosh, if they can do it where they live, so can I.  I can't wait for your story to be the next rural entrepreneurial success story that I tell.  So come along and join me each week to hear inspiring stories of people finding their rural entrepreneur’s gold.




]]> In this short introduction or trailer if you will, you'll learn what The Rural Entrepreneur's Gold is about, what to look for in future episodes and why you should listen.  

You'll hear that if you live in or have a love for rural or you know small town, or maybe you’re a sucker for a great entrepreneurial success story, than this podcast is something you're really going to enjoy.   

I’ve learned over the years you don’t have to move to a big city to find success. You can have that success anywhere as an entrepreneur and I’m excited to share those stories with you here in The Rural Entrepreneurs Gold. 

I'm Krysti Mikkonen and I want you to be able to hear proof of and know that even if you live in that town, you know, the small town with one stop light, the slower pace, where everyone knows everyone or you don’t live in a town at all, it’s possible to find your gold.   I want you to hear and understand that if a traffic jam where you live is when the cows are being moved along the road 10 miles to another pasture and you have a business idea, you can have success. 

You don’t have to be the smartest, the fastest, the tallest, or the rocket scientist that lives in a big city to be successful, you just have to be the one that isn’t afraid to try, no matter where you live!!! 

Come on, let’s go! If you love rural or are rural at heart, you’ll find some great stories here in each episode. If you’re someone who likes to cheer for the little guy, you’re going to love these impressive stories.   If you’re an entrepreneur that’s struggling or have the entrepreneurial bug because you’re sitting on the next million-dollar idea and you’re too scared to try, you’re going to find some motivation and inspiration that will leave you thinking, well gosh, if they can do it where they live, so can I.  I can't wait for your story to be the next rural entrepreneurial success story that I tell.  So come along and join me each week to hear inspiring stories of people finding their rural entrepreneur’s gold.




]]> Krysti Mikkonen Buzzsprout-8761438 Fri, 25 Jun 2021 03:00:00 -0500 304 trailer false