Small Town Big Business

Hosted by EThOs at The Citadel

Business Entrepreneurship

Website RSS feed

Episodes

133

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

Entrepreneurship and Business Opportunities in Today’s Small Towns hosted by Russell Williams, Jennifer Olson, and Deb Barnett.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 25, 202654 min

Gideon Realty: Amy Eckert

Small Town, Deep Roots: Amy Eckert on Building Gideon Realty in Marion, IllinoisJennifer Olson and Russell Williams host Small Town, Big Business from downtown Marion, Illinois, introduce sponsors, and interview Amy Eckert of Gideon Realty. A lifelong Marion resident, Eckert shares her family background, memories of Marion’s downtown-to-mall-to-downtown shift, and her path from part-time jobs and 10.5 years in local radio to homeschooling her sons for 16–17 years after feeling called to do so. She describes leadership experience in multi-level marketing, earning her real estate license in 2017 with mentor Joanna Farrell, later obtaining a managing broker license, and in May of the prior year launching the intentionally small “boutique” Gideon Realty after guidance from Ethos and attorney Martin Parsons. Eckert emphasizes personalized, local, relationship-based service, education for buyers and sellers, and her trademarked tagline, “Small Town, Deep Roots,” and shares how to contact her via Facebook or 618-922-8820.Recorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://www.facebook.com/RealEstateSouthernIllinois/

June 18, 202630 min

Rooted & Whole Wellness | Small Town Big Business

Rooted and Whole Wellness: Brittany Hammers on Root-Cause Naturopathy in Rural Southern IllinoisJennifer Olson and Russell Williams host Small Town, Big Business from downtown Marion, Illinois, thank sponsors, and interview Brittany Hammers, founder of Rooted and Whole Wellness. Hammers shares that her business grew from her own Crohn’s disease diagnosis in 2018/2019 and frustration with trial-and-error medications, leading her to pursue a doctorate in traditional naturopathy and focus on root-cause wellness through nutrition, lifestyle changes, detox support, and selective supplement recommendations. She emphasizes long, in-depth assessments (often 60–90 minutes or longer), listening, addressing trauma and stress, and guiding clients step-by-step with frequent portal access, while limiting to about five clients a month to maintain connection. She discusses faith, balancing roles as mom, student, and business owner, staying values-driven with low overhead, plans for a future physical space, and ways to contact her via the Rooted and Whole Wellness Facebook page, including in-person, virtual, and mobile options.Recorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://www.facebook.com/RootedandWholeWellness

June 11, 202644 min

Branch Cafe & Market: Elaine Ramseyer and Nina Donovan

Branch Cafe and Market: Legacy, Values-Driven Food, and Community in Downtown CarbondaleHosts Jennifer Olson and Russell Williams interview Elaine Ramseyer and Nina Donovan about The Branch Cafe and Market (formerly Long Branch), a legacy downtown Carbondale business and regional draw that expanded by merging with Town Square Market. Elaine recounts buying the cafe in 1998, growing from coffee and cookies into a full kitchen, adding a separate bakery/catering kitchen after purchasing the former Tokyo Restaurant, and evolving from a long-time vegetarian menu to include items like grass-fed beef burgers, wild-caught Alaskan salmon patties, and organic chicken, while staying focused on fresh, handmade food and quality ingredients. Nina describes the market’s specialty grocery offerings, prepared foods, local artisan gifts, supplements, and a homeopathic pharmacy, plus its role as a welcoming “third space” hosting meetings, art, memorials, showers, and community events. They discuss post-COVID staffing challenges, changing customer habits, marketing via social media and email, and their service- and relationship-driven mission, including support for international orphanages and local trade scholarships.00:00 Podcast Welcome00:50 Meet The Guests02:05 Branch Origin Story02:46 Growing Into A Kitchen04:26 Bakery Expansion Move05:19 Menu Evolution Values07:14 Market Merge Explained08:52 Entrepreneur Backgrounds12:40 Elaine New York Tales13:27 Nina Community Roots16:29 Third Space Events20:14 Hosting And Staffing20:48 Hours And Rentals21:28 Post Covid Staffing Shift23:29 Slow Food Versus Fast25:54 Marketing And Specials28:30 Artisan Gifts And Pantry29:09 Dietary Needs Focus30:21 Health Shop And Supplements31:02 Finding The Location32:36 Values Over Profit36:25 Community And Giving Back39:36 Connections And Networking42:16 How To Find Branch43:31 Sponsor Thanks And Wrap

May 28, 202652 min

The Dome at Blueberry Hill: Jeremy & Sarah Farr

The Dome at Blueberry Hill, in Southern Illinois. The Farrs explain relocating from Central Texas after friends moved to the area, seeking a slower pace of life, more family time, and a better school system, and deciding to leave high-paying jobs to become their own bosses. They describe evolving from early ideas like canvas tents and cabins to a fully insulated geodesic-style dome assembled largely by themselves, designed with minimal, nature-focused interiors, a panoramic window, loft sleeping, kitchenette, bathroom, and year-round comfort. They detail the secluded two-acre property with a game barn, swings, and nearby draws like the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, Giant City State Park, Cobden, orchards, and trails. They discuss using guest feedback, five-star reviews, and consistent social media marketing, share lessons on working as spouses and entrepreneurs, and preview plans to expand with two additional units in Union County.Recorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1269628820773673911?source_impression_id=p3_1779908464_P3JpK7b3dU6q0uKh

May 21, 202629 min

My Office Help: Shayna Shadowen

My Office Help: Virtual Office Support, AI Tools, and Growing a Service Business from Rural IllinoisHosts Jennifer Olson and Russell Williams welcome Shayna Shadowen of My Office Help, a virtual office providing backend support for home service contractors and other small businesses through live phone/admin support, a CRM-based platform, and AI tools for calls, texts, email, scheduling, and social media. Shadowen shares her roots in a third-generation electrical business, how helping other electricians led to running offices for multiple companies, and how the company ultimately shut down the electrical business in 2024 to focus fully on My Office Help. She describes growth driven by the 2020 appliance repair boom, serving about 70 clients across the U.S. and Canada with 19 team members, flat-rate pricing for live support, tiered platform plans, and per-minute advanced AI. She credits onboarding, staying in defined roles, coaching, team training, and BNI networking for local traction, and cites family as her “why.”Recorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://myofficehelp.com

May 14, 202638 min

Taco Trim Show - Auto Upholstery: Brittny Edwards

Taco Trim Shop: A 65-Year Upholstery Legacy with Brittany EdwardsOn the Small Town Big Business podcast, cohost Allison Hassler joins the hosts to interview Brittany Edwards of Taco Trim Shop, an automotive upholstery business founded in 1960 by her father, Roger “Taco” Loss. Brittany explains the name comes from “Taylor and Cook,” the prior owners, and shares the shop’s moves from Benton to Christopher and then Herrin in 1980. After her brother became ill, Brittany and her husband Daniel moved from Chicago and assumed ownership within a month; Daniel manages installations while Brittany handles customers and operations. They serve customers across Southern Illinois and nearby states, do automotive and commercial upholstery (including medical projects), and are currently not taking couches or most boats. Brittany discusses upgrading equipment, using SBDC workshops and grants for bookkeeping/legal help, building a website and social media presence, using ChatGPT, launching Taco Trim Media to document classic-car stories, and hosting a Herrin car show that drew about 150 cars.00:00 Podcast Introductions00:58 What Taco Trim Shop Is01:18 Origin Story Taylor Cook03:01 Family Legacy Today04:16 Sudden Succession Plan06:06 Learning As New Owner07:32 Service Area And Website08:55 Beyond Cars Commercial Work11:26 What They Do Not Do12:59 Materials OEM Seat Covers14:58 Equipment And Craft Process15:47 Roles Hiring And Care17:50 Apprenticeship And Experience18:52 Husband Joins the Craft20:48 Teamwork in a Tiny Shop21:13 Bookkeeping Grants and Taxes22:35 Marketing and Social Growth24:32 Networking Prayer and AI27:06 Taco Trim Media Stories29:06 Car Show Surprise Success31:12 Favorite Builds and Services32:51 Dad Legacy and Motivation35:01 How to Contact Taco TrimRecorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://www.tacotrimshop.com/

April 23, 202639 min

M.A's Filipino Cuisine: Aicy Munsell

Small Town Big Business podcast with guest co-hosts Alison Hasler and Russell Williams interviews Aicy Munsell, owner of M.A's Filipino Cuisine in Marion, Illinois. Icy shares how she moved from the Philippines at 21, started the business as a food truck during COVID in 2020 because Filipino food was missing locally, and later opened a restaurant now in its fifth year. She explains Filipino cuisine as a unique blend of influences (including Chinese and Spanish), notes it’s generally not spicy, and highlights popular items like lumpia, chicken adobo, and a top-selling spicy pork belly adobo. The discussion covers sampling to help new customers, made-in-house items sold in a small grocery cooler area, catering options up to 250 people, marketing via Facebook, Google and reviews, and the challenges of getting customers in the door while relying on family and a chef for support.00:00 Podcast Welcome Sponsors00:49 Meet Guest Host Alison01:11 Introducing Aicy Munsell01:49 From Food Truck To Restaurant02:56 Why Start During COVID06:14 Filipino Cuisine Basics08:03 Menu Tips Samples Fusion09:33 How The Kitchen Runs10:48 Team Culture Hospitality16:19 Making Marion Home18:34 Serving The Filipino Community19:57 In Store Grocery Corner20:09 House Made Menu20:55 Local Grocery Partners21:20 Catering Options22:34 Unexpected Best Sellers24:02 Restaurant Challenges25:54 Marketing And Reviews27:25 Serving Students29:48 Supporting Local Eats30:27 Advice For New Owners32:08 Hours And Workload34:55 Why She Keeps Going35:46 Finding Filipino Community36:58 Final Thanks And Wrap Recorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://www.facebook.com/m.a.sfilipinocuisine/?tsid=0.12392617292112218&source=result&_rdrSPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:Watermark Auto Group: https://www.watermark.auto/Fowler Heating & Cooling: https://fowlerheatingandcooling.com/Swinford Media Group: https://swinfordpublications.com/Arcadia Wealth Group: https://www.raymondjames.com/arcadiawealthgroupBanterra Bank: https://www.banterra.bank/Southern Illinois Now: https://southernillinoisnow.org/Produced by Union Street Artshttps://www.unionstreetarts.com/Russell Williams: https://www.facebook.com/RussellDeanWilliams/Jennifer Olson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferolson618/Deb Barnett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahrbarnett/#podcast #smalltown

April 9, 202630 min

Art Snacks: Bits & Pieces Art and Antiques

Art Snacks: $5 Local Art Vending Machines Coming to Marion’s Civic CenterHosts Jennifer Olson (City of Marion) and Russell Williams (Ethos) welcome back Jennifer Colboth of Bits and Pieces Art & Antiques, now located at 204 Tower Square Plaza sharing space with Milkweed Provisions. Colboth discusses receiving an Illinois Arts Council grant to launch Art Snacks, a $5 art vending machine program featuring work from 20 local artists, with artists receiving the full vending amount; the first large machine will be placed at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center with a public launch event on April 12. The project also includes two small traveling machines to rotate through area businesses and Art Snacks Junior, low-cost art supplies and learning materials for kids, for which she is seeking family-friendly locations and donated supplies. Colboth invites artists, host sites, and donors to contact her via Facebook pages or email.00:00 Podcast Welcome01:22 Meet Jennifer Colboth02:16 Art Snacks Grant03:29 Vending Machine Details05:46 Launch Event Info06:23 How It Started08:39 Grant Application Lessons11:06 Traveling Machines Plan12:58 Art Snacks Junior14:22 Partners and Callouts16:07 Donations And Funding18:29 Kid Friendly Supply Range19:44 One Year Program Model21:20 Building An Art Community23:43 Showcasing Kids Creations25:08 Downtown Collaboration Spirit26:09 Rollout Dates And How To Help27:26 Contact Info And Store Hours28:55 Wrap Up And SponsorsRecorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063552012481

March 26, 202654 min

Dayempur Herbals & Midwest Medical Thermography

Dayempur Herbals & Midwest Medical Thermography: Natural Health Businesses Growing in Southern IllinoisOn the Small Town Big Business podcast in Marion, Illinois, host Joe Kuski interviews Carbondale-based natural health entrepreneurs Anita Brown and Terry Hickey, who collaborate through DME Health Services, LLC. Brown runs Midwest Medical Thermography, a mobile digital infrared screening service focused on physiology and early detection of inflammation and disease, and also practices naturopathy/functional medicine through Radiant Functional Health. Hickey owns Dayempur Herbals, which grows and manufactures herbal supplements and personal care products at Dayempur Farm in Anna, Illinois, ships nationwide, and supports education through events and a new podcast, Healing Connections. They discuss building supportive practitioner networks, challenges of rural population density, and growing businesses organically with help from resources like ETHOS and the SBDC. Upcoming events include the Women’s Health Naturally Expo & Workshops (March 28, hormone balance theme), a Women’s Networking Breakfast (April 16), and an Herbal Medicine Workshop at Dayempur Farm (June 20).00:00 Podcast Welcome Sponsors00:50 Meet Today’s Guests02:09 Sister Businesses Collaboration04:29 Anita’s Origin Story06:04 Terry’s Herbal Journey08:24 Thermography Explained10:29 Mobile Scans Scheduling12:13 Barriers to Natural Healing16:48 Client Success Stories21:44 Thermography Age Breast Health24:19 Groovy Booby Breast Oils26:40 Men’s Health Hotspots28:01 Hawthorn Heart Support28:37 Bodybuilding Detox Concerns29:21 Why Southern Illinois30:58 Farm Grown Herb Operation32:27 Growing Beyond Local Limits34:35 Organic Business Growth37:36 Help With Admin Tasks39:46 Best Parts Of The Work41:39 How To Find Them43:36 Women’s Health Expo48:21 Women’s Networking Breakfast50:52 Herbal Workshop At The Farm52:59 Wrap Up And Sponsors

March 12, 202631 min

Reformed Design Co: Ben Childers

Reformed Design Co: Website Design, Organic Marketing, and Growing from Marion, IllinoisHosts Jennifer Olson and Russell Williams welcome Ben Childers of Reformed Design Co, a Marion, Illinois-based creative marketing agency specializing in website design, branding, and digital ads. Childers shares how he moved from an SIU marketing degree into small-business roles that grew into running marketing for four businesses, then launched Reform Design Co in 2023. He explains the company name’s roots in “always reforming,” discusses hiring his brother and using project-based help, and describes common website pitfalls like “build it and forget it,” emphasizing ongoing maintenance and regular updates. He outlines a marketing approach that prioritizes organic channels before paid ads, compares retail vs e-commerce customer loyalty, notes frustrations with platform support, recommends Alex Hormozi’s resources, and offers free 30-minute website audits at reformedco.com while aiming to expand local client work by 2026.00:00 Welcome and Sponsors00:50 Meet Ben and Reformed Design01:34 From SIU to Agency Founder03:03 Why the Name Reform04:07 Team and Website Focus05:24 Websites Need Maintenance06:48 Marketing Basics for Owners07:45 Organic First Social Strategy10:43 Onboarding and Leaky Bucket12:03 Entrepreneur Challenges and Learning14:31 Scaling Locally15:25 Delegating Coding Work16:40 AI Design Pitfalls18:06 Naming and SEO Basics20:15 Client Niches Split20:49 Retail vs Ecommerce23:16 Website Updates Matter24:39 Marketing Degree Advice28:26 Why and How to Connect30:00 Sponsors and Wrap UpRecorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://reformedco.com/