<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[SmartStart Business Development]]></title><description><![CDATA[SmartStart provides microbusiness development support to rural & small communities to boost local economies through entrepreneurship]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sat, 18 Jul 2026 10:38:56 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[What is SmartStart Business Development?]]></title><description><![CDATA[SmartStart Business Development is a woman-founded startup with a simple but ambitious mission: lower the barrier to entry to entrepreneurship for everyone.]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/what-is-smartstart-business-development</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a42bd9a3c06bdad5426fe50</guid><pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 19:03:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_7d9dbd000eae4bd1a4abbe52121e59b6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Our Research Has Revealed About Rural Microbusiness Support]]></title><description><![CDATA[When we think of rural small businesses, we think of mom and pop shops lining our Main Streets, the one-man landscaping business, or the woman running the salon out of her house. Rural small businesses are also the local maker selling her jewelry online or at local vendor fairs and the freelance web designer working out of the local coffee shop. These businesses provide goods and services to the local community, provide an income source that keeps people living in their communities, keeps...]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/what-our-research-has-revealed-about-rural-microbusiness-support</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b9c4de3df4a8950cf65cf9</guid><pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:13:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_64a57d2781c44c2b917cd87b3c930d06~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_533,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rural Grocery Store Closures = Entrepreneurial Opportunity]]></title><description><![CDATA[Rural grocery stores are closing across the U.S. What comes next? Explore how entrepreneurs and food microbusinesses can fill the gap in small-town food access]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/rural-grocery-store-closures-entrepreneurial-opportunity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69aee2104e256e650aa32115</guid><pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 15:32:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_72fe90f3ec7b4def9700c4f3385c4081~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How To Support Strong Small Business Foundations]]></title><description><![CDATA[When a microbusiness lacks a strong foundation, growth stalls, sustainability becomes fragile, and stress increases as the business tries to scale. Think about the microbusinesses in your community that are struggling, or the ones that quietly closed. More often than not, they were missing foundational steps early on.]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/the-importance-of-a-strong-small-business-foundation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699cd6db9b838a9bc875f7f2</guid><pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 02:12:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_844409465d884b5597baa50781a456f3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_800,h_452,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Two Microbusiness Incubator Models]]></title><description><![CDATA[Microbusiness incubators don't need to be large, renovated buildings. They could be within small businesses already in your community. This is a much more approachable model for small rural towns. ]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/rethinking-incubators-how-small-towns-can-support-microbusinesses-without-big-price-tags</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6931ca18a7a4d87bcf136f12</guid><pubDate>Thu, 04 Dec 2025 19:46:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_0f107dd60af342ec83131588eb46a64a~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_800,h_452,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA["Shop Local" Isn't Enough: How Communities Can Truly Support Microbusinesses]]></title><description><![CDATA[The well-intentioned call to “Shop Local” is everywhere. But slogans alone aren’t enough when families - and businesses - are stretching every dollar. If we want to help these businesses survive, we need to go deeper than marketing campaigns.]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/shop-local-isn-t-enough-how-communities-can-truly-support-microbusinesses</link><guid isPermaLink="false">691cb2a89ea679da4394dd5b</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2025 18:14:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_1e8e98ca8d0841438890b786a6274acd~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Microbusiness Ecosystem In Action]]></title><description><![CDATA[At SmartStart, we have become convinced that if you want many thriving microbusinesses in your community, you need to make sure a support system has been  identified and activated.  Microbusinesses can’t grow and thrive in a silo.  They need a community and an ecosystem of support - mentors, resources, peers, and champions - to help them overcome challenges and seize opportunities. Building this ecosystem takes time, intention, and work, but the payoff is worth it. The Wink House  in Peoria,...]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/a-microbusiness-ecosystem-in-action</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68f0512467805a6f93e7c007</guid><pubDate>Thu, 16 Oct 2025 02:32:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_596dd6265dab414ea81bf401be50d71c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Secret To Engaging Local Microbusiness Owners]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you are trying to connect with, engage, and serve your local microbusiness owners, but feel like you are hitting a wall, you are not alone.  Here is the secret to engaging microbusiness owners that really works.]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/the-secret-to-engaging-local-microbusiness-owners</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68e7df61a5a8e77456deb0d7</guid><pubDate>Thu, 09 Oct 2025 16:47:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_7a0165fd938247b78bd92f1087f68757~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_452,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Economic Impact Of Microbusinesses On The Local Economy]]></title><description><![CDATA["Helping a few small (micro) businesses isn't going to help our local economy."  "Are small businesses assistance programs really worth...]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/the-economic-impact-of-microbusinesses-on-the-local-economy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68d99d2142c570c84a1ebc7b</guid><pubDate>Sun, 28 Sep 2025 21:36:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_dbcf35f7ccdb4258a07d0df2f66bcad2~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Reach and Support Every Microbusiness Owner]]></title><description><![CDATA[We have identified three types of microbusiness owners: the Explorer, the Connector, and the Builder. These profiles aren't just helpful labels. They are a guide for how to better engage, support, and champion the entrepreneurs in your community.

]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/how-to-reach-and-support-every-microbusiness-owner</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68bd92057b2acb32edd4df51</guid><pubDate>Sun, 07 Sep 2025 14:57:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_9cdd453434db48d1ae8efc0600ae4ba6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_800,h_452,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rethinking Small Business Development Funding: A New Approach for Rural Communities]]></title><description><![CDATA[It’s time we start thinking differently about small business development program funding sources. Stop relying on grants and utilize the resources already in your community.]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/rethinking-small-business-development-funding</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68a220b96aa481be492d3ca8</guid><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 18:57:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_bacfdc8840cb4b738e6e4f567e63eaa8~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bridging the Main Street Business Tech Gap]]></title><description><![CDATA[For Main Street businesses, staying current with technology and processes isn’t just beneficial, it’s essential for growth and sustainability. Businesses that are open to new ideas and willing to adapt are the ones that thrive. On the other hand, those that stick to outdated practices risk being left behind.]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/bridging-the-main-street-business-tech-gap</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68a21ff234b07f0731c0ffa7</guid><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 18:33:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_3c0407efa53248b0897f56d1920e13cd~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Small Town Tourism Is Trending]]></title><description><![CDATA[Small town small businesses are no longer limited to serving just local residents, they now attract tourists from outside the community seeking boutique shops, artisanal eateries, cultural venues, and unique events. ]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/small-town-tourism-is-trending</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68a206ef6aa481be492cfa81</guid><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 18:16:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_6dd875439a6c4b3daa17df063477252e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Power of Community Collaboration in Microbusiness Development]]></title><description><![CDATA[Thriving microbusinesses and local microbusiness ecosystems don’t happen in a silo. They are built through partnerships and collaboration.]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/how-community-collaboration-helps-microbusinesses</link><guid isPermaLink="false">687e86813d56cfe14de8a4f9</guid><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2025 01:14:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_ae4f2b0e67bc44888b85845d96b7ea59~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Three Microbusiness Owner Profiles]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of the most recent eye-opening observations from our work at SmartStart is this: not all microbusiness owners look for assistance and interact with the local microbusiness ecosystem the same way]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/three-microbusiness-owner-profiles</link><guid isPermaLink="false">686ecb558a09d4443195e597</guid><pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2025 20:13:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_de028d129a734e47a93806c9e55d6427~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Curating Main Street Microbusinesses]]></title><description><![CDATA[It’s the people that bring energy and life to a downtown. But having the right mix of businesses is essential to drawing people in and making them stay. This is where the concept of curating businesses comes in.]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/curating-main-street-microbusinesses</link><guid isPermaLink="false">684c437c491067f90feba6d4</guid><pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2025 16:06:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_7f18baabaa3c42749a350d95a163af23~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Main Street Businesses Then &#38; Now]]></title><description><![CDATA[Take a look at the top Main Street businesses in the 1970s compared with today]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/main-street-businesses-then-now</link><guid isPermaLink="false">684aca39c56add098190ebcb</guid><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2025 13:10:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_6c4ac99171b54006b570cd36efab3efb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[SmartStart Pekin Growth Challenge]]></title><description><![CDATA[FALL APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED. STAY TUNED FOR THE SPRING COHORT ANNOUNCEMENT! Are you an early stage small business owner in Pekin or...]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/smartstart-pekin-growth-challenge</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67c07ecc97ad83d76d95a4aa</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Feb 2025 21:43:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_d966c809f236464d904c7c4d09914d79~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Overcoming Microbusiness Challenges]]></title><description><![CDATA[According to the latest research from the GoDaddy Venture Forward initiative , these are the biggest microbusiness challenges: 39% ...]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/overcoming-microbusiness-challenges</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6793c654a49a1768bd5e5b7f</guid><pubDate>Fri, 24 Jan 2025 17:05:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_c41afa9dc2654b4d821669349dd72cfa~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_896,h_505,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Identifying &#38; Activating Your Microbusiness Ecosystem]]></title><description><![CDATA[In many small communities, the responsibility for supporting and growing microbusinesses often falls on one person or a single...]]></description><link>https://www.smartstartnavigator.com/post/identifying-activating-your-microbusiness-ecosystem</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6793c2f65ffd784142f2c48a</guid><pubDate>Fri, 24 Jan 2025 16:53:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f59e3_812a5a5af19043a48accf5b97c595404~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>marci626</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>