​​In 2024, during the inaugural Summit, we had just over 130 participants from 11 different states around the country. Read what a few participants thought of our first Summit:
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“It was a stimulating and helpful Summit with people who are using their expertise and passion to provide resources and renewal in small towns and rural areas.”
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“I was inspired in so many different ways. One of the workshops featured a panel of biz owners that gave feedback on their favorite technical tools that boost their productivity.. so valuable for me.”
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“This was a great way to spend a day thinking more about what entrepreneurs need from an agency standpoint.”​
HOW IT WORKS​
The 2025 Rural Ideas Summit is a digital-first conference. That means you'll participate in the summit from the comfort of your own space, using a computer and webcam.
Now in its second year, the Summit serves as a platform for rural champions to share resources, highlight successful initiatives, and find inspiration from one another. This year’s event will feature three focused content tracks: Entrepreneurship, Community Development, and Proven Projects.
ENTREPRENEUR TRACK
Sessions to help rural entrepreneurs launch and/or grow businesses.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRACK
Sessions to help community organizations make their rural communities inspiring, vibrant places to live and do business.
PROVEN PROJECTS TRACK
Get inspired by community members who implemented projects and initiatives that have helped their communities thrive.
THE SCHEDULE
9:00-9:15
WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS
Join us as we welcome summit participants and provide useful tips for getting the most out of your digital conference experience!
9:15-9:45
INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER
BILL MENNER
FOUNDER, THE BILL MENNER GROUP
Bill Menner is the founder of The Bill Menner Group, a consulting firm focused on community development, rural partnerships and economic vitality. His work includes contract executive leadership of the Iowa Rural Development Council, and has included clients such as USDA Rural Development, the Iowa Rural Health Association and the Iowa Housing Partnership.
Bill is an inspirational voice for rural leadership, shining a light on the powerful impact local leaders can have in even the smallest communities. Through compelling case studies and real-world examples, Bill will illustrate how creativity, collaboration, and vision can build capacity and transform small towns into thriving hubs. With a message that is both practical and energizing, Bill will challenge Summit attendees to see the untapped potential in their own backyards.
9:45-10:00
REFLECT & RECHARGE
A short break to reflect on what you've heard & learned so far, grab a snack, refill your drink, or use the restroom!
10:00-10:45
BREAKOUT SESSION 1
Choose the Entrepreneur, Community Development, or Proven Projects track tabs below to view the amazing breakout sessions available.
INTERNSHIPS THAT WORK: GROWING FUTURE LEADERS WHILE GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
Melissa Nelson, Founder, Wearer of Hats
Hungry Canyon // Morningside University Agriculture
In rural communities, small business owners often face unique challenges—limited workforce availability, tight budgets, and the constant need to "do more with less." But one often-overlooked resource can help bridge that gap: interns.
THE UNFILTERED ENTREPRENEUR'S GUIDE TO SMART GROWTH: YOUR FAST TRACK TO INTENTIONAL EXPONENTIAL GROWTH
Jennifer Davis, Founder ​
BExponential
This session is your rapid-fire toolkit for entrepreneurial momentum—designed for dreamers ready to do. We’re cutting through the fluff to share real strategies and mindset shifts that can change the game, whether you’re just starting or scaling. From ditching perfectionism and “waiting on the right time,” to shifting from reactive to proactive leadership, these takeaways are meant to spark urgency and clarity.
10:45-11:00
REFLECT & RECHARGE
A short break to reflect on what you've heard & learned so far, grab a snack, refill your drink, or use the restroom!
11:00-11:45
BREAKOUT SESSION 2
Choose the Entrepreneur, Community Development, or Proven Projects track tabs below to view the amazing breakout sessions available.
12 COMPONENTS TO DEVELOPING A SOLID BUSINESS PITCH
Alex Taylor, Director, Entrepreneurship
NewBoCo
Having a successful business pitch is essential for entrepreneurial success. A founder and small business owner needs a solid and flexible pitch to communicate with customers, funders, employees, and strategic partners. In this session, participants will learn the key information to include in an effective pitch, and the difference between an advance (or leave-behind) pitch deck and an orally delivered pitch deck.
STRENGTHS-BASED LEADERSHIP: SCALING YOUR BUSINESS WITH CONFIDENCE
Kait Tysver, Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and Leadership Consultant
Kait Tysver Consulting, LLC
Successful rural entrepreneurship is built on trust, adaptability, and leveraging strengths to navigate challenges. As a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, I have helped leaders transform their businesses by unlocking their unique strengths and fostering high-trust teams. In this session, I’ll share pivotal moments from my journey and my clients’ experiences—highlighting how strengths-based leadership has empowered rural entrepreneurs to scale their businesses while staying true to their values.
11:45-1:15
LUNCH BREAK
A longer break to reflect on what you've heard & learned so far, grab some lunch*, check your emails, etc!
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*Summit guests who register to attend in-person at one of our regional partner sites will get free lunch and have a facilitated discussion.
1:15-1:30
AFTERNOON KICKOFF - JORDAN DEGREE
Jordan DeGree is the founder and executive director of the Rural Ideas Network. Join him as he kicks off the afternoon session of the summit.
Dubuque County has a strong history of supporting small business development in its region, while helping to foster community development in rural areas throughout the County. Learn more >
1:30-2:15
BREAKOUT SESSION 3
Choose the Entrepreneur, Community Development, or Proven Projects track tabs below to view the amazing breakout sessions available.
LESSONS IN RURAL BUSINESS GROWTH: STORIES FROM IOWA SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
Jacki Boldt, Executive Director
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
Small business owners and alumni of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program share insights and lessons learned on how to successfully grow and sustain a business in rural Iowa. Panelists share best practices, the role of small businesses in rural Iowa, and resources to utilize.
FROM RURAL ROOTS TO SCALABLE WELLNESS BRANDS: BUILDING BUSINESSES THAT HEAL & THRIVE
Stephanie Grutz, Founder & CEO
The Health Spa by Vive IV Therapy
How do you scale multiple six- and seven-figure wellness ventures in a rural town—and stay rooted in purpose? In this session, Stephanie Grutz, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and founder of The Health Spa, Select Balance Supplements, and Elev8 Health, shares her entrepreneurial journey building innovative, patient-centered health businesses from small-town Iowa.
2:15-2:30
REFLECT & RECHARGE
A short break to reflect on what you've heard & learned so far, grab a snack, refill your drink, or use the restroom!
2:30-3:15
BREAKOUT SESSION 4
Choose the Entrepreneur, Community Development, or Proven Projects track tabs below to view the amazing breakout sessions available.
BREWING GROWTH IN SMALL TOWNS: HOW EMBER COFFEE BUILT A SPECIALTY BRAND FROM THE GROUND UP
Matt and Elisa Berry, Owners
Ember Coffee Co.
Running a rural business means wearing a lot of hats—and learning fast. In this honest and practical session, husband-and-wife duo Matt and Elisa Berry share how they built Ember Coffee into a thriving specialty brand in a small Minnesota town. From bootstrapping their roastery to launching a café with a strong sense of place, they’ll walk through pivotal moments, painful lessons, and creative decisions that helped them grow without losing their identity. This session is for founders who care about quality, want to build something lasting, and are ready to put systems and values to work in their own community.
BELIEFS ARE DECISIONS: THE INVISIBLE WALL, HOW SUBCONSCIOUS RESISTANCE SABOTAGES GROWTH - AND HOW TO BREAK THROUGH IT
Jim Huntzicker, High-Performance Mindset Coach
JH Mindset Breakthrough Programs
What if the biggest thing holding you back isn’t strategy, time, or money—but a belief you have in yourself and one that you decided before you were eight years old? In this session, high-performance mindset coach Jim Huntzicker pulls back the curtain on the invisible wall that keeps even the most driven entrepreneurs stuck—subconscious resistance. And why it often rears its head between ages 35–55, just when you’re supposed to feel like you’ve “made it.”
3:15-3:30
CLOSING & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Join us as we wrap up the summit and make announcements about ways to continue to engage and learn!
3:30-4:30
IN-PERSON SITE SOCIAL
Summit guests who register to attend at one of our in-person partner sites will have the opportunity to enjoy snacks and beverages during a fun social hour at their selected site.
IN-PERSON PARTNER SITES
We've partnered with some cool coworking and community spaces across the midwest to host summit attendees in-person and provide special perks as well, including complimentary breakfast snacks, lunch, an in-person discussion about your local entrepreneurial ecosystem, and a fun social hour after the conference ends. You can select an in-person site during registration.
SUMMIT SPONSORS & PARTNERS
