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Growing Rural Businesses

Next Training Taking Place in Fall of 2026!

 

 

 

A trainer is speaking to a group of participants as they all look at him.

To learn more about how to bring Growing Rural Businesses to your community, contact Chris Broberg at the Center for Entrepreneurship:

Chris Broberg
Center for Entrepreneurship | Wichita State University
chris.broberg@wichita.edu
316-978-3230

 

A trainer speaks to participants while pointing to a poster

Title banner reading, "Growing rural businesses"

Growing Rural Businesses is an eight-week, in-person certificate program designed to help rural business owners spark fresh momentum, adapt to a changing market, and drive sustainable growth. Developed by Wichita State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and delivered in partnership with NetWork Kansas, the program blends practical instruction with modern strategies tailored to today’s rural challenges and opportunities.

Each session is led by the Center’s experts who bring real-world insights, tools, and techniques you can apply immediately. From digital marketing and data-informed decision-making to operations and innovation, you’ll explore essential business concepts through these interactive sessions.

Designed for businesses at a crossroads whether plateaued or preparing to scale, this training equips business owners with actionable tools and renewed focus to begin building a stronger future for their businesses and communities.

Workshop Descriptions: 

1. Reignite Your Edge: Entrepreneurial Thinking for Seasoned Business Owners
This hands-on workshop is designed for business owners who’ve been operating for 5 to 15 years and are ready to break through plateaus, spark fresh ideas, and approach their business with renewed energy. Participants will explore what sets entrepreneurial thinking apart, assess their current mindset, and walk away with an action plan to test new strategies and create momentum. Whether you’re facing stagnation or preparing for growth, this session will help you think differently and act decisively.

2. From Discovery to Delivery: Finding Your Customer and Communicating Your Brand in a Digital World
This session demystifies marketing by starting with a simple premise: small businesses don’t need complex plans.  They need clarity, creativity, and customer insights. Drawing on core marketing fundamentals and behavioral insights, the session challenges the assumption that effective branding and promotion require large budgets or rigid systems. Sometimes, the most powerful marketing ideas are intuitive, emotional, and context specific.

The training introduces a streamlined framework for identifying the right customer, crafting a meaningful value proposition, and mapping the customer journey. Special attention is given to rural business realities, where trust, relationships, and local context often matter more than reach alone. Participants will explore how to align message and medium through different channels, uncovering the touchpoints that truly influence decision-making. 

3. The Modern Sale - Building Trust, Value, and Confidence in Every Conversation
This interactive sales workshop is designed to help rural entrepreneurs gain confidence in selling by embracing a modern, value-based, and trust-driven approach. It replaces outdated hard-sell techniques with a customer-first mindset and practical tools participants can use immediately.

4. Beyond Service: Designing Exceptional Customer Experiences
Today’s customers don’t just want good service they expect an exceptional experience. In this hands-on workshop, rural business owners will explore how expectations have shifted in the wake of COVID-19 and learn how to move from reactive customer service to proactive, end-to-end customer experience design. Discover what it takes to stand out, build loyalty, and keep customers coming back.

5. Transforming Rural Enterprises Through Data-Driven Decision Making
Small businesses recognize that innovation is key to staying competitive, with 80% of small business owners who use AI reporting increased efficiency and productivity. Yet 44% say they lack the resources or expertise to successfully put these tools to work. This hands-on workshop is designed to close that gap giving rural business owners practical knowledge and confidence to start using technology in ways that make a real impact.

You’ll learn how to turn business data into clear insights, use AI tools like a personal consultant, and shift from gut-based decisions to evidence-backed strategies. Tailored for rural contexts, this session introduces practical, affordable tools that work with the technology you already have helping you spot trends, understand your customers, and plan for long-term growth with confidence.

6. Beyond the Books: Keeping Your Business Financially Fit
Your accountant may handle the numbers, but you’re the one steering the ship. Beyond the Books is a practical, no-fluff workshop for business owners who want to strengthen their financial focus and make confident decisions. You’ll learn how to read key reports, spot trends, manage cash flow, set smart budgets, and track the numbers that really matter, all using tools you already have.

Through real-world examples and interactive activities, you’ll gain clarity on which tech tools are worth your time, how to use simple data to guide better decisions, and how to immediately apply what you learn. Be sure to bring your device.

7. Legally Speaking: Protecting Your Business from the Ground Up
Every small business faces legal risks, many of which can be avoided with the right knowledge. This practical session helps rural business owners get a clear understanding of the legal essentials they need to protect and grow their business. From contracts to employment law, risk management, you'll gain straightforward guidance, not legal jargon. Designed to be interactive and relevant, this workshop includes open discussion time to address your specific concerns and real-world questions.

8. Make Your Move: Strategic Advantage for Rural Business Owners
In today’s competitive landscape, rural business owners must be strategic to thrive. This hands-on workshop breaks down the key elements of business strategy—from understanding your competitive advantage and leveraging your unique capabilities to identifying your niche and executing a focused strategy. Learn how to apply the value chain to create and capture value and explore the difference between being a focused cost leader and a focused differentiator. Whether you're refining your strategy or building one from the ground up, this session will equip you with the tools to stand out and succeed.

Lots of great information for a minimal investment. The faculty and industry experts find numerous ways to relate the material to your specific industry.

Mark Johnson
Farm Bureau Financial Services, El Dorado

I highly recommend this training because of the scope of information, the quality and knowledge of the presenters and the networking opportunity with other participants. The trainings spur a reaction to think outside the box and look at your business analytically instead of emotionally.

Wanda Waldeck
Grouse Valley Grill, Dexter

This is a game changing opportunity if you are motivated to apply the thoughts and curriculum that is taught. If you are a business person with experience or are a newer business owner, this class will make you better.

Chad Gilliland
Next to Nature Farm, Leavenworth

Past Training Locations

Over 435 businesses have been served through this program in 20 different counties.

Learn more about the businesses served through the Growing Rural Businesses Program!
Click through the counties listed below.

Allen & Neosho County

Spring 2024

Chanute & Iola

Types of businesses served:
Personal Care Services, Creative, Hospitality / Tourism, Brewery, Hardware Retail, Agritourism, Specialty Eatery, Automotive Retail, 

Total number of businesses served: 14

Group photo of the participants in the spring 2024 Growing Rural Businesses Training in Chanute and Iola.

Fall 2019

Chanute & Iola

Types of businesses served:
Agriculture, Boutique, Bakery, Cosmetics, Electrical, Florist, Grocery, Health/Fitness, Newspaper, Pet Grooming, Pharmacy, Retail

Total number of businesses served: 20

Group photo of the participants in the Fall 2019 Growing Rural Businesses Training in Chanute and Iola.

Anderson County

Fall 2015

Garnett

Type of businesses served:
Photography, Boutique, Manufacturing, Library, Quilt shop, Flower & Gift shop, Sporting goods, Cleaning services, Auto shop, Gas station  

Total number of businesses served: 30

Garnett participants of the Growing Rural Businesses Training sitting istening to a trainer.

Barton County

Spring 2022

Great Bend

Group photo of the people who participated in the Spring 2022 Growing Rural Businesses Training in Great Bend.

Butler County

Fall 2017

El Dorado

Types of businesses served:
Pest Control, Banking, Cleaning, Optometry, Processing, Heating & Cooling, Insurance, Pest Control, Medical, Manufacturing & Distributing

Total number of businesses served: 17

Group photo of the participants of the Fall 2017 Growing Rural Businesses Training in El Dorado.

Spring 2012

Augusta

Type of businesses served:
Interior design, venue, insurance agency, bakery, physical therapy, chamber of commerce, café  

Total number of businesses served: 14

Group photo of the participants of the (EEE) Growing Rural Businesses Training Program.

Clay County

Fall 2022

Clay Center

Type of businesses served:
Museum, Transportation Services, Manufacturing, Legal Services, Real Estate, Interior Decor, Florist, Animal Feed Retailer, Investment Services, Construction, Veterinary, Weld Shop, Office Supply Retailer, Apartment Lessor, Electrical Contractor, Salon, Cleaner, Antique Store, Education, Gardener

Total number of businesses served: 23

Participants of the Fall 2022 Growing Rural Business Training.

Spring 2015

Clay Center

Type of businesses served:
Office supply, Salon, Event planning, Irrigation, Medical Center, Publishing, Veterinary, Boutique, Manufacturing 

Total number of businesses served: 23

Participants of the Spring 2015 Growing Rural Business Training sitting facing away from the camera listening to the trainer.

Cowley County

Fall 2017

Arkansas City

Types of businesses served:
Restaurant, Construction, Automotive, Electrical, Retail, Technology, Website Development, Event Planning, Pet Care, Spa, Sanitation, Business Consulting

Total number of businesses served: 21

Group photo of the participants of the Fall 2017 Growing Rural Businesses Training in Arkansas City.

Ellis & Rooks County

Spring 2020

Hays

Types of businesses served:
Car Restoration, Cyber Security, Light Fixture Manufacturer, Seamstress, Florist, Craft Store, Hair Salon, Coffee Shop, Industrial Welder, Keepsake Retail Store, Beauty Shop, Real Estate, Electronics Retailer, Meat Market, Bike Shop, Clothing Retailer

Total number of businesses served: 17

A computer with a zoom GRB training pulled up.

Ford County

Fall 2021

Dodge City

Types of businesses served: Construction, Heating & Air, Therapy, Marketing, Boutique, Retail, Non-Profit, Insurance, Real Estate, Tattoo, Website Development, Insurance & Taxes, Barber

Total number of businesses served: 20

Group photo of the participants of the Fall 2021 Growing Rural Businesses Training iin Dodge City

Fall 2014

Dodge City

Type of businesses served:
Education Institutions, Interior Design, Food Service, Hospitality, Government Agency, Law Office, Marketing and Advertising Company, Small Business Banker, Home Improvement, Student Start-Up

Total number of businesses served: 18

Group photo of the participants of the Fall 2013 Growing Rural Businesses Training in Dodge City.

Kiowa County

Fall 2012

Greensburg

Type of businesses served:
Bank, telephone company, legal practice, non-profit organization, coffee house, media services, furniture store, marketing consultant 

Total number of businesses served: 21

Participants of the Fall 2012 Growing Rural Businesses Training in Greensburg seated and chatting.

Leavenworth County

Spring 2018

Leavenworth

Type of businesses served:
County Development, Plant Nursery, Auto Repair, Coffee Café, Landscaping, Insurance

Total number of businesses served: 17

Group photo of the participants of the Spring 2018 Growing Rural Businesses Training in Leavenworth.

Marion County

Fall 2015

Marion and Hillsboro

Type of businesses served:
Bank, Tire service, Photography, Chiropractic, Consulting laboratory

Total number of businesses served: 17

Fall 2015 Growing Rural Businesses Training in Marion and Hilsboro..

McPherson County

Fall 2016

McPherson

Type of businesses served:
Retail Store, Photography Studio, Auto Store & Shop, Bank, Optometrist, Garage Door Installation, Florist, Brewery, Specialty Meats

Total number of businesses served: 13

Group photo of theparticipants of the Fall 2016 Growing Rural Businesses Training in McPherson.

Montgomery County

Fall 2020

Independence & Coffeyville

Type of businesses served:
Vet, Legal Services, Marketing, Florist, Education, Boutique, Lumber, Coffee Café, Energy, Business Consulting

Total number of businesses served: 16

A computer with a zoom call pulled up. Next to it is a green mug.

Phillips County

Spring 2016

Phillipsburg

Type of businesses served:
Chiropractic, Insurance, Flower & Gift Shop, Book Store, Consulting, Legal Services

Total number of businesses served: 18

Group photo of the participants from the Spring 2016 Growing Rural Business Training

Rawlins County

Fall 2018

Atwood

Type of businesses served:
Fuel, Pharmacy, Heating & Air, Construction, Press, Vet, Food Service, Retail, Farm, Repair 

Total number of businesses served: 14

Group photo of the participants from the Spring 2016 Growing Rural Business Training

Reno County

Spring 2023

Hutchinson

Type of businesses served:
Staffing & Recruiting, Clothing Retailer, Restaurant, Furniture Retailer, Butcher, Landscaper, Real Estate Management, Agriculture, Kitchen Supply Retailer, Hardware, Massage Therapy, Hospitality, Telecommunications, Remodeling, Marketing, Entertainment, Senior Care

Total number of businesses served: 18

Group photo of the participants from the Spring 2023 Growing Rural Business Trainingin in Hutchinson

Saline County

Fall 2023

Salina

Type of businesses served:
Salon /Spa, Retail, Restaurant, Physical Therapy Clinic, Children's Exploration Center, Manufacturing, Textiles, Agriculture, Animal Care Services

Total number of businesses served: 13

Group photo of the participants from the Fall 2023 Growing Rural Business Trainingin in Saline County

Scott County

Fall 2016

Scott

Type of businesses served:
Retail, Auto Repair, Chiropractic, Construction, Accounting, Bank, Veterinary Clinic, Beverage, Massage Therapy

Total number of businesses served: 16

Group photo of the participants from the Fall 2016 Growing Rural Business Trainingin Scott City

Thomas County

Spring 2019

Colby

Type of businesses served:
Health & Wellness, Pest Control, Lawn Care, Chiropractic, Retail

Total number of businesses served: 9

Group photo of the participants from the Spring 2019 Growing Rural Business Training in Colby

Fall 2014

Colby

Type of businesses served:
Medical Center, accounting firm, artisan consumer products, management company, construction company, agriculture company, restaurant, commercial real estate, convenience store, consulting company

Total number of businesses served: 17

Participants from the Fall 2014 Growing Rural Business Training in Colby listening to the trainer

Cowley & Sumner County

Fall 2024

Winfield & Wellington

Type of businesses served:
Furniture and Home Decor, Floral, Manufacturing, Retail, Insurance, Food Service, Hospitality, Clothing and Fashion, Coin and Currency, Local Government, Film

Total number of businesses served: 13

Group photo of the participants from the Fall 2024 Growing Rural Business Training in Cowley and Sumner County
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