Main Street Business Insights
Episodes
8 Predictions for 2026: What Small Businesses Need to Know
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What trends will shape Main Street businesses in 2026? And how can you prepare now? In this annual predictions episode, host Matt Wagner analyzes ...
Small-Scale Manufacturing on Main Street (The Sweet Granada Chocolate Shop)
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Kim Redeker, owner of The Sweet Granada Chocolate Shop in Emporia, Kansas. Over 21 years, Kim has gro...
Growing a Business with Intention (Honeybee Sage Wellness & Apothecary)
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do you build a scalable business without losing its origins; what makes it truly special? In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Angela ...
Recovering After Catastrophe
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
About the Episode What happens after a natural disaster hits your Main Street? This episode provides insights on how Main Street leaders and business ...
Fall 2025 Small Business Trends
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
About the Episode In this data-driven conversation, host Matt Wagner sits down with Mike Powe, Senior Director of Research at Main Street America, to ...
Holiday Prep 2025
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
About the Episode How can you maximize holiday revenue when you're facing tariff uncertainty, shifting consumer confidence, and limited time to prepar...
Succession Planning Across Generations (Tiger’s General Store)
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
About the Episode How do you successfully transition a business across five generations without creating resentment or burning out the next generation...
Testing a Business Model Before Scaling (Mendo LEAP)
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When investors and banks say "no," how do you prove your business concept can work? This episode explores a strategic approach to launching a business...
Leveraging Nostalgia as a Marketing Tool (Peppermint Stick Candy Store)
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Show Notes: Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Rachael Kehler, owner of The Peppermint Stick Candy Store in downtown Boyertown, Pennsyl...
Building Business Through Cultural Connection (Plena Mercancía)
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Daphne Labault, owner of Plena Mercancía in Chicago, Illinois. In this episode, Daphne, a Puerto Rica...
Prioritizing Authenticity Over Trends (DANE Fragrance)
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Main Street Business Insights podcast, host Matt Wagner speaks with Rachel Latimer, Owner and Scent Specialist of DANE Fragranc...
The Importance of Community Engagement (Downtown Brookings & The Carrot Seed Kitchen Co.)
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Main Street Business Insights podcast, host Matt Wagner speaks with Kirsten Gjesdal, a small business owner and community leade...
Spring 2025 Key Small Business Trends
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host Matt Wagner is joined by Michael Powe, Senior Director of Research at Main Street America, to discuss the findings from Main Str...
How to Pivot Your Small Business in a Challenging Economy
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation on the current economic challenges facing small businesses and the strategies and innovative pivots that ca...
Navigating Natural Disaster as a Small Business Owner (Pórticos 1606)
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host Matt Wagner visits San Germán, Puerto Rico, for a discussion with Roberto Melendez, owner of the local restaurant Pórticos 160...
Successfully Selling Your Small Business (The Monogram Shoppe)
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Dottie Lange and Dottie McQuade of The Monogram Shoppe in Woodbury, New Jersey to discuss the process...
12 Tips for Navigating Tariffs: A Guide for Main Street Businesses
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host Matt Wagner provides practical guidance for small business owners facing the challenges of new and potential international tarif...
2025 Predictions: What's Next for Small Businesses
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt Wagner breaks down seven key predictions that will impact Main Street businesses and entrepreneurs in 2025. You'll discover: ...
Crowdfunding Success Stories (Live at the Maine Downtown Conference)
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, recorded in front of a live audience at the Maine Downtown Conference in November 2024 in Biddeford, Maine, host Matt Wagner explores...
Following Your Intuition as a Business Owner (Trû North Café)
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with James Langteaux , owner of Trû North Café in Livingston, Montana. In this episode, Matt and James ex...
Crafting a Creative Business Journey (elSage Designs)
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with husband-and-wife duo, Phoebe and Jonathan Carpenter Eells, co-owners of elSage Designs in Mount Verno...
Revitalizing a Legacy Business (Dan Bailey’s Outdoor Co.)
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Dale Sexton, owner of the legendary Dan Bailey's Outdoor Co. in Livingston, Montana. Dale shares his ...
Building Brand Identity as the Second Owner of an Existing Business (Heyday)
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Mallory Dabney, owner of Heyday, a home goods store in Bozeman, Montana. In this episode, Mallory shar...
Gen Z Business Insights (Firehouse Coffee 1881)
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Patrick Jackowski and Matt Horne, the duo behind Firehouse Coffee 1881, a thriving coffee shop housed ...
How to Get Your Business Holiday-Ready
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt reveals the data-driven trends that will define the 2024 holiday shopping season—and shows you exactly how to leverage them fo...
Co-Owning Business With a Friend (Pawsnickety Pets)
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join host Matt Wagner as he welcomes Kaycee McCoy, co-owner and creative lead at Pawsnickety Pets in Norfolk, Virginia. Kaycee and her best friend, Sh...
Effective Main Street Retail Tactics (Premier Retail Marketing)
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join host Matt Wagner as he welcomes David West, director of Premier Retail Marketing and based in Adelaide, South Australia. David is a leading exper...
Small Business Advocacy & Resources (America's SBDC)
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt chats with Tee Rowe, the President and CEO of America’s Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC). The centers offer training...
Moving From Passion Project to Successful Business (Stuff We Wanna Say & c2bn)
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt interviews Patrice Hull, the owner of Stuff We Wanna Say Custom T-Shirts and Apparel and c2bn /...
Lessons in Scaling Multiple Shops (Cooks Emporium, Nook & Nest, Z.W. Mercantile, The Recipe)
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sat down with Mindy Bergstrom, owner of Cooks Emporium, Nook & Nest, Z.W. Mercantile, and T...
Staying Rooted Through Growth (The Wrigley Appalachian Eatery)
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this Main Street Business Insights episode, Matt sat down with Kristin Smith, chef and proprietor of The Wrigley Appalachian Eatery in Corbin, Kent...
Building an Environmentally Friendly Yet Scalable Business (New Frontier)
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt talks with Joshua and Jared Ravenscraft, co-founders of New Frontier, a sustainable apparel bra...
Preserving Culture through Community Leadership (Allapattah Collaborative CDC)
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt talks with Mileyka Burgos-Flores, CEO of the Allapattah Collaborative CDC in Miami, Florida, th...
Crowdfunding for Small Business Success (NuMarket)
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt chats with Ross Chanowski, owner and founder of NuMarket. NuMarket is a leader in crowdfunding ...
Weaving Cultural Significance into a Business (Akakpo Design Group & Maine Culture)
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt talks with Ebenezer Akakpo, a designer and jeweler who owns Akakpo Design Group and Maine Cultu...
Fostering Belonging and Community Spirit (Elements: Books Coffee Beer)
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another episode of Main Street Business Insights! In this conversation, Matt explores the story of Elements: Books Coffee Beer, nestled in ...
The Power of Investing in Community -- and Yourself (POLARIS & ASL Creative Firm)
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode of Main Street Business Insights, recorded in front of a live audience during the Main Street Now Conference, Matt sat down wi...
How to Interpret Local Market Data -- and Use it to Build Your Business
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the last episode of season two of Main Street Business Insights, tune in as host Matt Wagner breaks down how to understand and synthesize local mar...
Launching a Start-up Community (Milady Coffeehouse)
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Glen Ellis, owner of Sycamore Education, Dominion Catalyst Services, and Milady...
Building Mutually Beneficial Partnerships (Shoalwater Seafood and Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe)
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Derek King and Jaime Courtney of Shoalwater Seafood, and Shane Thomas, Tribal Co...
How Main Street Leaders Can Drive Economic Development (Emporia Main Street)
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Casey Woods, Executive Director of Emporia Main Street in Emporia, Kansas. In ...
Adapting to Unexpected Changes (Scratch Made Bakery)
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Nicole Fleetwood and McKinzie Hodges, co-owners of Scratch Made Bakery in Amaril...
Creating Accessible and Welcoming Spaces (Brewability)
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Tiffany Fixter, owner of Brewability, an inclusive craft brewery and pizzeria th...
How Retail Can Be a Key Economic Development Driver (&Access)
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Bobby Boone, founder and Chief Strategist of &Access. Based in New Orleans, ...
Breaking Into a New Community (Good Times Coal Fired Pizza & Pub)
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Jennifer Jones, co-owner of Good Times Coal Fired Pizza and Pub in Big Stone Gap...
Embracing Digital and Demystifying AI (Future Ready Consulting)
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Janet Hurn, co-founder of Future Ready Consulting in Cincinnati, Ohio. Future ...
Coping with Isolation as an Entrepreneur (MORTAR & Pata Roja Taqueria)
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Derrick Braziel, owner of Pata Roja Taqueria and co-founder of MORTAR, in Cincin...
2024 Predictions: What's Next For Small Businesses
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Season 2 of Main Street Business Insights! In our first episode of the season, you’ll hear from host Matt Wagner about his predictions fo...
Insight Mashup! Tips for Connecting with Community
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We’re hard at work on season two, capturing fresh conversations with business owners around the country. In the meantime, we wanted to put out some ...
Insight Mashup! Advice for Main Street Entrepreneurs (from Main Street Entrepreneurs)
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While we work on season two, capturing fresh conversations with business owners around the country, enjoy the second of three bonus episodes, featurin...
Insight Mashup! How to Work with Your Local Main Street Organization
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’re hard at work on season two, capturing fresh conversations with business owners around the country. In the meantime, we wanted to put out some ...
Turning Passion for Education into a Business (Trendy Teachers)
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Jamie and Jerry Baker, co-owners and founders of Trendy Teachers, a teaching bou...
Celebrating Local Heritage Through Your Business (Casa Azul Coffee)
11 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Anette Soto Landeros, co-owner of Casa Azul Coffee and President and CEO of the ...
Adapting a Legacy Business for Modern Success (Stephenson's of Elkhart)
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Danny Reynolds, owner and president of Stephenson’s of Elkhart, an independent...
Launching a Business in an Up-and-Coming Main Street District (Delta Dirt Distillery)
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt sits down with Harvey Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of Delta Dirt Distillery in Helena, Arkansas. Delta Dirt Distillery is the on...
Taking Over a Family Business (Keith McDonald Plumbing)
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, host Matt Wagner sat down with the CEO of Keith McDonald Plumbing in Milledgeville, Ga., Lindsay Goo...
Building a Healthy Company Culture (Hollerbach's)
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode of Main Street Business Insights, host Matt Wagner sat down with the CEO of Hollerbach’s German Restaurant in Sanford, Fla...
Empowering Community Through Conversation (The Barbershop Conversation Podcast)
06 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, host Matt Wagner sat down with The Barbershop Conversation podcast team, co-hosts Kenneth Bentley an...
Scaling a Home-Based Business (Martha & Ash)
30 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode of Main Street Business Insights, host Matt Wagner sits down with mother-daughter duo, Martha Moore and Ashley Owens, co-owne...
Guiding Entrepreneurs from Startup to Sustainable Growth (37 Oaks)
23 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, host Matt Wagner sat down with the founder and CEO of 37 Oaks, Terrand Smith. Located in Chicago, Il...
Growing a Thriving Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (Maine Grains)
16 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the inaugural episode of Main Street Business Insights, host Matt Wagner sat down with the co-founder and CEO of Maine Grains, Amber Lambke. Locate...
Welcome to Main Street Business Insights
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Main Street Business Insights, where host Dr. Matt Wagner, Chief Program Officer at Main Street America, travels the country and takes a de...