Who am !?

I am that girl! 😆

The one who thrives on seeing small towns do amazing things.

I have walked a mile or two in your shoes, and I want to sew back into other movers and shakers in small communities.

Why? 

Because this line of work is hard!  And, most people's advice ... when you ask them what you should do ... is to leave town or change jobs. 

That isn't helping preserve our small places full of charm, rich history, and agriculture that feeds and clothes the world. 

So...what kept me in the small-town game so long? 

 I’m a sucker for the underdog. I love it when people count us out and then … waala … we are successful. We proved it could be done in Small Town USA and we did it. 

 It takes a lot of grit and tenacity to make things happen in small places. So, when I see people not only surviving but thriving, it lights me up! I love to be part of that. 

 Before I got into this line of work, I didn’t know how city and county governments worked. I didn’t grow up in a family that volunteered or went to city council meetings.

 When I finished my Bachelor's degree in Texas, I moved to the east coast and did marketing for a large outlet mall. Then, came back to Texas and went to work for a state-wide magazine for county judges and commissioners (County Progress Magazine). That was when I began to learn about economic and community development. After 5 years with that publication, I left to take a part-time job in economic development. The rest, as they say, is history.   

 When I took that job I was green - really green! I built my position from scratch as there had not been a director before me. I attended every meeting I could find and called on everyone I knew at the time for help.

 There was no roadmap for me, I had to create it. There was no training, I had to find it, ask questions, join memberships, sit and listen. 

 And, what I noticed then and throughout my career was the things I was learning didn’t fit small towns very well. That meant it took me even longer to adapt these ideas and projects to fit a small town. 

 Have you been there? It’s exhausting. 

 All of this, and 20 years of experience in small towns, are why I created The Rural Spark! 

 I want to use my knowledge of living and working in small communities to help the next person succeed and shorten the learning curve.

 I want to give you permission to think outside the box and do what your community needs…even if it looks different. 

 The Rural Spark is launching a membership for small communities. That membership is going to be a collaboration of the minds. We will come together and work smarter, not harder. We will lean on each other for advice, knowledge, policies, and project how-tos. 

 My promise to you is I will work to bring you solid ideas, education, and the opportunity to network with people around the United States. 

 I will also be your accountability partner and help you create a laser focus on high-priority projects. 

 I will introduce you to people making the magic happens in towns just like yours. 

 And, I will showcase business models that are working in small communities. 

 Have I piqued your interest? If so, join our FREE Workshop on August 25th and/or the 27th to get a preview.  The doors will be opening very soon. 

 Keep moving mountains, 

Jimi Coplen