Building What I Couldn’t Find in a Rural Business Community

There are a lot of small businesses tucked into rural Washington State.

I know that because I’m one of them.

We’re out here doing good work, building things with our hands, running our shops, and figuring things out as we go. But one thing I’ve noticed over the years is how easy it is to feel a little disconnected. Not because people don’t care, but because there aren’t always spaces to come together in person and have real conversations about what it’s actually like to run a business.

For a long time, I found myself wishing something like that existed.

A space that felt welcoming.
A place where you could show up as you are.
A group where people shared what’s working, what isn’t, and what they’re learning along the way.

At some point, I realized I had a choice.

I could keep wishing for it, or I could try to build it.

So I started the Foothills Entrepreneur Collective and hosted our first Meet and Greet at the Van Zandt Community Hall.

The timing couldn’t have been better. The hall itself is a 100-year-old building that was just remodeled, and the Van Zandt stewards are actively looking for ways to bring the community together again. Being able to host these gatherings there feels like we’re part of something bigger than just business. It’s about rebuilding connection in a shared space.

We had 8 people show up, and honestly, that felt really good.

It wasn’t a huge group, but it didn’t need to be. What mattered was the energy in the room. The conversations were real. People were open. There was a genuine willingness to share experiences and support each other.

It felt like the beginning of something.

As business owners, it’s easy to point out what’s missing. We all see the gaps. We all know what we wish existed.

What’s harder is taking that next step and creating it.

I’m really proud that I moved forward with this idea, even without knowing exactly how it would turn out. And after that first meetup, I feel optimistic. Not because of the numbers, but because of the kind of people it brought together and the tone it set from the very beginning.

My goal is simple.

To build a community that brings local businesses together.
A place where people feel welcome.
A space where knowledge is shared, connections are made, and everyone leaves a little better than they came.

This is just the beginning, but it feels like a strong one.

And if there’s something you’ve been wishing existed in your own community or industry, it might be worth asking yourself the same question I had to ask:

What would it look like if you built it?