72. Fostering Regional Collaboration with Brodie Mueller and Carly Pochop of The Rural Revolution Podcast and The Market on the Plaza

It’s our first-ever crossover episode! Our guests today are Brodie Mueller and Carly Pochop. Both successful business owners in the rural community of Aberdeen, SD, and are co-hosts of the Rural Revolution Podcast and recently co-founded a brand new company called Market on the Plaza. They join us to talk about the value of collaboration among people and communities because in rural places, no one can do it alone. About Brodie and CarlyCarly Pochop, co-owner of The Market on the Plaza has run Colorful Creations in Aberdeen since 2015. She went to school for Art Education and after 2 years of teaching quickly realized there was a gap in the community for students needing more outside school creative outlets. She has learned how to wear many hats and grow her business to a profitable sustainable creative outlet for northeastern South Dakota. She has since moved downtown two years ago and has since found a love within the for growing downtown. After being involved within the Aberdeen Downtown Association, Business Improvement District, The Parking Board, and 1 Million Cups Aberdeen, she quickly realized there was a gap in the community once more for locally made Aberdeen inspired swag and gifts. Brodie Mueller, co-owner of Market on the Plaza, has lived in Aberdeen for the past 8 years and owns the downtown business Dakota Territory Brewing Company.  Dakota Territory is the first and oldest brewery ever in Aberdeen and services the community by creating small-batch craft beer, root beer, and cold brew coffee.  Brodie has a Masters Degree in social work and has been involved in community building both downtown and city-wide through different groups and projects. The brewery is involved with various community projects and fundraisers throughout the year, gaining a reputation as a business that supports the community.  As a fellow downtown business owner, Brodie is committed to making downtown better by supporting new ventures, and The Market on the Plaza is a shining example of bringing new and innovative services to the neighborhood. In this episode, we cover: How to steward your ideas forward The value of curiosity in overcoming fear How to quit apologizing for where you’re from and start being proud of your small town The value of small pilot trials in testing new ideas The immense value of cultivating a network Links + Resources Mentioned The Rural Revolution Podcast  Dakota Territory Brewing Company on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DakotaTerritoryBrewing/ Colorful Creations Art Studio website: https://www.thecolorfulcreations.com The Market on the Plaza website: https://themarketontheplaza.com/   Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!