For regular readers of Silicon Prairie News, none of what’s discussed in the Aug. 19 Fox Business article “How to Become a Growth Company in a Small Market” is necessarily earth-shattering. After all, this site covers growth companies in “small markets” on a daily basis. But we thought we’d share the story anyway because, well, it warms our little, Prairie-dwelling hearts.
The story, you see, prominently features one entrepreneurial figure from each of the Silicon Prairie’s three hubs. From Des Moines, there’s Dwolla CEO Ben Milne. From Kansas City, you have Kauffman Foundation manager of entrepreneurship Nick Seguin. And from Omaha? Our very own Jeff Slobotski.
The article explores how “in today’s world of virtual workforces and online connectivity, it is increasingly becoming possible for entrepreneurs to build a growth business in a smaller market.” Milne, Seguin and Slobotski all provide interesting insights. A sampling:
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“We had an entire year of building our network out in Iowa, without anyone in New York knowing about it. We might not have been able to pull that off being outside of Des Moines.”
– Ben Milne, CEO of Dwolla
“Geography may matter less than ever in terms of logistics and getting things done. But conversely, it may more than ever from a cultural and societal standpoint.”
– Nick Seguin, manager of entrepreneurship at Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
“It’s hard when you’re outside of New York City or Silicon Valley. It’s a challenge but not insurmountable.”
– Jeff Slobotski, founder of Silicon Prairie News