"I was born in a small town..."

TootsUncommon had its most successful vendor weekend to date at Burlington, Indiana's Fall Festival.  Here is some information from their website:  www.burlingtonindiana.org

"If it's small town Hoosier hospitality you're looking for, we have it.  Burlington is located on the southern edge of Carroll County, where State Roads 29 & 22 intersect.

Burlington is over 600 civic-minded citizens who are proud of their town and it shows.  Burlington is home to one of the finest, well-kept community parks in the state.  People of all ages can gather for ballgames, picnics, or a family reunion.  At the northern edge of town, lies the scenic banks of the Wildcat Creek.  Burlington offers a florist/gift shop, bakery, bank, medical facility, hardware store, gas/convenience stop, and several restaurants. 

We are centrally located, within a short distance to Kokomo, Logansport, Frankfort, and Lafayette, which gives residents access to employment, entertainment and education.  All four of the local churches would welcome you to worship with them on Sunday mornings.

Burlington is a great place to raise a family, to work and play."

TootsUncommon's head seamstress and VP lives in Burlington, Indiana and when folks attending the festival could put a name with the handmade products available from TootsUncommon it really meant something!  Thanks, Pat!  Our accountant - Milt - is also very well known and liked in Burlington so the town's people knew that if Milt was backing dog clothes they must be alright!  Thanks, Milt!  TootsUncommon's head product handler - Jeff - was also at the festival mixing with some of his former classmates.  Who wouldn't buy a dog collar from a guy you played football with your junior year?!  Thanks, Jeff!  Brother-in-law Scott, sister-in-law Danielle and nephew Noah even pitched in!  Thanks for your support!

A book coming out in April really speaks to the benefits of community to a business in a small town.  This information comes from:  http://www.lovesmalltownamerica.com/blog/tag/small-town-living/

"A new book, Small Town Rules: How Big Brands and Small Businesses Can Prosper in a Connected Economy, examines the lessons that businesses can learn from small towns. Small Town Rules argues that the interconnectedness of a global, web-based system of commerce where, “your customers can talk to everyone else,” presents similar challenges and opportunities to those of a small town, where, it could be argued, everyone talks to everyone else, too."

And because everyone talks to everyone else; everyone knows everyone else.  Therefore if business is sound and your product is good the community will support it!  Those of us who grew up in a small town are usually too quick to say we don't want to live there.  Well, small town life sure has its benefits; and not just to the small business owner.  I think Tootsie Roll and I will go and watch a few episodes of  Northern Exposure now.  Hasta tomorrow!