Serving Rural American Communities

We are coming up on the best 11 days of the year - the Missouri State Fair. One of our favorite parts of the Fair is interacting with the partners and sponsors who make it all possible. In this episode, Cliff is joined by Family Center Farm and Home co-owner and regional director Blake Mills and marketing manager David Swearingen. When Family Center Farm and Home opened their Sedalia location, becoming a sponsor with the Missouri State Fair made all the sense in the world for their marketing efforts.  Founded in 1965 by Blake's grandfather, Family Center Farm & Home opened its first store under the name of Tractor Parts and Home Supply in Harrisonville, MO. Now, their business serves more than just farmers, offering something for everyone from dog owners to factory workers to interior designers. The flagship store is still open and the company has expanded to six additional locations - Butler, Rolla, Ozark, Sedalia, and St. Joseph, Missouri and Paola, Kansas.  FC Saddlery and Tack Family Center Farm and Home What you'll learn:  The origin story of Family Center Farm and Home, launched by Blake's grandfather, and how it evolved into the store it is today Marketing strategies they use to reach their rural audience and the logistics behind the locations of their stores The role Family Center Farm and Home plays during the Missouri State Fair as a sponsor and the impact of fairground events on their Sedalia location An overview of the Saddlery and Tack branch of their business (FC Saddlery & Tack) The development and integration of their e-commerce presence, from their website to online ordering and in-store pickups Updates on Family Center's rewards program and how the change in consumer buying habits has impacted their business model Advice for business owners and marketing managers who are stepping into the social media world and how they can keep tabs on what is going on in the communities they serve