Being a Grow with Google Digital Coach
In 2022, Grow with Google partnered with Main Street America to choose one community in ten states to host a program that would hire a Digital Coach to represent the State. The charge: offer free business building workshops to small businesses in small towns and aim to reach 1,000 in 2023. Here is how it went:
115 workshops
We spoke about topics that are in high demand like Google Business Profile, websites, search engine optimization, analytics and Google tools like Docs, Sheets and Drive.
1,239 business owners trained
I've met some of the grittiest, most hard working people through this experience. You are community minded, fiercely loyal and each one of you contributes something unique and special the place you call home.
7,147 miles traveled
Turns out, a lot of the concerns and challenges that business owners experience are the same or similar as they are in other towns. This is encouraging! It means we are not alone! We can start working together to go deeper and wider with our resources and start making real economic progress.
One trip to Boston
I'm genuinely not the same person as when I began teaching in April 2023. There have been many firsts, many growth moments and so much joy! It's now time to take everything I learned and start providing for the needs of small businesses in small towns. Ya'll are my people! I will continue to work hard to help you build.
What I learned
I learned that the heart of the nation lives in small towns all across America, people are more generous than they get credit for and every economic developer needs an assistant and a vacation! Those people are champions!
