Rural Entrepreneurship is Ready for a Shift - Are You Seeing What We're Seeing?

Rural entrepreneurs are navigating a different landscape. We’re starting a new conversation about what they really need — and you’re invited to help shape it.

Over the past year, we've been quietly researching what it takes to start and grow a business in rural Canada — and how it’s different from doing so in a city. What we've uncovered isn't just important — it’s urgent.

Rural entrepreneurs face unique challenges, but also represent one of the most under-supported sources of innovation in the country.

That insight sparked the creation of a white paper:Rural Entrepreneurship: Overcoming Pains and Building Pathways to Success

It’s based on early-stage research and interviews — and unpacks the hidden costs, missing infrastructure, and overlooked opportunities that rural founders in places like Grey Bruce deal with every day.

To bring the AREA 81 white paper to life, we've used NotebookLLM to create this video overview.

But here’s the thing: we’re not releasing the full white paper to the public just yet.

Why Not Yet?

Because we’re not done listening.

We believe in building with, not for the community. Before we finalize or publish anything more, we want to hear from you directly.

We’re now running a round of 1-on-1 Discovery Interviews with:

• Early-stage founders

• Rural creators

• Side-hustlers

• Anyone thinking seriously about launching or growing a business in Grey Bruce

These aren’t sales calls. They’re short, structured conversations where:

• You share what you’re seeing, experiencing, or stuck on

• We introduce you to the Problem Interview method — a tool used by top founders to test their ideas before they build

• You help shape where this research — and AREA 81 — goes next

What’s in It for You?

• You’ll learn a new technique to validate or refine your idea

• You’ll join a group of local builders shaping what comes next

• You’ll get early access to the white paper — ahead of public release

• And you’ll influence how support for rural entrepreneurs gets built, starting right here in Grey Bruce

Book a discovery interview! Just 30 minutes, no prep and learn while you share.

What Comes Next

This post is part of series focused on what it really takes to be an entrepreneur and launch a venture in rural Canada — using an innovation driven venture development framework as our guide.

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Up next: Before You Build Anything, Prove This First.

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Want the White Paper?

The white paper is real and it's a living, breathing document. We are continually interview rural entrepreneurs. If you'd like an excerpt version subscribe to get updates. Want to chat? Book some time with Chris Herbert or contact us as well.