Small business collaborative grows in 2024, celebrates sophomore year of Rural is Rad Week

It’s the second year for Rural is Rad Week and co-founder Robin Hall said she is thrilled to see the movement grow from four or five businesses the first year to close to 40 this time around.

“Last year it went well, but admittedly it was our first year getting off the ground. We had a handful of maybe three to five brands involved,” Hall said. “This year we have really been working to spread the word and raise some enthusiasm. In the last 12 months we’re at about 30 to 40 brands in our directory — everyone from Big Agnes, Bar-U-Eat, Eagle Creek and Town Hall Outdoor Co. to brands out of Crested Butte in the southwest all the way over to Grand Junction — we’ve really expanded across the state, which has been neat.”

Rural is Rad Week began Nov. 30 and will run through this Saturday.

The goal of Rural is Rad is to drive revenue for rural businesses, provide an alternative to shopping big and build a year-round community between the businesses, the customers and each other.

Rural is Rad Week features special discounts, unique product releases, and in-person events at participating retailers, breweries and more. The movement includes small business from handcrafted goods and gear to sustainable apparel and one-of-a-kind experiences.

“This year, for Rural is Rad Week, brands are finding unique ways to give back to their rural communities or give discounts and incentives for customers to shop and find interesting, cool rural businesses doing neat things benefiting their communities,” Hall said.

Rural is Rad was dreamt up by Colorado entrepreneurs Hall, of Town Hall Outdoor Co., Kelly Mazanti of Buttnski and TJ Smith of Stray Wild. The movement was formed through a shared objective to build awareness for rural brands and to help founders who experience shared challenges working in remote places with limited resources.

“It gives these founders an outlet to talk on the back end, and really behind-the-scenes,” Hall said. “Whether it be therapy or high-fives or direction or resources, we’re all here to help each other. I think (Rural is Rad) is a compelling story that’s honestly been easy to sell, and we’re just trying to get members in the network because consumers are really falling in love with it.”

Rural is Rad celebrates the uniqueness of rural businesses and is committed to empowering small, independent brands to thrive in the outdoor and lifestyle industries, alongside more established brands that have made the conscious choice and effort to remain rurally rooted.

Hall said the businesses in Rural is Rad are not solely in the outdoor recreation or apparel industry. Rural is Rad includes artists, ranchers and even a campground host. Hall insists that those outside the outdoor industry can also find value in the resources that Rural is Rad offers.

“They don’t need supply chain support,” she said. “They may need an accountant or marketing visibility support. Everyone rurally needs help, and between all of us we can all help each other, and that has been neat to see. Our goal is to help folks get on that path no matter what stage or the business they’re in, whether you’re Big Agnes or Town Hall, or you are a little outdoor artist from Pagosa Springs — everyone needs help in some way.”