Regionally Rooted

12/31/2025

Happy New Year’s Eve! 🎉

On this chilly day, it’s been really fun to see a few more registrations roll in and to watch the group start to take shape… and we still have a month until our first session!

I’m sharing again in case anyone has been thinking about joining us for the Big Magic Winter Book Club.
Today is the last day for the early bird discount. ✨

📍 Where: balanceYoga by amanda (Piqua)
📅 When: Every other Saturday | Jan 31–Apr 11
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

📌 And by request, we’re also adding a virtual option for anyone who might need to miss a session or two in person, so you won’t miss out.

One of my favorite parts is that we’re partnering with Indigo & Co Books in Piqua, who is providing the books. Supporting local, supporting small, and supporting our community matters to us — and this feels like such a meaningful way to do that.

We’ll read Big Magic, enjoy light snacks + drinks 🥤, talk, think, laugh a little 😊, and explore some ideas together.
Nothing heavy. Nothing intense. Just… good.

If it sounds like something you’d enjoy, today’s a great day to jump in.

And as always, if you have questions, just ask me.

Send a message to learn more

06/25/2025

🌱 **When we say “support local,” it should mean something.**

This week, the City of Piqua - Government Page shared a post highlighting a business from another county—while just a few blocks away, there’s a local yoga studio that’s been quietly serving this community for over 12 years.

🧘‍♀️ That studio is balanceYoga by amanda.
If you’re from around here, you probably know it.
You’ve likely seen Amanda Brown showing up again and again—for downtown, for Piqua, and for the people in it.

And while the promoted business might have a connection to our town through family or roots, the business itself isn’t local. That matters—especially in small towns, where every customer, every mention, every bit of visibility counts.

This isn’t about rivalry.
It’s about recognition.
And honoring the businesses that have been here—investing, giving, showing up day after day.

🛍️ Supporting local means noticing.
It means remembering.
It means amplifying the businesses that have already poured so much into making our towns stronger.

That’s what real community growth looks like.

Here at Regionally Rooted, we care deeply about helping small-town businesses grow in a way that’s sustainable, people-first, and rooted in real connection.

Because our belief is—we grow together. 🌿

***Edited (after I’ve had time to settle down 😉):

If you bring an outside provider or organization in—especially when you already have qualified providers in your own community (not just Balance Yoga, but also the local Y!)—
1️⃣ Try to find a way to cross-promote and collaborate.
2️⃣ And if you’ve done that and it didn’t work out, at least give a shout-out to the folks in your community. Acknowledge their businesses, their people, and their effort.

06/19/2025

🌲 A little story from behind the scenes…

Jessica has been planning a 50th anniversary trip for her parents this summer—an easygoing, memory-making kind of getaway.

The kind where you hope everything feels just a little more special.

They’ve been married 50 years.
This is their first vacation alone—just the two of them.

After everything was booked and they started filling in the gaps of what to do, she sent a simple note to each of the places they’ll be staying:

💌 “They’ll be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Do you have any recommendations to make this extra special for them?”

It wasn’t a big ask.

She wasn’t looking for freebies or a fuss.
Just something human.

Out of 4 messages, only 2 replied.
One said there was no reservation on file (even though she had the confirmation).
The other sent a canned line:
📝 “There’s a list of restaurants on the confirmation email.”

And it was such a simple but powerful reminder of something we say often at Regionally Rooted:

✨ The best kind of service is personal. And it makes all the difference.

Not perfect. Not polished.
Just thoughtful.

❤️ A local spot to pick up flowers
🎶 A suggestion for live music
🌼 A quick “Congratulations!”
🌟 Even a message that says: *We’re honored to host them.*

Because the truth is—most people just want to feel like they matter.
And a little care goes a long way.

We help businesses build customer experiences that feel just like that.

🌿 Because our belief is—**We Grow Together.**

05/27/2025

How you show up matters—especially in the moments that are hard, human, and not part of the plan. ✨

Last week, I shared a story about a recent ER visit. It wasn’t just about the medical care. It was about how it *felt* to not be seen or supported in a moment that called for compassion. And it made me think deeply about how much our ability to heal—physically and emotionally—is impacted by the way we’re treated.

That experience stirred up a reflection I didn’t expect.

Alongside running Regionally Rooted, I recently started a mostly remote contractor role with a new organization. One month in, I was scheduled for my first in-person day—time to connect, learn, and build trust. And then… I got sick.

Sending the message to say, “I’m so sorry, I won’t be there tomorrow” was one of the hardest things I’ve done in a long time. Not because I didn’t want to go—but because of what the past two years have taught me.

Too many times, I’ve been offered work that felt steady and life-changing… until something inconvenient came up. Flimsy excuses. No consideration. Just gone.

And after a while, even when you *know* your worth, you start bracing for it. You wonder if it’s you.

But it’s not. It’s a pattern. A symptom of shaky foundations. And one that too many women—especially contractors—know all too well.

So when I got sick, I couldn’t fully rest. I was afraid of losing something good before it had a chance to take root. By the time I saw my doctor, I was in tears. And she named what I didn’t want to face: anxiety. 😔 Fear was fueling the very symptoms I was trying to recover from.

So I told the truth. I sent another message—honest and raw:
“Thank you for your patience with me through this. I get worried you’ll say forget it. You wouldn’t believe how many people do that.”

The response?
“Don’t give it a second thought. Just get better.”

That was leadership. Not a policy. Not a perk. Not a performance review. Just a real moment of care from someone who meant it.

By Friday, I was back. Clearer. Grateful. Grounded.

Because how you treat people—especially when no one’s watching—*ripples*. 🌿 Into their health. Their confidence. Their ability to show up and do their best work.

So yes, culture matters. But more than that? Care does. 💛

At Regionally Rooted, we’re here to help small-town businesses build people-first strategies that last. Because at the heart of it all is one simple question:

“If this happened to me… how would I want to be treated?”

Now go do that.

05/24/2025

05/20/2025

🧡 **From Jessica Christy Riesenbeck at Regionally Rooted**

Something happened over the weekend that reminded me exactly why this work matters so much.

I ended up in the ER after a health scare—scared, uncertain, and quietly telling myself I probably didn’t need to be there.
Even though, deep down, I knew I *needed* to be there.

And what I experienced became a pretty clear reminder of something I’ve been thinking about for weeks:

**Are you aware of how your staff—or you, as staff—show up to the people your business or organization serves?**

That’s the question a new friend asked me during a conversation about the work I do with small-town teams and organizations. I haven’t stopped thinking about it.

And then this past weekend, I experienced it for myself.

What I found was more than just a gap in care—it was a complete lack of it. And that question came rushing back:

👉 *Are you aware of how you show up to the people counting on you?*

Because when someone walks through your doors—whether it’s a customer, a patient, a parent, or a neighbor—they’re showing up with something you can’t always see.

For you, it might be just another day.
Another shift. Another transaction. Another to-do.

But for them, it’s not.
It’s emotional. It’s real. It’s hard to explain.
And how you respond—that can change everything.

💭 Have we gotten so used to the routine that we’ve forgotten the relationship?

💬 Have we stopped asking:
• *How would I want to be treated in this moment?*
• *What could help me feel seen, safe, and supported?*

This hospital didn’t need a full overhaul.
It needed better staffing.
A reminder of why they’re there.
Maybe some compassion training and a patient advocate or two.

Even small things—a softer chair, a calming space, eye contact—could have made a difference.

I noticed signs posted everywhere reminding patients to treat staff with respect.

But where are the reminders for the staff?
The ones that say:

🧍‍♀️ *This is someone’s worst day.*
🧾 *They’re more than a number.*
🤝 *Your job isn’t just to do—it’s to care.*

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This is what **Regionally Rooted** is about.

Helping small-town businesses and organizations reconnect with the people they serve—because how you show up *matters.*

🧡 **Our belief is—We Grow Together.**
Not through perfection, but through presence.
Through awareness.
Through a culture of care that people can feel.

So here’s the question:
**Are you proud of how your business or team is showing up for the people you serve?**

Because they’ll remember the way you made them feel.
And so will you.

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✨ If this resonates with you, we’d love for you to share it or tag someone who leads with heart.

05/13/2025

Same question. Two companies. Completely different vibes.

Last week, I sent a super simple message:

💬 “Hi, I didn’t end up using the account—would it be possible to request a refund?”

No drama. Just a kind, reasonable ask.

And the responses? A total case study in what customer experience really looks like.

✅ Company A made it easy. Clear reply. Kind tone. Took care of it right away.
🚫 Company B? Quoted policy. Felt impersonal. Left me feeling like a transaction, not a person.

It wasn’t really about the money.

It was about the experience—how it felt to be on the receiving end.

At Regionally Rooted, we believe:
🌿 The experience is the brand.
🌿 Trust is built in small, everyday moments.
🌿 People remember how you made them feel.

Want to build loyalty that lasts? Start there.
Make it kind. Make it clear. Make it human.

05/09/2025

Ever wonder where your money actually goes when you shop small?

Here’s the thing—when you support a local business, your dollars are doing a whole lot more than buying coffee, candles, or your favorite sandwich:

🛍️ 67¢ of every dollar stays in your community
💼 Local jobs get created
🏫 Schools, sidewalks, and services get a little stronger
🤝 Other small businesses benefit, too

In a small town, your spending isn’t just a transaction—it’s a ripple.
One thoughtful choice at a time.

At Regionally Rooted, we believe small-town businesses matter deeply.
And so do the people who support them.

🌿 So if you’ve bought the coffee, booked the service, or told a friend about your favorite local spot—thank you.

You’re helping build something that lasts.

📖 Read more via Main Street America:

Are you looking for ways to support small businesses in your community? Shopping locally has many benefits, from creating stronger communities to building sustainable economies. Learn how you can support small business owners in your area.