web01.fireside.fm Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:08:59 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development - Episodes Tagged with “Mentoring Circles” https://podcast.econdevshow.com/tags/mentoring%20circles Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:15:00 -0600 Dane Carlson explores the strategies, ideas, and insights that are driving economic development forward into the future. You'll hear new insights from passionate ED's about their successes and struggles, and you'll learn from attraction and retention experts about how to apply actionable strategies inside your EDO. We'll help take your organization, your community, and your career to the next level. en-us episodic Actionable economic development strategies and stories Dane Carlson Dane Carlson explores the strategies, ideas, and insights that are driving economic development forward into the future. You'll hear new insights from passionate ED's about their successes and struggles, and you'll learn from attraction and retention experts about how to apply actionable strategies inside your EDO. We'll help take your organization, your community, and your career to the next level. no econ dev, economic development, ed Dane Carlson show@econdevshow.com 199: How Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Can Transform Local Economies with Martin Vanags https://podcast.econdevshow.com/199 65692619-12a2-4389-a9ea-6ec1c8275f2e Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:15:00 -0600 Dane Carlson 199 How Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Can Transform Local Economies with Martin Vanags full Dane Carlson A conversation with Marty Vanags about how peer-to-peer support, C7 mentoring circles, and a renewed focus on small businesses can transform a community’s economic development efforts. 26:18 no In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with economic development veteran and consultant Marty Vanags about Circles of Seven, a peer-based mentoring program designed to strengthen post-startup small businesses who often fall through the cracks of traditional support systems. Marty explains how C7 groups work, why small businesses learn best from each other, and how these circles create long-lasting bonds that improve BRE, build confidence, and ultimately make communities more attractive to prospects. He also touches on Next Wave Leadership, the importance of in-person connection, and why economic developers should spend more time nurturing the businesses they already have. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Target the "liminal stage" -- businesses past the startup phase but not yet established need the most support and often have the fewest resources. Build peer-to-peer programs, not just classes -- small businesses learn better from each other than from lectures. Recruit strong facilitators, not "experts" -- a good mentor is a steady guide, not a guru. Create predictable monthly prompts (articles, videos, questions) to spark meaningful discussion. Require at least 30 minutes on the main topic so participants get what they came for. Train facilitators in group dynamics, not business theory -- their job is to manage conversation, not teach. Use C7-style programs as BRE tools -- they put you in front of businesses you rarely interact with. Remember cash flow and time are always the biggest pain points for small businesses. Encourage in-person interaction -- especially post-COVID, live meetings build deeper relationships and accountability. Measure success by longevity -- if your groups keep meeting years later, your ecosystem is working. Special Guest: Martin Vanags. econdev, economic development, eco devo, C7 mentoring, small business support, BRE, peer learning, economic development, entrepreneurial ecosystems, mentoring circles, post-startup growth, community development, leadership development In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with economic development veteran and consultant Marty Vanags about Circles of Seven, a peer-based mentoring program designed to strengthen post-startup small businesses who often fall through the cracks of traditional support systems.

Marty explains how C7 groups work, why small businesses learn best from each other, and how these circles create long-lasting bonds that improve BRE, build confidence, and ultimately make communities more attractive to prospects. He also touches on Next Wave Leadership, the importance of in-person connection, and why economic developers should spend more time nurturing the businesses they already have.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Target the "liminal stage" -- businesses past the startup phase but not yet established need the most support and often have the fewest resources.
  2. Build peer-to-peer programs, not just classes -- small businesses learn better from each other than from lectures.
  3. Recruit strong facilitators, not "experts" -- a good mentor is a steady guide, not a guru.
  4. Create predictable monthly prompts (articles, videos, questions) to spark meaningful discussion.
  5. Require at least 30 minutes on the main topic so participants get what they came for.
  6. Train facilitators in group dynamics, not business theory -- their job is to manage conversation, not teach.
  7. Use C7-style programs as BRE tools -- they put you in front of businesses you rarely interact with.
  8. Remember cash flow and time are always the biggest pain points for small businesses.
  9. Encourage in-person interaction -- especially post-COVID, live meetings build deeper relationships and accountability.
  10. Measure success by longevity -- if your groups keep meeting years later, your ecosystem is working.

Special Guest: Martin Vanags.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with economic development veteran and consultant Marty Vanags about Circles of Seven, a peer-based mentoring program designed to strengthen post-startup small businesses who often fall through the cracks of traditional support systems.

Marty explains how C7 groups work, why small businesses learn best from each other, and how these circles create long-lasting bonds that improve BRE, build confidence, and ultimately make communities more attractive to prospects. He also touches on Next Wave Leadership, the importance of in-person connection, and why economic developers should spend more time nurturing the businesses they already have.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Target the "liminal stage" -- businesses past the startup phase but not yet established need the most support and often have the fewest resources.
  2. Build peer-to-peer programs, not just classes -- small businesses learn better from each other than from lectures.
  3. Recruit strong facilitators, not "experts" -- a good mentor is a steady guide, not a guru.
  4. Create predictable monthly prompts (articles, videos, questions) to spark meaningful discussion.
  5. Require at least 30 minutes on the main topic so participants get what they came for.
  6. Train facilitators in group dynamics, not business theory -- their job is to manage conversation, not teach.
  7. Use C7-style programs as BRE tools -- they put you in front of businesses you rarely interact with.
  8. Remember cash flow and time are always the biggest pain points for small businesses.
  9. Encourage in-person interaction -- especially post-COVID, live meetings build deeper relationships and accountability.
  10. Measure success by longevity -- if your groups keep meeting years later, your ecosystem is working.

Special Guest: Martin Vanags.

Sponsored By:

Links:

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