Celebrating Small Businesses in 2025
Small businesses are the heart of our communities. On our blog, we shared stories of Main Street business innovation, community, and growth. Here are four stories about small businesses from the past year.
Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams
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Ross Chanowski, owner and founder of NuMarket. © Ross Chanowski
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt chats with Ross Chanowski, owner and founder of NuMarket. NuMarket is a leader in crowdfunding solutions for small businesses with a focus on food services.
Ross’s journey from studying marketing and behavioral psychology to graduating from the London School of Economics sparked his passion for “social entrepreneurship.” He founded NuMarket on the idea of “crowdfunding for credits.” Unlike other types where you might donate or receive rewards, this model lets anyone invest in a small business and earn credits to use at that business over time, gaining more value than they put in.
During their discussion, Ross shares how his background shaped NuMarket, explains the various crowdfunding methods, and highlights why NuMarket’s approach is ideal for small businesses. They also cover how Ross stays resilient during industry changes, the importance of listening closely to customers to stay innovative, and practical ways small businesses can leverage crowdfunding to grow.
Tune in to learn how NuMarket is transforming crowdfunding into a tool for positive change and how small business owners can benefit from these innovative solutions.