Living in rural America, one often wonders what magic bullet will attract newcomers, entrepreneurs, artists, and other visionaries to their little community.  The other day that question was aroused in my mind when I saw this barbershop for sale on eBay with a top bid of $5000.  Now, I'm not a barber, have no interest in becoming one, and don't know anyone looking for this kind of opportunity.  But, it made me think, if I was an aspiring hair stylist I'd be all over this opportunity.  For what looks like will be a winning bid under $10,000, a person could have their business, fix up the studio apartment mentioned in the listing, and make their own dream come true in a small town USA.  

This is the way shopkeepers and merchants from the 19th century survived and built all the little towns dotting the midwestern landscape. Compared to what it would cost a starting hair stylist to rent a chair in a big city salon and then fight for clients, this small town shop looks like a golden opportunity for someone!  In fact, when you think about it, the monthly payment on this building would be less than the cost to rent a chair in a big city salon!

Gilman City, Missouri has a few hundred residents, but it has a restaurant, some shops and enough life in it that it's not ready to blow away yet!  Plus, it's only 19 miles to Trenton, with over 6000 residents and more shopping availability.  

Does your town have special opportunities like this available?  If so, it might just be the very place tomorrow's bootstrap entrepreneurs are looking for.....and need, to get started.