OSAWATOMIE, Kan. — In a small town with big ambitions, P.E.R.K. (Prospective Entrepreneurs of Rural Kansas) is making waves. Founded just over a decade ago by Jordy and Heather Goff, this nonprofit organization has a vision: to revitalize Main Street in Osawatomie and keep young talent in the community by teaching them valuable business skills.
Revitalizing Main Street
Osawatomie, located off U.S. Highway 169 in Miami County, Kansas, is a close-knit community with a population of around 4,500. Despite its charm, the town faces economic challenges. According to the Miami County Economic Development Department, the local unemployment rate has increased since early 2023. Additionally, the city’s retail pull factor, a measure of local trade balance, stands at 0.39. This indicates a significant loss of trade, with residents shopping elsewhere rather than supporting local businesses.
In response to these challenges, P.E.R.K. was established with a dual mission: to stimulate local economic activity and to foster entrepreneurial skills among the town’s youth. The Goffs, driven by their belief in the power of local spending, see education as a cornerstone for achieving this goal.
Empowering Youth Through Business Education
One of the flagship initiatives of P.E.R.K. is its Young Entrepreneur Program, centered around the P.E.R.K. Coffee Shop. The program offers students—from second graders to high school freshmen—a hands-on learning experience in running a business. Students engage in various tasks, from taking orders and making coffee to managing budgets and preparing inventory.
Jae Bueker, a freshman in the program, reflects on his experience: “Public school doesn’t teach you much about owning your own business or your own job. It really helps to learn other things.” His mother, Heather Bueker, appreciates the program’s impact, noting that it helps her son develop essential life skills beyond the digital world.
Students are given real responsibilities, such as designing the menu or handling inventory, which prepares them for future entrepreneurial ventures. Bueker, for instance, recently designed the coffee shop’s menu and is eager to see where his business education will lead him.
Community Involvement and Leadership
P.E.R.K.’s success is attributed to its strong community involvement. The organization is supported by a board of local leaders, including Jacob Miller, a finance professional. Miller praises the Goffs for their comprehensive approach to teaching business skills, from accounting to customer service. He draws a parallel between Osawatomie’s need for local businesses and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, emphasizing that basic necessities are often unmet in the town.
The United States Department of Agriculture has identified Osawatomie and parts of Miami County as a food desert, underscoring the need for local solutions to meet essential needs. P.E.R.K.’s efforts aim to address this gap and inspire others to invest in the community.
Looking Ahead
P.E.R.K.’s vision extends beyond immediate business education. The organization hopes to serve as a model for other communities, demonstrating that local engagement and entrepreneurship can drive meaningful change. As Jordy Goff explains, “We’re just trying to show people there is more than one way to get involved. Just trying to inspire others to have their businesses here as well.”
