​​The Short Story of It All

 

Hi, I’m Erika Willitzer, founder of Small Town WOW.

I currently serve as the Executive Director of Economic Development for Defiance County, Ohio — a place I truly love. My work allows me to help businesses grow, solve problems, tell their stories, and find new opportunities.

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Before economic development, I spent nearly a decade in broadcast journalism. I loved storytelling, but after years of covering so much negative news, I wanted to be part of creating positive change. That leap led me to chamber work, the utility industry, and now to helping businesses and communities locally and beyond.

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I created Small Town WOW because I believe small towns and small businesses have powerful stories, big ideas, and the ability to make a real impact — no matter where they are located.

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This site was built for busy business owners, community leaders, downtown groups, and small-town dreamers who need practical help without spending weeks in training. Here, you’ll find marketing resources, ready-made templates, trend ideas, and simple tools you can use quickly.

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We’re also excited to offer AI-WOW — easy-to-understand AI resources, tips, prompts, and tools created specifically for small businesses and small towns. AI does not have to be overwhelming. We’ll help you use it to save time, create content, market smarter, and bring your ideas to life.

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At Small Town WOW, our mission is simple:

To help small towns and small businesses shine, grow, and create their own WOW.