Cory Hepola, the founder of the My Town series, grew up in a small town in Minnesota. His dream was to become a TV News Anchor and when the opportunity came he moved to Minneapolis to take it. For over 10 years he lived his dream career before deciding to start the My Town series. Hepola reflects on what motivated him to start the show.
The series chooses small towns to show people what small town life is really about. Towns who want to be featured in the show have to submit an application. The City of Rock Valley applied before the recent flood. Hepola explains why they were considering Rock Valley.
After the flood the story of Rock Valley changed from a fast-growing small town to one of resilience and perseverance. Hepola remembers the new story of Rock Valley.
A few local Rock Valley businesses owners were interviewed for the episode including Mike Post, owner of Post Equipment; Daisy Gasca, owner of Abarottes Gasca; and Katie Van Zee, owner of Rooted in Rock Valley.
Katie Van Zee reflects on her business’s experience after the flood.
Today Rooted has expanded to the store next door to include a kitchen. Van Zee lays out the process she took to get there.
Van Zee is happy the My Town series is sharing the story of the people of Rock Valley.
Through the filming of the show, Hepola learned the secret behind Rock Valley and its growth.
You can watch the My Town episode here.
