Becky McCray

I help you shape a brighter future for your small town, giving you practical steps you can put into action right away. You don't have to know all the answers if you can stay open to new ideas.

Becky McCray is a prominent professional speaker, consultant, and co-founder of SaveYour.Town, an initiative focused on empowering small towns and rural communities to thrive using their own resources. She has been actively involved in this work since May 2015, collaborating with co-founder Deb Brown to provide practical advice and strategies for community development.1 3

Background and Expertise

McCray hails from Hopeton, Oklahoma, a small town where she has deep roots in both entrepreneurship and agriculture. Her professional journey includes various roles such as city administrator for a small municipality, owner of retail businesses, and executive positions in rural nonprofits. Additionally, she has experience teaching business and computer classes.3 4 This diverse background informs her approach to community issues, allowing her to deliver actionable insights based on real-world experiences.

Contributions to SaveYour.Town

At SaveYour.Town, McCray emphasizes the Idea Friendly Method, which encourages communities to be open to new ideas and initiatives. The organization specializes in low-cost solutions aimed at revitalizing small towns, including programs like the Tour of Empty Buildings and Cheap Downtown Placemaking Ideas.1 2 McCray travels internationally to deliver keynotes and workshops, helping communities brainstorm and implement practical steps for improvement.1 4

Publications and Recognition

In addition to her speaking engagements, McCray is the publisher of Small Biz Survival, a platform dedicated to sharing insights for rural small businesses. She is also a co-author of the book "Small Town Rules," which outlines strategies for thriving in smaller communities.5 Her contributions have earned her several accolades, including the Small Business Influencer Award over multiple years and recognition as Volunteer of the Year by the Waynoka Chamber of Commerce.4

Personal Philosophy

Becky McCray advocates for the belief that small towns can be saved by their own people. She emphasizes that no external entity will come to rescue these communities; instead, it is up to local residents to take initiative and make meaningful changes.2 3 Through her work, she inspires community members to embrace their roles in shaping the future of their towns.

For more insights into her work and philosophy, you can find her on LinkedIn under the username beckymccray.