Forget Funnels: The Wildest Growth Hack Is To Build a Town With Al Doan

Alan (Al) Doan is the Co-founder of Missouri Star Quilt Company, which offers a selection of precut and quilt fabrics. After building and shutting down a consumer finance app, he partnered with his sister and mother to transform a small quilting operation into a thriving e-commerce and brick-and-mortar business. Al is also the Chairman of the Board at Creativity, Inc., a creative commerce holding company that includes quilt, yarn, and art companies, and is an investor and mentor in small-town revitalization and creative ventures. 

In this episode…

Many brands are rethinking how they grow, shifting focus from online ads to building genuine, real-world connections. As consumer behavior evolves, companies must create experiences that deepen loyalty and community rather than chasing short-term clicks. How can businesses design strategies that balance digital reach with tangible impact?

Known for turning creative ideas into thriving ecosystems, town-builder Al Doan maintains that content, community, and experiences can transform a company’s reach and impact. He recommends focusing on storytelling that makes customers feel seen and creating immersive environments where they connect with your brand beyond transactions. By blending emotion, authenticity, and experimentation, growth can arise from meaning rather than just metrics. 

In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris sits down with Al Doan, Co-founder of Missouri Star Quilt Company, to discuss how building a brand-driven town transformed an industry. Al talks about using storytelling and community as growth engines, scaling leadership through emotional intelligence, and why hands-on experiences outperform digital noise.