Business Chitchat

All About Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Montana Cohort, a Conversation with National Director, Anne Wellde

Are you a Montana business looking to expand and be a leader in your business? What if you could apply for high-level, no-cost training from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses? In this episode, Anne Wellde, National Director of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, breaks down how the program works, how it's being customized for its Montana cohort, and how to apply for this life-changing opportunity!  About Anne Anne Wellde is the National Director of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, a $750 million commitment to catalyze the growth of America’s small business community. Anne is responsible for developing and executing the strategy to reach small business owners in rural and urban communities across the United States. Prior to her current role, Anne was the deputy director of 10,000 Small Businesses and previously, served as the chief operating officer for a healthcare technology company focused on developing cancer therapeutics. Anne earned a bachelor’s degree in government from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University. She is also an Atlantic Council 2023 Millennium Leadership Fellow. Application Deadline: Applications will close on December 1, 2024. Links: About the Program: https://www.goldmansachs.com/community-impact/10000-small-businesses/us/news-and-program-information/growing-with-rural-america [https://www.goldmansachs.com/community-impact/10000-small-businesses/us/news-and-program-information/growing-with-rural-america]  Montana Application Link: https://onegs.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9NR7AulWvIjMwrI [https://onegs.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9NR7AulWvIjMwrI]  Watch Alumni Testimonial Videos:  https://10ksbapply.com/education/#alumni-testimonials [https://10ksbapply.com/education/#alumni-testimonials]

Writing A Business Plan The New Way: A Conversation with Headwaters SBDC Business Advisor, Fionn Zarubica

Ready to take your business plan to the next level with ease? In this episode, Fionn Zarubica, Business Advisor at Headwaters SBDC, reveals how entrepreneurs are streamlining their planning process using the cutting-edge LivePlan software. Discover how this tool empowers users to craft impressive, professional-grade business plans with comprehensive financial projections – all made even simpler with AI-powered features. Whether you're launching a startup or refining your current strategy, tune in to learn how LivePlan could be the game-changer you've been searching for!* Register for SBDC services here: https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/ About Fionn: Fionn Zarubica is a versatile professional with over two decades of experience in entrepreneurship, organizational consultation and the cultural sector. Currently, she brings her expertise to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of Montana, where she helps business owners navigate the challenges of starting and growing their ventures. She provides personalized consulting services tailored to the unique needs of each client, specializing in budgeting and finance, business planning and start-up consulting. Fionn pursued her education at the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of California, Los Angeles. Before moving into business consulting, she had a distinguished career as a costume designer, working in theater, film, ballet, opera and television across the United States, Canada and Europe. In the museum sector, Fionn held key roles managing the renowned costume and textile collections at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). She contributed to several prominent exhibitions, including California Design, 1930-1965: Living in a Modern Way (2011), Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700-1915 (2010) and Breaking the Mode: Contemporary Fashion from the Permanent Collection (2006). From 2010 to 2021, Fionn served as an instructor of museology at California State University Long Beach, College of Professional and International Education. She later worked as a museum consultant and educator in Europe, where she developed cultural programs supported by U.S. State Department grants. Additionally, Fionn is an experienced grant writer and the founder of Fionn Zarubica Creative Partnerships, which provides multidisciplinary support to the creative industries. Her international experience lends a global perspective to her work at SBDC, where she continues to empower entrepreneurs with the tools and strategies they need to succeed.

All About Montana Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) Grants & Loans

Is your ag business ready for growth? Would grant funding or a low-interest loan help your business? Are you located in rural Montana? In this episode, we explore Montana's Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) grant and loan program with Hailey Vine, Food & Agriculture Development Officer for the Montana Department of Agriculture, as well as Headwater's RC&D's very own Food and Ag Development Center Director, Brennan Hammer. You'll learn about the application process as well as some key steps.  The Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program is a grant and loan program established by the Montana Legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana's agricultural industry through the development of new agricultural products and processes. Examples of eligible project activities involve equipment purchases, construction costs, advertising and promotion, and consultant services for engineering. The GTA program is administered by the Agriculture Development Council (Council) which is attached to the Department of Agriculture. About Hailey: Hailey Vine joined the Montana Department of Agriculture in November 2023 as the Food & Ag Development Officer. Prior to her position with the Department, she worked very closely with the organization as the Food & Ag Development Center Director of eastern Montana for over two years assisting producers in business planning, grant applications, financial projections, and more. She brings a unique perspective and knowledge of the agriculture industry and value-added business world with her background in economic development, federal programs, and business administration. Hailey has a passion to meet people where they are at, assisting them to achieve those next steps to success, both professionally and personally. Growing up as a South Dakota farm girl, she's truly enjoyed working in the Montana agriculture scene along with its great producers and supporters. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in animal science and minor in business administration from Montana State University. Hailey is encouraged daily by her husband, Tyler, as they continue to build their new life and community in the Flathead Valley.    Links: More about GTA: https://agr.mt.gov/GTA [https://agr.mt.gov/GTA] GTA Guidelines for 2024: https://agr.mt.gov/_docs/GTA-docs/GTAGuidelines.pdf [https://agr.mt.gov/_docs/GTA-docs/GTAGuidelines.pdf]

Reimagining Uptown Butte: A Conversation with Shanna Adams about a Business Improvement District (BID)

How can creating a Business Improvement District (BID) in Uptown Butte move the needle on the Uptown Butte Master Plan? Shanna Adams, civil engineer, co-owner of the Finlen Hotel, and champion of the Uptown Butte Master Plan Association, speaks to how the creation of BID in Uptown Butte can create a steady source of funding that can be leveraged to bring the vision of the Uptown Butte Master Plan to reality.    About Shanna:  Licensed professional civil engineer with 22+ years' experience leading teams, managing complex infrastructure projects, and advocating for projects that create lasting improvements in our communities.    My career has provided me with a broad range of experiences including working in environmental restoration, community planning and community engagement, pedestrian facilities, and creating successful funding strategies. I have specific expertise in drinking water and water resource (stormwater and river systems) projects. I value operational knowledge and love elegant solutions that are easy to maintain. I've worked in the public and private sectors and on both coasts of the United States, but I've been lucky enough to spend most of my career in Montana. Links:  https://www.uptownbuttemt.com/ [https://www.uptownbuttemt.com/] https://www.instagram.com/uptownbuttebid/ [https://www.instagram.com/uptownbuttebid/] https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559847306163 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559847306163]  https://uptownbuttemasterplan.com/ [https://uptownbuttemasterplan.com/]

The Path from Blight to Community Asset: All About EPA Brownfields Cleanup

Ever thought of turning an old abandoned building into a thriving cornerstone of your community? Headwaters RC&D Brownfield Program Manager, Melissa Wanamaker can help you make this dream a reality. Learn about Headwaters RC&D's Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund and how Brownfield Clean Up's are rippling across the United States! Melissa Wanamaker Brownfield Program Manager mwanamaker@headwatersrcd.org (406) 533-6781 https://www.headwatersrcd.org/brownfields