#montanabusiness

[razelsbrand]

I love me some Buffalo Plaid! 🖤❤️ Talk about the perfect finishing touch to your littles Winter Ensemble! Sizes toddler 6.5 - 12.5 Shop here >>> razels.etsy.com and Razels.net #razels #buffaloplaidboots #buffaloplaid #buffaloplaidchristmas #buffaloplaidobsessed #buffaloplaidbaby #buffalocheck #kidsboutique #kidsfashion #kidsfashiontrends #montanabusiness https://www.instagram.com/p/Cly-cHnPOvJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[montanaemuranch-blog]

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We'd like to wish one of our founders and co-owners, Penni Collins, a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY! Thank you for all your do and provide to the community of wellness! #MontanaMoment #Emu #montanabusiness #EmuLove #Montanaemuranch #EmuOil #Birthday #Smallbusiness #wellnessblogger #localbusiness https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Wm6qvndpm/?igshid=16c5pyfdvv5os

[startupmontana]

Kassi Strong: Crepes, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship

Written by Jake Treece, Program Assistant for the Blackstone LaunchPad at UM

Edited by Carolyn Crowder, Marketing Manager at Accelerate MT

As always, our goal at the Blackstone LaunchPad is to highlight incredible people who are leading the entrepreneurial charge in Montana. So, it was our great honor to recently interview former UM student, BLP employee, and John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge superstar, Kassi Strong.  

For those who don’t know, during Kassi’s time at the University of Montana, she left an incredible mark on the Blackstone LaunchPad and Missoula startup community and every day, she continues to lead the charge to make entrepreneurship a more inclusive environment for women in Montana.  

So how did Kassi get started with entrepreneurship? Well, by growing up in Billings, entrepreneurship was never too far away. Both her parents were entrepreneurs and she spent her early years watching her father own his own car dealership and her mother manage multiple ventures. By watching her parents partake in their entrepreneurial endeavors, Kassi was exposed to how flexible and dynamic being an entrepreneur can be.  

After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Montana and studied Psychology. “I originally wanted to be a counselor or social worker,” said Kassi, “but I also knew that I wanted to have my own business one day.” So, she wandered into the Blackstone Launchpad, asked a few questions, and was recommended to join the former Pursue Your Passion (PYP) program—which then became the WELL program on campus.  

After participating in this program, she ended up working for both PYP and Blackstone LaunchPad serving in a “jack of all trades position”. “I helped with PYP, managed online courses, coached students, conducted outreach, and anything that popped onto my plate”. During her time at PYP and BLP, Kassi’s entrepreneurial spirit was awakened and she leaped at the chance to start her own venture: Crepe Cuisine.  

This business idea was inspired by the time that Kassi had spent in France working as a nanny during her gap year after high school. “I loved the summer farmers’ market, I ate a lot of crepes, and it was a very happy place for me. So, when I came back, I realized that Missoula had nowhere that specifically sold crepes and I missed it.” She loved social interactions, especially at the Missoula Farmers’ Market, so it seemed like a perfect fit. After sharing this idea with the PYP program leaders, they encouraged her to go for it and so she did.

In order to get started and gain funding for Crepe Cuisine, she decided to throw her hat into the ring and participate in the John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge (JRBSC). Prior to competing, she tapped into the marketing skills she learned from her time working at BLP and did a quasi-crepe focus group. She lived at UM’s Alpha Omega House at the time and recruited all of her roommates to serve as taste testers. She made a ton of crepes and custom cards for everyone to fill out, and used this feedback to form the main crepe recipes for her business.  

Although she hadn’t sold a single crepe prior to competing in the JRBSC, Kassi’s business model and forecasts were solid, and with her contagiously positive personality, she was able to place fourth in the competition and win $7,000 to help her form her startup.  

By participating in the JRBSC, she was also able to make various connections with business owners in Missoula like Tom Snyder from Five on Black and Kyle Pucko from Pintler Group. With the help of these two local entrepreneurs, she was able to find a place to conduct all her food prep, and by meeting Kyle, she was also able to even land a marketing internship that led to a full-time job after college.  

“Every job I have had since college has been some way or another been through the LaunchPad, whether it was from a connection I made or a business I worked with. I attribute a ton of these opportunities to BLP”.  

Throughout college, Kassi was able to continue working in the field of marketing and run Crepe Cuisine on the weekend with her husband. What Kassi loved the most about running Crepe Cuisine was that she could be an entrepreneur on the side and not compromise her social life or free time. She would attend classes and work during the week, then on Friday nights, they would prep the food, wake up on Saturday and work the farmers’ market until 3pm. Then by 4 pm they were on to their weekend. “This was a great way for two college kids to make some money, it was fast and furious, but we loved it.”  

Although she has loved running Crepe Cuisine, the last two years have taken a shift for Kassi, however, entrepreneurship has continued to be at the forefront of her mind. Upon graduating, she was able to realize her love and passion for helping women-owned businesses, so she decided to end her work on Crepe Cuisine and start two more businesses: Strong Marketing and Strategy Agency and Handcrafted Consulting--business coaching for creatives.

With these two businesses, she helps female entrepreneurs with their endeavors and assists them with taking their skills and hobbies and making them into a business. “Lots of people get caught up on getting a tax number, figuring out sales channels, or finding customers. I am passionate about helping these women answer these questions so they can use their skills and crafts to make a business that they love.”  

She wants her business to be a way to help women with awesome skillsets like their jobs. “I help clients who operate on Etsy, work at the Farmers’ Market like I did, or even just the normal photographer who does two wedding photoshoots a year and help them figure out their next steps.”

Kassi says that the special sauce for her agency is the fact that she understands that these women are already spending so much time and money working on their crafts, so she uses a model where they can pay for their consulting once they reach the goals they set. With this, she can help more people and eliminate the undesirable scenario where the women pay her and not see the fruit of their businesses.

“I believe that if they are committed to growing their businesses and follow the steps that I give them, we can work together and they will be able to reach these goals. There are people out there who can do big things as long as they have the help”.  

Looking back, the Kassi that walked into the Blackstone LaunchPad has grown in the last five years into a full-fledged entrepreneur, and by entering into this field, her perspective of entrepreneurship has changed significantly.  

“By interacting with BLP, it changed my conception of entrepreneurship because it showed me that you don’t have to find what you want to do for the rest of your life and stick with it”.

For Kassi, entrepreneurship has been a way to explore many industries, learn great skills, and quite literally, pursue her passions in so many ways. Although she is sad to have ended her time running Crepe Cuisine, it has opened various new doors for her to continue pursuing her other ventures.  

“Crepe Cuisine was a piece of the puzzle in my career. It helped me understand pricing, how to run a business, and even just being a young student, it helped me learn how to portray myself professionally, do something in the community, and put myself out there.”  

“Just knowing that you can do something small and having an MVP never crossed my mind. I thought that if I wanted to sell crepes, I would have to have a food truck and own a restaurant, but by working with Blackstone LaunchPad, I was able to realize that I could do something on the side and make it fit my lifestyle.”

Kassi finished our interview by saying that for students hesitant to start a business or think that they lack business knowledge, “there are so many opportunities and business can look like so many different things, so if you have an idea, it is worth fleshing out. Even if you don’t know the terms or jargon around business, you can learn it and YouTube anything! There are also so many resources out there, I never knew places like BLP gave free services to help entrepreneurs, you just have to find them.”  

For us at the Blackstone LaunchPad at UM, Kassi is one of our favorite success stories to refer to. She was a non-business student at UM who wanted to dive into the world of entrepreneurship and she completely took it by the reigns to start her own businesses. The confidence she had in herself and her resourcefulness clearly shows that if you have an idea and passion you want to pursue, you should just go for it! Because if you do so, you will be able to reap many rewards, just like Kassi did.  

If you want to connect with Kassi or utilize her services, you can visit her website or shoot her an email at kassi@handcraftedcoaching.com.  

If you want to read more of our blogs or find out what we can do for you, visit the Blackstone LaunchPad website.  

[lunadesigncorp]

Look at what pattern is releasing soon!!! The Bama Wave Beanie by @craftybamastitch 😃 This was such a quick make y’all that I’ve made several so far during the testing 😂 and I can’t wait to show you my favorite color combo 💜 Any guesses on what colors I chose? HINT: I didn’t use blue and/or purple this time. I know right?! Gasp 😦 😂 I’d love to hear your guesses in the comments below 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 Make sure to follow @craftybamastitch for release date coming soon!!! Like real soon 😉 Don’t miss out! Faux fur Pom Pom by @threadhead_knits.co Product label by @allthiswood.llc #crochetpattern #crochetbeanie #beanies #fauxfurpompom #furpompom #pompombeanie #crochethat #beanieseason #patterndesign #handmade #handmadewithlove #handmadegifts #handmadebeanie #madeinmontana #montanamade #montanabusiness #smallbusiness #smallbiz #womanownedbusiness #womanownedsmallbusiness #crochetersofinstagram #fashionhat #accesoriosmujer #womenaccessories #greatfalls #montana #etsysellersofinstagram #etsyshop #slowfashionmovement #lunadesigncorp (at Great Falls, Montana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFwxIrXhn7y/?igshid=jpsatdljtbax

[shopswayne-blog]

Winter Styling Fun on a chilly day! Fast shipping and never any sales tax ... #winterstyling #boutiquelife #shoponline #montanabusiness #FBfashion #boutique #swayneboutique Shop this look at www.swayneboutique.com

[ojtamerica]

In 2016, Montana Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ranked 48th with almost $46 billion and ranked 41st with a per capita GDP of over $39,000. For June 2017, Montana had an employed workforce of 525,000 and an unemployment rate of 3.9%. For 2016, Montana ranked 24th on the cost of living.

OJT.com connects you with training providers that support all the major Montana industries. The chart below shows the percentage of the economy, in terms of jobs, that various industry supersectors contribute to the Montana economy, relative to the percentage that those sectors contribute to the overall U.S. economy

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#montana #stateofmontana #montanabusiness #montanalife #montanacity #montanacareers #ojt #onthehobtraining #jobtraining #apprenticeship #earnwhilelearning #earnwhileyoulearn #futurecareers

[athenaphoto]

Small Business LOVE :: @daphnelornajewelry love her wilderness spirit in her work, feathers, twigs, animal sketches, she really puts a bit of Montana and every piece. Here are a couple of my favorites. 🦅🦬@samanthamaple modeling them in my studio #montanajewelry #montanacommercialphotographer #smallbusiness #montanabusiness #womanownedbusiness #jewelry #handmade #montanamade #Missoulaphotographer #athenaportraits #missoulabrandphotographer #missoulafashion #missoulaartist (at Missoula, Montana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIg6qSMHmO4/?igshid=zqkiyj22ixr2

[montanaemuranch-blog]

You met Baldy yesterday! Here he is with his Babes! Two hens who were also rejected by the herd. The three bonded and have a great trio - which is difficult to find! #Montanaemuranch #Emuranch #Emulife #Emulove #emu #Emuoil #Pureemuoil #Smallbusiness #Localbusiness #Supportlocal #Montanabusiness #KalispellMontana #KalispellMT #Livestock #Manufacturing #Cosmetics #Campaignforsafecosmetics #Senpa #Smallbusinesssaturday #NaturalProductsAssociation #MadeinMontana #GrowninMontana #Goodmanufacturingpractices #AmericanemuAssociation #DistinctlyMontana #Handmadesoaps #Beautysecrets #Skinsecrets #Local    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4svf4ZBKXt/?igshid=q52fmrbpfinr

[montanaemuranch-blog]

Meet Baldy, a rooster from our stock. At only a few months old, his head got stuck in the fence, and yearnings on the other side literally scalped him! Penni spent months treating him daily, even tried dying the skin with blue chamomile essential oil to no avail! The herd rejected him, so he got his own pen! You'll meet "Baldy's Babes" tomorrow! #Montanaemuranch #Emuranch #Emulife #Emulove #emu #Emuoil #Pureemuoil #Smallbusiness #Localbusiness #Supportlocal #Montanabusiness #KalispellMontana #KalispellMT #Livestock #Manufacturing #Cosmetics #Campaignforsafecosmetics #Senpa #Smallbusinesssaturday #NaturalProductsAssociation #MadeinMontana #GrowninMontana #Goodmanufacturingpractices #AmericanemuAssociation #DistinctlyMontana #Handmadesoaps #Beautysecrets #Skinsecrets #local https://www.instagram.com/p/B4qPqrIhXoQ/?igshid=wi55z9ru9tr0

[montanaemuranch-blog]

It's almost Small Business Saturday and we want to support local businesses and entrepreneurs! But we can't support what we don't see, and we all know our reach is limited! Tag/hyperlink us in your posts so we can support you! #Montanaemuranch #Montanaemu #Emuranch #Emu #Emuoil #Pureemuoil #SmallbusinessSaturday #Smallbusiness #Supportlocal #Localbusiness #Entrepreneurs #Montanabusiness #KalispellMontana #CityofKalispell #NPA #SENPA #SafeCosmetics #Cosmetics #Manufacturing #Local #MadeinMontana #hyperlink #AmericanEmuAssociation #GrowninMontana #Campaignforsafecosmetics #NaturalProductsAssociation #Amazonschoice    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4isIVYlwkq/?igshid=ezoscu2e3p6s

[montanaemuranch-blog]

Happy Testimony Tuesday! Do you have our EMUgency Stick to protect your lips and skin from this heatwave? Read Kathleen Rau's 5-Star review! One lucky follower will WIN A FREE ONE in our Back-to-School Giveaway!  #Montanaemuranch #Montanaemuranchcompany#MontanaMoment #DiscoverKalispell#KalispellMontana #MadeinMontana#GrowninMontana #Emu #Emulove #Emuoil#Pureemuoil #Lips #Lipcare #Lipbalm #Liptherapy#Cosmetics #SafeCosmetics #Wellness #Natural#Naturalproducts #Americanemu #MadeinAmerica#Beautysecrets #Skincare #Beautybloggers#Moisterizer #Localbusiness #Supportlocal#Smallbusiness #Montanabusiness   https://www.instagram.com/p/B1GvLQmhZRs/?igshid=d5koojpt8vef

[montanaemuranch-blog]

Happy Testimony Tuesday! Have you tried our EMUgency Stick yet? Read what S Mullins from Colorado has to say about it! Tried it? Share your story! #Montanaemuranch #Montanaemuranchcompany #MontanaMoment #DiscoverKalispell #KalispellMontana #MadeinMontana #GrowninMontana #Emu #Emulove #Emuoil #Pureemuoil #Lips #Lipcare #Lipbalm #Liptherapy #Cosmetics #SafeCosmetics #Wellness #Natural #Naturalproducts #Americanemu #MadeinAmerica #Beautysecrets #Skincare #Beautybloggers #Moisterizer #Localbusiness #Supportlocal #Smallbusiness #Montanabusiness https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Q0FFehpoj/?igshid=13abvew5543ut

[montanaemuranch-blog]

Only THREE more days until we announce the winner of our Freedom to Choose giveaway! Are you excited to be getting a full-size Emugency stick in your gift bag if you win? Tell us what you('d) use it for! #Montanaemuranch #Montanaemuranchcompany  #MontanaMoment #DiscoverKalispell  #KalispellMontana  #MadeinMontana  #GrowninMontana  #Emu #Emulove #Emuoil  #Pureemuoil #Lips #Lipcare  #Lipbalm #Liptherapy  #Cosmetics #SafeCosmetics  #Wellness #Natural  #Naturalproducts  #Americanemu #MadeinAmerica #Beautysecrets #Skincare  #Beautybloggers #Moisterizer #Localbusiness  #Supportlocal #Smallbusiness  #montanabusiness https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz0szRLhbzL/?igshid=4a5plpnbx69g