Archive for the ‘Featured Business’ Category
The Most Expensive Advertising Ever
By MARK RIFFEY. Are you wasting those carefully planned advertising investments? The most expensive investment we can make is one that's wasted.... more
Firm Ground: Black Coffee Makes Its Mark in Missoula
By DILLON KATO - Black Coffee Roasting Company, started in 2010 by Matt McQuilkin and Jim Chapman, has been carving a niche in Missoula's gourmet coffee world.... more
Video: Nonprofits, University Offer Options to Reduce Drunk Driving
By GRADY HIGGINS and MATT HUDSON - Volunteers and student-supported services are working to reduce drunk driving and make the late-night streets of Missoula safer.... more
Local Vitamin Manufacturer Reaches Global Markets
By JON TWEETEN - In an inconspicuous building on Third Street, Nutritional Laboratories International makes supplements and vitamins that are sold all over the world.... more
Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs: Bob Zimorino of Red Pies Over Montana
In the latest installment of the Missoula Restaurant Chefs & Owners series, Bob Zimorino of Zimorino's Red Pies Over Montana answers Make it Missoula's questions.... more
Flathead Valley Distilleries Getting National Attention
By MOLLY PRIDDY. Like some of the best things in Montana, the Flathead Valley’s distilleries started with humble roots and grew through hard work.... more
View Marketing as an Investment, Not an Expense
By MARK RIFFEY.When something is viewed as an expense, your instinct is to reduce it to the smallest possible amount. Doing this to your marketing is not unlike choking yourself.... more
Simple Advice for Acquiring and Retaining Customers
By MARK RIFFEY. Some of the simplest advice I give is the most powerful: "Do at least one thing today to get, or keep, a client."... more
Let Your Customers Turn On the Lamp
By MARK RIFFEY -What's the first thing you do when deciding which lamp to buy? YOU TURN ON THE LAMPS. Give your customers the opportunity to see your products in a place that makes it easy for them to buy.... more
Starting a New Business – What’s Your Plan?
By MARK RIFFEY - Let's talk about business startups. Before you order those business cards, buy those supplies, determine your costs and set your prices...you need to research your market.... more
Chimps, bikinis, cold beer, fast cars… I love the Super Bowl!
By SEAN BENTON - The Super Bowl is bigger than the game of football... I’m talking about the commercials.... more
What Does a New Business Owner Do First?
By MARK RIFFEY - Let's talk about business startups. The overwhelming load at startup can freeze you in your tracks.... more
Why Much of the Internet is Blacked Out Today
By MARK RIFFEY - What is Intellectual Property? And what's it got to do with much of the Internet being blacked out this week? Mark Riffey of the Flathead Beacon explains.... more
A Letter from Georgia
By MARK RIFFEY - We almost didn't open it, thinking it was junk mail. Why would the University of Georgia send us mail way out here in Montana?... more
Business in Montana: Here’s Your Sign
By MARK RIFFEY - To connect with customers, you need to follow the signs. Some signs you must seek out, while many are buried in your existing business data.... more
Best Bars in Missoula for Getting a Free Birthday Drink
By RYAN NEWHOUSE - I’ve put together a list of the best bars in Missoula for celebrating a birthday, based on extensive research, phone calls, and personal past experience.... more
What’s With the Funny Square Bar Codes? (i.e. What are QR Codes?)
By MARK RIFFEY. You may have seen those odd-looking square bar codes in newspapers and magazines, on product boxes, etc. What are they? Read on. . .... more
Differentiation in Business: Promotion Tips to Prevent Generic Marketing
By MARK RIFFEY. One of the things you have to be careful about is making your business too generic. Lesson: Business is Personal.... more
Business Profile: Muzeview Research (Part Three)
By JEFF MANGAN - Read the third part of Jeff's interview with Paul Gladen and Todd Taylor of Muzeview in Missoula, Montana.... more
Business Profile: Muzeview Research (Part Two)
By JEFF MANGAN - Read the second part of Jeff's interview with Paul Gladen and Todd Taylor of Muzeview in Missoula, Montana.... more
Business Profile: Muzeview Research (Part One)
Jeff Mangan, Managing Partner at Fatmoose Media, LP and the founder of mtbusiness.com, interviews Paul Gladen and Todd Taylor of Muzeview in Missoula, Montana.... more
Beer Brings Jobs to Montana and Great Microbreweries to Its Citizens
By RYAN NEWHOUSE. If our country was termed the United States of Beer, Montana would rightly be its capital. ... more
Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs: Curtis Strohl and Nate Jerrell of Mercantile Deli
By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Curtis Strohl and Nate Jerrell of Mercantile Deli. I met Nathan and Curtis through my nephew Alex. They worked together at Bravo Catering and the two of them decided to strik... more
Road Trippin’ to Missoula
By MARGARET HORTON. I’ll be taking off for Missoula soon. As a frequent visitor I know that flights from our area run a couple of times a day, but my favorite way to travel……and the way I travel most ofte... more
Seeley Lake Brew Fest and Tamarack Festival: A Weekend of Fun and Suds
By RYAN NEWHOUSE. This weekend kegs will be tapped and poured at the annual Seeley Lake Brew Fest and Tamarack Festival. The event kicks off on Friday October 7 at 7:00 p.m. with festivities throughout the week... more
Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs: Bill Worden of The Shack Cafe
By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Bill Worden of The Shack Cafe. I have known Bill Worden for over thirty years. We have eaten in each other’s restaurants, always been respectful and usually shared a laugh o... more
Loopy – for Loopy Knit / Crochet in Missoula
By MARGARET HORTON .As the season shifts, so does my creativity. I want to hold a pair of wooden needles and listen to their faint clicking while I knit, purl and attempt to learn the variety of stitches I have... more
Kate and John Bike for Food and Beer
By RYAN NEWHOUSE. John and Kate Suscovich launched a 24,000-mile journey by bike three and half months ago in New York. The goal was to raise awareness about living active lifestyles and making educated food ch... more
Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs: Justin Philbrick of Red Robin and Jakers
By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Justin Philbrick of Red Robin and Jakers. I met Justin Philbrick at the Red Robin Restaurant in Southgate Mall. I found him to be articulate and engaging, two qualities every ... more
Missoula Makes Room for Draught Works Brewery
By RYAN NEWHOUSE. Inching ever more closely to an expected late-September opening, owners of Draught Works Brewery, Jeff Grant and Paul Marshall, are ready to quench Missoulians’ never-ending thirst for good ... more
Big Dipper Ice Cream: Great Cones…Oh Boy!
By MARGARET HORTON. I’m always on the lookout for great ice cream. It’s no surprise then, that I discovered Big Dipper during a visit to Missoula a few years ago. Now when we drive into town, I let who ever... more
Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs: Tom Hilley of Sean Kelly’s and Stone of Accord
By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Tom Hilley of Sean Kelly's and Stone of Accord. I met Tom Hilley as a real estate agent before I knew him as a restaurant owner. This interview was our first in depth conversa... more
Missoula Musician David Boone
By MARGARET HORTON. During the past couple of years visiting Missoula I’ve been fortunate to have been introduced to the talent of Missoula-based songwriter and musician, David Boone. I quickly purchased a co... more
Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs: Raul Gomez of Fiesta En Jalisco
By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Raul Gomez of Fiesta En Jalisco. I met Raul at their original N. Reserve Street location at Deano’s. He was always a genial host and I do love their food. They have since mo... more
Dolce — as in Caffe Dolce
By MARGARET HORTON.I spent a few minutes trying to get a feel for the use of the Italian word dolce. In reference to food it speaks of something sweet and agreeable to the palate.... more
Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs: Will & Kiira Bauerle of Bob’s Pizza, Pretzel Place and Freemo’s
By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: I am seated with Will and his wife Kiira for my first husband/wife interview for the series. They are the managing partners for the Missoula based restaurant chain.... more
Business Profile: Blue Marble Biomaterials
By JEFF MANGAN. Blue Marble Biomaterials is a renewable chemical company based right here in Missoula. They take plant material and go through a process of feeding it to bacteria. The bacteria in-turn manufactu... more
Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs: Tim France of Worden’s Market & Deli
By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Tim France of Worden's Market & Deli. I first met Tim France thirty years ago and since he tells of our first meeting better than I do, here is his version:... more
Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs: Tim Leegan of the Mustard Seed
By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Tim Leegan of the Mustard Seed. I remember years ago when Tim Leegan came to work for the Mustard Seed. Over the years Tim and I have become friendly but this is my first in d... more
Maiden Missoula Product Review: Flexsolate Gym in a Bag
By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula Product Review: FLEXSOLATE FITNESS IN A BAG. If you are one of the many affected by general laziness, gym phobia, running anxiety or what have you there is a company in Missoula... more
Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs: John Powers of The Ranch Club
By BOB ZIMORINO. I met John Powers in a meeting room off of the main dining room of the Ranch Club. The restaurant was built as part of the club house and as the new owners, John and his wife Colleen made their... more
Maiden Missoula Product Review: Dazzle Expressions
By LEAH LEWIS What's a young, hip, crafty, stylish mama supposed to do with her talents when her days revolve around a couple of busy kiddos? Well, if you are the cute-as-a-button Renee Wyman, you take your ... more
Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs:
Mike Ramos of Paul’s Pancake Parlor
By BOB ZIMORINO. Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs: Mike Ramos and Paul's Pancake Parlor. Mike bought the restaurant from his Mom, Ellie and it has remained consistently one of Missoula’s top spots for foo... more
Maiden Missoula Product Review: Eventyr Woodworking
By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula Product Review: JEWELRY ORGANIZER. I am so lucky to know so many awesome crafty gals who make very cool jewelry. I have a few favorite pieces that have been made for me or gifte... more
Maiden Missoula Product Review: Big Dipper Ice Cream
By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula Product Review: BIG DIPPER ICE CREAM. If summer ever decides to stick around Missoula for more than a few hours, you know the first place everyone in town will run to is Big Dip... more
Maiden Missoula Product Review: Happy Hoppers
By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula Product Review: Happy Hoppers! What's a Happy Hoppers you ask? It's a slip-cover for your Growler that protects your brew from light to avoid ‘skunk beer syndrome’. ... more
Natural Creations: Spectacular Summer Grilling Sauces
By LEAH LEWIS Summertime. We grill. Our dining room table becomes a drop-off for swimsuits and soccer balls and we move all kitchen and eating activities outside. I have harbored a not-so-secret crush o... more
The Clay Studio of Missoula
By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula Product Review: The Clay Studio of Missoula.... more
Zoo Town Cutie Booties
By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula Product Review: Hand-knit baby booties by Montana Magpies. ... more
Farmer’s Markets . . . Missoula Style
By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden-Missoula Product Review: Missoula Farmer's Market. If you live in Missoula or are planning on visiting this summer one thing you are surely looking forward to is the opening of the Farme... more