Business Chitchat

Inside our Loan Department and How to Prepare for a Loan

When should your business consider a loan? How much do you need for a downpayment? What can you get ready for the loan process? How can you work with a bank? Learn from Jess Pendleton, Our Director of Loan Services, Kerry Taylor our loan assistant, and Courtney Loeffler, the Regional Director of our Small Business Development Center (SBDC) on how to prepare for a loan and all things getting your business ready for a loan. 

All Things International Trade with Brigitta Miranda-Freer of the Montana World Trade Center

What does your business need to export or import goods? How can you set your business up for foreign direct investment (FDI)? Are their grants available for foreign trade? In this episode, Brigitta Miranda-Freer of the Montana World Trade Center answers all questions related to international trade and explains how the Montana World Trade Center can help your business navigate it with ease and confidence.
Contact Brigitta:
(406) 243-6982
Brigitta@mwtc.org
https://www.mwtc.org/
 
About the Montana World Trade Center:
Montana World Trade Center is a program of The University of Montana. We strengthen Montana businesses through international trade while providing immediately relevant, hands-on opportunities for students to participate in the process.
Although more than 300 World Trade Centers operate worldwide, MWTC is unique in its relationship with The University of Montana. Integrating the extended resources available through the University system, MWTC provides a higher, more personalized level of service than typically received through World Trade Center membership. Compiling and analyzing information obtained through the World Trade Centers Association, governmental organizations, trade associations, professional networking, and comprehensive primary and secondary research, MWTC trade specialists and project managers can be an invaluable extension of your company’s capabilities.
 
Our HistoryA license to operate a World Trade Center for the State of Montana was transferred from private developers to the University of Montana and approved by the Board of Regents in 1995. MWTC is part of the World Trade Center Association (WTCA), which includes more than 300 World Trade Centers (WTCs) in 88 countries. Since its inception, the MWTC has undertaken a dual role as consultant and economic developer, assisting our member businesses to establish and strengthen international commercial capabilities while striving to develop untapped international trade opportunities throughout the State of Montana and the neighboring regions.
 
Our MissionMontana World Trade Center’s mission is to grow Montana’s international trade portfolio. MWTC works to develop the untapped international trade opportunities for the state and region. This mission includes a heavy emphasis on providing experiential learning for students, technical assistance to businesses and promoting international economic development for Montana companies and industries.
The MWTC also incorporates the mission of the WTCA, which is peace and prosperity through trade.

Reimagining Rural with Tara Mastel, MSU Extension

Join me for a conversation about Reimagining Rural with Tara Mastel of the MSU Extension Service. Reimagining Rural is a program to increase volunteer engagement in rural communities. Reimagining Rural communities each host an in-person gathering for their local volunteers and leaders to watch rural-focused speakers via Zoom. Following the speakers, each community has their own local discussion about the ideas they heard from the speaker and how they might apply locally. 
 
About Tara: 
Tara Mastel is Program Lead for Community Development at MSU Extension where she leads the Reimagining Rural program and works to support rural community vitality and local leaders.  Tara grew up in Wolf Point and served as a county Extension agent in Jefferson for 10 years.   
 
Where to apply for Reimagining Rural and to Learn More: https://www.montana.edu/extension/communitydevelopment/reimagine-rural.html

Butte’s Resodyn Corporation awarded $13.2 Million in funding from the U.S. Navy - A Conversation with Dr. Joe Mayne and Mark Shutey

Resodyn's new contract with the U.S. Navy will bring $13.2 million to Southwest Montana. What does this contract mean for Southwest Montana? What is advanced manufacturing like for this Butte-based business? How long was this contract in the making? Join us for a conversation with Resodyn's Dr. Joe Mayne and Mark Shutey on how this contract will impact our region. 
 
About Dr. Joseph Mayne
Dr. Joseph MayneSenior Chemical EngineerResodyn Corporation
Dr. Mayne boasts over 13 years of expertise in spearheading the discovery and advancement of cutting-edge technologies, always with a keen eye on bringing them to the commercial forefront. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan, with a thesis that focused on the practical application of catalysis for generating hydrogen through liquid fuel reforming. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah. For nearly a decade, Dr. Mayne dedicated himself to pioneering innovative membrane technologies tailored for gas separation within the natural gas sector. In the most recent four years, he has served as a Senior Chemical Engineer at Resodyn, where he assumes a leadership role in shaping the development of flow processes built upon the groundbreaking ResonantAcoustic® Mixing platform.
 
About Mark Shutey
Director of Business Development & MarketingResodyn Corporation
Mark is the acting Director of Business Development and Marketing for Resodyn Acoustic Mixers, Inc. He is a dynamic leader with 30+ years of leadership, business planning, and business managementexperience. Mark has a background in engineering and earned his BS in Environmental Engineering from Montana Tech. A Butte Native, Mark is skilled in strategic planning, corporation start-up, new technology development, market analyses, marketing, advertising, and sales.

Top Strategies for Video Marketing with KXLF’s Lindsey Silveira

What makes a high-impact video? How can you make a connection with your followers and customers? KXLF's, Lindsey Silveira, breaks down for us what goes into telling your story as a business owner and how you can make a video that will resonate with your audience! 
About Lindsey
My name is Lindsey Silveira and I am a local account executive for KXLF KBZK with the Montana Television Network. My professional background includes 13 plus year in sales and business development. I am also an active member of the United States Army Reserves as a military police officer. I have a heart for serving people and I am passionate about assisting people thrive in their businesses and reaching their goals. Outside of work, I am a mother of two incredible little children. My daughter Sophia who is nine & My son AJ who is seven years old. Life is busy, but it is so beautiful. I've been in Butte for four years now and the Butte community has truly blessed me, and I've gotten to know some of the most remarkable people. Butte, MT is such a unique place and there is a community here like I've never seen anywhere else. 
 
Reach Lindsey Here: 
https://www.kxlf.com/
Lindsey.Silveira@kxlf.com

Buying a Home in Southwest Montana, a Conversation with Nicole Hanni of Guild Mortgage and Sam Motzko of Headwaters RC&D

Learn the ins and outs of purchasing a home in Southwest Montana from Nicole Hanni of Guild Mortgage and Headwaters RC&D's HUD-certified homebuyer education specialist, Sam Motzko! Even if you already have a home this episode breaks down the investment of buying a home and how homebuyer education can help you in your homebuying process. 
All About Nicole Hanni:
As a Lending Branch Manager who has worked in the Banking and Mortgage Industry for over two decades, I look forward to helping my customers by using my vast banking knowledge.  My own experiences have provided me insight on how I would like to deliver exceptional service.  I have personally purchased, refinanced, and sold many of my own homes.  I, myself, have used many different Mortgage loans.  Programs ranging from USDA First time home buying loans to Conventional loans, Construction Loans with Long term locks to even Investment loans.    
Not only do I want to provide you with exceptional customer service, but I would also like to provide you with education on all the different loan programs I have to offer.  My customers range from First time to Experienced Homebuyers.  I also specialize in Veteran, Relocation, Jumbo, or Investment Loans.   I look forward to helping you through the full loan process whether you are purchasing or refinancing.  Once you have applied for a loan, my team will be in continuous communication with you along the way.  You will be fully prepared to make an offer and get to closing.   
When COVID-19 pandemic affected the mortgage industry I was able to adapt my process.  I continue to work with my customers and their comfort levels.  With our advanced technology, we can complete the loan process digitally or we are happy to have you come into the office and meet our staff face to face.   
I am married with two very active teenage children and one fur baby, so I know life can get busy. I am always willing to work with my customers schedules.  I am not just your “9-5 mortgage lender” if you need to schedule an application after “normal business hours” I am here for you.  I am also not just a transactional lender, I prefer to build long term relationships with my customers.  I look forward to working with you and becoming Your Lender for Life.   
Contact Nicole: 
M: 406.498.3130
https://branches.guildmortgage.com/mt/butte/nicole-hanni-394-bvnha.html
https://www.facebook.com/p/Nicole-Hanni-Guild-Mortgage-100082480373167
 
All About Sam Motzko:
Sam Motzko has been working with Headwaters RC&D as the Specialty Crop Block Grant Director, Director of Food and Ag Development, and Homebuyer Education Specialist since September 2022.  Prior to joining the Headwaters team, she has worked in a variety of industries, in a wide range of roles, with an emphasis on business planning, financial analysis, monitoring and management.  She has a passion for bettering her community, and loves sharing knowledge with her clients to help improve their financial situations and businesses.
Contact Sam:
Director, Food and Ag Development Center & Specialty Crop Block Grant ProgramsHomebuyer Education Specialistsmotzko@headwatersrcd.org

Manufacturing in Southwest Montana with Brian Sullivan of the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center

How many manufacturers are in the Headwaters RC&D region? What resources can manufacturers take advantage of? What's the future of manufacturing like for Southwest Montana? Learn all of this and more on this episode with Brian Sullivan of the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC). Brian brings us the latest on manufacturing in our region. 
 
About Brian
Brian Sullivan has more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, construction and management, with much of it focused within the silicon, power and nuclear industries.  Prior to MMEC, he served in numerous key positions at REC Silicon in Butte, including Plant Engineering Department Manager. He offers broad expertise in project management, plant construction and start-up, Process Safety Management (PSM), Document Control, and lean manufacturing.
A Butte native, Brian earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Engineering Science from Montana Tech.  He was also in the first class to complete a Master’s in Project Engineering and Management jointly from Montana Tech and Montana State University. Active in numerous local health, education, and economic development organizations, Brian is committed to helping reinvigorate Butte as a major industrial powerhouse.
Contact 
To get a hold of Brian go to: https://www.montana.edu/mmec/about/sullivan-brian.html

TDS Prepares for First Fiber Customers in Butte, a Conversation with Drew Petersen and Tom Cronnelly

Join us for a conversation with TDS Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Drew Petersen, and Associate Manager - Field Marketing, Tom Cronnelly, about the expansion of Fiber internet in Butte. Where will Fiber in Butte be available? How soon will it be available? What does this mean for our economic future in Southwest Montana? Find out on this episode.
 
Where to find TDS: https://tdsfiber.com/
 
About Tom:
Tom Cronnelly  is Associate Manager- Field Marketing for Butte and is responsible for leading the community marketing and philanthropy efforts. Previously, Tom owned OMG! Mongolian Grill with his wife Kristi.
 
About Drew:
Drew joined TDS Telecom in 1997 and was appointed SVP of Corporate Affairs in 2018. In his current role, Drew leads the company's out-of-territory community expansion efforts. He oversees the company’s regulatory, legislative, and judicial efforts at the local, state, and national levels. He also works to advance TDS' public policy positions through partnerships with industry-affiliated trade organizations and federal and state policymakers. In addition, Drew supervises the business development, compliance, and legal affairs groups. He manages internal and external communications at TDS, serves as the company's chief corporate spokesperson, and oversees Zolo Media, a TDS Broadcasting company that operates KOHD-TV (ABC Affiliate), KBNZ (CBS Affiliate), COTV11, and CO4 Visitors Network, which offer a wide range of viewing options in Central Oregon.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Drew currently serves as an executive committee member on the board of directors for America’s Communications Association and is a director for Madison-based Park Bank. He is past president of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents, a seat he earned through gubernatorial appointment and senate confirmation in 2015. Drew is also the past president of the Wisconsin Technical College System Board, Madison Club, and Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association.
In his free time, Drew enjoys traveling, and golfing, and is learning pickleball. Drew maintains a Bachelor of Arts in History and Leadership Studies from Ripon College (Wis.) and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Drew has been quoted in numerous periodicals such as the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Drew was also recently named to the 2023 100 Power Players list by Cablefax—The Magazine.

All Things Artificial Intelligence & Digital Marketing with Erica Yakawich of Amplified Digital Agency

How can your business keep up in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the digital marketing of your business? In this episode, Erica Yakawich, of Amplified Digital, breaks down for us some easy and effective ways you can use AI to help the digital marketing of your business.
All About Erica: 
Erica Yakawich is a regional sales manager in Montana for the Amplified Digital Agency, a national full-service marketing agency. Based in Helena, Erica has more than 20 years’ experience in graphic/layout design, digital marketing, project management, website design, media planning and buying, and marketing consulting. Originally from Butte and a graduate of Montana Tech, she serves clients across Montana with all their marketing needs. She may be reached at 406-461-6120 or EYakawich@AmplifiedDigitalAgency.com. Learn more about Amplified at https://amplifieddigitalagency.com/.

Top 3 Social Media Tips for Small Businesses

What can your business do to thrive on social media? If you're a business owner looking for help with your social media this episode is for you! Is social media a magic bullet for your marketing? How can you create a presence on social media that fits with your business and your needs?