The Vault at 201 N Broadway

On our latest episode we sit down with our fellow Big Sky Economic Development team member, Rick Brown - an Air Force Veteran, former member of the secret service, entrepreneur, degree in law, and a PhD in Psychology. On this episode he dives into transformative projects he spearheaded, the partnerships he forged to tackle complex social issues, and the innovative strategies he employed to create lasting change. This conversation is packed with practical lessons for anyone passionate about leadership, civic engagement, and making a meaningful difference.Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

On this Vault Short, we sit down with Candace Carr Strauss, VP of Marketing & Communications with the Montana Chamber of Commerce to talk about driving Montana forward through their work to create business opportunities for growth and prosperity across the state. We talk with Candace about the Chamber’s extensive network, which includes businesses of all sizes, industries, and local chambers across Montana, and how they work together to promote a thriving business environment. We explore the Chamber’s initiatives in workforce development, the legislative work they do on behalf of Montana businesses, and their efforts to foster innovation and competitiveness statewide.To learn more or connect with the Montana Chamber of Commerce: Click Here.  Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

On our latest episode we sit down with husband and wife duo, Jason and Jen Marble, creators and owners of Marble Table and Marble Coffee. We talk with them about their inspiring journey to opening and creating Marble Table and their recent expansion, Marble Coffee. They share how they’ve crafted a menu that feels like family and created a dining experience that makes everyone feel at home. We dive into what they mean when they say “The Marble Way”, we talk about their impact on the local food scene and bringing a unique flavor to the community.In this episode we discuss their best practices for hiring, onboarding, and training team members and what hospitality means to them in their daily service to the community. Connect with Marble Table HERE.Connect with Marble Coffee HERE. Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

On this Vault short we talk with Anastasia with Mountain Sass Creative. We discuss the benefits of virtual executive assistant services, virtual assistant mentorship, and content creation in your business. Anastasia dives into the tools and resources she utilizes to stay organized and efficient in her work and how those tools can help entrepreneurs and small businesses. Learn more and connect with Mountain Sass Creative HERE.Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

Today, we are sitting down with Jon Wanderaas, Founder of Alaskan Seafood Guys, to hear about his journey from fishing in Alaska to building a thriving seafood business in Montana. Jon talks about what it was like growing up in Alaska, being part of commercial fishing crews, working on tenders, and managing a Cannery in Alaska before coming back to Montana. We dive into how he started Alaskan Seafood Guys, beginning by simply bringing seafood back from his trips to Montana from Alaska, then transforming it into a mobile seafood truck, and eventually growing it into a storefront, online store, and delivery service.In this episode, we talk about Jon’s strategy of truly understanding your customers, meeting them where they are, and adapting product offerings to fit their needs. We discuss the importance of diversifying marketing efforts, expanding product lines, and effective communication. Jon talks about their focus on delivering high-quality products at a low cost while staying customer-centric. Learn more about Alaskan Seafood Guys here: https://www.alaskanseafoodguys.com/ Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

On this Vault Short we sit down with Allison Corbyn, the Executive Director of the Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) to talk about strengthening Montana’s community and economic development through education, advocacy, and collaboration. We talk with Allison about MEDA’s membership, which is made up of economic developers, small businesses, industries, lenders, and other partners across the state of Montana with whom they work to make things happen in our state. We dive into the educational opportunities MEDA provides, the advocacy work they do on behalf of their membership and the work they do to cultivate strong collaboration across the state. Learn more about MEDA here: https://medamembers.org/ Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

Today we are sitting down with Katy Schreiner and Mehmet Casey with Downtown Billings for a conversation about the Downtown Billings Association. Downtown Billings houses multiple non-profit organizations (Downtown Billings Association, Business Improvement District, Downtown Billings Partnership and Community Innovations and Spare Change for Real Change) and in this episode we dive into what each entity does at Downtown Billings.We discuss the importance of collaboration between key partners and organizations within a community and the critical role that collaboration has on the strategic development and vibrancy of the downtown core in a community. Katy and Mehmet talk about the different services they provide to their Downtown membership, they talk about the many events from parades to downtown festivals that their team puts on for the community, the Light Bike Trail and they talk about key development projects that recently finished and ones that are in the works of being constructed. Learn more about Downtown Billings here: https://downtownbillings.com/ Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

On this Vault short we sat down with Kristi and Kristy with Billings TrailNet. We talk with Kristi and Kristy about the creation of Billings Trailnet, its evolution in the community, how TrailNet is structured, volunteer opportunities, and so much more. We dive into their past projects, strategic plan, and their plans for the future. We discuss the events they host, the TrailNet membership and all that it benefits and the great work they do in the Billings community. Learn more about Billings TrailNet here: https://www.billingstrailnet.org/about/ Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

In our latest episode we sat down with Owner and Founder of Bumps ‘n Bundles, Becky Salyer. We talk about buying a local children’s store, rebranding it and building the brand we know today, Bumps ‘n Bundles. We talk about what it’s like owning a retail store, sourcing brands, going to market, and the importance of knowing your customers and relationship building with brands. We talk about selecting a strategic location for the store, increasing product offerings, and knowing when it was time to physically expand the store. Becky talks about managing inventory, merchandising, knowing your customer and paying attention to their buying patterns. We dive into being intentional about time, remembering what’s important, who’s important, and at the end of the day what’s going to be leftover is the people that you love.” Shop Bumps 'n Bundles here: https://www.bumpsnbundles.com/ Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

On today’s Vault short we are sitting down with Founder and Owner of the Entrepreneurship Collective to talk about the importance of building a strong foundation for your business to build on. Jennifer has a background in law, she is a Kolbe Certified Consultant, Executive Coach and has years of experience working with entrepreneurs and businesses. In this episode we dive into what being a Kolbe Certified Consultant means and the value it brings to her clients. We talk about the meaning behind “Start, Grow, Thrive” and “Entrepreneurship Collective”. And we discuss the variety of offerings she offers to clients, whether it’s working with her one-one-one, with your group/team, and/or her membership, the “collective” she discusses the offerings she provides to her clients to help them build a strong, focused, and sustainable foundation for their business. Learn more and connect with Jennifer here: https://www.startgrowthrive.io/ Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

On today’s episode we’re sitting down with Jodie Adams, a national leader in tennis and parks and recreation. She has worked tirelessly over her career to ensure that community tennis and the opportunity to connect and play is accessible for all. On this episode we discuss the organizations she has worked with over her career, the work she has done over the past 37 + years in parks and recreation, the partnerships she has built, and what she envisions for the Billings Community in parks and recreation, tennis, and pickleball.  Jodie talks about her passion for people, the importance of quality tennis/pickleball facilities to be a gathering place, a place for students to connect, be active, develop leadership skills, and be part of a lifelong sport.  She is a multi-Hall of Fame inductee (Missouri Valley, Missouri State University Athletic Hall of Fame and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame) and 2024 recipient of the Billie Jean King Public Parks Tennis Person of the Year Award. Learn more about her achievements here: https://aapra.org/About-AAPRA/Member-Biography?Id=235 Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

On today’s Vault short we talk about the importance of a business plan and the steps to build one. We discuss how a business plan is like a roadmap to your business. We delve into the details of a business plan, what it should include and tips for outlining and creating the plan. On this episode we talk about the role of financial projections and the benefits these projections have when you’re starting your business and creating the business plan. If you are thinking about starting or growing your business, Big Sky Economic Development has free business advising and lending services to help you no matter which business building stage you are in. Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

Today we’re sitting down with Paul Green, Navy Veteran, Rancher, and Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. We discuss Paul’s journey to Montana, originally coming to the state as a laborer over 26 years ago to his present role as the Director of Commerce. We discuss Paul’s passion for people, developing genuine relationships with those he works with and serves, being a servant leader, volunteering, and being actively engaged in our local community to create and foster sustainable growth.On this episode we dive into Paul’s path to becoming a Montana State Legislator, the story behind his vibrant and bright colored wardrobe. We talk with Paul about becoming Director of Commerce, the projects he’s involved in, his passion for his team, for Montana, and the opportunities he sees for our state. Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

On today’s Vault short we are joined by Shannon Hahn from the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to discuss MDT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) programs. We dive into each program, the criteria for qualifying and how these programs help businesses tackle State and Local contracts with MDT.  Join us for an insightful conversation about fostering inclusivity and opportunity in the world of transportation business.Sponsored by the Montana Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Owner Program. To learn more or apply for the DBE/SBE programs: click here. Or call 1-800-335-7592. Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

Today we are sitting down with Dan Hargrove, United States Air Force Veteran and former Commander of Air Force Two. In this episode we discuss his time at the Air Force Academy, what it was like being an Air Force pilot instructor flying and teaching in a T38 high performance trainer airplane, his time flying daily missions as a military cargo pilot, to being the Commander of the Air Force Two Squad, and now Director of Aviation at Rocky Mountain College. As Dan said, “leadership and teaching are a big part of who I am today”, we dive into Dan’s Air Force career and the experiences that shaped the leader he is today. We talk about the importance of who you surround yourself with, being the best pilot by being prepared and being excellent. We talk about above and beyond service as an Air Force Two pilot and embodying a call to serve mindset and his experience as Commander, helping promote others careers and how to help set them up for success. We also discuss what led him back to his Montana roots and his passion for teaching aviation and leadership at Rocky Mountain College.During his time in Washington DC, Dan shares what it was like being the pilot of Air Force Two during 9/11, the instant impact it had on America, the hours following the attack, and he shares the humanistic, personal impact it had on his family and the chaos that was felt by the American people. Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

Why is it that when change occurs, some people respond while others react? On today’s short our hosts dive into what it means to “respond” vs “react” in changing situations, personally and professionally. We dive into examples of what it looks like in situations when someone responds and when they react. Our hosts delve into the deliberate patterns that people use, consciously or not when they “respond” to a situation. It’s called the 4 P’s -  pause, process, plan, and proceed. Whether you are an entrepreneur, business owner, leader, or someone looking for a little inspiration on how to better handle the next curveball life throws at you, listen to this episode!Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

Today we’re sitting down with Dusty Eaton, CEO of A&E Design to talk about leadership, organizational culture, and the power of innovative design. We have an in-depth conversation about the impactful experiences A&E creates through their innovative approach to architecture, design, and branding. We discuss the importance of setting the tone as a leader of an organization to foster a culture of “leaders building leaders”, as Dusty says, “Great leadership to me is about realizing the potential in someone. Helping them see that for themselves and then helping them execute on it.” We delve into Dusty’s passion for community, finding opportunities for things that really matter and investing his time into those organizations. We talk with him about his family’s non-profit, United LUV and the story behind them starting it. He talks about his love traveling with his family and showing his kids that “no matter where you are going, you can learn and grow from people, learn from the way they live and their cultures.” Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

On today’s episode we are bringing Wade back to The Vault to talk about all things podcasting. Wade is the owner of Lamplighter Creative and works closely with our hosts KaVo and Marce B on editing each Vault episode! He provides ongoing creative direction and insight to The Vault Podcast. On today’s Vault short we talk with Wade about podcasting. He provides tactical advice for starting a podcast. He also dives into tops for elevating your podcast, for the podcasters out there who have a podcast but want to elevate their content. Learn more about Wade and Lamplighter Creative on episode 24! Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

Today we are sitting down with Abby Reno with City Vineyard for a conversation about transformational customer service, hiring for personality, training for skill sets, and brand evolution. We discuss the evolution of City Vineyard, working in a family business, where she gets her inspiration to evolve the business, and how City Vineyard approaches customer service and what she means when they say, “transformational customer service”. We delve into how they cultivate a strong experiential culture within their team that passes on to the customers. We also discuss what it’s like being in the wine world, what goes into selecting wines for the stores, and creating unique events for their customers.Abby shares details on their new location in Bozeman and she provides tips on how to best pick out wine for your next gathering. Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."

On today’s Vault short our hosts, KaVo & Marce B are talking all about consistency in business.We delve into the importance of consistency in business and how it’s paramount for building trust with customers, maintaining brand integrity, and ensuring sustainable growth for your business. We discuss specific areas within a business that consistency is crucial and provide examples of why it’s so important to your business.Make sure to subscribe and share with a friend. To connect with The Vault click HERE To connect with Kayla click HERE To connect with Marcell HERE For additional episodes & to subscribe to our newsletter visit http://thevaultat201.com/ This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center. "The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."