Entrepreneurial Spirit Tour 2015, 8/5, Fairfield And Choteau

Entrepreneurial Spirit Tour 2015 Rolls into Teton County – Open House Resource Event

Teton County will be the next stop on the 2015 Entrepreneurial Spirit Tour, an event connecting locals with ways to further the efforts of their business communities. Great Falls Development Authority brings this open house resource event to Fairfield and Choteau August 5th, 2015.

Choteau City Hall hosts the first event August 5th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. City Hall is located at 38 1st Ave. NW in Choteau.

The event at Fairfield Community Hall, located at 603 Central Avenue in Fairfield runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on August 5th.

"It’s an amazing group of resources for business owners, prospective entrepreneurs and community leaders," organizer Jason Nitschke said.

"We want everyone to know all of the excellent resources out there to help businesses start, grow or expand," Nitschke said.

During the Entrepreneurial Spirit Tour, attendees will have an opportunity to build relationships with the local lenders, U.S. Small Business Administration Montana District Office, Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, Small Business Development Center, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Great Falls Development Authority, Montana Department of Commerce International Trade Bureau, and other local resources.

Entrepreneurs and business owners with any questions are encouraged to attend.

Previous Tour stops in Cut Bank, Conrad, Shelby and Browning have spurred interesting discussion, addressed issues specific to each community and jurisdiction, and allowed entrepreneurs, legislators and officials the opportunity to meet and mingle.

"In over 10 years of working one on one with entrepreneurs, I have seen that 75% of people have no idea where to start. That could be in starting, growing, financing, hiring employees, finding new markets, they simply are overwhelmed and need a coach," indicated Rebecca Engum, organizer for the event.

The education portion of the event will feature a panel on getting money. In Engum’s experience, 90 percent of assistance requests from entrepreneurs are related to funding. Another panel discussion will feature opportunities for creating additional revenue streams. There will be two presentations as well, one on improving operations which will reduce costs and one on managing finances in order to make more informed management decisions.

"A business’ financials tell an amazing story. The concerning issue is, not every business owner knows the tricks to unlocking that story," Nitschke, the Great Falls Small Business Development Center Director, said.

"We can help people identify ways to improve decision making. Isn’t it easier to know that you’re making the right decision than simply hoping you’re making the right one? It applies to everything from when to hire an employee to what product or service to advertise," Nitschke said.

The formal education portion of the event in Choteau is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Fairfield. However, anyone who is interested in attending is encouraged to show up early and stay late to network. To attend, or ask questions, email or call Jason Nitschke with Great Falls Development Authority to RSVP at [email protected] or 406-771-9022.

Any local resource wanting to have a table at the event is encouraged to contact Jason to secure a space.