Category: Newsletter

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QuickBooks 101 for Small Businesses

  • Date: 6/2-3/2022
  • Time: 9am-12pm
  • Location: Choteau Public Library, 17 Main Ave N, Choteau, MT 59422, USA
  • Point of Contact: Sean McGuire (406) 727-5173 | (406) 564-3373, Sweetgrass Development

Registration & Additional Info

To sign up for the class visit: https://www.sweetgrassdevelopment.org/event-details/quickbooks-desktop-101-for-small-businesses

About the event

Need to upgrade your business’ finances? Need a refresher on the basics? Feeling lost? Join us in Choteau for an introductory overview of how to navigate and make the most out of QuickBooks Desktop! This will be a two-day course with computers and refreshments provided, with a combination of general instruction and 1-on-1 guidance. Admission is $30/day and must be paid online and in advance. Each day has a maximum of 20 seats available.

Day 1 (Thursday, June 2, 2022) will cover the basics of QuickBooks Desktop: how to navigate the software, how to enter your business’ information, how to enter transactions for your business, and other key fundamentals. The objective is to get users familiar with the essentials for data entry.

Day 2 (Friday, June 3, 2022) will focus on putting a QuickBooks Desktop to work for your business, or, as our instructor likes to say, “The data is in– now what?” Day 2 will focus on how to run reports in QuickBooks Desktop and how to use different kinds of reports to assess different aspects of your business.

On both days, the introductory overview will take place in the morning (9 am-12pm). After a break for refreshments, attendees will be able to sign up for 1-on-1 counseling sessions between 12:30 pm and 4 pm to go deeper into detail with their own business. The length of these counseling sessions will depend on how many attendees arrive who sign up for one.

Presenter Bio:

Wendy Weissman, CPA, has worked in Montana since 1997. Her specialty has become small businesses and non-profits, with 200+ clients. Wendy also specializes in QuickBooks and has become a Certified QuickBooks Adviser. That allows her to have a certification to train clients on QuickBooks. During her non-tax season, she teaches QuickBooks classes and has one-on-one sessions with clients to show them how to best utilize QuickBooks to meet their needs.

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Starting a Business in Choteau?

On Saturday, we asked folks who follow the Choteau Chamber of Commerce Facebook Page “What advice would you give someone just starting a business?“

There were some really wise answers – here’s just a couple:

Know your business plan, how to make business decisions, and pay yourself!

– Heather McCartney Duty

Pay yourself from the get go. Set aside money for taxes. Write out the processes in your businesses so you can refine them, delegate them, or automate them.

– Steve Dogiakos

Head over to the Facebook post and leave your best advice!

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The Small Business Webinar Series: Mom-preneurs – You’re Legit!

toddler sitting on person s lap while person sitting also on tree trunk
  • Date: 5/5/22
  • Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM (MDT)
  • Point of Contact: Jason Nitschke (406) 750-0314

Registration & Additional Info

Program Format: Online Meeting (Live)
Training Topics: Managing a Business
Description:
To join the webinar, click here: https://www.montana.edu/extensionecon/smallbusiness/

Topic:

As we lead into Mother’s Day, we will take this opportunity to celebrate and mothers who operate businesses while also being moms. Whether you’re a full-time founder or a home-based maker and side hustler, this webinar will celebrate your challenges and provide guidance on how to take your business to the next level. We will explore the research as to why parents make great entrepreneurs and tell share stories about how other moms make it work.

Open to non-moms, dads, and nonparents as well!

This is a 30-minute webinar from 11-11:30am Mountain Time.

Presenter: Presenter: Marguerite Thordarson, Business Advisor, Accelerate Montana – Women’s Entrepreneurship and Leadership Lab (W.E.L.L.) Women’s Business Center (WBC)

Presenter Bio:

Marguerite is an Accounting graduate from the Gallagher School of Business at the University of Montana, specializing in managerial accounting, operations management, and financial analysis. She has an extensive background working with small business, consulting in the area of business finance, strategic development, manufacturing accounting, human resources, and bookkeeping best practices. She is the Business Advisor for the Women’s Business Center in Missoula, a new program from Accelerate MT, also partnering with the Great Falls Development Authority and the Montana Native Growth Fund.

Join the Webinar
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Choteau Chamber Member Spotlight: Choteau Art Studio

Choteau Art Studio

When the Choteau Art Studio became a non-profit organization in Choteau more than 16 years ago, they had no idea that the result of many moves, locations and classes would be a thriving Main Street gallery and education space.  The gallery, which recently expanded to include a second section of exhibition space, represents over 125 local and regional artists, and offers a wide range of art including furniture, sculptures, pottery, keychains, paintings, photos, wood art and beaded items.  Susan Luinstra, Gallery Director, shares, “The Gallery is a place where people walk in and fill up on beauty.  They can have a sense of wonder with art and that is good for all of us.” 

“The Gallery is a place where people walk in and fill up on beauty.  They can have a sense of wonder with art and that is good for all of us.” 

Art education is a priority for the Choteau Art Studio and new classes are offered throughout the year.  Luinstra shares, “Our purpose is to share the joy of the arts, to let people experience art in a safe environment.”  Current classes include Fibers on the Front, a two-session weaving class, a music program which invites community members to learn fiddle and guitar during eight-week sessions and Diane Hausmann will teach a 3-session drawing class beginning 5/2. 

“Our purpose is to share the joy of the arts, to let people experience art in a safe environment.”

As the art community becomes more established on the Rocky Mountain Front, artists from throughout Montana are recognizing the rich history and natural landscape of the area and discovering the Choteau Art Studio.  Currently, the gallery is staffed 100% with volunteers, but Luinstra would like to see funding that would allow for parttime paid staff including Gallery Director and Education Coordinator. “There are so many opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy what the Studio has to offer.  With additional paid staff we could hold after school classes for youth and increase our educational opportunities for adults.”  The Studio’s biggest fundraiser is their Barn Dance and Pie Social (May 7), a time for all ages to come together to enjoy music, dancing and, of course, homemade pie on hand thrown pottery plates.   Their Patron’s Program, with four levels of giving, is also a great way to support the growth and security of art on the Rocky Mountain Front and allows volunteers and professional artists to provide quality, affordable classes.  More information can be found at their website,  www.choteauarts.org. 

The Choteau Art Studio is currently open Wednesday- Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday from 10am-1pm and will have expanded hours during the upcoming Metis Festival, Yoga Festival and during the July 4th weekend.

The Chamber Spotlight is a series highlighting member businesses of the Choteau Chamber of Commerce. 
Interested in having your business highlighted in a Chamber Spotlight? Chamber members can contact the Chamber at: choteauchamber@gmail.com
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2022 Parade Grand Marshall Selection

2022 Nominees

The Choteau Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Parade Committee has several nominations for Grand Marshall. Please read the info about each nominee and then cast your vote by replying to the weekly Chamber Members-only email, or send an email to choteauchamber@gmail.com.

Bill Marney

He takes such great care of all of us. I cannot begin to count the number of times he has spied a problem with my vehicle as I am driving by to the school. He comes and takes it, fixes whatever it is, and returns it. And I know he does that all over town each and every day – a silent angel, so to speak! An all-around great guy who does an awful lot for everyone!

Tom (Tommy) Tesch

He was nominated based on his dedication to the beautification of our city. He willingly accepted the job of caring for all of the planters on Main Street that The Rocky Mountain Front Community Foundation funded. You will see him and his van caring for and watering plants every morning to make our city a welcoming and beautiful place to live and visit. He took his dedication a step further by helping with planters south of the courthouse and the Wagon outside the now vacant Elk Country Grill. The Acantha recently ran an article about him.

Cathy Campbell

Cathy is a life-long Teton County resident. The daughter of Lloyd and Jane DeBruycker, she grew up on the Dutton-area home place. She has been a Teton County 4-H volunteer for years and has worked as the 4-H summer camp cook. She is active in Special Olympics. She is active in production agriculture: she and her husband, Joe, raise Charolais beef cattle and farm north of Choteau. She is presently the head cook at Choteau Public Schools, where she worked with the Teton County CattleWomen to bring a “farm to school” meat program to the cafeteria. Her use of home- cooked meals using local beef, pork and bison has resulted in sharply higher student use of the school lunch and breakfast programs. In her capacity as head cook, she has worked with the Choteau Lions and Soroptimists to put on the free community Thanksgiving dinner. She is known as a tireless advocate for children and a strong supporter of local agriculture. She and Joe have two grown sons, Dillon Harrell, a sophomore, and two grown daughters and a number of grandchildren. All of her sons and daughters still call Teton County home.

Marlin and Betsy Styren

The Styrens, who ranch north of Choteau, have been heavily involved in the Choteau community for decades. They were both long-time members of the Jaycees in their 20s and 30s, helping with numerous programs: Huck Finn Day, the Halloween Haunted House and parade, the 3rd of July country music concerts and the Art on the Green summer art and craft fair, to name a few. After they aged out of Jaycees, they both became involved with the American Legion with Marlin joining the Sons of the American Legion and Betsy joining the American Legion Auxiliary. They have both worked on the annual Memorial Day program, recognizing veterans who have died, and they have worked at the Choteau 4th of July rodeo. They are both always happy to lend a hand when community organizations need help and they have invested their lives in the Choteau community.

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Chamber After Hours Event: Copper Creek Coffee

Stop in at Copper Creek Coffee on Thursday, April 21 from 5-7pm to check out the new location (501 Main Ave N), visit with owner Brian Colesworthy about all the happenings with the coffee shop and network with local business owners and residents. Brian will be serving lite food and drinks.

Monthly After Hour events are Choteau’s premier networking event. It offers our members and residents a chance to kick back after work and socialize away from the pressures of the workplace. We encourage meeting new people and introducing them to your business. Would you like to host a Chamber After Hours? Contact Jen Asselstine, Chamber Secretary, for available dates at choteauchamber@gmail.com.

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Choteau Chamber Member Spotlight: Copper Creek Coffee

Front of Copper Creek Coffee's new location

As of April 1, Copper Creek Coffee has a new location to call home: 501 Main Ave N.  The warm and welcoming space is a bit smaller in size than their previous location, but owner Brian Colesworthy has big plans for the coffee shop.

“As soon as we can, I want to get some cornhole tournaments going out back.  Maybe even have food trucks available to make this a hang out spot for tourists and locals alike.” 

The larger lot size will also allow for a drive thru utilizing the Copper Creek bus, outside seating, events and participation with Harvest Hosts which welcomes a limited number of self-contained RV/travel trailers to the back yard for an overnight stay.   

Coffee is not the only thing served at Copper Creek.  In the few minutes during our interview, customers asked for smoothies, iced tea, takeout sandwiches and soup.  Brian also has hopes of starting an online order system that can be brought out to the customer’s vehicle.  On tap for evening events are craft beers and wine. 

“I really want this to be a place where everyone is welcome.  One of my favorite things is visiting with tourists from out of the country.  It’s surprising how many people come through here from other countries and are interested in learning more about our area.” 

Also popular with tourists is the variety of gifts and merchandise displayed throughout the shop, many of them locally made.    

Currently, Copper Creek Coffee is open from 8am-2:30pm but hours will expand in May.  Be sure to follow them on Facebook at Copper Creek Coffee- Choteau, MT for daily specials and announcements.  And let me be the first to tell you, the Huckleberry Iced Tea is fantastic. 

Join us on Thursday, April 21 from 5-7pm as Copper Creek Coffee hosts Chamber After Hours. Drinks and appetizers will be served. After Hours gives business owners and residents a chance to kick back after work and socialize away from the pressures of the workplace. We encourage meeting new people and introducing them to our local businesses.

The Chamber Spotlight is a series highlighting member businesses of the Choteau Chamber of Commerce. 
Interested in having your business highlighted in a Chamber Spotlight? Chamber members can contact the Chamber at: choteauchamber@gmail.com
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Chamber After Hours: Opportunity Bank, March 17

Join the folks at Opportunity Bank as they host Chamber After Hours on March 17 from 4:30-6:30pm. This is a great chance to see what Opportunity Bank has to offer its customers while enjoying drinks and appetizers. Afterwards, hop on over to the American Legion for their celebratory birthday dinner!

After Hours is a Chamber sponsored event that offers our member businesses a chance to host local business owners and residents for networking and socializing. Would you like to host a Chamber After Hours? Contact Jen Asselstine, Chamber Secretary, for available dates at choteauchamber@gmail.com.

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Choteau Chamber of Commerce Seeking New Chairperson for 4th of July Steak Fry Fondue

March 14, 2022 UPDATE: After discussion at the March 2022 General Membership meeting, the Chamber has decided to open up the search for a new point person to anyone or any organization in the Choteau community. We have all the documentation and advisors you or your organization need to run this event! To help make sure planning goes well, the Chamber asks for as commitment by April 13, 2022. If you’re interested in taking on the Steak Fry or have questions, please contact Chamber Secretary Jen Asselstine (choteauchamber@gmail.com).

For 40+ years the Choteau Chamber of Commerce has hosted the 4th of July Steak Fry Fondue and has offered both out of town guests and locals the opportunity to gather together with good food in a fun atmosphere. The Chamber is looking for a new chairperson for this event. Is this your year to step up into a leadership role? A detailed Chairman’s Planning Guide is available. Contact Jen Asselstine at choteauchamber@gmail.com if interested.

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Sweetgrass Development offers “Digital Marketing for Small Businesses 101”

Digital Marketing For Small Businesses 101 will be held March 8, in Conrad at the Public Library from 8 am until noon. Whether you’re just getting started, looking for tips, or refreshing the basics, join Sweetgrass Development to learn how to build your customer base online. RSVP or just show up! There will also be an Advanced Marketing for Small Business Workshop in Shelby on March 31.