Ready to take your business plan to the next level with ease? In this episode, Fionn Zarubica, Business Advisor at Headwaters SBDC, reveals how entrepreneurs are streamlining their planning process using the cutting-edge LivePlan software. Discover how this tool empowers users to craft impressive, professional-grade business plans with comprehensive financial projections – all made even simpler with AI-powered features. Whether you're launching a startup or refining your current strategy, tune in to learn how LivePlan could be the game-changer you've been searching for!*

Register for SBDC services here: https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/

Fionn Zarubica is a versatile professional with over two decades of experience in entrepreneurship, organizational consultation and the cultural sector. Currently, she brings her expertise to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of Montana, where she helps business owners navigate the challenges of starting and growing their ventures. She provides personalized consulting services tailored to the unique needs of each client, specializing in budgeting and finance, business planning and start-up consulting.

Fionn pursued her education at the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of California, Los Angeles. Before moving into business consulting, she had a distinguished career as a costume designer, working in theater, film, ballet, opera and television across the United States, Canada and Europe. In the museum sector, Fionn held key roles managing the renowned costume and textile collections at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). She contributed to several prominent exhibitions, including California Design, 1930-1965: Living in a Modern Way (2011), Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700-1915 (2010) and Breaking the Mode: Contemporary Fashion from the Permanent Collection (2006).

From 2010 to 2021, Fionn served as an instructor of museology at California State University Long Beach, College of Professional and International Education. She later worked as a museum consultant and educator in Europe, where she developed cultural programs supported by U.S. State Department grants. Additionally, Fionn is an experienced grant writer and the founder of Fionn Zarubica Creative Partnerships, which provides multidisciplinary support to the creative industries. Her international experience lends a global perspective to her work at SBDC, where she continues to empower entrepreneurs with the tools and strategies they need to succeed.

Is your ag business ready for growth? Would grant funding or a low-interest loan help your business? Are you located in rural Montana? In this episode, we explore Montana's Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) grant and loan program with Hailey Vine, Food & Agriculture Development Officer for the Montana Department of Agriculture, as well as Headwater's RC&D's very own Food and Ag Development Center Director, Brennan Hammer. You'll learn about the application process as well as some key steps.

The Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program is a grant and loan program established by the Montana Legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana's agricultural industry through the development of new agricultural products and processes. Examples of eligible project activities involve equipment purchases, construction costs, advertising and promotion, and consultant services for engineering. The GTA program is administered by the Agriculture Development Council (Council) which is attached to the Department of Agriculture.

Hailey Vine joined the Montana Department of Agriculture in November 2023 as the Food & Ag Development Officer. Prior to her position with the Department, she worked very closely with the organization as the Food & Ag Development Center Director of eastern Montana for over two years assisting producers in business planning, grant applications, financial projections, and more. She brings a unique perspective and knowledge of the agriculture industry and value-added business world with her background in economic development, federal programs, and business administration. Hailey has a passion to meet people where they are at, assisting them to achieve those next steps to success, both professionally and personally. Growing up as a South Dakota farm girl, she's truly enjoyed working in the Montana agriculture scene along with its great producers and supporters. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in animal science and minor in business administration from Montana State University. Hailey is encouraged daily by her husband, Tyler, as they continue to build their new life and community in the Flathead Valley.

More about GTA: https://agr.mt.gov/GTA

GTA Guidelines for 2024: https://agr.mt.gov/_docs/GTA-docs/GTAGuidelines.pdf

How can creating a Business Improvement District (BID) in Uptown Butte move the needle on the Uptown Butte Master Plan? Shanna Adams, civil engineer, co-owner of the Finlen Hotel, and champion of the Uptown Butte Master Plan Association, speaks to how the creation of BID in Uptown Butte can create a steady source of funding that can be leveraged to bring the vision of the Uptown Butte Master Plan to reality.

https://www.uptownbuttemt.com/

https://www.instagram.com/uptownbuttebid/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559847306163

https://uptownbuttemasterplan.com/