Ep. 88 – From Downtown to Discover Kalispell: Building Community & Business
What's next for downtown Kalispell? Discover Kalispell Chamber CEO Lorraine Clarno discusses downtown revitalization, favorite winter events, and the Chamber's priorities for 2027—from business advocacy and housing to workforce development and community growth.
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Ep. 82 - Community Over Competition with Beth Kornick of Princess & Buck
In this episode of Venture Boldly, we sit down with Beth Kornick, co-owner of Princess & Buck, to talk about building one of downtown Kalispell’s most distinctive retail destinations. Beth shares her journey as an entrepreneur, the importance of creating memorable customer experiences, and why a thriving downtown depends on collaboration, not competition.
Ep. 78 - The Case for Agritourism in Montana with Mike Sullivan of Longview Lavender Farm
At Longview Lavender Farm in the Flathead Valley, Mike turned a stubborn specialty crop into a thriving agritourism business, one that creates local jobs, keeps farmland open, and gives the region something worth stopping for. We talk about how he cracked the code on Montana's soil and climate, why direct-to-consumer beats commodity farming, and how agritourism can keep farms thriving.
Ep.77 - Child Care Center Business Insights with Corinne Kuntz, The Birds Nest Early Learning Village
Infant child care is one of the biggest hidden barriers to workforce participation—and one of the hardest services to sustain. In this episode, Corinne Kuntz of Bird’s Nest Early Learning Village shares her transition from in-home care to a purpose-built center and what it reveals about the real challenges facing child care in the Flathead.
Ep. 76- Entrepreneurship in the Flathead: Wachholz Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center with Eric Harry
In this episode, we sit down with Eric Harry of the Wachholz Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Flathead Valley Community College to tackle a key question: how do we help founders build and stay in Northwest Montana?
Ep. 69 - 2025 Rising Star Award Winner - Miles Terry
Join us as we meet with Miles Terry, Vice President of Terry Homes and the Kalispell Chamber’s 2025 Rising Star. As the VP of Terry Homes, a family-owned homebuilder that's been building homes in the Flathead for over 30 years, Miles discusses how a family builder can deliver attainable, high-quality homes without cutting corners—and his answer blends grit, data, and community.
Ep. 67 - Made in the Flathead: Fiber Reaper's Manufacturing Innovation
Founder Amber Pacheco Holm of Fiber Reaper, and her husband, Jeremy, turned a simple field frustration into a breakthrough tool now used by fiber splicing crews across the country. Through local partnerships with the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, the Montana High-Tech Business Alliance, and area suppliers, Fiber Reaper transformed an idea sketched in a Kalispell workshop into a production-ready product—100% Made in the USA and proudly built in Northwest Montana.
Ep. 59- Lemonade Day Champions: Two Sisters' Recipe for Success
"Young entrepreneurs can teach us all a thing or two about business," is the lesson that shines through in my conversation with Parker and Lucy, the young founders of Two Sisters Lemonade and winners of the 2024 Youth Entrepreneurship Award for Lemonade Day Flathead. Over three years of participation, these sisters have transformed from novices with a simple setup to savvy business owners making strategic decisions about products, branding, and customer service.
Ep. 58 - Building the Flathead, with Bill Goldberg, Compass Construction
What does it take to build a construction company that shapes a community? Bill Goldberg, founder of Compass Construction, shares how he went from a 20-year-old entrepreneur to a leader in Flathead Valley development.
Ep. 52 - Leadership Lessons with Phil Quigley
In this episode, we welcome Phil Quigley, a Marine Corps veteran and seasoned consultant, who shares his insights on leadership drawn from his diverse career across various industries. Phil’s unique journey—from pioneering roles at Atari and Yahoo to his work with veterans—provides a compelling narrative about the intersection of military discipline and effective business leadership.
Ep. 51 - Cultivating Personal Leadership with Sherrie Patterson
Sherry walks us through the core questions that leaders need to ask to achieve clarity and drive real results. From navigating the uncertainties faced by business owners in the Flathead Valley to enhancing whole-person development, Sherry offers valuable insights that resonate in today's rapidly evolving environment.
Ep. 49 - 2024 Businessperson of the Year: Mike Smith & 2024 Legacy Partner Award Winner: Glacier Bank
Ever wondered how a bank can shape a community beyond financial transactions? Mike Smith, Glacier Bank's Market President, joins us as we discuss recent accolades, including being awarded the Discover Kalispell's 2024 Businessperson of the Year and Glacier Bank’s honor as the Legacy Partner of the Year.
Ep. 47- 2024 Rising Star Award Winner - Sam Torgerson, Three Dog Ranch
Sam Torgerson's inspiring journey from kennel attendant to general manager and part owner of a board and train facility is nothing short of remarkable. We sat down with Sam, the Discover Kalispell Chamber's 2024 Rising Star Award winner, to uncover how her passion for animals and relentless dedication has propelled her into a leading role in animal care.
Ep. 46 - 2024 Non-Profit of the Year Winner: Whitefish Community Foundation, President & CEO Alan Davis
Whitefish Community Foundation, recently celebrated as the 2024 Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year, is leading the way in giving back to the Flathead Valley community. Join us as we unlock the secrets behind their success, with insights from Alan Davis, the foundation's President and CEO.
Ep. 45 - 2024 Large Business of the Year Award: AJ King, CEO & Chairman, Three Rivers Bank of Montana
Celebrating their recent accolade as the Discover Kalispell Chamber's 2024 Large Business of the Year, AJ reflects on the enduring influence of his father, Jack King, and how those foundational values of kindness and community involvement continue to steer the bank toward success. Despite the digital age, Three Rivers Bank stands firm in its commitment to personalized service and local decision-making, ensuring they remain a trusted, relationship-driven institution.
Ep. 44 - Community Spirit Award Winner, Sue Corrigan
Discover the transformative journey of Sue Corrigan, the remarkable 2024 recipient of the Discover Kalispell Chamber Community Spirit Award. As a dedicated community leader, Sue shares her inspiring path with us, including her impact as a special needs teacher and her involvement with organizations like the Glacier Conservancy and the Montana State School Board Association.
Ep. 43 - 2024 Small Business of the Year Award: Mireille Bierens, Owner, Mountain Physical Therapy & Fitness Center
Join us as we meet with Mireille Bierens, the owner of Mountain Physical Therapy and Fitness Center and the 2024 Small Business of the Year Award winner. Mireille shares her story of her move from the Netherlands to the Flathead and career journey that lead her to become the owner of her physical therapy business.
Ep. 38 - Wheaton's Cycle: Riding Into a 2nd Century of Business in Downtown Kalispell
Ever wondered how a 15-year-old BMX enthusiast evolves into the proud owner of a century-old bike shop? Meet Hans Axelsen, the passionate powerhouse behind Wheaton's Cycle in Kalispell. Hans shares his story and the history of Wheaton's Cycle along with insights into local trails and operating a legacy business in downtown Kalispell.
Ep. 33 - Stirring up Success with Lemony Lemonade
Lemonade Day Flathead returns to the Flathead on June 22nd, providing young entrepreneurs the perfect opportunity to jump into the business world for the day with their own lemonade stands. In this podcast. 2023 Lemonade Day Flathead Youth Entrepreneur winners, Lemony Lemonade, share with us the secrets to lemonade business success. These dynamic siblings and youth entrepreneur winners, along with their mom, Nichole, share their journey of innovation, resilience, and growth, along with tips for other young entrepreneurs and their families.
Ep. 30 - Mastering the Move to Montana
Bill Moseley, CEO of GL Solutions, shares how he pivoted from the world of law and government to the tech frontier, crafting software that transforms regulatory operations. Bill recounts GL Solutions' move from Bend, Oregon to Kalispell, with first-hand insight into the trials and triumphs of transplanting a thriving business and nurturing its growth in its new Flathead Valley home.
Ep. 25- Banking on Montana with Mike Smith, Glacier Bank
In today's episode we talk with Mike Smith, the influential Market President of Glacier Bank. In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss the history of Glacier Bank and its relationship with Glacier Bancorp, new technology, consumer behavior, fed rates, 2024 projections and more. We also learn about Glacier Bank's substantial investment in the community through its thousands of volunteer hours, hundreds of thousands of dollars donated annually, and lending for impactful community projects.