Entrepreneurs dream big and are eternal optimists. I love being around them. Their energy is contagious.
Entrepreneurs also represent our best opportunity to improve Montana’s economy. Entrepreneurs are the ones who take the risks and start the companies that create jobs. Wealth and prosperity are solely created in the private sector, and entrepreneurs are the ones who make the private sector. There is no other path to prosperity that is sustainable. We must encourage and support our wild-eyed, irrepressible Montana entrepreneurs.
In the past 18 months I have completed over 200 individual sessions with entrepreneurs all over the state. Those sessions give me hope that we can improve our Montana economy. Here are some of the incredible things going on in Montana:
In Dillon, Travis Cottom is running a global consulting business and partnering with Western to hire Montanans. His goal is to be the largest commercial employer there in two years.
In Bozeman, Andrew Hull runs a marketing services company for global firms and already employs 14 people. He is growing wickedly fast and is looking for more office space (his group is pictured above).
In Missoula, Sherri Davidoff runs a world-class data and information security firm and corporations all over the world turn to her firm to protect their vital information by outwitting the hackers.
In Kalispell, Melanie Nelson is growing an organic Chai Tea business and distributing their products nationally.
In Bozeman, Ehson Mosleh is using 3D printing to make satellites.
In Great Falls, Paul and Jon Leach have over 700 employees that build and maintain pipelines for the oil industry.
In Lewistown, Tom Spika runs a multi-million dollar manufacturing business making state-of-the-art work platforms for corporations and governments all over the world.
In Bozeman, Chad Nybo is automating health care collaboration using an innovative on-line system that automates patient referrals and maximizes provider revenues.
These entrepreneurs, and others like them, are improving our economy by bringing more money into the state and creating good jobs here. Thank you!
