A Fresh Approach to Goal Setting for Montana Women Business Owners in 2025

As 2025 approaches, women entrepreneurs across Montana are likely revisiting their goals,
dreaming big, and planning for the year ahead. But before you dive into setting SMART goals or analyzing this year’s spreadsheets, take a moment to ask yourself: Do my goals truly reflect the heart of my business?

It’s easy to get caught up in the traditional goal-setting methods—specific, measurable,
achievable, relevant/realistic, and time-bound (SMART). While these are valuable tools, they can sometimes miss a deeper truth: your business isn’t just numbers on a page. It’s an extension of you—your passions, your purpose, and the impact you want to make in your Montana community.

This year, let’s try a new way of thinking about business goals, one that aligns with your
business’s identity and values. This approach shifts the focus from scarcity—what you don’t
have—to abundance and connection, emphasizing why you started your business in the first place.

Start With the Heart of Your Business

Your business identity is more than your logo or tagline. It’s the why behind what you do. Why did you start this business? What change did you want to see in your life, your customers’ lives, or your community?

To align your goals with the heart of your business, reflect on these questions:

• What core values drive your decisions?
• What kind of relationships do you want with your customers and community?
• How do you want people to feel when they interact with your business?

For Montana women business owners, the answers to these questions often tie back to the
sense of community and connection that defines our state. Whether you run a boutique in
Billings or a farm-to-table café in Missoula, your goals should amplify the values that make your business uniquely yours.

Align Your Goals with Your Business Identity

Once you’ve reconnected with the heart of your business, it’s time to make sure your goals
reflect that identity across every aspect of your business:

1. Marketing

Your marketing should communicate your values and mission to your audience. Instead of
focusing solely on increasing followers, engagement, or sales, consider goals like:

• Highlighting local partnerships or causes you support.
• Telling your unique story through intentional campaigns.
• Prioritizing content that educates or uplifts your audience.

Example: If your bakery is passionate about sustainability, a marketing goal might be to educate customers about eco-friendly food preparation and serving practices through social media or workshops.

2. Financials

Rather than only setting revenue targets, align your financial goals with your purpose. Think
about:

• Consider allocating resources to causes that matter to you, like donating to a local
women’s shelter or mentoring young entrepreneurs.
• Prioritizing pricing strategies that are both fair and reflective of the value you provide.

Example: A boutique owner might set a goal to source at least 50% of their inventory from
Montana artisans, keeping dollars in the local economy while staying true to their values.

3. Operations

The way you run your business should reflect the experience you want to provide. Ask yourself:

• Does your workflow feel aligned with your business values?
• Are your operations supporting not just efficiency but also joy and fulfillment?

Example: If your business prioritizes a personal touch, consider implementing operational goals like sending handwritten thank-you notes or following up with clients in a meaningful way.

4. Team and Partnerships

Whether you work solo or have a growing team, the people you surround yourself with should resonate with your mission. Goals might include:

• Building collaborations with other Montana women entrepreneurs.
• Offering professional development opportunities that align with your team’s passions.

Example: A fitness studio owner could partner with a local nutritionist to offer joint wellness packages, enhancing value for customers while supporting another woman-owned business.

Overcoming Challenges and Shifting to an Abundance Mindset

If you’ve drifted from your “why” or feel limited by a lack of resources, you’re not alone. Many women entrepreneurs struggle with a scarcity mindset—focusing on what they don’t have instead of recognizing the abundance around them.

Here’s how to shift your perspective and reclaim your sense of possibility:

1. Focus on Relationships

Montana’s close-knit communities are a treasure trove of support. Lean into these relationships. Partner with other women business owners, join local networking groups, or even just reach out for advice. Collaboration can create opportunities you might not have imagined alone. Consider joining our monthly digital coffee chat to meet other women business owners!

2. Reframe Setbacks

Instead of viewing challenges as failures, see them as lessons that bring you closer to your purpose. Every misstep is an opportunity to fine-tune your approach and better serve your community.

3. Celebrate Small Wins

Abundance is often found in the little things. Celebrate every loyal customer, every positive review, every milestone—no matter how small it feels. Gratitude fuels growth.

4. Invest in Yourself

Your business is only as strong as the woman leading it. Make time for personal growth,
whether that’s attending a workshop, reading a new book, or simply taking a day off to
recharge.

Staying Rooted in 2025

As the new year begins, revisit your goals regularly to ensure they still align with your business identity. Use these moments to celebrate progress, adjust where needed, and remind yourself of the bigger picture.

At the Rocky Mountain Women’s Business Center, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re just starting a business in Montana or looking to grow, our free coaching and resources can help you stay aligned with your purpose while navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.

Montana women business owners are at the heart of our state’s thriving communities. By
setting goals rooted in your unique mission and embracing a mindset of abundance, you’re not just building a business—you’re shaping the future of Montana for generations to come.

Need help with goal-setting or reconnecting with your business’s purpose? Sign up today to schedule a free coaching session or explore our upcoming workshops designed for women entrepreneurs across Montana.

Let’s make 2025 the year you not only achieve your goals but do so in a way that feels true to you. Together, we’re building a Montana where women-owned businesses thrive!