July 9, 2025 •Anya Wells
Why We Started
The Women in Business Series was conceived to give Montana women business owners an opportunity to share their stories in an authentic and meaningful way. Every story was a collaboration, and my hope is that the featured business owners feel as proud of the work as I am. So much love and passion from everyone involved has gone into this series, and it shows.
This has been such an amazing journey, and I’m excited to share the impact that it’s had on me and the Montana business community..
The Stories We Heard
The women that I had the opportunity to interview for this series represented a broad range of industries. From art, to housekeeping, to marketing and everywhere in between. I was struck by the diversity of experiences, cultures, and lifestyles reflected by the women involved.
This diversity of voices, spanning cultural heritages, life stages, and personal challenges, creates a mosaic of resilience and inspiration, with each woman bringing a distinct lens to entrepreneurship. What unites these women is their shared commitment to building businesses that reflect their values and serve their communities. Their stories reveal a profound truth: entrepreneurship is not just about profit but about creating meaningful impact, fostering connection, and redefining what it means to be a woman in business in Montana.
Common Threads Across Journeys
Although each of these experiences and stories was unique, there were some common themes that emerged. Here are a few that arose again and again:
1. Community: Each of the stories demonstrates the way that entrepreneurs view their businesses as integral parts of their communities, not just as economic entities but as contributors to local culture, connection, and mutual support.
2. Passion: These entrepreneurs are driven by intrinsic motivations. Their businesses reflect their values and identities, making their work deeply personal and rewarding. This is palpable in the way that they describe their businesses with a deep sense of passion and purpose.
3. Resilience: Resilience is a critical trait for these entrepreneurs, who face diverse challenges like financial uncertainty, personal health crises, and societal barriers. But each of these women recognize the importance of moving forward, navigating obstacles, and focusing on why they started in the first place.
Impact of the Project
Storytelling is a powerful tool for building empathy, connection, and visibility. My hope is that others will see pieces of themselves in each of these stories. Maybe someone who has an idea but doesn’t know where to start will be inspired to take the first step. Or maybe someone who is struggling to manage their business finances will feel empowered to seek out resources and mentorship.
It’s difficult to quantify the impact of this storytelling series. I could share Youtube statistics and blog post visits, but that wouldn’t demonstrate the inspiration, hope, commiseration, or encouragement born out of these stories.
Participants in the storytelling project were impacted through the opportunity to share their skills, experiences, and struggles. In the right circumstances, vulnerability can be a powerful thing, leading to strength and reflection. The most important thing to me when I took on this project was to create a safe space where women felt free to be themselves.
Moving Forward
While the Women in Business Series has come to an end, it is my hope that those who have engaged with these stories will continue to support small business owners in Montana. Utilize their services, recommend their products, and share their content! Get to know the people behind the business and understand the passion that drives their work. Let it spur you on towards your own goals, whether they involve starting a business or something entirely different.
A Heartfelt Thank You
I cannot express enough gratitude to those who have been part of this project. I would like to thank the Rocky Mountain Business Center team for all of the work that they have done to support this project and move it forward. I would also like to thank Kassi Strong for giving me this project to take on and believing that I was the right person for the job!
It’s also important to thank the brand photographers that partnered with us throughout this process. Thanks to Whitney Sarah and KC Lostetter in Missoula, Halee Jo in Billings, Mountain Moon Media in Whitefish, and Soul Craft Media in North Central Montana. Each of you is incredibly skilled in capturing business owners in their element, and your work added so much value to this series.
Finally, the Women in Business Series wouldn’t exist without the business owners themselves. Ariel Sohn Brand with Jung-a's, Isabel Bonilla Uribe with Blue Mare Equestrian Services, Marijke Stob with Superbloom Gear Repair, Ashli Fry with Morphos Homes, Emma Jacquelyn with Bright Spot Studios (formerly Desert Rain Design), Micayla D’Ambrosia with Grown Cozy, Chandra Brown with the Freeflow Institute, April Werle with April Werle LLC, Jessica Catron with Grow Music Missoula, Bonnie Bishop with Mazí Health, Leslie Grotjohn with One Sweet Bite, Keely Morrison with Planina Social, Ivette Kjelsrud with Ive & Co., Avery Patrick with Showdown Montana, Cassie and Amber Coburn with The Jawbone Group, Jenna Nord with Jenna Nord Photography, and Shelby Humphreys with Missoula Social Media.
Speaking on camera can be vulnerable, uncomfortable, and even scary. The boldness demonstrated by each of these business owners in their willingness to sit in front of the camera and answer questions from a near stranger speaks to the resilience of Montana women. We shared nerves, laughter, and tears. I am so grateful for the trust given to me, and my greatest hope is that every person featured feels proud of the way they were represented.
Leading this storytelling project has been a personally transformative experience. I am still forging my path in this world. The opportunity to meet these women and hear the unique journeys that brought them where they are today was a reminder to me that you never know where life will take you. Their stories are full of setbacks and uncertainty about the future, but they keep moving forward. If I can embody their resilience, passion, and drive, then life will surely be good.
If you are interested in watching the Storytelling Series, please visit our Youtube Channel!
Want to hear more stories about Montana women entrepreneurs? Click here to explore the Rocky Mountain Women in Business Series library.
By Anya Wells, RMWBC Marketing Assistant and Storytelling Extraordinaire
