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Billings Gazette: Guest opinion: Small business people build up Montana
In a state like Montana, known around the world for our work ethic and hospitality, building up people and building relationships is the undisputed strength of our businesses. That’s why, in 2014, when we were asked by Gov. Steve Bullock to provide our perspective as small business owners on his Main Street Montana Project, we were excited to help. Between the two of us, we’ve been in the Montana business community for five decades. We both feel that the communities where we live and do business are our stakeholders as much as our customers who work hard and play hard outdoors. During the time we’ve both been in business, we’ve seen the global economy change and our local downtowns transform. In the face of these big transitions, we’ve always found it helpful to keep the lines of communication open with our neighbors, our peers, our customers and our elected leaders.
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“Our customers have been braving the road,” said Laida Talcott, shop manager of the Red Ants Pants store on Main Street, which specializes in work wear for women. “We just have to think about the end result. This will be awesome for us.”
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Her company very much evokes the resourcefulness so ubiquitous in This House of Sky: cobble together what assets are available, and make as good a go of if as you can, for as long as you can.
Learn moreKXLH: Red Ants Pants Celebrates 10 years of business
For the past decade, Red Ants Pants in White Sulphur Springs has proven that durable and strong workwear comes in every size and shape.
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Much as Levi Strauss developed the first rugged blue jeans for gold miners back in 1873, Calhoun recognized a need for sturdy work wear that actually fit a woman laboring away on farms and ranches, in forestry and landscaping jobs, fighting wildfires, and so much more.
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So proud of our new neighbors! The Hedrichs opened the tap room about a week ago, but it’s already cultivated what Sarah Calhoun of Red Ants Pants next door called a Cheers “everybody-knows-your-name” atmosphere.
Learn moreGreat Falls Tribune: State launches business navigator
“It’s exciting to see ideas from small business owners being implemented to make starting a business as easy as possible,” said Calhoun, owner of Red Ants Pants in White Sulphur Springs. She described it as a user-friendly platform that walks people through business permitting and offers access to business planning and financing services. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development led the development of the Business Navigator under the directive of the Governor’s Main Street Montana Project to cut red tape for small businesses and increase government efficiency.
Learn moreGreat Falls Tribune: OPINION Supporting small businesses offers many benefits
Whether you choose to “Shop Small” on Saturday, Nov. 28, or whether you still need to fill your elk tag, just know that small business owners everywhere are grateful for your year-round encouragement and the fellowship that comes with our ability to keep jobs in Montana and give back to the communities. Beyond Small Business Saturday — anytime you shop locally, you are part of an awesome ripple effect that strengthens the economy from the ground up. And for that, we thank you.
Learn moreBillings Gazette: Guest Opinion: Montana communities thrive with small businesses
From my experience as a rural small-business owner, I believe that trust comes from the fact that people actually know the small-business owners in their communities personally. Especially in rural America, small-business owners have a kind of fellowship that transcends the bottom line. We are in this together. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
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