Business Journal by Bozeman Daily Chronicle

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By a m a nda r ick e r | Busi n e s s Jou r na l E di tor P h o t o g r a p h s c o u r t e s y o f Ly n n D o n a l d s o n

Home on the range Yellowstone Grassfed Beef brings sustainable natural beef products to customers’ doorsteps

ove over milkman. There’s a meat truck in town. Yellowstone Grassfed Beef delivers ground hamburger, steak, and other beef products to Gallatin Valley doorsteps on a daily basis. Focused on holistic ranch management and sustainably produced, natural beef, the company has set a goal to sell more of its beef directly to the people who eat it. “A big part of why we do what we do is we want to be nourishing our community with healthy food,” said co-owner Bryan Ulring. “We have higher profit margins selling to people’s homes and we want to have relationships with people. At the same time, people want to know the farmers who produce their food.” Beef Continued on page 6

RAPTOR savior Clocking in with Becky Kean of the Montana Raptor Conservation Center PAGE 3

April 29, 2014

A guest and J Bar L Ranch cowboys trail yearling calves in this July 2009 photo near Twin Bridges.

Comings & Goings

to contribute call 582-2635

New art gallery opens in downtown Bozeman Attention art lovers: There’s a new art gallery on Main Street, specializing in antique Native American, folk and Western art. Sundog Fine Art is located at 17 East Main Street in Bozeman, next door to the Bozeman Angler. “We primarily specialize in antique Native American art,” said Exhibitions Director Roy Grafe. “From 1860 to 1890, from the Plains, the Plateau and the Southwest.” The gallery has pottery, beadwork and Navajo textiles, for example, he said. Owned by Bruce VanLandingham, the gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday. For more information, visit www. sundogfineart.com.

The new coffeehouse will open at 2051 West Oak Street, Suite 5, at the end of May or beginning of June, Mathis said. The new coffeehouse will be able to seat 150 people, triple the number of people the old café allowed. The new space will also have a conference room and a stage for live music. In addition, there will be a drivethru and specialty coffee bars. One coffee bar will feature a La Marzocco Strada espresso machine, with hand-pulled espresso shots. Another coffee bar will feature pour-over coffee. The coffee shop caters to the college crowd and is open until midnight. For more information, visit coldsmokemt.com.

Coldsmoke Coffeehouse expands to new location

Samurai Sam’s under new ownership

Coldsmoke Coffeehouse is closing its West Main Street café and opening a larger shop at 19th Avenue and Oak Street. “We have found that we need more space to continue to grow and to continue to serve the community in the way that we desire,” said general manager Lauryn Mathis. May 8 is the last day Coldsmoke’s current location at 1530 W. Main St. will be open.

business f o r s o u t h w e s t M o n ta n a

journal

Editor | amanda ricker Advertising manager | Sylvia drain

A p r i l 2 9, 2 014 • B u s i n e s s j o u r n a l

Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill in Bozeman has new ownership. After opening the restaurant in 2003 and operating it for 11 years, former owners Hugh and Linda David have sold Samurai Sam’s to Bozeman natives Steve and Marnie Adams. The Adams took over on April 6. The restaurant is located near Target at 2855 N. 19th Avenue. C&G Continued on page 4 E-mail:

aricker@dailychronicle.com

Other ways to contact us: PO Box 1190, Bozeman MT 59771 Phone 406 587-4491 Our threecounty region

Gallatin Madison

park

Business Journal is published monthly by Big Sky Publishing, LLC. Contents copyrighted 2012 by Business Journal unless otherwise noted.

Clocking In profiles people with interesting jobs or noteworthy local businesses. Send future feature suggestions to jasonb@dailychronicle.com

clocking in ...

B y a m a n da r i c k e r

Busi n e s s Jou r na l E di tor

with Becky Kean Montana Raptor Conservation Center director Watson, a small blue and brown American kestrel cheeps loudly and flies around the room as Becky Kean, director of the Montana Raptor Conservation Center, works in her office. “Take a break, little man. Take a break,” Kean says with a smile. Kean is one of two employees at the raptor center. With such a small staff, she is basically on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to care for injured birds. “It’s one of those jobs that consumes you,” Kean says. “You have these lives in your hands.” Every morning, Kean arrives at the center off of Springhill Road before 8 a.m. She checks on the center’s roughly 20 birds. Eight birds could not be rehabilitated and released into the wild for one reason or another, and have become permanent residents used for educating the public. The rest of the birds are being rehabilitated for release. Kean feeds the birds, chopping up mice or cutting up wild game meat, and medicates and treats birds as ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/CHRONICLE needed. Becky Kean, director at the Montana Raptor Conservation Center, holds an American kestrel named Watson on April 17. The rest of Kean’s day is spent tending to phone calls, writing grants, scheduling and teaching education programs, arranging surgery or other The raptor center is one of two such facilibrought to the center come in with injuries medical care for birds with All West Veterities in Montana and so it receives birds from from cars, electrical lines, gun shot wounds, nary Hospital, or coordinating transportation all over the state. Kean or other volunteers other hazards or from ingesting toxins such for injured birds. will drive to the bird, contain it, and drive as lead from animals that were shot but never “That actually takes a lot of my time someit back to the center. Kean then records the retrieved by hunters. There are also orphaned time is just arranging transportation,” Kean bird’s condition, weighs and x-rays it, and birds. Usually, the birds are treated and resays. consults with the veterinarian for treatment. leased. The center relies on volunteers to transport Last year, the center took in 190 birds, 51 and help care for the birds. Kean Continued on page 5 of which were eagles. The majority of birds

B u s i n e s s j o u r n a l • A p r i l 2 9, 2 014

Comings & Goings

to contribute call 582-2635

Steve Adams said no major changes are expected. The couple simply plans “to freshen up the place,” he said. The Davids let the public know about the switch in a Facebook post on the restaurant’s page earlier this month. The Adams “will continue to provide the best food and friendliest service in the valley,” the post said. “We appreciate all of you who have been loyal over the years – many of you came in as customers and left as friends. Thank you for 11 memorable years!”

Couple opening Edible Arrangements franchise A local couple is opening an Edible Arrangements store in Bozeman. According to a news release from the fresh fruit bouquet company, the store will be the first of its kind in Montana, bringing Edible Arrangements to having stores in 49 states. The owners of the Bozeman store, Tom and Jennie Partiss, plan to open the shop in late summer and the location has yet to be determined.

the bottom line

“We really wanted to choose a business that would help us to become a part of the Bozeman community,” said Jennie. “We were pleased to find a franchise that was unique and would be a pleasing asset for the people of Bozeman. We are living in a very health conscious city and the products offered by Edible Arrangements are not only fun and beautiful, they are extremely healthy. Fruit is something we all feel good about giving and receiving.” For more information, visit www. ediblearrangements.com.

Korean restaurant opening downtown A new Korean restaurant is coming to downtown Bozeman. Emma Woods and Ross Franklin plan to open Whistle Pig Korean at 25 N. Willson Ave. in the space that used to house Chickpea Café. Woods and Franklin bought the space after the café closed and the owners moved to Cleveland. The new restaurant is expected to open May 1. Whistle Pig will be based on kimbap shops, a Korean restaurant style

that features an orange color scheme and affordable rolls akin to California sushi rolls, but without the raw fish, according to Woods and Franklin. The restaurant will have additional traditional dishes such as bibimbap and Mandu. For more information, visit www. whistlepigkorean.com

$330K in agriculture grants handed out Gov. Steve Bullock, the Montana Department of Agriculture and the Agriculture Development Council have announced the recipients of $333,404 in funding for agricultural related projects. “We are pleased to announce the Growth Through Agriculture award recipients. These 17 projects aim to enhance agriculture, grow our rural economy and create jobs. When we add value to our agricultural products in Montana, more money stays in the local community and on Main Street,” Bullock said in a news release. The Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program provides grants and loans to strengthen and diversify Montana’s agricultural industry through development of new agricultural products and processes. “We had over one million dollars worth of projects submitted to the council this round, which wasn’t easy to whittle down to just over

$330,000,” said Chairman David Tyler. “We think our selections have promise, and will have a positive impact on agriculture and the state’s economy.” One awardee was Sweet Peaks Ice Cream, a Whitefish based company that uses local products and flavoring in their ice cream. They received $15,200 to help purchase equipment to assist in transporting ice cream, some of which will be traveling to their new, expanded location in Missoula. “Part of the governor’s Main Street Montana Project is to promote Montana agricultural products by adding value to what we grow and produce in Montana. This program is where the rubber hits the road; we fund agricultural projects that add value and diversify agriculture,” said Ron de Yong, department of agriculture director. Located on Main Street in Terry, Mont., the Powder River Meat Company has been serving the region’s processing needs for the last 16 years. The company was recently purchased by new owners, who have been busy remodeling and looking for expansion opportunities. Their $24,500 award will allow them to purchase meat processing equipment and assist with construction costs associated with the expansion.

Monthly economic indicators

Airport boardings Nov.

Jan.

March

Feb.

Year to Date

50,000

250,000

40,000

200,000

30,000

150,000

20,000

100,000 N/A

10,000 Billings

Dec.

Bozeman

N/A

Missoula

A p r i l 2 9, 2 014 • B u s i n e s s j o u r n a l

50,000 SOURCE: dept. of Transportation, Montana Aeronautics Division

Montana Elevator Cash Grain prices $10 $9 $8 $7 $6 $5

U.S. 2 Feed Barley U.S. 1 Dark Northern Spring Wheat 14% U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat 12% 3/24 3/31

4/7 4/14

Average Price per bushel for winter and spring wheat. Average Prince per CWT for feed barley

SOURCE: Usda-WY Dept. of Agriculture Market News Service, Torrington, WY

Kean

con t. f rom page 3

“We see a lot of sad things, but we see some pretty much miracles happen here, too, so it’s rewarding that way,” Kean said. Watson came in with two broken wings. As an American kestrel, he is among the smallest of the falcons. Watson was young when he was found injured, and unfortunately, the person who discovered him allowed him to imprint on humans. This week, Kean was also closely treating a prairie falcon that suffered gun shot wounds and a great horned owl that had lead toxicity. And the raptor center’s busy season is just heating up. In the springtime, the center gets a number of orphaned birds, nestlings that have fallen out of the nest or are rejected by their mother. Meanwhile, the center is also ramping up its educational programs in the warmer months. Kean and raptor center volunteers visit schools and other organizations to teach people about the importance of raptors in the ecosystem. Volunteers take the center’s educational birds with them talk to people. Volunteers tell people about how they can prevent birds from being brought in to the center and what to do if they find an injured bird. Do not take them in as pets, Kean emphasized. At least 90 percent of the birds’ injuries are due to human impact. Educational programs also teach people that birds are an indicator species, so their numbers tell scientists about the health of the environment. Kean has been working at the center for 11 years. Originally from Minot, N.D., Kean got a fish and wildlife degree at Montana State University. While she was taking an ornithology class, the

Feeder cattle Prices

ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/CHRONICLE

Kean feeds a red-tailed hawk named Rosa on April 17.

professor mentioned to the students that they could volunteer at the raptor center. So Kean did, and she’s been there ever since. She was hired as the assistant director of the center in 2007 and then as the director in 2008. Kean is passionate about the birds and about her job. “I thank my lucky stars,” she said. “I love it.” “Just being here and learning to appreciate them and respect them,” she explained. “They’re tenacious. They have the will to live and it’s amazing. Something that absolutely hates you but

you want to be there to help them is pretty neat. “ If you discover an injured bird, call the center at 585-1211 rather than try to care for it yourself. The nonprofit raptor center accepts donations of wild game meat, such as elk, venison, moose, antelope and bison. No bear, mountain lion, beef, burger, sausage or spiced meat is accepted. For more information, to make a meat or monetary donation, or to inquire about education programs, visit http://www.montanaraptor.org. Amanda Ricker can be reached at aricker@dailychronicle. com. She is on Twitter at @amandaricker.

Unemployment rate

Yellowstone National park visits SOURCE: National Park Service

$200 STEERS

$150

500-599 lbs

$100 Week Week Week end end end 3/14 3/21 3/28

HEIFERS 500-599 lbs

March ........... 77,237

Feb. . .......... 76,498

Jan. . .......... 74,713

Dec. . .......... 63,220 Nov. . .......... 58,339 Oct. . ........ 122,060

U.S. Montana Gallatin Co. April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. 2013 SOURCE: Montana Department of Labor & Industry

B u s i n e s s j o u r n a l • A p r i l 2 9, 2 014

Lynn Donaldson

“We as much as possible mimic natural cycles. Really, the beef is sort of a byproduct. Our main intention is to manage the land well … We’re lucky the beef tastes as good as it does because the cattle are the tool to manage the land.” — Bryan Ulring, Yellowstone Grassfed Beef co-owner

A p r i l 2 9, 2 014 • B u s i n e s s j o u r n a l

Beef cov e r s t or y con t. Families have standing orders for meat and the meat truck visits their homes once a month. Regular customers sometimes have the meat truck driver put their order in the freezer if they’re away at work. And it’s not unheard of for the truck driver to let the customer’s dog outside, too. Ulring and Zach Jones founded Yellowstone Grassfed Beef in 2010 and since then the company has grown. Last year, the company sold about 125,000 pounds of grassfed beef, roughly twice the amount sold in its first year. Ulring manages J Bar L Ranch, with locations near Twin Bridges and in the Centennial Valley bordering Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Jones’s family has owned Twodot Land and Livestock near Harlowton since 1908. Jones’s family bought the land from homesteaders and Lynn Donaldson has been ranchLast year, Yellowstone Grassfed Beef sold about 125,000 pounds of beef, roughly twice the amount ing there for five sold in its first year. generations. The two ranchers had competing beef companies when they met at the Western Sustainability Exchange’s yearly “Harvest Celebration.” “I had been hearing about him and he had been hearing about us through our processor,” Ulring said. “I was like, ‘Oh, I hate that guy already’ — just the competitive nature in me. And then I was like, ‘Damn, I don’t hate that guy. I like him. He’s really smart.’”

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Ulring and Jones saw the opportunity for a partnership. The company now supplies beef for the University of Montana, Yellowstone National Park, Town & Country Foods, the Community Food Co-op, and a number of restaurants. In Bozeman, those restaurants include Open Range, Montana Ale Works, John Bozeman’s Bistro, The Garage, Sola Café, Nova, and Over the Tapas. Yellowstone Grassfeed Beef operates a meat truck at local farmer’s markets and recently started a program with Oracle, selling beef out of a truck in the parking lot there once a month. Yellowstone Grassfed Beef hopes to team up its meat truck with a food truck that sells its beef, such as Rendezvous Catering, in order to sell cuts of the same beef people are eating out of the food truck. “We want people to be eating Montana beef,” said Operations Manager Terry Hollingsworth. “Our animals are born and raised and processed here.” Despite an uptick in consumer demand for grass-fed beef, the market is still relatively small — around 3 percent of all U.S. beef sales. Lynn Donaldson

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Grassfed beef costs more. Yellowstone Grassfed Beef generally costs around $5.15 per pound – about 45 percent more than regular, grain-fed beef. But Ulring and Jones are concerned with what they call the “triple bottom line,” or the financial, social and ecological impacts of their business. It’s a philosophy they call “holistic management.” Grassfed beef is better for the land and for the cattle, Ulring said. “We as much as possible mimic natural cycles,” he said. “Really, the beef is sort of a byproduct. Our main intention is to manage the land well … We’re lucky the beef tastes as good as it does because the cattle are the tool to manage the land.” On the ranches, Ulring and Jones try to mimic what the buffalo used to do, roaming the land in packs. The two ranchers are constantly changing grazing patterns so the cattle are never in the same pasture repeatedly. As the cattle move, more types of grasses grow on the land, providing a wider range of nutrients for the cattle. Sagebrush, for example, contains more protein. So the healthier the grass is, the

Lynn Donaldson

healthier the cattle are, and the more nutrients the meat contains. “The cattle are eating what they’re supposed to be eating,” Ulring said. “Feeding cattle corn is not healthy. So, when the cattle are healthier, in return we’re healthy.” Grassfed beef is leaner and is higher in essential omega-3 fatty acids. It is also far less likely to carry diseases such as e. coli. The cattle are never confined to feed lots and get to stay in their social groups. Cattle from Yellowstone Grassfed Beef live longer than grain-fed cattle and the company’s cattle are finished locally. Yellowstone Grassfed Beef cattle are finished at 26- to 28-months old, compared to 14- to 16-months old for cattle raised in feedlots. “We process in Montana, which is significant,” Hollingsworth said. “We could ship to Colorado to process and ship back here for less money than it would cost to process here. Our single biggest expense is processing.” Ulring said the company chooses to process in Montana because he and Jones like the family that does the processing. “We raised animals with care and we want them to be handled with care,” Ulring said. Yellowstone Grassfed Beef also provides public education about holistic ranch management. Ulring and Jones have worked with the Montana Audubon Society to set up a program to educate people on the benefits of grassfed beef and the environmental benefits of local production. Yellowstone Grassfed Beef also works with the National Wildlife Refuge

and Nature Conservancy. For example, Ulring said the ranch is participating in a study on grazing plans that benefit sage grouse. And in a separate effort, pastures next to trumpeter swans’ nesting grounds are rested so the swans won’t be disturbed by cattle. The ranches also offer grazing tours and Ulring and Jones speak to students at Montana State University and other organizations. Both ranches have guest programs for tourists and locals who are interested in learning how grassfed beef is raised or who are interested in helping in the process. “Part of our holistic goal is to share what we’re learning,” Ulring said. “Anybody who is interested is invited to the ranches to see how the cattle are raised.” Amanda Ricker can be reached at aricker@dailychronicle.com. She is on Twitter at @ amandaricker.

B u s i n e s s j o u r n a l • A p r i l 2 9, 2 014

[ Quarterly advice for business and life from a revolving cast of three columnists ]

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Business Matters

On media buying By doug weber

Media buying is defined as “the procurement of media real estate at an optimal placement and price”. Small businesses often take the task of media buying on themselves. Sometimes things work out and sometimes the results are, well, lacking. I’ve often heard business owners describe how they decide on their media mix for advertising. In some cases, their definition of media buying reminds me of an overzealous cook improvising and not following a recipe. “A pinch of paprika, thyme, chili powder, and some lemon zest finishes it off. Should be fantastic!” When you take a bite, you smile, and when the cook isn’t looking you spit the creation into your napkin. Taking this same approach to media buying usually involves price as the first determinant of usage. A lot of businesses choose media based on price first and foremost. Keep in mind “price” and “value” are not the same thing. Fifty radio spots for $5 apiece sounds like a great deal right? Are they still a good deal when you find out that they ran on the least listened to station in the market, mostly between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.? If an ad runs and nobody sees or hears it, is it still an advertisement? So, with that in mind, here are some media buying basics to keep in mind:

Determine a budget. Small budgets are ok, but keep in mind that spending a little more on better options and more impressions can bring in significantly better results. Set goals for your campaign. Are you looking to brand, raise awareness, or create immediate results? Certain media are better for specific campaign goals than others. Newspapers provide a good reach and lend a “trust factor” to a brand. Billboards are good for branding and can be used locationally to drive immediate business to a retail store or restaurant. Digital marketing (geo-targeted or re-targeting) can

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deliver a very targeted and focused message. Each media has benefits, and it is important to understand how all the different options can be used to your benefit. Determine your target market. Who are your current customers? Where do you think you can do the most damage with your current promotion? What age, gender, and interests do these people have? Do you want to re-connect with current customers or attract new ones? Get prices and determine value. How much is it going to cost you to reach your target market? How much frequency will your message have? It is best to calculate a cost per thousand (CPM) to compare across media. Select your media. What media are your targeted customers using? TV? Radio? Newspaper? The web/ social media? A mix? This goes back to understanding the unique benefits

of each medium. A “media mix” that spreads your budget across several different outlets without diluting each execution is important. Negotiate your buys. Ask if there are any specials or “deals” going on. Make sure you are getting the best price available. Try and focus on frequency of the message….a small ad run frequently is better than a large ad run once. Follow up on the campaign. Track and follow placements to make sure that you are receiving what you paid for. If nobody or the wrong types of people see your message or campaign, your efforts will be wasted. Make sure you are following these basic media buying fundamentals to make sure your marketing efforts and bringing results to your business. Doug Weber is the head grunt at Mammoth Marketing in Bozeman. www.mammothmontana.com.

not a Member? Join Today!

ContaCt: Karri Clark (406) 922-0446 kclark@bozemanchamber.com

2014 – 2015 MeMbership Directory AD sAles Now AvAilAble DistributioN: • Copies will be hand delivered to Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce Member’s during Operation Thank You – week of June 9th • Copies will be placed at The Visitor Information Center at Yellowstone International Airport. • Additional copies are also displayed in the front lobby of The Chamber Center and available to visitors and business owners inquiring about Bozeman and Chamber Membership.

For questions regarding advertising or becoming a member, please contact: Karri Clark - Director of Sales & Membership operations, 406-922-0446

Tax time retirement notes

▲

Financial tips

By Steve hample

With tax returns now filed and financial data still fresh in our minds, it’s a good time to briefly assess financial progress. A simple effective method is to create a personal net worth statement and store it with the recently completed tax return. This needn’t be formal; quick jottings can be a start. Just list the rough value of things you own, such as a car, house, IRA account, other investments, bank checking or savings plus any other asset you might have. (If you own a business, use a conservative selling price.) Then list debts, such as a mortgage or credit card. Add up both lists and the difference will be your net worth. Accuracy is not as important as doing this each year to recognize progress. Most sports and contests keep score; isn’t it equally important to keep score in one’s real world finances? “Will I have enough to retire?” is a question that frequently arises when doing this. Actuarial tables, historical rates of return and “Monte Carlo” simulation computer programs can estimate the probability of having enough money to last throughout retirement. However, that’s like telling a first time skydiver, who is about to jump out of a plane, “there is a better than 95% chance your parachute will open.” The skydiver is focused on one particular chute, not general statistics. Likewise, a person jumping into retirement wants assurance of his or her own situation, especially if the person does not have a large government or corporate pension and will need income from savings and investments. Many corporations are no longer offering pen-

sion plans to new employees and instead offer 401(k) plans which raise uncertainty about investment returns and a possible stock market drop during retirement when money is needed and the person cannot wait for the market to recover. An annuity policy is about the only individual investment “guaranteed” (by an insurance company, not the government) to make payments for as long as one lives. Annuities are sometimes controversial. In the same week, I saw an ad by a national investment advisor headlined “I hate annuities” while in the AARP bulletin a columnist recommended purchasing an annuity. One’s viewpoint probably depends on whether the goal is to make money or avoid losing money. Annuities typically are relatively poor at providing investment returns, but quite good at insuring that people will not totally run out of money. The simplest example of an annuity is a contract whereby a person invests perhaps $100,000 and is guaranteed perhaps $1,000 per month for the rest of the person’s life. The monthly payment will vary greatly depending on the

persons age (and hence how many such payments the insurance company expects to make). If you live a long time you win and if you die early, you lose but you probably won’t care. (Payments can be structured to continue for a spouse.) Most annuity policies guarantee two things: that if left untouched the heirs will get back at least as much money as was invested and that once fixed annuity payments are started they will continue as long as the annuitant lives. Note that annuities are backed by the resources of an insurance company rather than the government and that the prospectus should always be examined before purchasing. Beyond those basics, there are more variations than ice cream flavors at Baskin Robbins. With some annuities money can be deposited in advance and left to grow tax deferred until the start of distributions at a later date. During that deferral time, various investment strategies are typically offered, often resembling mutual funds and/ or an interest rate savings account.

Many such policies offer special features for an additional expense, such as locking in an investment high water mark for use in computing a series of fixed monthly payments for the rest of one’s life or similar fixed arrangement. Some offer a lesser-guaranteed payment in retirement, but with the possibility of increasing payments if the investment choices perform well. Because of rising food and housing prices that last feature could be important. An annuity can be a guaranteed method to provide income for as long as one lives. Products vary greatly in benefits, expenses and financial strength of the insurance company providing guarantees. Read prospectuses before investing. For some people an annuity can be an important financial parachute. Dr. Stephen R. Hample, CFP, of Hample & Peck, owns an investment advisory business and a trust/banking corporation and is a registered representative of KMS Financial Services, Inc. Opinions expressed are his own. Comments or questions may be sent to Steve. Hample@KMSfinancial.com.

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B u s i n e s s j o u r n a l • A p r i l 2 9, 2 014

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Real talk

Good snow, strong sales By robyn erlenbush

I recently presented the 2013 yearend market summary with the anticipation that strong numbers would continue in terms of both sales and prices. After compiling statistics for the first quarter of 2014, the number of sales and inches of snow tell their own story. The information for this article was compiled from data reported to the Southwest Montana Multiple Listing Service (SWMLS). Within the Bozeman city limits, single-family home sales increased by 11 percent to 89 units comparing first quarter 2014 to 2013. The average sales price is $316,627 (up 5 percent), and the median is fairly stable at $275,000. The available inventory increased 7 percent to 106 active listings, assisted by robust new construction starts. Condo/ townhouse sales increased by 94 percent over 2013 to 66 units. The available inventory fell to 53 units as of March 31, 2014, which was a 33-percent decrease from the year before. This intuitively increased the average price by 27 percent to $213,583 and the median price 28 percent to $196,950. There are 87 condos pending at an average sales price of $221,141. New projects are starting to re-appear on our landscape with perfect market timing as we continue to have very strong demand and little supply. The area immediately surrounding Bozeman fared well, especially in the average price category. Single-family home sales increased 8 percent to 54 units sold in first quarter 2014, and the number of active units declined 9 percent to 205 properties. However, average sold price 12

A p r i l 2 9, 2 014 • B u s i n e s s j o u r n a l

increased an additional 15 percent to $495,706, and the median price is up to $345,800. The Belgrade market area continued to post strong numbers with a 24-percent increase in single-family sales to 36 units; inventory is fairly stable at 73 homes; average price is up 16 percent to $233,473; and median price increased 18 percent to $216,250. Condo/ townhouse sales declined by 1 unit and were down to only 6 available for sale at the end of last month. Average sales price declined slightly to $105,101 and median to $113,000. Big Sky, including Gallatin Canyon and West Yellowstone, increased by 19 percent to 25 sales and is down 13 percent in active listings to 112. There are 16 homes pending at an average price of $1,173,925. The average sold price for the first quarter decreased 20 percent to $802,197 and the median by 12 percent to $475,000. The decline in price is due in part to the strong buyer

demand in the lower prices ranges at Big Sky. As we go to press, most of the single-family homes under $500,000 have sold. Of particular interest is that many of these properties were purchased by Montana residents, and in particular Bozeman locals. The Big Sky condo/ townhome sales continued strong with a 58-percent increase to 38 units and a further decline in active inventory of 37 percent to 113 properties. The average price stayed steady at $453,101 comparing 2013 to 2014. There are 21 pending condos at an average price of $597,390. If we take a look at our combined local market - Bozeman, rural Bozeman, Belgrade and Manhattan/Three Forks - we find some interesting group dynamics. There are currently 429 homes on the market for sale with an average list price of $741,249. During the first quarter, 195 homes sold at an average of $344,306, and there are currently 201 pending sales with an average sales price of $358,329. Inventories are very low under $350,000, and we continue to see multiple offers in this price range. Livingston/Park County’s sales remained steady at 25 units in the first quarter of 2014 and

with a slight 3-percent increase in inventory up to 164 available units. The average sales price decreased 29 percent to $184,513, which can mostly be attributed to the fact that 7 of the 25 sales were foreclosures that closed at $117,339 and under. On a very bright note, Livingston’s pending sales are very robust at 23 units averaging $502,360. All in all, the first quarter produced the nice gains we were anticipating. While other parts of the nation blame bad weather and snow for their sluggish real estate sales, we experienced quite the contrary. Historically ski visitors always help real estate sales. Lots of snow brings lots of skiers. In fact, Bridger Bowl closed with 99 inches of snow, and Big Sky had over 100 inches on the upper mountain. The skier counts were also record breaking, with 217,000 skier visits to Bridger for a new annual record. Big Sky has received more than 450,000 skier visits, a 22-percent increase over 2013. Look for more good news to follow as we move into spring. Robyn Erlenbush is a downtown business owner and the broker/owner of ERA Landmark Real Estate (with offices in Bozeman, Big Sky, Livingston and Clyde Park), NAI Landmark Commercial and Intermountain Property Management. She can be reached at robyn@eralandmark.com.

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On the Record

permits filings patents Bankruptcies

(Business name, owner name, owner address, city, date)

New Service-Auto & RV Repairs/Maintenance CS Motorsports, Christo Spartas, 630 E. Cottonwood, Bozeman, March 7

Lee Peters, 505 Washington St., Belgrade, March 19 Schramm & Lewis LLC, Jason C. Schramm, 1001 Oak St., Suite 206, Bozeman, March 25

New Banks-General First Security Bank Cottonwood, First Security Bank, March 6

New Service-Bookkeeping Kat Tracking Booking & Payroll, Katrina Pryor Oppelt, 4314 Highway 89 S., Livingston, March 28

New Service-Health & Beauty Vixen, Michelle Catherine Mayer, 16 N. Tracy Ave., Bozeman, March 4

New Broadcasting-Radio and TV Cowles Montana Media Company, Cowles Montana Media Company, 2619 W. College St., Bozeman, March 26

New Service-Consulting Becky Gildersleeve Burglund, Becky S. Gildersleeve Berglund, 2023 Stadium Dr., Suite 2B, Bozeman, March 7 Collaborative Publishing Serices, Laura Jane Freeburg, 1445 Ash Dr., Bozeman, March 19 Legal Shield, Charles Mitchell DeShields, 506 W. Babcock St., Bozeman, March 28 Peters HR Consulting, Doreen

licenses

New Hotels/Motels Hotel 27, William E. Butler, P.O. Box 11788, Bozeman, March 28

New Service-Health Care Fortress & Personal Defense, March 7 New Service-Cleaning Service Alpinist Window Cleaning, Scott Andrew Sharrow, 3353 N. 27th Ave., Bozeman, March 25 James’s Dryer Vent Cleaning,

James Joseph Giannini, 3156 Oliver St., Bozeman, March 7 Jeanette’s Cleaning Service, Jeanette Marie Clement, 207 S. D St., Livingston, March 27 Misty Mountain Cleaning, Misty Dawn Simpson, 1802 W. Beall St. #D, Bozeman, March 26 New ServiceCommunications Blackfoot Communications, Blackfoot Communications Inc., 7330 Shedhorn Dr., Bozeman, March 24 Crystal Kramer, Crystal Ann Kramer, 4368 Glenwood Dr., Bozeman, March 26 New Service-Financial/ Investment Edward D. Jones & Co., March 6 New Service-Marketing & Advertising Journey Marketing, Joseph Francis Smith, 210 N. Seventh #51, Belgrade, March 10 New Service-Massage Therapy

Mountain Ash Bodywork, Michelle Lynn Mehlman, 17 S. Fifth Ave., Bozeman, March 7 Scents of Touch Massage, Paula Brinkerhoff, 101 E. Lexus Ave., Ellensburg, Wash., March 27 New Service-Personal Fitness Big Sky Barbell, Logan Lee Manzanares, 423 Greenway, Bozeman, March 7 Bozeman Taekwondo Academy, Robert Ray Cisco, 1309 Driftwood Dr., Bozeman, March 7 New Photography/ Processing Floodlight, Aaron P. Flood, 760 Roger’s Way, Bozeman, March 26 Phil Torres Photography, Philip Ray Torres, 1051 Springbrook Ave., Bozeman, March 31 New Manufacturing Nonhazardous Little Red Wagon Coffee Roasters, Natalie Robyn Vandusen, 800 S. Third Ave., Bozeman, March 19

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On the Record

con t.

New Service-Other Allegiant Building Management, March 4 Art Unleashed, Michelle Schreiber, 175 Morgan Creek Lane, Bozeman, March 19 Big Sky Grocery Delivery, Lacey Allison Norstrand, 902 1/2 W. Babcock St., Bozeman, March 19 Bridger Ridge Wellness Center, John Daniel Watts, 5707 Foster Lane, Belgrade, March 6 Brittany’s Helping Hands, Brittany Lynn Davenport, 409 N. Willson Ave. #28, Bozeman, March 7 Brother Ventures LLC, Jared Allen Shepperd, 100 Shepherds Trail, Bozeman, March 19 Chrisopher Turbuck Illustrati, Christopher James Turbuck, 307 N. Pondera Ave., Bozeman, March 24 Crystal Enterprises LLC, March 14 JB Trades LLC, Jason T. Bowers, 57 Elmwood Dr. Bozeman, March 31 JSH Art, Janelle

S. Higashida, 22 Bow Perch Lane, Apt. 1, Bozeman, March 24 Laura Hoehn, Attorney at Law, Laura Lee Hoehn, 321 E. Main St., Suite 417E, Bozeman, March 10 Usborne Books and More, Heather Overton, 4414 Brisbin St., Bozeman, March 24 New Service - Outside Services Bear Creek Lawncare Inc., Dilan Edward Saisbury, 9645 Bear Creek Road, Belgrade, March 7 New Rentals-Miscellaneous Basik Hertz, Nicholas John Leister, 984 Lower Tom Burke Road, Gallatin Gateway, March 24 New Retail-Clothing and/or Shoes Boot Barn #141, Boot Barn Inc., 909 W. Main St., Bozeman, March 28 New Retail-Furniture/Home Interiors Urbaine Home, Eraina Houser, 3195 Gardenbrook Lane, Bozeman, March 31

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New Retail-Other Bloomhardt Naturals, Kari K. Eliason, 308 Al Dr., Belgrade, March 25 Buckaroo Organics, Lindsay Elaine Herron, 921 Bates Road, Manhattan, March 25 The Perch Interiors LLC, Brian Richard Vlasie, 908 N. Rouse Ave., Bozeman, March 28 Stone Hound Productions, Sean Forbes, 3829 Laduke St., Bozeman, March 24 New Retail-Signs Midstate Signs LLC, Norman Harold Asbjornson, 215 Main, Winifred, March 24 New Contractors-Carpenters Bozeman Flooring, Robert J. Sparks, 1312 W. Babcock St., Bozeman, March 7 New Contractors-Concrete Precision Concrete Cutting, Matthew Haney, 3191 N. Canyon Road, Provo, Utah, March 7 New Contractors-Excavating Bozeman Excavation LLC, Joshua R.

Shook, 14225 Kelly Canyon Road, Bozeman, March 19 Zemljack Excavating, Molly Zemljack, 19 Lumberjack, Butte, March 19 New Contractors-General William Albee, William M. Albee, 607 W. Main St., Bozeman, March 7 Butonimo Construction, Thomas Ray Burt, 712B N. 22nd Ave., Bozeman, March 19 Corstone Contractors LLC, March Christopher Tapert, 1910 Bickford Ave., Snohomish, Wash., March 26 Erhardt Construction, Steven M. Erhardt, 934 Meagher Ave., Bozeman, March 28 Geissler Construction Inc., Mark B. Geissler, 14943 Bracketcreek Road, Bozeman, March 7 GM Construction, Gary James Melling, P.O. Box 342, Bozeman, March 26 Rees Construction LLC, Curtis Scott Rees, 396 Washburn Circle, West Yellowstone, March 10 Silent T Construction, John Jetter, 414 Quaw’s Blvd., Belgrade, March 7 Summit Construction, Pawel M. Kobacki, 2504 W. Main St., Suite 121, Bozeman, March 31 TNT

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Flooring & Design Inc., Theron Burling, 693 River Rock Dr., Belgrade, March 26 Utah Mechanical Contractors, Ianthius Olson Barlow, 14587 S. 790 W., Suite D, Riverton, Utah, March 26 Vaughn Anderson, M. Vaughn Anderson, 24246 Frontage Road, Bozeman, March 7 Westower Communications, Daniel Fredricksen, 6675 Falcon Lane, Bozeman, March 7 New Contractors-Handy Persons Aaron’s Handyman Service, Aaron A. McDonald, 6102 W. Shadow Dr., Bozeman, March 24 New Contractors-Heating, Vent, Air Conditioning Montana Climate Control Services, Royce Baines, 1037 Apples Way, Belgrade, March 26 New Contrators-Lawn Care and Landscaping KThorson Pro-Manage, Kris Vernnon Thorson, 11 Gallatin Dr., Unit A, Bozeman, March 25 Puritans, Dennis Richards, 2008

Livingston, Missoula, March 24 New Contractors-Mechanical Breezeway HVAC Inc., Millulard Barlow, P.O. Box 1468, Colorado City, Ariz., March 24 New Contractors-Painting David’s Painting, David Aldeen Helm, 100 Cottonwood Lane, March 24 Integrity First Finishes, Randy Vaughn Sneed, 3505 Fallon St. #D40, Bozeman, March 28 K&C Services LLC, Kyle Wayne Quantrille, 100 N. Davis St., Belgrade, March 26 New Contractors–Plumbing Bobcat Plumbing and Heating, William Powell, 16417 Frontage Road, Belgrade, March 6 New Contractors–Wood Working B Dan Lindholm, Dan Lindholm, 84 Prairie View Lane, Bozeman, March 24 MT Silver Pickers, Jesse James Guenther, 152 Thatch Wood Lane, Bozeman, March 24

New Property Managers/Agencies Above & Beyond Property Management, Arison Antonicci-Burns, 607 Professional Dr., Suite 3, Bozeman, March 7 Yellowstone Maintenance Group, Pawel M. Kobacki, 2504 W. Main St., Suite 121, Bozeman, March 31 New Bar/Lounge Anaconda Molly Brown, Allison Norriss, 703 W. Babcock St., Bozeman, March 6 Old Hatchery Winery LLC, Gary B. Kline, 2711 W. College St., Bozeman, March 24 Scoop Bar, Hard Times Inc., 712 W. Main St., Bozeman, March 7 New Food Service-Catering Wild Sage Food Etc., Elizabeth Kilby, 515 W. Peach St., Bozeman, March 7 New Food Service-Restaurant Over the Tapas, Dale Deutscher, 19 S. Willson Ave., Bozeman, March 27 New Food Service-Food Truck Hokulia Shave Ice, Amber Pommer-

ville, 16 Harvester Lane, Belgrade, March 7 Redneck ’Taters LLC, Kimberly Dawn Bates, 345 Hale Bopp Ave., Belgrade, March 19 New Food Service-Takeout Shucks Raw Bar, Patrick Welch, 123 S. Eighth Ave., Bozeman, March 26 The Bumble Bean LLC, Tammy Kay Cavanaugh, 9 Lancelot Lane, Bozeman, March 6 New Transient Merchants American Vacation International, David MacMillan, 1661 International Dr., Suite 400, Memphis, Tenn., March 19 cit y Filings

3/17, AutoZone, SIGN/COA. 3/18, Newton SHR, MODS to COA. 3/19, Bayley SHR, COA/ADR. 3/19, Doss Welch Residence, COA. 3/19, Willow Auditorium, COA.

B u s i n e s s j o u r n a l • A p r i l 2 9, 2 014

On the Record con t. 3/19, Annie MiSub Ph. 2 lots, PREL PLAT. 3/19, Cold Smoke Coffee, SIGN/COA. 3/20, Interstate Battery, SIGN/COA. 3/21, Edelen/Stillman Basement, COA/ ADR. 3/21, Lancer Place Lot 1 Blk 18 Cattail Cr. Ph. 2, PREL SP. 3/21, Cannery District, ZMA. 3/21, 215 N. Broadway ADU Demo, COA. 3/21, Martin Home Addition, COA DEV. 3/25, Dominick ADU, COA/ADR. 3/26, Stadium View Apts., FSP. 3/26, Spring Creek Village Lot 4 Master, FSP. 3/26, Four Points MaSub, PRE APP. 3/26, Laurel Glen Blk 9 Lot 1, GPA. 3/26, Laurel Glen Blk 9 Lot 1, ZMA. 3/26, Fresco Café, MODS to COMP. 3/27, Smith Res. Garage Demo, COA/ADR. 3/27, Dovetail Construction, SIGN/COA. 3/28, Bronzeleaf Condos Extension, MODS to FSP. 3/28, Stuart Mill, FSP. 3/28, Parker/Long Residence, CUP.

3/31, Scates Remodel/Addition, COA/ ADR. 3/31, West Winds Ph. 8 MaSub, PRE APP. 4/1, Islamic Center of Bozeman, MODS. 4/1, Hasenpflug Fireplace, COA/ADR. 4/1, Miller/Stix Addition/carport, COA/ ADR. 4/2, Muse Salon Studios, SP/COA. 4/2, Norton Ranch Multi-Family, SP. 4/4, Martin Garage, COA/ADR. 4/4, Codd Window Replacement, COA/ ADR. 4/4, Legacy Properties, SIGN/COA. 4/4, Bozeman TV, Furniture & Appliance, SIGN/COA. 4/4, Sola Café, MODS to COMP. 4/7, Legends at Bridger Creek II Ph. III MaSub, PREL PLAT. 4/8, All About Vacuums Exp., RE-USE. 4/8, Keith/Bueno Window, MODS to COA. 4/8, MT Financial Investment Demo, COA/ADR. 4/8, Food Co-op Parking/Landscaping, FSP. 4/8, Diamond Estates Condos, INF. 4/10, Sing Porch, COA/ADR.

4/15, Westerman Garage, COA/VAR. 4/16, Universal Athletic Artisan, CUP. 4/16, Flanders Mill MaSub, PREL PLAT. 4/16, Bozeman Deaconess Medical Offices Building S., CUP. 4/16, Hanson I Lot Minor Subdivision, PRE APP. 4/17, Cattail Springs Condos, FSP. 4/18, Hearts & Homes, COA/RE-USE.

over a peer-to-peer network. 8,694,606. April 8. Lee E. Cannon of Bozeman, Mick D. Roemer of Las Vegas, Nev., Robert Guinn of Henderson, Nev., and Michael J. Mitchell of Las Vegas, Nev. IGT of Las Vegas, Nev. Method and apparatus for gaming machines with a tournament play bonus feature. 8,690,661. April 8.

patents

Kevin Burgess of Sheridan, Wyo., Daniel E. Clawson of Fresno, Calif., David Yakos of Bozeman and Bryan Walthall of Bozeman. Big Horn Valve, Inc. of Sheridan, Wyo. Leak-free reciprocating stemmed valve. 8,690,119. April 8.

Wayne R. Thiem of Bozeman. Electric insulator. 8,697,999. April 15. Thomas L. Cable of Newbury, Ohio and Stephen W. Sofie of Bozeman. The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration of Washington, DC. Method for making a fuel cell from a solid oxide monolithic framework. 8,697,313. April 15.

Tim J. Watts of Billings, Alex Offerdahl of Stevensville, Joe Atwood of Bozeman, Jim Driscoll of Overland Park, Kan., Steve Loar of Billings, and Jeff Stabnow of Billings. Watts and Associates, Inc. of Billings. Systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer medium to determine premiums and indemnities for supplemental crop insurance. 8,688,483. April 1.

Justin F. Chapweske of Bozeman. Google, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif. Rate sensitive packet transfer mechanism

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William E. Kirkpatrick of Bozeman. Centrifugal fan. 8,684,676. April 1. Wayne H. Hanson of Bozeman. Foldable adjustable dynamic wheelchair. 8,684,396. April 1. Benjamin Meager of Bozeman. Paha Designs, LLC of Denver, Colo. Pressure equalization apparatus for a bottle and methods associated therewith. 8,684,205. April 1. Lee E. Cannon of Bozeman, Mike Maroney of Bozeman, Robert Gunn of Henderson, Nev., Mick D. Roemer of Las Vegas, Nev., William R. Adams of Las Vegas, Nev. And Jason DeGrandmaison of Atlantic City, NJ. IGT of Reno, Nev. Methods and apparatus for providing tickets from gaming devices and/or lottery terminals. 8,678,916. March 25. Lee E. Cannon of Bozeman and Don G. DuPerault of Las Vegas, Nev. IGT of Las Vegas, Nev. Method, apparatus and system for perpetual bonus game. 8,678,900. March 25. Hubert E. Kolde of Mercer Island, Wash., James A. Billmaier of Woodinville, Wash., John M. Kellum of Seattle, Wash., Dewey Reid of San Rafael, Calif. and Philip Rogan of Bozeman. ARRIS Enterprises, Inc. of Suwanee, GA. System and method of contextual pre-tuning. 8,677,276. March 18. permits

Commercial Addition 212 S. Wallace, Olive & Wallace LLC, Langlas & Associates, Inc., $1,099,800. Commercial Hotel/Motel 25 E. Mendenhall, G25 Holding LLC, Martel Construction, Inc., 69,100 Sq Ft, $8,867,603. Commercial Offices/Banks/Professional Buildings 1915 S. 19th, 19th Street Properties, Dick Anderson Construction, 17,142 Sq Ft, $1,987,272. Commercial Stores & Customer Service 175 N. 19th, Montana CVS Pharmacy, Core Stoneworks, Inc., 7,381 Sq Ft, $622,144.

Commercial Tenant Improvement 111 S. Grand, Emerson Center Holdings LLC, Pinnacle Construction, Inc., $2,000. 219 N. 19th, Town & Country Associates, Westower Communications, $65,000. 2051 W. Oak, Hawkins Companies, Alpenglow Homes, Inc., 4,500 Sq Ft, $149,799. 1216 W. Lincoln, Joseph and Janet Columbo, Langlas & Associates, Inc., $70,000. 448 E. Main, Dave Cecich, Allegiant Building Management, $39,000. 717 W. College, Mini Mart, Inc., Potter Commercial Walls, $30,000. 915 W. Main, No Owner Listed, Walker Construction, $100,000. 1511 W. Babcock, Harris Brothers LP, Renaissance Renovations LLC, $20,000. 346 Gallatin Park, Here 4 Properties LLC, No Contractor Listed, $140,000. 111 S. Grand, Emerson Center Holdings LLC, Erhardt Construction, $3,200. Demolition Permit 405 S. 20th, JLG Blue LLC, Kleen King of Bozeman LLC, No Value Listed. 519 N. Black, Jason A. Delmue, Branson Construction, $1,500. Fire Protection Systems Permit 316 E. Main, Fraternal Order of Eagles 326, Coppermine Fire Suppression Systems, $4,000. 1915 N. Rouse, Dave Osterman, Burtell Fire Protection, $54,446. 210 S. Cottonwood, HRDC District IX, Rotherham Construction, Inc., $75,500. 740 Haggerty, Park West MT at Saddle View LLC, Park West MT at Saddle View LLC, $18,410. 730 Haggerty, Park West MT at Saddle View LLC, Park West MT at Saddle View LLC, $18,410. 780 Haggerty, Park West MT at Saddle View LLC, Park West MT at Saddle View LLC, $18,410. 750 Haggerty, Park West MT at Saddle View LLC, Park West MT at Saddle View LLC, $18,410. 776 Haggerty, Park West MT at Saddle View LLC, Park West MT at Saddle View LLC, $18,410. 784 Haggerty, Park West MT at Saddle View LLC, Park West MT at Saddle View LLC, $18,410.

790 Haggerty, Park West MT at Saddle View LLC, Park West MT at Saddle View LLC, $18,410. 210 S. Cottonwood, HRDC District IX, Rotherham Construction, Inc., $10,194. Sign Permit 240 E. Main, AKM 238 LLC, No Contractor Listed, $350. 676 S. Ferguson, Linda Lennon, SCS Unlimited, Inc., $125. 915 W. Main, No Owner Listed, Signs of Montana, $7,250. 12 E. Main, Masonic Temple, Inc., SCS Unlimited, Inc., $120. 16 N. 9th, P. Harold and Ella Mae Warrar, Signs of Montana, $2,150. Residential Attached Single Family Dwelling 2784 Hedgerow, M and S Holdings LLC, Triple MT Construction, 2,057 Sq Ft, $186,038. 2792 Hedgerow, M and S Holdings LLC, Triple MT Construction, 2,057 Sq Ft, $186,038. 968 Twin Lakes, First Time Home Buyers LLC, Kirchhoff Construction, 1,506 Sq Ft, $115,107. 974 Twin Lakes, First Time Home Buyers LLC, Kirchhoff Construction, 1,506 Sq Ft, $128,266. 1018 Twin Lakes, First Time Home Buyers LLC, Kirchhoff Construction, 1,506 Sq Ft, $128,266. 1006 Twin Lakes, First Time Home Buyers LLC, Kirchhoff Construction, 1,506 Sq Ft, $128,266. 996 Twin Lakes, First Time Home Buyers LLC, Kirchhoff Construction, 1,506 Sq Ft, $128,266. 982 Twin Lakes, First Time Home Buyers LLC, Kirchhoff Construction, 1,506 Sq Ft, $128,266. 1046 Twin Lakes, First Time Home Buyers LLC, Kirchhoff Construction, 1,506 Sq Ft, $128,266. 1024 Twin Lakes, First Time Home Buyers LLC, Kirchhoff Construction, 1,506 Sq Ft, $128,266. 2766 Hedgerow, Shane Collins Construction, Inc., Shane Collins Construction, Inc., 2,629 Sq Ft, $246,035. 2778 Hedgerow, Shane Collins Construction, Inc., Shane Collins Construction, Inc., 2,310 Sq Ft, $210,855. Residential Single Family Dwelling 888 Advance, Vision Development, Vision Development, Inc., 2,339 Sq Ft, $213,596. B u s i n e s s j o u r n a l â&#x20AC;˘ A p r i l 2 9, 2 014

On the Record con t. 1224 Cherry, Laura Sullivan-Russett, Von Construction, Inc., 2,776 Sq Ft, $255,988. 1393 Kenyon, David B. and Virginia A. Milne, Chase-Skogen Homes, Inc., 2,398 Sq Ft, $221,433. 870 Josephine, Phyllis Sangster, Chase-Skogen Homes, Inc., 2,393 Sq Ft, $218,392. 153 Pond Lily, Norton Ranch Homes LLC, Norton Ranch Homes LLC, 2,512 Sq Ft, $233,707. 288 Pond Lily, Norton Ranch Homes LLC, Norton Ranch Homes LLc, 2,291 Sq Ft, $210,363. 3815 Galloway, ROI LLC, ROI LLC, 2,538 Sq Ft, $222,580. 1668 Buckrake, Joe Mahar, Roset and Associates, Inc., 2,357 Sq Ft, $215,173. 1086 Agate, Mt. View Homes, Inc., Aaron Mills Construction, $199,400. 130 Pond Lily, Norton Ranch Homes LLC, Norton Ranch Homes LLC, 1,872 Sq Ft, $166,375.

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4532 Draft Horse, Gregory and Margaret Kujawa, Rasmussen Construction, Inc., 5,404 Sq Ft, $513,484. 840 Jardine, JBE LLC, Fortin Construction LLC, 2,668 Sq Ft, $252,083. 868 Jardine, JBE LLC, Fortin Construction LLC, 2,668 Sq Ft, $252,083. 1017 Forest Glen, Lake Davis, Davis Development LLC, 2,979 Sq Ft, $263,214. 4206 Toole, Stewart Enterprises, Inc., Stewart Enterprises, Inc., 2,500 Sq Ft, $233,427. 822 Jardine, JBE LLC, Fortin Construction LLC, 2,668 Sq Ft, $252,083. 3827 Galloway, ROI LLC, ROI LLC, 2,016 Sq Ft, $180,373. Residential Duplex 2780 Fen, Vaughn Anderson, Vaughn Anderson, 5,278 Sq Ft, $503,442. Residential Alteration 1116 W. Curtiss, Magnus and Rebecca McCaffrey, Blue Moose Builders, $4,300. 1624 S. Rouse, Christopher Kelley, Essential Point Construction, $5,000.

907 Aster, Thomas and Kathy Pallach, Rees Construction LLC, $5,000. 2412 Spring Creek, Joseph S. and Elizabeth G. Rosson, Alpine Reflections, Inc., $60,000. 1419 S. 3rd, Linda Mews, Cavallini Construction LLC, $50,000. 314 N. Black, Peter and Julie Belschwender, Onsite Energy LLC, $27,850. 745 Aster, Richard C. and Laura B. Harden, Wizards of Wood LLC, $800. 607 W. Babcock, Michel Tallichet, Lutey Construction, $37,085. 218 S. Willson, Lynwood and Mariana Johnston, Marlin Property Associates, $1,000. 625 E. Mendenhall, Diane Loretta Gerber, Owner, $5,000. 344 Greenway, Daniel and Shannon Harkin Cahill, Imaginethat, Inc., $600. Residential Reroof 732 S. Tracy, Jonathan and Amy Harstedt, Denali Construction, Inc., $5,800. 1079 Springbrook, Nathan and Jaylin Knutson, Meridian Roofing Services, Inc., $12,000.

bankruptcies

Michelle Lynn Aune. PO Box 4762. Bozeman. Chapter 7. March 17. Womack. Shannon Denise Kutzler. PO Box 407. Livingston. Chapter 7. March 18. Womack. Cliff Edward Silber. 1 Gardner Park Dr. Bozeman. Chapter 7. March 19. Womack. Tiesha Carin Franzen. 756 Forest Glen Dr. Apt. A. Bozeman. Chapter 7. March 20. Richardson. Cynthia Louise Paull, PO Box 115. Manhattan. Chapter 7. March 20. Womack. Andrew Christopher Campbell. PO Box 156. Gallatin Gateway. Chapter 13. March 24. Drummond. Jessica Ann McKenzie, aka Jessica Ann Merchant. 16417 Frontage Rd. Unit 2. Belgrade. Chapter 7. March 25. Richardson. Yvonne Marie Sayers. 113 Kennedy St. Belgrade. Chapter 13. March 25. Drummond. Matthew Armson Beavon. 2630 Blackwood Rd. Bozeman. Chapter 7. March 31. Womack. Teena Marie Hagan, fka Teena Marie Brugh. 512 Garnier Ave. Livingston.

Chapter 7. March 31. Richardson. Danial Dale Rice and Marvena Rice. PO Box 2838. Norris. Chapter 7. March 31. Womack. Barbara Ann French. 1432 W. Babcock. Bozeman. Chapter 7. April 8. Womack. Pamela Jane Peltier. PO Box 754. Livingston. Chapter 7. April 8. Richardson. David James Doyle and Judy Lynne Doyle, fka Judy Lynne Sanderson. 5950 Walker Rd. Bozeman. Chapter 7. April 9. Womack. Gina Bausch, aka Gina Franklin. 2900 Branding Iron Rd. Bozeman. Chapter 7. April 14. Womack. Jamie Nichole Lowery, fka Jamie N. Dabney. 893 North River Rock Dr., Belgrade. Chapter 7. April 15. Richardson. Kyle Frederick Brenner and Michelle Rene Brenner. 211 S. 5th St. Livingston. Chapter 7. April 15. Womack. Misti Hospodor Davis. 1123 North River Rock Dr. Belgrade. Chapter 7. April 17. Richardson. Boice Lee Atkinson and Marsha Lynn Atkinson. PO Box 284. Harrison. Chapter 7. April 18. Womack.

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B u s i n e s s j o u r n a l • A p r i l 2 9, 2 014

Bozeman Area business calendar Bozeman Events

5/1 • Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce Business Before Hours, 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at Holiday Inn, 5 Baxter Ln. Free for members, $25 for non-members. Register at www.bozemanchamber.com. 5/5- 5/8 • MSU Extended University, Prospera’s Montana Women’s Business Center and Downtown Bozeman Association Intro to Quickbooks, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Extended University Downtown Education Center, 20 E. Olive LL10. Cost is $149. Register at eu.courses.montana.edu. 5/6 • Downtown Bozeman Association Board Meeting, 8:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., Downtown Bozeman Partnership Office, 222 E. Main St. Suite 302. All are welcome. Visit www.downtownbozeman.org for more information. 5/13 • Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce Assistance for Business Clinic, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Holiday Inn, 5 Baxter Ln. $35 for members, $40 for non-members. Call (406) 586-5421 to register. 5/14 • Bozeman Business and Professional Women Luncheon, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., at Holiday Inn, 5 E. Baxter. Register at www.bozemanbpw.org. 5/16 • Bozeman Business and Professional Women Board Meeting, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., at the Bank of Bozeman Conference Room. Members welcome.

Visit www.bozemanbpw.org for more information. 5/20 • Manufacturing Roundtable—Shipping Panel, 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Manufacturing Extension Center, 2310 University Way Building 2, $15 for Prospera Business Network members, $25 for non-members. 5/20 • Tax Increment Fund Board Meeting, 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Downtown Bozeman Partnership office. 5/21 • Business & Community Issues—MSU Coaches: Reflection & Predictions, sponsored by Cloud Peak Energy, 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Holiday Inn, 5 Baxter Ln. Call (406) 586-5421 to register. 5/21 • Business Improvement District Board Meeting, 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Downtown Bozeman Partnership office. 5/22 • Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Carpet Mill Outlet, 8334 Huffine Ln. Free for members, $25 for non-members. More information at www.bozemanchamber.com. 5/28 • Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce Full Board Meeting, 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at the Bozeman Chamber, 2000 Commerce Way. Visit www.bozemanchamber.com for more information. 5/28 • Bozeman Business and Professional Women Luncheon, 12

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To contribute the Business Calendar email srandrus@dailychronicle.com

p.m. to 1 p.m., at Holiday Inn, 5 E. Baxter. Register at www.bozemanbpw.org.

tion at www.prosperabusinessnetwork. org.

5/29 • Manufacturing and International Trade Day, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at Holiday Inn, 5 Baxter Ln. Cost is $50. More information at www.prosperabusinessnetwork.org.

5/8 • Network Live! 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Growing Roots Preschool & Learning Center. Visit www.livingstonchamber.com for more information.

belgrade Events

5/1 • Belgrade Chamber of Commerce President’s Circle, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Meeting open to past presidents and past board of directors of the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce. 5/15 • Belgrade Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visit www.belgradechamber. org for more information. 5/20 • Belgrade Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting, 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., at the Belgrade Chamber. Visit www.belgradechamber.org for more information. 5/22 • Belgrade Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Visit www.belgradechamber. org for more information.

park county Events

5/7 • Prospera Business Network, Montana Women’s Business Center, Livingston Job Service, and MSU Park County Extension Forward Business Services, 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. More informa-

5/22 • Network Live! 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Paradise Printworks, West Park St., Livingston. Visit www.livingstonchamber.com for more information.

Madison county Events

5/1 • Ennis Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5 p.m to 7 p.m., at Prudential Montana Real Estate. Visit www.ennischamber.com for more information. 5/3 • Buy Local Expo, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Madison County Fair Grounds. Visit www.rubyvalleychamber.com for more information. 5/13 • Ennis Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting, 9 a.m., at First Madison Valley Bank, Ennis. Visit www.ennischamber.com for more information. 5/17 • Ennis Chamber of Commerce Tap Into Ennis 1st Annual Brew and Spirit Fest. Visit www.ennischamber.com for more information. 5/17 • Virginia City Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Chamber Dinner & Auction, 5 p.m. Cost is $30. Visit www. virginiacity.com for more information.

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406-587-8600 | bozeman.mannmortgage.com 20

A p r i l 2 9, 2 014 • B u s i n e s s j o u r n a l

Mike Styren NMLS #257860

Shannon Foley NMLS #265969

parting words

Parting Words is a business advice column written by a rotating cast of business owners in southwest Montana. Send future columnist suggestions to jasonb@dailychronicle.com

b y k at e w i g g i n s gu e st colu m n ist

Things I’ve learned along the way As a Southerner, I love to tell tales. This one happens to be true. One dark and stormy night (okay, not stormy, just dark), I pulled into Bozeman, Montana for the first time, my Civic containing an air mattress, a few clothes, and one terrified and thrilled 27-year-old girl. I had left an intense job I hated to go to Montana to “I dunno...maybe work in a coffee shop for a while?” The next morning, I woke early to a coffee-maker-less kitchen. I walked to Main Street and stumbled into The Leaf & Bean. (Note: this wasn’t as big a coincidence as it would be now, as there were only two coffee shops in the core of downtown Bozeman at the time. Can you imagine such scarcity?) The girl at the till was really nice, so I decided I’d apply for a job. Wherever you are these days, Jessica Neubert, I owe you one. I was a Leaf & Bean employee six days later. My boss, Sarah Young, noticed that I had a touch more experience than the average barista applicant and asked if I’d be a manager. A management role didn’t fit in my responsibility-shirking mountain girl ideal, but I decided to go for it anyway. Turned out that I really loved working at this little coffee shop. Six weeks after I started, Sarah let me in on a little secret: she was thinking of selling her businesses (she also owned Kate Wiggins, owner of Leaf & Bean Coffeehouse Poor Richard’s). She wanted to assure me that my job would be safe, as she wanted a who would want to carry them forward in buyer who would appreciate the businesses’ these traditions - i.e., someone who wouldn’t respective histories and personalities, and come in and clean house. I still have no idea

where my next words came from: “I’m not worried. I’m gonna buy it.” At the time, I had only the aforementioned Civic and an iPod to offer as collateral for a loan. It took some major leaps of faith from my parents, from Sarah, and from Ron Farmer at First Security Bank to make it work. At the end of the handful of months it took to work all this out, I still wasn’t completely confident that I could do it, but I figured that if these people thought I could, that’d do. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle doesn’t have enough paper or ink to print all the things I’ve learned along the way. I somehow had enough worldliness at 27 to know that I had no idea what to expect, so that staved off surprises. I trucked forward just expecting crazy stuff to happen, and to that end, I’ve never been disappointed. After eight years, this is what I know:

Mike greener

1. The success of your business doesn’t determine your worth as a person. I still have to remind myself of this. When I decided to close the 19th Avenue location when our lease was up in 2011, I fought the Failure Gremlins pretty hard. They’re mean and nasty and will try to make you forget all the lessons you learned from a less-than-awesome experience. Don’t let them win. parting words Continued on page 23

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A p r i l 2 9, 2 014 • B u s i n e s s j o u r n a l

parting words con t. f rom page 21

2. A coffee shop can be about so much more than a daily fix of caffeine. I know a man who met his wife at The Bean while composing a breakup letter to his then-fiancé. My friend Sarah wrote her business plan for Red Ants Pants at our tables. One of my favorite pieces of our business model is the network of partnerships we’ve created with local non-profits, evolving the definition of a community center. 3. While it’s tempting to hire people who are like you, you’ll find more success with the ones who aren’t. Our store manager is practical to my whimsical, disciplined to my scattered, calm to my crazy. I worship the ground she walks on. 4. To take #3 to a broader scale, know what you are and what you aren’t and stick with it. When we started catering, I had to take some time to figure out our niche. We aren’t the fancy, whitegloved types, and we don’t want to be. By focusing on ironing out all the details beforehand and flying so low under the radar at an event that we’re often undetected, we have tapped into a market of folks who have more things to concern themselves with than getting everyone fed. 5. If someone offers help, and you need it, take it. So many of us would rather help than be helped, but as soon as we (consciously or unconsciously) stigmatize receiving help, we stigmatize giving help. This, of course, doesn’t mean taking any and all offers that come your way. If the devil offers you a fiddle of gold because he thinks he’s better than you, I trust you’ll know what to do. (Fun fact: Charlie Daniels is a fellow North Carolinian. I suppose “The Devil Went Down To North Carolina” just

doesn’t have the same ring, which I consider a damn shame.) Last year, a friend offered to remodel our bathroom. He had known me since his daughter first trained me at The Bean in 2005 (and helps keep my head on straight to this day), and he knew that I didn’t have the money to do it myself. So he bought all the supplies, did all the work, and gave the shop a much-needed update. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay him, but if I had worried about that too much at the time, I would have missed out on an amazing gift. 6. Sometimes it sucks so, so bad that you don’t know if you’ll make it. But you do. The most difficult time of this entire experience, by far, was the 2012 holiday season. By this point, I’d sold Poor Richard’s to my father, who, by the way, has made it so much more fantastic than I ever did. In November 2012, a beloved employee of his passed away, suddenly and unexpectedly. It was torturous, making our way through a holiday season in retail while our hearts were breaking. I’ll always have a place in my heart for all the L&B employees who took shifts at Poor Richard’s those two months, who cared enough about the businesses and my family to make it work. 7. I have a love/hate relationship with the word “balance.” It sounds so lovely, in theory. So my best stab at it is this: have fun. It’s so tempting to keep going, cross another item off the to-do list, just another few emails...if you don’t create time for play, rest, personal growth, fresh air and sunshine, gratitude, sleep, etc., then they won’t happen on their own. If you can get all those things while you’re earning your living, you’ve stumbled on to something really great. I’m lucky enough to work with a great group of people who encourage this in each other. 8. Ah, crap. I only know seven things.

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A p r i l 2 9, 2 014 • B u s i n e s s j o u r n a l