Tester to hold 15th Small Business Opportunity Workshop

Senator: Connect your business with the tools you need to “Hit Your Stride”

(U.S. Senate) – Senator Jon Tester today announced he is hosting his fifteenth Small Business Opportunity Workshop in Missoula on July 17th at the University of Montana.

Alex “Papu” Rincon, founder of Montana’s notable “four0six” brand, will key note the workshop. Marketing experts Jake Cook of Montana State University and Tadpull Digital Marketing and Jane Kober of Parker Hannifin will also address small business owners.

Tester’s fifteenth Small Business Opportunity Workshop will help Montana small businesses hit their stride by connecting industry leaders with Montana entrepreneurs to expand opportunities, create jobs, and take their business to the next level.

Hitting Your Stride: Turning a Montana Small Business into a Montana Success
Friday, July 17, 2015
8:00 a.m. MST
University of Montana’s University Center Theater
Missoula, MT

Tester’s Business Advancement Panel will include:
• Paddy Fleming, Montana Manufacturing Extension Center Director
406-994-3812, pfleming@coe.montana.edu
• Carey Hester, Montana U.S. Export Assistance Center International Trade Specialist
406-370-0097, carey.hester@trade.gov
• Roger Hopkins, Small Business Administration Deputy District Director
406-441-1083, roger.hopkins@sba.gov
• Kirk Keysor, Economic Development Administration Economic Development Representative
406-599-9795, kkeysor@eda.gov
• Brigitta Miranda-Freer, Montana World Trade Center Executive Director
406-243-6983, brigitta@mwtc.org
• Meg O’Leary, Montana Department of Commerce Director
406-841-2708, moleary@mt.gov

Tester’s Business Success Panel includes:

Neil Stuber, owner of Hurraw Lip Balm in Whitefish, Montana. Neil and his wife started their business because of an obsession to create the perfect balm. Today they produce an all-natural lip balm made from premium raw, organic, and fair trade ingredients. Neil and his wife market and sell their product across the world at Hurrawbalm.com.
Contact: 406-730-2571, neil@hurrawbalm.com

Laura Meissenburg, owner of Meissenburg Designs in Bigfork, Montana. Laura and her husband, Loyd, design and hand make large wooden signs for business across the country from their shop in Flathead County. They employ 33 people and their customers include Disney, Harley Davidson, Makers Mark, as well as many National Parks. More can be found at oldwoodsigns.com.
Contact: 406-837-3005, laura@woodsigns.com

Robin Béquet, owner of Béquet Caramels in Bozeman. Robin left a career in technology sales management after 27 years in 2001 to follow her passion. She has received multiple national awards for her homemade caramels, which are now available in over 700 markets across the country. More can be found at bequetconfections.com.
Contact: 406-586-2191, sales@bequetconfections.com

Tester’s Business Shipping Panel will include:
– Mike Gruenke and Matt Jones, BNSF
– Jim Lewis, Montana Rail Link
– Mark Edem, FedEx
– Maryann Comstock, UPS
– David Hawkins, USPS

Tester’s workshop is free and open to the public. Montanans interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP HERE.

The agenda for the Small Business Opportunity Workshop is available HERE.

A recap of Tester’s past Small Business Opportunity Workshops can be found HERE.