Venture Boldly

Jennifer Cronk
  • 5.0 (6)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

A podcast from The Discover Kalispell Chamber about the initiatives, programs, people, news and businesses you need to know about in Kalispell and the Flathead Valley.

  1. The Case for Agritourism in Montana with Mike Sullivan of Longview Lavender Farm

    3D AGO

    The Case for Agritourism in Montana with Mike Sullivan of Longview Lavender Farm

    Send us your feedback! Mike Sullivan planted lavender in Northwest Montana and lost it all. Twice. What kept him going is a story about more than farming. At Longview Lavender Farm in the Flathead Valley, Mike turned a stubborn specialty crop into a thriving agritourism business, one that creates local jobs and keeps farmland open.  We talk about how he cracked the code on Montana's soil and climate, why direct-to-consumer beats commodity farming, and how lavender becomes everything from essential oils to fire starters. But the bigger conversation is about land.  The conversation widens to land use and community impact: growth pressures, zoning, and why agritourism can help smaller farms compete when farmland prices make commodity agriculture harder to justify. If you care about sustainable agriculture, rural economies, or what it takes to keep agriculture part of the Flathead Valley’s identity, this podcast is for you.  Longview Lavender Farm | Pure Essential Lavender Oil Products | United States Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    28 min
  2. Child Care Center Business Insights with Corinne Kuntz, The Birds Nest Early Learning Village

    APR 20

    Child Care Center Business Insights with Corinne Kuntz, The Birds Nest Early Learning Village

    Send us your feedback! Infant child care is one of the biggest hidden barriers to workforce participation—and one of the hardest services to sustain. In this episode, Corinne Kuntz of Bird’s Nest Early Learning Village shares her transition from in-home care to a purpose-built center and what it reveals about the real challenges facing child care in the Flathead. We break down the numbers behind the model—why infant care often operates at a loss, how programs stay viable, and what shifting policies mean for providers and families. Corinne also offers practical insight on expansion, staffing, and building trust with parents, along with strategies like summer programs and youth internships that support working families and strengthen the future workforce. The Birds Nest Early Learning Village in Kalispell Montana Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    32 min
  3. Entrepreneurship in the Flathead: Wachholz Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center with Eric Harry

    APR 6

    Entrepreneurship in the Flathead: Wachholz Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center with Eric Harry

    Send us your feedback! In this episode, we sit down with Eric Harry of the Wachholz Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Flathead Valley Community College to tackle a key question: how do we help founders build and stay in Northwest Montana? Eric shares insights from his work in global entrepreneurship and local startup development, highlighting what actually moves the needle—strong mentorship, real connections, and a community that shows up. We discuss the “missing middle” in business growth, why talent leaves, and how initiatives like Brew & Build are creating a more connected, founder-focused ecosystem. If you care about workforce, innovation, or the future of the Flathead Valley, this conversation offers practical takeaways and a clear path forward. Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    35 min
  4. Downtown Kalispell Forward: A New Chapter for Kalispell’s Core

    MAR 23

    Downtown Kalispell Forward: A New Chapter for Kalispell’s Core

    Send us your feedback! Downtown Kalispell is evolving quickly, and community leaders are working to ensure that growth happens with intention. In this episode, Brenden Craig of First Interstate Bank sits down with Lorraine Clarno, President and CEO of the Kalispell Chamber, and Gabe Mariman of Bias Brewing to discuss Downtown Kalispell Forward—a new alignment that brings the Kalispell Downtown Association under the Chamber. The conversation explains why this change matters now and how it creates a clearer, more coordinated voice for downtown businesses and partners. The discussion also explores what the merger means in practical terms for Main Street. From simplifying dues and reducing administrative overlap to strengthening event support and advocacy, the goal is a more efficient structure that helps downtown thrive. The group also looks ahead to the next 12–18 months, discussing how stronger collaboration can support business vitality, tourism, and talent attraction while shaping a vibrant, active downtown for residents and visitors alike. Downtown Forward - Kalispell Chamber Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    29 min
  5. Smart Growth, Strong Community: Inside Kalispell’s Next Chapter with City Manager, Jarod Nygren

    MAR 9

    Smart Growth, Strong Community: Inside Kalispell’s Next Chapter with City Manager, Jarod Nygren

    Send us your feedback! Kalispell is growing, and the decisions we make now will shape the next decade. In this episode, City Manager Jarod Nygren breaks down how the city is planning for infrastructure, housing, and downtown vitality to stay ahead of that growth. We discuss long-range planning, permitting timelines, and how clear policies create predictability for residents, businesses, and investors. We also explore attainable homeownership options, workforce stability, and the role of parks, trails, and Main Street improvements in preserving community character. If you want a clear look at where Kalispell is headed—and how growth can be managed thoughtfully—this conversation is worth your time. City of Kalispell: Kalispell, MT | Official Website Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    30 min
  6. Growing Roots Early Learning Center: A Conversation with Center Director, Leigh Ann Downie-Economy

    FEB 24

    Growing Roots Early Learning Center: A Conversation with Center Director, Leigh Ann Downie-Economy

    Send us your feedback! Childcare is essential workforce infrastructure. In this episode, Leigh Ann Downie-Economy, Director of Growing Roots Early Learning Center in Kalispell, shares what it takes to create a high-quality early learning center—from facility upgrades and safety requirements to hiring and retaining strong educators. We discuss how ARPA funding supported launch and expansion, the real cost of care, and where demand is highest in the Flathead Valley—especially for infants, toddlers, and after-school programs. This conversation offers practical insight for families, employers, and community leaders navigating today’s childcare landscape. Growing Roots Early Learning Center Immanuel Living Best Beginnings Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    27 min
  7. Kalispell Education Foundation: Community Support, Classroom Impact

    FEB 10

    Kalispell Education Foundation: Community Support, Classroom Impact

    Send us your feedback! Public funding covers the basics in Montana schools, but targeted donations drive innovation. In this episode, Dorothy Drury of the Kalispell Education Foundation shares how Montana school funding really works and how the KEF's fast, teacher-driven grants are turning small dollars into real classroom impact.  She shares the growth of the foundation’s impact—from under $10,000 serving about 1,000 students to roughly $50,000 reaching more than 5,600 students. Many grants fund durable tools that benefit students for years. Community partnerships make this possible, including strong local bank support and a $25,000 Applied Materials gift launching a STEM fund for larger workforce-aligned projects. Listeners can help by staying informed on levies, donating to the foundation or STEM fund, and giving through matching campaigns to multiply impact.   Tune in to learn more about the difference that the Kalispell Education Foundation makes in Kalispell Public Schools.  Links: Kalispell Education Foundation Thank you to our podcast sponsors, First Interstate Bank, Weyerhaeuser, and Nomad GCS for helping make this podcast possible.  Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    29 min
  8. 2025 Business Person of the Year: Mark Johnson

    12/22/2025

    2025 Business Person of the Year: Mark Johnson

    Send us your feedback! A bitter cold snap can turn the grid into a high-wire act, and few people understand those stakes like Mark Johnson, CEO and General Manager of Flathead Electric Cooperative (FEC) and the 2025 Kalispell Chamber Business Person of the Year. Mark's 25+ years at FEC brings decades of steady leadership to keeping power reliable and rates stable as the Flathead Valley grows. In this conversation, he explains the role of hydropower, the limits of transmission, and how long-term planning and a service-first mindset support affordable, dependable electricity. Beyond the grid, Mark is deeply committed to community service, with long-standing volunteer leadership roles that reflect the cooperative model in action. He shares lessons from guiding organizations through challenging times, including Flathead Electric’s four-year rate freeze during COVID. The discussion also looks ahead to wildfire mitigation, grid modernization, and the need for meaningful local generation, offering practical insight into how thoughtful leadership and community engagement will shape the region’s energy future. Flathead Electric Cooperative: Home - Flathead Electric Cooperative Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  info@kalispellchamber.com

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

A podcast from The Discover Kalispell Chamber about the initiatives, programs, people, news and businesses you need to know about in Kalispell and the Flathead Valley.

Information

  • Creator
    Jennifer Cronk
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    78
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Venture Boldly, The Discover Kalispell Chamber
  • Show Website
    Venture Boldly

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