Big timber hosted two exciting guests for a couple of days in August, culinary travel professionals and owners of Food Travelist Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris. Sue and Diana spent two days in Big Timber hiking at Natural Bridge, touring a real working ranch, drinking tea with the ladies of Tumblewood Teas, relaxing at Homestead Bed & Breakfast, and of course eating great food. Sue and Diana had lunch from Big Timber Bakery, dinner at The Grand, and breakfast featuring bacon from Pioneer Meats cooked by Nancy Williams at The Homestead Bed & Breakfast.

Yellowstone Country Montana brought Sue and Diana here from Chicago to tour Yellowstone Country following a press trip to Chicago. The ladies got to visit Bozeman, Big Sky, Chico Hot Springs, Big Timber and Livingston. They had a very busy trip and experienced a lot in a short period of time.

The ladies had wonderful things to say about Big Timber and enjoyed their stay here.

Ken and Linda Millman are loving their new location at 403 McLeod Street next to Lariat Laundry. Both businesses, The Common Thread and Big Sky Prints and Graphics, found their new home in July and celebrated with a ribbon cutting and open house Wednesday, August 29. The building is owned by Doug and Mary Lair who did an amazing job remodeling the space with features such as reclaimed barn wood and unique horseshoe quilt hangers. The great businesses and the great remodeling are both worth stopping into see.

Ken and Linda served food, including cake, and drinks. They also offered a free candle with all purchases over $10. It was a great time celebrating a new chapter for these two Big Timber businesses.

Come by and visit The Common Thread and Big Sky Prints and Graphics at their new location!

KGLT - FM: Alternative public radio in Southwest Montana with over 85 DJs playing music around the clock over six signals. DJs have been trained in apprentice classes held three times a year. Has been on the MSU Bozeman campus since 1968. Streams at KGLT.net. Over 1300 listeners per week and produces well over 1500 public service announcements per year. KGLT is supported by underwriters, listeners, grants and the Corporation For Public Broadcasting as well as the Associated Students of Montana State University.

Join us ... for another exciting Raw Deal Run this October. The Sweet Grass Community Foundation (SGCF) will once again host this unique fundraiser creating a great opportunity to support the Chamber’s mission “to promote business and commerce in Sweet Grass County.” 

This year the Chamber is raising money to purchase new Christmas decorations, US and Montana flags and Join Us banner brackets to help improve our downtown image as part of the Chamber’s ongoing effort to revitalize and beautify downtown. 

Contributions made during the Raw Deal Run Community Fundraiser giving period are matched which makes your contribution during this time period all the more impactful. Tax-deductible contributions on behalf of participating organizations are made directly to Sweet Grass Community Foundation. The Raw Deal Run will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. in McLeod, MT. Please make checks payable to Sweet Grass Community Foundation.

Click here for the 2017 Raw Deal Run Donor Form.

Customer service is indisputably one of the most important aspects of any business. From restaurants to hotels to store fronts good customer service will bring costumers back and bad customer service will send them out the door for goo d. In fact, a  recent study  from NewVoiceMedia found that US Companies collectively lose about $41 billion per year as a result of poor customer service experiences.

Customer service is so important there are endless tips on what you should do. This month, I want you to take a moment to think about what you should not do. Read the article 5 Critical Customer Service Don'ts to avoid making these customer losing mistakes.

Montana Trade Show Assistance Program: This program assists Montana based companies in exploring new domestic and international wholesale markets by encouraging first-time exhibition at new trade shows outside of the state. It is not only for companies new to trade show exhibition, but can also be useful for established companies who are looking to exhibit at a show that they have never been to before. It is not intended for a company to use for a trade show at which it has previously exhibited or currently exhibits. 

Click here to learn more.